Mechanical Evaluation of TickBot Efficacy with Amblyomma americanum

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Ticks are ectoparasites that require a blood meal to transition from one life stage to the next. The process of finding a host is referred to as questing, which is facilitated through movement, detection of CO2 emissions and other cues from potential hosts. In the US, tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern with increasing prevalence. A novel autonomous device, TickBot, was designed to reduce tick populations with minimal environmental impact. The original prototype showed tick populations could be reduced to near zero within a treated area for about 24 hours; however, the model has many practical use design issues. This project will work with the latest prototype to investigate the limitations of TickBot and find solutions to create a standardized procedure for commercial and transect usage, including the number of applications necessary for decreased tick abundance. Preliminary assessments show that because TickBot is deployed in various terrain it should have the ability to maneuver with a flexible turn radius and reverse mechanisms. Additionally, an electrically actuated emission valve will be configured with mounting systems for a regulator and tank to deploy CO2. The improved design will be shared with collaborating interns as part of the CDC-funded Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. The overall objective of this research is to create a commercially available, user friendly bot that can be used in various applications to reduce the prevalence of tick-borne disease.

Presenting Author Name/s

Ashley Person

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Holly Gaff

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Biological Sciences

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Disciplines

Automotive Engineering | Bioinformatics | Biological Engineering | Biology | Mechanical Engineering | Pathogenic Microbiology

Session Title

College of Sciences 3

Location

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1310

Start Date

3-30-2024 10:45 AM

End Date

3-30-2024 11:45 AM

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Mar 30th, 10:45 AM Mar 30th, 11:45 AM

Mechanical Evaluation of TickBot Efficacy with Amblyomma americanum

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1310

Ticks are ectoparasites that require a blood meal to transition from one life stage to the next. The process of finding a host is referred to as questing, which is facilitated through movement, detection of CO2 emissions and other cues from potential hosts. In the US, tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern with increasing prevalence. A novel autonomous device, TickBot, was designed to reduce tick populations with minimal environmental impact. The original prototype showed tick populations could be reduced to near zero within a treated area for about 24 hours; however, the model has many practical use design issues. This project will work with the latest prototype to investigate the limitations of TickBot and find solutions to create a standardized procedure for commercial and transect usage, including the number of applications necessary for decreased tick abundance. Preliminary assessments show that because TickBot is deployed in various terrain it should have the ability to maneuver with a flexible turn radius and reverse mechanisms. Additionally, an electrically actuated emission valve will be configured with mounting systems for a regulator and tank to deploy CO2. The improved design will be shared with collaborating interns as part of the CDC-funded Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. The overall objective of this research is to create a commercially available, user friendly bot that can be used in various applications to reduce the prevalence of tick-borne disease.