KU students develop eco-friendly mosquito repellent ‘Buzz Shield’
Alkama Romin, KU :
A group of students from Khulna University (KU) has developed an innovative and environment-friendly alternative to traditional mosquito coils, named ‘Buzz Shield’, which they claim is more effective and harmless to human health.
The innovation recently secured a position among the top ten projects in a national competition organized by the FBCCI Innovation and Research Center (FBCCI IRC). The young inventors are now working to make the product more user-friendly and suitable for commercial use.
According to the researchers, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya have become major public health concerns across Bangladesh. Conventional mosquito coils have failed to provide satisfactory protection and are often criticized by health experts for emitting harmful smoke. Similarly, various electric mosquito repellents available in the market are neither health-friendly nor effective.
Realizing the need for a sustainable alternative, a group of KU students initiated a research-based project and successfully developed ‘Buzz Shield’ after six months of experimentation. Initial field tests within the university campus and surrounding areas have shown encouraging results.
The innovation team includes Nishat Jahan Nadeera (CEO, Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Batch 2021), Md. Mukarram Hossain (Marketing, Documentation and Social Media Manager, Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Batch 2022), Md. Sourav Hossain (Analytics and Field Manager, Statistics Discipline, Batch 2021), and Mifduzzaman Ratul (Finance and IT Manager, Mathematics Discipline, Batch 2023).
Speaking to this correspondent at the university cafeteria on Sunday, team leader Nishat Jahan Nadeera said, “Mosquitoes have become a widespread problem. A family of four spends around Tk 800 to 1,000 monthly on mosquito control, often using products harmful to human health. Thinking about the next generation, we started working on a safer and sustainable alternative. After months of testing, we found our Buzz Shield to be highly effective. We are now refining it further.”
Explaining the technical aspects, Md. Mukarram Hossain said the name ‘Buzz Shield’ symbolizes protection from mosquito buzzing, bites, and irritation. “It requires only a biodegradable bag and three natural, environment-friendly compounds. When mixed with one liter of water, they form a solution that attracts mosquitoes away from humans. Once drawn to it, the mixture affects the mosquitoes’ digestive system, creating a protein crystal that disrupts their breeding cycle,” he explained, adding that the compound names have been withheld for research confidentiality.
Mifduzzaman Ratul said the prototype has proven effective, but further financial support is required to make it market-ready. Md. Sourav Hossain added that the project initially received Tk 50,000 from the University Innovation Hub Program and later obtained a small research grant from the FBCCI IRC and UNDP after being ranked among the top ten out of more than 450 innovations nationwide.
Appreciating the students’ achievement, Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim said, “Khulna University students are excelling not only in academics but also in research and innovation. The ‘Buzz Shield’ project reflects their creative potential and could play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment.”