Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To meet the DHP"s need for a freestanding, lightweight, compact, portable trap to col

Description

To meet the DHP"s need for a freestanding, lightweight, compact, portable trap to collect a broad spectrum of flying disease vectors, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a Multi Configurable Trap (McTrap), based on a combination of trap features that have proven effective in collecting different species; a solar-powered internal rechargeable power source; and a lightweight CO^2 source that can operate continuously for multiple days. Modular design packages these features and components into an easily assembled/disassembled freestanding trap, keeping the stowed McTrap 2x the size and 3x the weight of a stowed CDC trap. This results in a portable, reliable, and effective trap for military entomologists to accurately characterize the threat of disease vectors, e.g. Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Phlebotomus, and Lutzomyia, on deployments to remote locations and environments. When in use, it can be placed anywhere from ground level to a freestanding height of over 1.5 m. In Phase I, POC will design the McTrap and fabricate a prototype to operate for over 24 hours without an external power source. In Phase II, POC will design and fabricate a fieldworthy prototype for testing in laboratory and field environments, for efficacy in collecting a variety of disease vectors.