Evaluating Graphene-treated Fabrics as an Innovative Platform for Enhancing Soldier Protection from Arthropod Vectors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Entomology
• Military Technology

Background:

• Military personnel face high risks from arthropod-borne diseases.
• Current protective measures like pyrethroid-treated uniforms have limitations in durability and efficacy, especially against resistant insects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel non-insecticidal approach using graphene-treated fabrics for enhanced soldier protection against mosquito bites.
• To assess the durability and efficacy of different graphene application patterns against mosquito bites after multiple wash cycles.

Main Methods:

• Graphene was applied to military fabrics in thin line, thick line, and dot patterns.
• Fabrics were subjected to military wash protocols up to 50 cycles.
• Mosquito biting rates of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus were monitored on treated and control fabrics using an arm-in-cage method at various wash levels.

Main Results:

• All graphene-infused fabric patterns significantly reduced mosquito bites against both species at certain wash levels.
• The thick line pattern showed the greatest bite reduction (64.7%) at 50 wash cycles.
• Anopheles albimanus bites were most significantly reduced across all graphene print patterns.

Conclusions:

• Graphene-treated fabrics demonstrate robust bite protection against host-seeking mosquitoes.
• This technology can supplement existing pyrethroid defenses, addressing issues of chemical durability and insecticide resistance.
• Integrating graphene into military uniforms offers a promising, long-lasting protection strategy for soldiers.