Chinese scientists claim new radar can track mosquito's flight from a mile away
'We are actually quite close to bringing this technology out of the laboratory and using it to save lives'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chinese scientists claim they are developing a radar so sensitive it can detect mosquitoes flying more than a mile away.
The device uses the latest military technology to measure the wing-flapping speed of individual insects, according to one of the researchers involved in the government project.
It is thought the equipment could be used to track migrating mosquitos and warn people at risk from diseases like malaria and zika.
It follows the news last year that China was making a powerful radar that can detect stealth aircraft.
“Identifying and tracking individual, mosquito-sized targets is no longer science fiction,” a researcher who wished to remain anonymous told the South China Morning Post. “We are actually quite close to bringing this technology out of the laboratory and using it to save lives.”
The scientist said to be leading the project, Teng Long, from the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), has co-authored several research papers on the subject.
In 2016 he proposed "a novel method to acquire 3D flight trajectory of individual insect".
Last year his paper "Micro-Doppler measurement of insect wing-beat frequencies with W-band coherent radar" suggested radar could be used for identification of species.
His team was reportedly given more than 82 million yuan (£9.2 million) by the government to build a full-sized mosquito detection radar for field testing.
A report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies recently warned that China was challenging the military supremacy of the West by expanding its military capabilities, with a combat stealth aircraft due to enter service in 2020
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments