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CNN Live Sunday
Interview With Michael Nyberg, Inventor of Larvasonic
Aired June 23, 2002 - 17:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: I think you will all agree with me on this one. Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying species on this planet. And not only that, but they can carry the West Nile virus. So what can we do? Well, 15-year-old Michael Nyberg has an idea, and it came to him as he was experimenting with acoustics and mosquitoes for a high school science fair project. That project is now selling for $4,000 a pop, and it's called Larvasonic. That unit was patented last October, and its inventor, Michael Nyberg, joins us now live from Hartford, Connecticut to talk about it. Hi, Michael.
MICHAEL NYBERG, INVENTOR OF THE LARVASONIC: Hi. How are you?
PHILLIPS: Very good. Glad to have you. So you got to tell me now, how this idea came to you? Were you reading about the harmful effects of mosquitoes? Or tell me how it all started.
NYBERG: Well, two years ago, I went to the Intel International Science Fair with a science fair project. And during this trip in Detroit, we went to the -- they brought us to tour the GM Acoustic Laboratories, where I became fascinated by acoustics. So when I came back to Connecticut, I wanted to do a project, a science project on acoustics, and I wanted to put it to a practical use. So I decided that I -- well, I can use acoustics to kill mosquito larvae. So that's -- that's where I got the idea to kill mosquito larvae.
PHILLIPS: Wow. So tell me how it works. Explain -- explain how the system works.
NYBERG: Well, it uses a phenomenon called acoustic larvicide. And what that is is killing mosquitoes in their larval stage. When you put acoustic frequencies into the water, what will happen is their air bladders, which they need to live, will resonate. And when they resonate so much that they'll vibrate and, actually, like explode, and eventually it will kill the mosquito larvae.
PHILLIPS: Ooh. Sounds kind of gross.
NYBERG: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: Now, can we use these in our homes yet, or is this only for outside use right now?
NYBERG: Well, not in your homes, yet. You can use them in your homes, probably -- we're probably going to sell one to the general public within 18 months, but right now we're just selling them to municipalities.
PHILLIPS: What's the kill range?
NYBERG: Well, right now, we're -- we have one for the Larvasonic SD 2001, which is used for -- in storm drain. And that kill range is about 18-inch radius and -- or a 36-inch diameter. And soon -- we just tested on a prototype to use -- be used in a marsh area which can be used 15 feet away.
PHILLIPS: Wow. Now, is this specific to mosquitoes or other insects, also?
NYBERG: That's what nice about it. There's three really main points to why this machine is nice -- because it's acoustic, it's environmentally friendly. It won't affect -- you're not putting pesticides in the -- into the environment. You're -- it's very specific to mosquito larvae. It won't kill anything else. This has been tested on various other types of organisms that live in the same habitat as the mosquito larvae. And last, it's very cost-effective. It can be used -- it can be sold to many of the third world countries that are plagued by malaria.
PHILLIPS: Michael, are you sure you're only 15?
NYBERG: I'm 16 now.
PHILLIPS: So you're 16 now. That's a big difference. OK. Now, how did you get interested in science? Where does all this come from? Has your dad influenced you, or mom, or a teacher?
NYBERG: Well, I originally had to do a science fair project in eighth grade. They kind of forced me to. But, then -- then, I did this science fair project, and I really got fascinated by science. Just taking an idea of following it through to a conclusion, and that's really what fascinates me about this.
PHILLIPS: Wow. OK. So what's your next invention?
NYBERG: I don't know yet.
PHILLIPS: You're still thinking about it?
NYBERG: Yeah, you'll have to see.
PHILLIPS: Give me a heads up on it, will you, when you do it?
NYBERG: OK.
PHILLIPS: All right. I've got to know. Did you win the science fair?
NYBERG: No, I didn't win. I got -- I think I got fourth place in the Environmental Science Division in the Intel International Science Fair.
PHILLIPS: Well, you know what, they're all regretting it now, because you're the one making the money and you're on CNN. Michael Nyberg, Larvasonic is your invention, and I'll be looking for it in the stores. OK?
NYBERG: OK.
PHILLIPS: When it gets a little less than four grand, though. All right?
NYBERG: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: Maybe you can cut me a deal. Michael, thank you and congratulations.
NYBERG: Thank you.
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