Abstract: A disposable container for the mass-rearing of insects can include a first layer, a mixture, and a second layer. The first layer can be molded to form a cavity and define an opening to allow the mixture to be positioned in the cavity. A quantity of the mixture can be positioned in the cavity and comprise insect larvae and food for the insect larvae. The second layer can be positioned over the opening and coupled to the first layer to seal the opening. The first layer or the second layer can include a disposable material and the second layer can couple to the first layer to form a disposable container.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a vessel having an interior space to receive water and insect pupae. The apparatus may include a release container connected to the vessel and a sensor positioned proximate to the release container to detect an adult insect passing by the sensor and into the release container. A shutter may be positioned proximate to an entrance to the release container. The shutter may have an open position and a closed position to control access between the vessel and the release container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for dynamic release planning for insect release. One example method includes receiving information indicating a population of wild insects within a geographic region; determining a number of wild insects per unit area within the geographic region; placing, based on the number of wild insects per unit area, one or more insect release points based on the number of wild insects per unit area, each insect release point indicating a release of a predefined quantity of insects; and generating an insect release route through the geographic region, the insect release route passing through each insect release point.

Abstract: One example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume, the vessel has first and second surfaces substantially opposite each other, the first surface defining an opening into the volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects within the volume; and a seal positioned to obstruct the opening and adhered to the first surface. Another example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insect larvae or pupae or adult insects disposed within the volume; wherein the vessel is permanently sealed, and wherein release of the insect larvae or pupae or adult insects occurs upon rupture of the vessel. A further example insect release device includes a vessel defining a volume; a population of insects disposed within the volume; and a gimbal mechanism coupled to the vessel, the gimbal configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the vessel.

Abstract: An insect separating apparatus may include a sensor positioned to detect one or more insects when present within a test chamber. For example, the sensor may emit signals into the test chamber and receive reflected signals indicative of Doppler shifts caused by movement of the one or more insects. Based on information from the sensor, a computing device may determine a characteristic of the one or more insects in the chamber, such as a wing beat frequency, sex, or other characteristic. The computing device may instruct different responses based on the characteristic determined, such as activating an air mover to divert detected mosquitoes out of the test chamber in response to the determined characteristics matching those of female mosquitoes, or deactivating or maintaining the air mover in an inactive condition in response to the determined characteristics matching those of male mosquitoes, for example, to allow passage through the chamber into a collection receptacle.

Abstract: One example insect sensing system includes a light emitter configured to emit light; a structured light generator positioned to receive the emitted light and configured to generate structured light from the emitted light; a plurality of light sensors arranged in a line, each of the light sensors oriented to receive at least a portion of the structured light and output a sensor signal indicating an amount of light received by the respective light sensor; a processing device configured to: obtain the sensor signals from each of the light sensors, and determine a presence of an insect based a received sensor signal from at least one light sensor, the sensor signal indicating a reduced amount of received light by the at least one light sensor. Another example insect sensing system includes a camera comprising an image sensor and a lens having an aperture of f/2.8 or wider; and a processor configured to obtain an image from the camera and detect an insect in the image.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon device including a deformable material is in an ingestible form for delivery to a stomach of a patient, expands in response to stimuli in the stomach, and degrades within a limited duration (such as 16 hours or some other value between 2 hours and 72 hours) to diminish to passable form in which remains of the intragastric balloon device are passable from the stomach. In an illustrative example, the deformable material is composed of silicone coated with parylene and encloses perfluoropentane fluid that transitions from liquid to gas due to stomach temperature to inflate the balloon in the stomach and occupy space in the stomach until a fuse of methacrylate erodes to unblock a vent conduit to permit escape of the perfluoropentane for deflating the balloon to diminish to passable form.

Abstract: In one aspect, a singulation chamber apparatus defines a volume having a receiving end and an opposing end. The receiving end may be couplable to an insect chamber for a plurality of ambulatory insects and define an opening to receive the plurality of ambulatory insects from the insect chamber. A surface of the chamber is ramped to provide a pathway between the receiving end and the opposing end such that the opposing end is elevated with respect to the first end via the ramped surface. The pathway has a width sized to accommodate a single-file line of the plurality of ambulatory insects traversing the ramped surface.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a vessel and a first passageway and a second passageway that connect the vessel to a first release container and a second release container, respectively. A first and a second sensor may be positioned proximate to a first and a second release container, respectively. Each sensor may detect an adult insect passing into the respective release container. A first and second shutter may be positioned in the first passageway and the second passageway, respectively. Each shutter may have an open and a closed position to control access to the respective release container. A computing device may receive a first input signal from the first sensor and a second input signal from the second sensor. The first and second shutter may receive a first output signal and a second output signal, respectively, from the computing device to position the respective shutter in the open or closed position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a singulation chamber apparatus defines a volume having a receiving end and an opposing end. The receiving end may be couplable to an insect chamber for a plurality of ambulatory insects and define an opening to receive the plurality of ambulatory insects from the insect chamber. A surface of the chamber is ramped to provide a pathway between the receiving end and the opposing end such that the opposing end is elevated with respect to the first end via the ramped surface. The pathway has a width sized to accommodate a single-file line of the plurality of ambulatory insects traversing the ramped surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated release of insects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: an insect storage device defining one or more internal compartments to store a population of insects; a loading mechanism for loading the insect storage device with a population of insects; and an insect release device coupled to the loading mechanism and configured to release into an environment one or more insects from the population of insects in the insect storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated release of insects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: an insect storage device defining one or more internal compartments to store a population of insects; a loading mechanism for loading the insect storage device with a population of insects; and an insect release device coupled to the loading mechanism and configured to release into an environment one or more insects from the population of insects in the insect storage device.

Abstract: Example insect egg conveyors are disclosed. One example insect egg conveyor device includes multiple rollers positioned along a path and a drive unit that includes a motor connected to a roller of the multiple rollers to drive the roller and rotate the roller. The device also includes a substrate positioned on the roller and a fluid source positioned along the path. The rollers are arranged to move the substrate along the path and toward the fluid source in response to the motor rotating the roller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an automated mass rearing system for insect larvae. The automated mass rearing system can facilitate hatching, feeding, monitoring the growth and emergence of insect larvae and pupae. In some embodiments, the automated mass rearing system can include a production unit, a transportation unit, a storage unit, a dispensing unit, and a monitoring unit. In some embodiments, this automated mass rearing system can facilitate mass mosquito growth from egg hatching all the way through to full adults or certain stages in between such as the larvae rearing process (i.e., from larvae to pupae) with little or no human intervention. By automating the rearing and transportation of insect eggs, larvae, and pupae, deaths or developmental issues can be minimized. Various techniques and apparatuses are used in this automation that causes minimal disturbance to the insects during development, and thereby maximizing survival rate and fitness of the insects.

Abstract: Systems and methods can be provided to monitor insects (e.g., mosquitoes) in the field and gather data to ground truth one or more sensors or machine learning classification algorithms for classifying insects. A trap with various sensor capabilities can capture various insects and data pertaining to the captured insects. Some embodiments may enable offline identification of information by an entomologist or other individuals and use the identification information to ground-truth the one or more sensors. Using the trap with the various sensor capabilities increases the availability and diversity of training data for machine learning classification algorithms on the primary sensor.

Abstract: Example insect egg conveyors are disclosed. One example insect egg conveyor device includes multiple rollers positioned along a path and a drive unit that includes a motor connected to a roller of the multiple rollers to drive the roller and rotate the roller. The device also includes a substrate positioned on the roller and a fluid source positioned along the path. The rollers are arranged to move the substrate along the path and toward the fluid source in response to the motor rotating the roller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a blood feeding system using nonwoven fabric materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, a feeding pouch includes: a first surface comprising an impermeable material; a second surface comprising a nonwoven fabric material, the first surface bonded to the second surface to form a pouch; and blood deposited within the pouch.

Abstract: A vessel including an identification region may be placed in a holder. Through interaction of a positioning feature on the vessel and an orientation feature on the holder, the vessel can be placed into an alignment orientation, e.g., such that the identification region may be reliably read by a reader. The identification region may provides information related to the sample, such as vessel identity, sample volume, processes to be performed on the sample, and so on.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a liquid handling process involves the use of a robotic device that manipulates a plurality of separate tools. A first tool may be removably engaged with the robotic device, which manipulates and control the first tool to perform at least one liquid handling task or operation with respect to at least one liquid sample. The first tool may then be positioned at a first location on a support, and disengaged from the robotic device. Thereafter, the first tool may perform at least one liquid handling task or operation while on the support and separated from the robotic device.

Abstract: An automated laboratory system and method allow high-throughput and fully automated processing of materials, such as liquids including genetic materials. The invention includes a variety of aspects that may be combined into a single system. For example, processing may be performed by a plurality of robotic-equipped modular stations, where each modular station has its own unique environment in which processes are performed. Transport devices, such as conveyor belts, may move objects between modular stations, saving movement for robots in the modular stations. Gels used for gel electrophoresis may be extruded, thus decreasing the time needed to form such gels. Robotically-operated well forming tools allow wells to be formed in gels in a registered and accurate way.