Aerospace
In the humid heat of south Florida, the citrus psyllid — a tiny
pest — is feasting on oranges by the acre, causing citrus crop
farmers big trouble. Aerospace engineering faculty member
Andy Shelton, along with chemical engineering faculty member
Ron Neuman and a University of Florida entomologist with the
Citrus Research and Education Center, are studying a citrus psyllid
repellent called dimethyl disulfide, which is found naturally in
onions, cabbage and garlic. And it’s stinky stuff. With Neuman’s
expertise in physical chemistry and chemical analysis and Shelton’s
computational fluid dynamic simulation and deployment analysis,
the team is developing a mixture, as well as a dispenser, to deliver
the repellent at the right time and location in the orange groves
with minimal impact on the surrounding environment. So the little
psyllid can live another day, somewhere else.
- Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
- Auburn, AL 36849
- Phone: 334-844-2308