Zapping mosquito bites NPL worked with Ecobrands Ltd to characterise their Zap-It! product, which uses the tiny electric current generated by piezoelectric material to relieve the pain and itching caused by insect bites - such as those from mosquitos. The Zap-It! handheld device (image courtesy of Ecobrands Ltd) Background Zap-It! is a pocket-sized product, marketed by Ecobrands, that is based around a similar piezoelectric mechanism to that used as the ignition source in electronic lighters. It is a medical device, currently available to buy in high street stores across the UK and Europe but, to be sold in the United States of America, it needs FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval, which requires further test data regarding its electrical output. Piezoelectric materials, the most

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