Malaria ranks as one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. One promising method for combating malaria is the development of chemical additives that kill or deter the mosquitos that transmit the disease. However, many impoverished nations facing a malaria epidemic cannot afford the carriers of these additives. The most striking example is paint. This project will develop an anti-mosquito technology fabricated from inexpensive, recycled paint. Researchers at UBC Okanagan have teamed up with Loop Recycled Products, an Ontario-based paint company that recycles unused, stagnant paint, and re-sells it at low cost worldwide. Loop recently secured exclusive rights to use Kyzox, an anti-mosquito additive, in North America. The team will optimize the repellency of the anti-mosquito recycled paint, distribute the paint to community partners in Ghana, Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic, and assess its efficacy at curtailing malaria in real-world conditions. All community partners will receive the anti-mosquito recycled paint for free.
Kevin Golovin moved to the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto in July 2021. Formerly at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Golovin received his PhD from the University of Michigan for his research on drag-reducing surfaces, anti-icing materials, extreme liquid repellency, and the fracture mechanics of interfaces. After completing his PhD, he continued to develop novel, next-generation coatings and materials at HygraTek LLC. HygraTek is currently commercializing his ice-repellent materials for wind farms and power-lines in cold climates.
Dr. Golovin holds several patents and has published and presented extensively in the field of material science. His work on icephobic surfaces has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Chemistry World, The London Telegraph, and Science Magazine. Along with a team of business students, he received the first-place grand prize at the 2016 Patagonia Eco Innovation Case Competition.
Dr. Golovin’s diverse research team is investigating next-generation surface science with a focus on addressing energy and sustainability challenges. His research group explores high-impact engineering using a multidisciplinary, fundamental research approach.