NM Tech Patents Environmentally Safe Pest Repellent

SOCORRO, Jan. 29, 1998 -- Dr. Daniel H. López, president of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, announced today that the New Mexico Tech Research Foundation recently received a patent for the latest scientific development at the university--an environmentally sensitive animal and insect repellant derived from a plant product which is abundantly grown in New Mexico.

This new invention may be incorporated in paints, stains, plastics, and rubberized materials, and has many other applications.

Research completed at New Mexico Tech has demonstrated that animals, birds, and insects avoid objects treated with this newly patented material which is totally "environmentally friendly" and does not contain harmful chemicals.

The new repellant product will be marketed exclusively by MEDD4, a Santa Fe, New Mexico based company.

The patented material has been tested in laboratories and in the field and has been shown to provide significant relief from damage caused by the instinctive, yet destructive, behavior of many animals, birds, and insects.

In addition, the new product does not contain harmful chemicals which will hurt or poison animals.

"By diminishing or eliminating that type of damage, our newest product will have a major impact on reducing costs of associated repairs and inefficiencies," Dr. López added.

According to Dr. López, one of the inventors of this new animal repellant also was instrumental in developing the nicotine patch at New Mexico Tech.

Darwin Van De Graaf, president of MEDD4, stated: "We are pleased to represent New Mexico Tech and its Research Foundation by marketing this unique product. The successful test results are most impressive and the number of potential applications is vast. We are certain that manufacturers will be very interested in learning more about this environmentally safe new material."

MEDD4 is a limited liability company which specializes in technology transfers, financing, and implementation and production of new products and innovations developed by New Mexico's universities and laboratories.

Contact Person: Robert W. Becker
NMT Research Foundation
Patent Attorney
(505) 286-3511