LAKE PARK — A young man who first developed the concept of kudzu-killing technology as an elementary school student has received a patent for his work.

Jacob Schindler received United States Patent: 8904703 earlier this month.

The patent is based on the idea and eventually a device he began experimenting with as a grade schooler then into middle school and high school.

Now a University of Georgia junior, Schindler’s concept uses helium to eradicate kudzu.

He initially designed a device that allowed him to drill into the ground, easily attach a small tank of helium, and more evenly distribute the helium on the kudzu, all without reportedly harming other plants.

“While the original version of the drill was made with a copper body glued and soldered to the other components, the version I introduced in 2010 had a more unified appeal with steel composing most of the device until it meets the rubber tubing. This permits for more structural integrity, and ease of manufacturing,” Schindler said.

“Since then, the only change has been the status of the device and method from patent pending to patented. I also now refer to the device as KEHTA (Kay-Tuh). It stands for Kudzu Eradicating Helium Technology Apparatus.”

With the patent approved, Schindler is weighing marketing possibilities.  

“I am carefully exploring all of the options available to me at this point. There is no need to be hasty in this decision,” he said.

“I have been contacted by several law firms who want to handle the licensing of KEHTA. I have not contacted any of them to find out how much that costs or if it is something I want to do.”

He has considered developing a kit which would be packaged with the drill and a helium canister, but he sees the necessary required capital as financially unfeasible now.

“I am certainly open to recommendations, but my primary concern is to make the choice that is most beneficial to the public,” Schindler said. “I want this to help people and the environment.”

In Winston-Salem, N.C., Schindler has worked with city officials on a feasibility study to eradicate 23 acres of kudzu for a proposed recreational park.

“The city recently approved the project,” he said. “I hope they will contact me in the future to perform the eradication and allow me to be a part of the project development.”

Schindler is the son of Lake Park Mayor Eric Schindler and Dr. Julie Schindler.

He is studying for a bachelor’s of landscape architecture at UGA’s College of Environment and Design.

He is the social media person for Georgia Landscape Magazine and the vice president of the United States Green Building Council.

“These responsibilities, along with my studies leave very little time for sleep,” Schindler said. “So, after I graduate, I plan to take a very long nap. Following the nap, I will hopefully have a job opportunity already organized thanks to the school’s excellent internship program.”

As for his patented technology, he said, “I do not exactly know how, but I would like to incorporate the device into my career.”