Enhancing stability, retention, and uptake of agricultural inputs | Agriculture

Enhancing stability, retention, and uptake of agricultural inputs

Background
What we're looking for
What we can offer you
Who we are
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Background

In agriculture, many inputs are applied directly to leaf surfaces, such as foliar fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and biologicals. However, these applications face significant performance barriers: droplets may run off or bounce off the waxy cuticle, actives may fail to penetrate into the plant tissue, and some compounds degrade from UV exposure before they can take effect.

Current formulation strategies address some of these issues, but challenges remain. Even with improved surfactants or carriers, a portion of each application is often lost before absorption, reducing efficacy and leading to increased use of inputs. In particular, UV degradation is a key pain point, especially in high-light environments, where active ingredients break down rapidly on the leaf surface.

Solutions that prevent UV breakdown, enhance adhesion to the leaf, or improve cuticle penetration could help maximize the value of every spray and contribute to more sustainable use of agricultural products.

What we're looking for

We are looking for novel solutions to improve the retention, protection, or uptake of agricultural inputs applied to foliage, whether by preventing UV degradation, enhancing droplet adhesion, or improving cuticle penetration. Solutions may be based on unique molecules, formulation strategies, or delivery systems.

We welcome submissions from a range of disciplines, including synthetic chemistry, formulation science, and surface/interface technologies. We are also open to solutions from adjacent industries such as cosmetics or personal care, where similar challenges around stability, adhesion, and skin penetration are commonly addressed.

Solutions of interest include:

UV Protection Agents:
Radical scavengers (e.g. antioxidants like tocopherol or BHT)
UV-absorbing molecules (e.g. benzophenone derivatives, triazines)
Natural UV blockers (e.g. flavonoids, lignin derivatives, ferulic acid)
Polymer-based UV shields (e.g. soluble UV-protective copolymers)
Oil-soluble stabilizers for organic-phase compatibility
Droplet Retention Enhancers:
Super-spreaders (e.g. organosilicone surfactants)
Stickers and film-forming agents (e.g. latex dispersions, natural resins)
High-performance surfactants (e.g. alkoxylated fatty alcohols)
Humectants (e.g. glycerol, sorbitol) to slow evaporation and promote spread
Polymers for rainfastness and surface adhesion
Cuticle Penetration Enhancers:
Penetration enhancers (e.g. non-ionic surfactants, methylated seed oils)
Lipid-compatible adjuvants (e.g. lecithin, natural oils)
Nanoemulsions or micelles for delivery of actives
Solubilizers that reduce molecular aggregation on leaf surface
Co-formulants that temporarily disrupt or swell the cuticle layer

Our must-have requirements are:

Preliminary evidence of functionality (UV protection, droplet retention, or cuticle uptake)
Safe for use on common field and orchard crops (e.g., corn, soy, citrus, apples)
Expected compatibility with liquid formulations
Expected formulation stability with a shelf life of at least 2–3 years under standard storage conditions

Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):

Levels 3-7