Cellulose-based pickering emulsion for sustained agrochemical delivery
A novel cellulose-based Pickering emulsion technology for sustained and controlled delivery of agrochemicals, reducing environmental impact and enhancing crop protection efficiency.
Overview
This innovative solution leverages cellulose-based Pickering emulsions (PE) for the sustained and controlled delivery of agrochemicals. Traditional pesticide applications suffer from low efficiency and environmental harm due to drift and runoff. This technology promises a more sustainable approach by using biodegradable cellulose acetate nanoparticles (CANPs) to stabilize emulsions, facilitating the co-delivery of both oil- and water-soluble active ingredients (AIs) such as pesticides and plant growth regulators. This method aims to decrease the frequency of applications and improve the precision of agrochemical delivery.
Technical specifications
- Stabilization: Utilizes solid colloidal CANPs for enhanced stability compared to traditional emulsions.
- Dual delivery: Supports simultaneous delivery of oil-soluble (Fluopyram) and water-soluble (Abscisic acid) AIs.
- Release modulation: Tailored to control the release timing of AIs, allowing extended release profiles.
- Fabrication: Prepared using solvent displacement techniques with CANPs, enabling encapsulation in a multiphase structure.
- Validation: Includes microscopy, light scattering, and in-vitro HPLC assays, with field and greenhouse trials planned for further validation.
Technology readiness level
This technology is at TRL 4, having been validated in a laboratory environment with initial successful trials and preparations for further validation in greenhouse settings.
About North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a large, comprehensive public land‑grant research university in Raleigh. Its on‑campus research and technology park co‑locates corporate R&D groups, government partners, and faculty labs, enabling shared facilities, prototyping, and agile contracting. Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, partners tap a dense regional ecosystem while engaging through a statewide extension network and a mature co‑op program that deliver field deployment and workforce pipelines. Multiple pilot and demonstration facilities support scale‑up and validation toward pre‑commercial readiness. Research is supported by competitive funding from major federal agencies, including NSF, USDA, DOE, and DOD, and a dedicated technology transfer office with clear IP pathways helps accelerate commercialization.
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