Hydrolyzable polymer composite for sustained fertilizer release
NuPlon™ is a hydrolyzable polymer matrix technology designed for the sustained release of fertilizers over weeks to months, optimizing nutrient availability during the growing season and minimizing environmental loss.
Overview
NuPlon™ is an innovative matrix-type fertilizer technology designed to provide sustained release of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, over an extended period. This approach ensures that plants receive nutrients gradually as needed, minimizing fertilizer loss to the environment and reducing the need for frequent applications. The polymer matrix, which breaks down into biocompatible components upon exposure to moisture, ensures a controlled release of embedded fertilizers.
Technical specifications
The NuPlon™ composite is created by dissolving fertilizers and a photoinitiator in a partially polymerized prepolymer, followed by a UV photopolymerization process that solidifies the blend and induces crosslinking. This crosslinked structure is resistant to hydrolysis, allowing the composite to degrade slowly and release nutrients consistently. Future developments include a NuPlon-derived urea modification platform to enhance slow nitrogen release, with bench-scale synthesis and characterization using SEM and thermal analysis.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 4, NuPlon™ has undergone bench-scale validation, with ongoing efforts to optimize synthesis parameters and profile nutrient release. The technology is poised for further scale-up and internal testing, aiming to establish a cost-effective, solvent-free pathway for slow-release fertilizers.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research institution in West Lafayette, Indiana, anchored by a large residential campus. Industry engages through co‑located core facilities, pilot‑scale testbeds, and an adjacent innovation district that brings together labs, corporate R&D space, and maker resources near faculty talent. A statewide Extension network and an established engineering co‑op program connect companies to field sites, workforce pipelines, and pragmatic pathways from concept to deployment across Indiana. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH, and the Department of Defense, and commercialization is managed by a dedicated technology transfer office in partnership with the university’s affiliated research foundation.
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