Dithiopyr Microcapsule Suspension for Weed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current herbicide formulations often lack effective control over unwanted plants, particularly crabgrass and broadleaf weeds, due to instability and toxicity concerns, and have limited environmental and crop safety profiles.

Innovation Solution

Development of microcapsule formulations containing dithiopyr encapsulated in a polyurea shell, with varying diameters and wall thicknesses, providing improved chemical and physical stability and reduced toxicity to crops and the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dithiopyr is formulated in conventional liquid or granular forms, then herbicidal activity is achieved, but stability and environmental safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The herbicide dithiopyr is segmented into microscopic capsules (1-10 micrometers in diameter) with controlled wall thickness (10-100 nanometers), dividing the active ingredient into isolated compartments that reduce environmental exposure and improve stability while maintaining herbicidal efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A polymeric capsule shell with optimized wall thickness (10-100 nm) encapsulates the dithiopyr, providing a protective barrier that enhances chemical stability and reduces toxicity to crops and the environment while allowing controlled release of the herbicide

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If herbicide formulations use higher concentrations for better weed control, then efficacy improves, but crop safety and environmental impact worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicidal efficacyVSAvoidcrop safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation changes the physical state of dithiopyr from bulk liquid to microcapsule suspension, optimizing capsule size (1-10 μm) and wall thickness (10-100 nm) parameters to achieve enhanced herbicidal efficacy at reduced application rates while improving crop safety through controlled release and reduced non-target exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional herbicide formulations are applied, then weed control is achieved, but residence time and effective period are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidence timeVSAvoideffective period

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The microcapsule formulation provides dynamic control of herbicide release, where the polymeric shell gradually releases dithiopyr over time, extending both residence time in the environment and effective period of herbicidal activity, allowing the formulation to adapt to varying environmental conditions and plant growth stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9480257B2Capsule suspension formulations of dithiopyr herbicide

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC

AI summary

Dithiopyr capsule suspension formulations, possessing a broad range of capsule wall thicknesses and diameters are disclosed. These capsules have decreased volatility and provide enhanced biological activity when compared with commercial dithiopyr in water formulations.