Drying Oil Clay Coatings for Rainfast Crop Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural chemicals used as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides face issues such as erosion, leaching, and photodegradation, leading to reduced efficacy and environmental contamination, particularly in pre-emergent applications and pre-harvest fruit protection, with a need for non-toxic, breathable, and rainfast barrier coatings to enhance retention and prevent pest infestation and sunburn.
Innovation Solution
A concentrated liquid suspension formulation comprising an organic phase with suspended particulates forms a cured, water-resistant coating on agricultural targets, using blends of drying oils and clay minerals, which can include organically modified clays, to improve retention and pest control properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pesticides are used to protect crops, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and environmental contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of pest control formulations by replacing synthetic pesticides with plant-derived essential oils and natural compounds. This substitution maintains pest control effectiveness while eliminating toxicity and environmental contamination associated with conventional chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biodegradable natural compounds that break down quickly in the environment, replacing persistent synthetic pesticides. These natural formulations provide temporary protection but decompose harmlessly, avoiding long-term environmental accumulation and toxicity.
2Reliability
If agricultural chemicals are applied to fields, then crop protection and growth promotion are improved, but erosion and leaching losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjuvants and carrier materials into the formulation before application that enhance adhesion and retention of active ingredients on plant surfaces and soil. This preliminary preparation prevents rapid wash-off by rain or irrigation, reducing erosion and leaching losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite formulations combining multiple natural ingredients including essential oils, plant extracts, and biodegradable carriers. This composite structure improves chemical retention and reduces runoff compared to simple chemical applications.
3Reliability
If pre-emergent herbicides are applied to soil, then weed control is improved, but photodegradation and microbial dissipation reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical stability parameters by using natural compounds with appropriate persistence characteristics. These formulations degrade at controlled rates that match crop germination timelines, maintaining weed control effectiveness without excessive persistence that would cause environmental issues.
4Reliability
If barrier coatings are applied to fruits and vegetables, then protection from pests and sunburn is improved, but breathability and rainfastness properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous or semi-permeable natural coating materials that allow gas exchange (breathability) while providing physical barrier protection. These porous structures permit water vapor transmission to prevent fruit cracking while blocking pests and UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the physical and chemical parameters of coating formulations including viscosity, composition ratios, and application thickness to achieve both breathability and rainfastness. By adjusting these parameters, the coating forms a flexible film that adheres to fruit surfaces and resists washing off while maintaining gas permeability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation provides enhanced retention of active ingredients, reduces leaching and photodegradation, and offers pest control by forming durable, breathable coatings that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, suitable for various agricultural targets.
Implementation Method 1
a non-toxic barrier coating formulation that can be applied to an agricultural target... the formulation forms a cured coating on the agricultural target
Implementation Method 2
the formulation forms a cured coating on the agricultural target... water-resistant, resistant to friction, or rainfast
Data Source
AI summary
The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising a drying oil and suspended particulate materials, and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target.