Nanostructured Core-Shell Agrichemical Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficient delivery of nutrients and agrichemicals to plants results in poor crop growth and increased environmental impact due to high losses through evaporation, degradation, and run-off.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructured agrichemical delivery vehicle with a core-shell structure, where the core and shell are made of polymeric materials that can be triggered to release agrichemicals by specific environmental or biotic stimuli such as enzymes, pH, temperature, and moisture content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional delivery methods are used for nutrients and agrichemicals, then application is simple, but delivery efficiency is poor with high losses through evaporation, degradation, and run-off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the delivery system by using nanostructured core-shell particles with specific size ranges (1-1000 nm) and controlled composition ratios. The shell-to-core ratio and material selection (biodegradable polymers, lipids, or inorganic materials) are optimized to control release kinetics and prevent losses while maintaining delivery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures combining multiple materials with complementary properties - such as biodegradable polymers (PLA, PLGA, chitosan) combined with lipids or inorganic materials - to create core-shell nanoparticles that simultaneously provide protected delivery, controlled release, and environmental compatibility, thereby reducing losses while improving productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional delivery methods are used, then the system is simple, but nutrients are not delivered at the right time, place, and dose
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into discrete nanostructured core-shell particles, each functioning as an independent delivery unit. This segmentation allows precise control over delivery timing and location at the nanoscale level, enabling nutrients to be released at specific times and places while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating core-shell structures with different material properties in different regions - the core contains the agrichemical payload while the shell provides controlled release characteristics. This local differentiation enables precise control over where and when nutrients are delivered without requiring complex external control systems.
3Productivity
If agrichemicals are released without triggering mechanisms, then the system is simple, but release is not targeted and precise
Solution Approach 1:
The core-shell nanoparticles are designed to be self-triggering through incorporation of stimuli-responsive materials that automatically respond to environmental conditions (pH, temperature, light, enzymes). This self-service mechanism enables targeted release without requiring external control systems, improving productivity while keeping the triggering mechanism inherently simple and integrated into the particle structure itself.
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 nanostructured delivery vehicle enables targeted and precise release of agrichemicals, enhancing crop development and reducing environmental impact by minimizing waste and improving nutrient uptake by plants.
Implementation Method 1
The release of the agrichemical component from the core, the shell or both is triggered by exposure to at least one of a predetermined enzyme
Implementation Method 2
The release of the agrichemical component from the core, the shell or both is triggered by exposure to at least one of a predetermined pH
Implementation Method 3
The release of the agrichemical component from the core, the shell or both is triggered by exposure to at least one of a predetermined moisture content
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the instant disclosure relate to a nanostructured agrichemical delivery vehicle. The vehicle has a core-shell structure. The core includes a first polymeric material. The shell at least partially encases the core. The shell includes a second polymeric material. The core, the shell, or both include an agrichemical component distributed about the first polymeric material, the second polymeric material, or both. The release of the agrichemical component from the core, the shell or both is triggered by exposure to at least one of a predetermined enzyme, a predetermined pH, a predetermined biotic secretion, a predetermined temperature, a predetermined moisture content, a predetermined light source.