Polyurea Microcapsules for Controlled Herbicide Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herbicide formulations, particularly acetamide herbicides, cause crop injury and have limited residual weed control activity, and compositions with multiple herbicides are challenging due to sensitivity to additives and compatibility issues during microencapsulation.

Innovation Solution

Development of herbicidal microcapsules with a core material containing a combination of acetamide herbicides and a second herbicide, encapsulated in a polyurea shell, allowing for controlled release and improved compatibility, stability, and broader application windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If acetamide herbicides are applied in conventional emulsifiable concentrate formulations, then residual weed control activity is achieved, but crop injury occurs due to uncontrolled release rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual weed control activityVSAvoidcrop injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The herbicide is segmented into microcapsules with controlled release properties, dividing the release process into manageable stages that prevent sudden high concentrations from damaging crops while maintaining residual control activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The release rate parameter is changed from uncontrolled (conventional formulation) to controlled (microencapsulated), allowing the herbicide to be released at rates that are safe for crops but effective for weed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple herbicides are combined in microencapsulated formulations, then herbicide resistance is addressed and application flexibility is improved, but formulation stability is reduced due to sensitivity to additives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication flexibilityVSAvoidformulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The microcapsule shell acts as an intermediary barrier between the multiple herbicides and the external environment, isolating sensitive herbicides from incompatible additives while allowing controlled release of all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A composite microcapsule structure is created with a core containing multiple herbicides and a shell providing protective isolation, combining the benefits of multiple herbicides while maintaining formulation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 microencapsulated herbicides provide enhanced crop safety, extended weed control, and flexibility in application timing and soil conditions, reducing the need for multiple applications and addressing herbicide resistance.

Implementation Method 1

The herbicide is released from the microcapsules at least in part by molecular diffusion through the shell wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20260096553A1Microencapsulated herbicides

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

Herbicidal microcapsules containing a combination of herbicides are described. In particular, the herbicidal microcapsules include a core material comprising an acetamide herbicide and a second herbicide and a shell wall encapsulating the core material. Also described are processes for preparing the microcapsules, various herbicidal compositions containing the microcapsules, and methods of preparing and using the herbicidal compositions.