Porous Core Seed Coating with Hydrophilic Membrane for Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agronomic treatments for plants, particularly seeds, face challenges in controlling the release of active species in humid substrates and protecting them from moisture, leading to inefficiencies in germination stimulation, growth promotion, and pathogen protection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising inert core particles with a porous surface for adsorption/absorption of active species, encapsulated by a hydrophilic polymer membrane that is permeable in humid conditions, allowing controlled release and protection against hydration, using a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers for staggered release and environmental compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a solid particle with mineral or synthetic material is used to adsorb active species, then the active species can be carried in the substrate, but the release of active species cannot be controlled and they are exposed to moisture during hydration
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic polymer membrane is formed as a flexible shell around the solid particle core. This membrane is outwardly permeable to active species while being selectively permeable to water, allowing controlled release of active species into the humid substrate while protecting the core from direct moisture exposure during storage and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid material core is designed with a porous structure that provides a large inner developed surface area for adsorption of active species. The porosity allows the active species to be held within the particle while enabling controlled diffusion into the humid substrate when needed, resolving the contradiction between carrying capacity and controlled release.
2Reliability
If a capsule with polymer membrane is used to encapsulate active species, then the active species are protected from moisture, but the capsules lack mechanical strength to withstand attrition during post-treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The particle is constructed as a composite structure combining a solid mineral or synthetic material core with a hydrophilic polymer membrane shell. This composite design provides both the mechanical strength needed to withstand attrition during post-treatment operations and the moisture protection required to preserve active species viability, resolving the contradiction between strength and protection.
3Productivity
If the membrane is made highly permeable to active species, then release is rapid, but the membrane cannot withstand temporary hydration during preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic polymer membrane is designed with specific permeability parameters that allow rapid diffusion of active species while maintaining structural integrity during temporary hydration. The membrane's hydrophilic properties enable it to absorb and transport water molecules controllably, allowing the system to withstand hydration during preparation while maintaining high release rates when needed.
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 system ensures effective and efficient release of active species when needed, minimizing losses during storage and application, while maintaining viability and activity, and is environmentally friendly and compatible with current deposition techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a core constituted by a grain of a solid material that is inert, i.e. with respect to the substrate, comprising an inner developed surface that is greater than its apparent surface, which is in particular porous (inter- and/or intra-porosity), and accordingly suitable for adsorption and/or absorption of the active species alone
Implementation Method 2
the active species of the agronomic treatment, as defined previously, absorbed into the grain and/or adsorbed onto the surface of the grain or of its constituent particles
Implementation Method 3
a membrane encapsulating the core, comprising the active species, which is itself absorbed onto and/or adsorbed into said core as stated previously, this membrane being constituted by at least one hydrophilic polymer, which is outwardly permeable with respect to the active species, when it is in direct or indirect contact with the humid substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Agent for the agronomic treatment of a living plant supported by a moist substrate, for example a soil, wherein said agent is in the solid and divided state, and comprises solid particles containing at least one active entity for the agronomic treatment, characterized in that each particle comprises:—a nucleus consisting of a grain of a solid material which is inert with respect to the substrate, comprising an inner developed surface area which is greater than its apparent surface area and, as a result, suitable for adsorption and/or absorption, —the active entity for agronomic treatment, absorbed into the grain and/or adsorbed at the surface of said grain, —a membrane encapsulating the nucleus comprising the active entity, consisting of at least one hydrophilic polymer which is permeable to the outside with respect to the active entity, when it is in direct or indirect contact with the moist substrate.