Bio-friendly smart silica particles for pesticide encapsulation and controlled release

Overview

Smart Particle technology is used to encapsulate and control the release of pesticides. These bio-friendly silica particles target high encapsulation efficiency of over 90% and loading rates between 30–50%, with a scalable and cost-effective approach for agricultural use. The particle design supports on-demand release of active ingredients while minimizing environmental impact through silica-based biodegradability. The approach is intended to address the need for efficient and environmentally conscious pesticide delivery systems.

Technical specifications

• Encapsulation method: Patented Smart Particle (SP) technology
• Material: Silica
• Encapsulation efficiency: >90%
• Loading rates: 30–50%
• Particle size distribution: d(50) < 3µm, d(90) < 5µm
• Production scale: Scaled to kg levels, with costs estimated at <$20/kg
• Environmental impact: Silica-based and biodegradable, avoiding microplastic pollution

Technology readiness level

The technology has reached a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5, indicating validation in relevant environments. Future validation efforts include defining application parameters, synthesizing and optimizing Smart Particles, and scaling production for field testing.