Researchers at Waterloo Engineering used nanotechnology to develop a new formulation that is both greener and more effective than existing methods for applying pesticides to plants.
Their water-based solution reduces costly waste and environmental contamination by making pesticides stick to plant leaves better – even in wind and rain – minimizing splash and runoff.
Droplets of the formulation remain intact upon impact and flatten into a pancake-shaped film that strongly adheres to leaves rather than splashing, fragmenting or bouncing off.
“With our new formulation, the pesticide is dispersed in water,” said Dr. Michael Tam, a chemical engineering professor. “We are spraying water, not solvent, making this approach well aligned with sustainable agriculture goals.”
Go to A sticky solution to a pesky agricultural problem for the full story.