Science is about big ideas that change the world. But sometimes, big impacts come from the tiniest of objects like nanotech.
Nanotechnology might sound like science fiction, but it represents technologies that have been developed for decades. Nanotechnological approaches have found real-world applications in a wide range of areas, from composite materials in textiles to agriculture.
Agriculture is one of the oldest human inventions, but nanotech provides modern innovations that could dramatically improve the efficiency of our food supply and reduce the environmental impact of its production.
Farmers are only too familiar with the costs that come with agriculture: Crops require substantial amounts of water, land, and fuel to produce. Fertilisers and pesticides are needed to achieve the necessary high crop yields, but their use comes with environmental side effects, even as many farmers explore how new technologies can reduce their impact.
Nanotechnology is the science of objects that are a few nanometres billionths of a meter across. At this size, objects acquire unique properties. For example, the surface area of a swarm of nanoscale particles is enormous compared to the same mass collected into a single large-scale clump.
Varying the size and other properties of nanoscale objects gives us an unprecedented ability to create precision surfaces with highly customised properties.
Traditionally, applying chemicals involves first mixing the active ingredients in water and then spraying the mixture on crops. But the ingredients do not mix easily, making this an inefficient process that requires large quantities of water.
To improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact, farmers need their fertilisers and pesticides to reach their crops and be absorbed into the plant exactly where theyre needed into the roots or the leaves, for example. Ideally, they could use just enough of the chemical to enhance the crops yield or protect it from attack or infection, which would prevent excess from being wasted.
With the help of tiny nanotech, global agriculture is on the verge of some very big things.
Custom-made nanoscale systems can use precision chemistry to achieve high-efficiency delivery of fertilisers or pesticides. These active ingredients can be encapsulated in a fashion similar to what happens in targeted drug delivery. The encapsulation technique can also be used to increase the amount dissolved in water, reducing the need for large amounts.
Starpharma, a pharmaceutical company, got into this game a few years ago, when it set up a division to apply its nanotechnological innovations to the agriculture sector. The company has since sold its agrochemical business.
Psigryph is another innovative nanotech company in agriculture. Its technology uses biodegradable nanostructures derived from Montmorency sour cherries extract to deliver bioactive molecules across cell membranes in plants, animals, and humans.
My lab has spent years working in nanoscience, and I am proud to see our fundamental understanding of manipulating polymer encapsulation at the nanoscale make its way to applications in agriculture.
A former student, Darren Anderson, is the CEO of Vive Crop Protection, named one of Canadas top growing firms. They take chemical and biological pesticides and suspend them in nanopackets which act as incredibly small polymer shuttles to make them easily reach their target. The ingredients can be controlled and precisely directed when applied to crops.
One bonus of these nanotech developments is that they dont actually require any new equipment whatsoever, which is a tremendous advantage in the financially challenging agricultural industry. Farmers simply mix these products using less water and fuel to make efficiency gains.
Other agricultural uses for nanotech include animal health products, food packaging materials, and nanobiosensors for detecting pathogens, toxins, and heavy metals in soil. It wouldnt be a surprise to see the widespread use of these new applications shortly.
As nanotechnologies take flight, this kind of productivity gain will be critical for farmers and a big deal for the rest of us, as the earths population continues to grow and the effects of climate change become increasingly obvious. Farmers will need to do more with less.
Fortunately, a few billionths of a metre is the very definition of less. With the help of tiny nanotech, global agriculture is on the verge of some very big things.
This article was written by M Cynthia Goh originally published by The Conversation Africa.
ALSO READ: Our town will be a dead town
Sign up for Mzansi Today:Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
See original here:
Tiny nanotech will have a huge impact on agriculture - Food For Mzansi
- Theres Plenty of Room at the Bottom Richard ... - Zyvex - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Lecce debuts Italy's biggest nanotech clean room - ItalyEurope24 (subscription) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Patent Filed for Nanotech Cloud Seeding Material - Controlled Environments Magazine - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Insider Trading Activity Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:PENC) Director Bought 1958 shares of Stock - Market Exclusive - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Company in Focus: Nanotech Security Corp. (TSXV:NTS) - Midway Monitor - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- This New Nanotech Coating Makes Fingerprints Disappear - Tech.Co - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Faster-charging, longer-lasting batteries: This startup thinks nanotech is the answer - ZDNet - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Nanotech making Willy Wonka candy and self healing robots - The Marshalltown - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Tech.Co Top Stories: Birthdays, Nanotech, Snapchat, and Black History Month - Tech.Co - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Evoqua Water Technologies, Georgia Tech Institute for Electronics ... - Yahoo Finance - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Global Thermochromic Smart Window Sales Market 2016 Buhler, Nanogate, Surfix, CIMA Nanotech, P2I Ltd ... - SwiftNary - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Nanotech Security Corp. Schedules First Quarter Fiscal 2017 ... - Yahoo Finance - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Nanotech incubation centre inaugurated - The Hindu - The Hindu - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Global Quantum Dot Display(QLED) Market 2017 Ocean NanoTech, Nanosys, QDVision - DailyHover - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Nanotech's Possible Hazards Investigated - Controlled Environments Magazine - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Ti-Nanotech Acquired by Defense Industry Veteran Kevin Ruelas - IT Business Net - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Reviving Frozen Organs: Nanotech May Pave the Way - Live Science - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Canaccord Genuity Lowers Nanotech Security Corp (NTS) Price ... - Community Financial News - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Ti-Nanotech Acquired by Defense Industry Veteran Kevin Ruelas - PR Web (press release) - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Ti-Nanotech Acquired by Defense Industry Veteran Kevin Ruelas ... - Benzinga - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Analyst Activity Canaccord Genuity Lowers Its Price Target On ... - Market Exclusive - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Nanotech may help bring frozen organs back to life - Financial Express - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Nanotech Security Corp (NTS) PT Lowered to C$1.75 at Canaccord Genuity - Sports Perspectives - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Nanotech incubation centre inaugurated - NYOOOZ - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- New Nanotech Material Could Solve On-Vehicle Hydrogen Storage Problems - The Green Optimistic (blog) - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Canaccord Genuity Cuts Nanotech Security Corp (NTS) Price Target to C$1.75 - Chaffey Breeze - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Researchers take big step forward in nanotech-based drugs - Phys.org - Phys.Org - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- FSU researchers take big step forward in nanotech-based drugs - Florida State News - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- IBM shrinks data storage to the atomic level in latest nanotech milestone - SiliconANGLE (blog) - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Huge Step Toward Nanotech-Based Drugs - Controlled Environments Magazine - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Researchers take big step forward in nanotech-based drugs ... - Science Daily - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Nanotech Sponge Removes Mercury from Water - HazMat Management Magazine (subscription) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Nanotech Report: Making Photovoltaics Possible 2017 - Research and Markets - Business Wire (press release) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Nanotech Entertainment Inc. (NTEK) True Range Review - Nelson Research - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Watching the Tape Move for Nanotech Security Corp (NTS.V) - Stock Rover - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- The Benefits of Including Floor Vibration Control for Nano-Tech Facilities over Designing 'Quiet' Buildings - AZoNano - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Nanotech-based test can predict prostate cancer risk better ... - Business Standard - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Nanotech-based test can predict prostate cancer risk better | The ... - The Indian Express - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc. (PENC) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results - The Cerbat Gem - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Nanotech molds promise faster, cheaper cancer detection - Nikkei Asian Review - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Share Activity Lifted for NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) in Session - Evergreen Caller - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Fisker Nanotech - bestmag - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Technical Watch on NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) Levels - Benton Bulletin - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Spotlight on research: From potatoes to nanotech to the stage - Dublin City University - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Needle Action Activity Spotted in Nanotech Security Corp (NTS.V) - Ozark Times - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Industrial Nanotech Inc (INTK) Shares Needle Moving -5.41% - Stock Rover - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Why Invest in a Nanotech Stock? - Investing News Network (press release) (registration) (blog) - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- NanoTech Gaming Inc (NTGL) Shares Moving On Volume - Evergreen Caller - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Spotlight on research: From - Dublin City University - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTEK) at the Forefront of 4K Streaming Market - The Oracle Dispatch - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Nanotech Security Corp (NTSFF) Moving -0.99% in Session - Stock Daily Review - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Watching the Tape Move for NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) - Clayton News - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Technical Focus on Shares of NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) - Baldwin Journal - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Taking a Glance at Nanotech Gaming Inc (NTGL)'s True Range - Nelson Research - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Relative Strength in Review: Nanotech Entertainment Inc. (NTEK) - Nelson Research - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Constellation Software Inc. (CSU) Analysts See $7.37 EPS ... - UtahHerald.com - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- What Are Analysts Saying About Nanotech Security Corp (NTSFF)'s Short Term Indicators? - Nelson Research - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- Shares Seesawing on Volume: Industrial Nanotech Inc (INTK) - Evergreen Caller - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- Malaysian nanotech firm signs RM257mil MoU with Swiss company - The Star Online - June 29th, 2017 [June 29th, 2017]
- NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) Moving 6.75% in Session - Stock Talker - July 4th, 2017 [July 4th, 2017]
- Baltimore nanotech firm Pixelligent looks to raise $3.5 million in new funding - Baltimore Business Journal - July 4th, 2017 [July 4th, 2017]
- Masdar nanotech promises to bring on the rain! - Green Prophet - July 5th, 2017 [July 5th, 2017]
- Nanotech can make biopesticides more effective - APNLive - APN Live - July 5th, 2017 [July 5th, 2017]
- Market Focus on Shares of NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) - Baxter Review - July 7th, 2017 [July 7th, 2017]
- Agri Scientists in Raichur Use Nanotech to Strengthen Pesticide - The Wire - July 7th, 2017 [July 7th, 2017]
- Nanotech Security Corp (NTSFF) Tenkan Sitting Above Kijun - Davidson Register - July 10th, 2017 [July 10th, 2017]
- NanoTech Gaming Inc (NTGL) Needle Moving on Volume - JCTY News - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Volume Moving the Tape For Industrial Nanotech Inc (INTK) - Stock Rover - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Tale of the Ticker: NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) Moves on Volume - Stock Rover - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Active Runner in Focus: Nanotech Security Corp (NTS.V) - JCTY News - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Needle Tilting Mid-Session For NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) - Union Trade Journal - July 15th, 2017 [July 15th, 2017]
- Industrial Nanotech Inc (INTK) Needle Moving 0.00% - Stock Talker - July 15th, 2017 [July 15th, 2017]
- NanoTech Gaming Inc (NTGL) Seeing Increased Action in Session - Evergreen Caller - July 18th, 2017 [July 18th, 2017]
- Nanotech Security Corp (NTSFF): Zeroing in on MACD - Nelson Research - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Needle Tilting Mid-Session For NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK) - Clayton News - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Following The Numbers on Industrial Nanotech Inc (INTK), What They Are Telling Us - The Business Union - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- New 3D Computer Chip Uses Nanotech to Boost Processing Power - Live Science - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- International Project Aims to Bring Nanotech Potential Closer - Labmate Online - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- Clothes intertwined with nanotech will treat eczema | Horizon: the ... - Horizon magazine - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]
- Fisker Ends Tie Up With Breakthrough Battery Maker Nanotech - InsideEVs - July 22nd, 2017 [July 22nd, 2017]