Agriculture, one of the oldest industries in the world, is now an exciting new field for the use of nanotechnology.
Nanoparticles
The Italian company Nanomnia, is developing nano-particles for precision delivery of fertilizers and pesticides. The particles in which the active compound is encapsulated in a nanoscale biodegradable organic polymer shell, can improve yields while reducing environmental hazards from the use of the chemicals.
Nanomnia also uses the same technology to make other particle sizes. They offer completely organic , biodegradable and microplastic-free nano, micro and macro encapsulation services to companies in the agrochemical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and smart materials sectors
AFM can be used to examine these nano and micro-powders, ensuring consistency in size and structure, improving the production process and ensuring quality of the final result. We provide an example of a pharmaceutical application for a different company’s micro-particles under our Biomedical industry page.
Nanosensors
Nanosensors, integrated into the soil in which crops are grown, can provide real-time data on soil conditions. Sensors can measure moisture level, allowing more precise control of irrigation reducing waste while ensuring optimum water for plant growth. They can measure nutrient levels, providing the same benefit for fertilizer application. They can even be used to detect the presence of plant diseases allowing prompt prevention and treatment, ensuring healthy crops and maximizing yield from a given acreace.
AFM can be used to examine the structures of these nanosensors ensuring the quality necessary to get accurate data from them.
These are just a couple of the many ways in which AFM might be used in the agriculture industry. If any of this sounds useful to you, contact us to see how we can help.