NANOSOILS - PRECISION DELIVERY OF HERBICIDES AND PESTICIDES
UNSW medical researcher and Nanosoils founder Cong Vu has developed techniques to precisely make silica particles at the nanoscale to help plants absorb silica via root or leaves easier. By loading agrochemicals inside silica nanoparticles, pesticide loss or degradation is minimised and the crop is protected for a longer time. This technology has been leveraged from Cong's PHD work in human cancer research.
In nature, silica is one of the most abundant minerals widely distributed in sand and dust. As such, it is environmentally sourced and degraded.