More nanoparticles less pesticides
Scientists are looking to increase the efficacy of pesticides to better control insects using nanotechnology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. Biological engineers are testing the use of nanoparticles (particles 1,000 times smaller in width than a human hair) in insecticides to see if the particles help the chemical better cling to the leaf tissue and provide better defense against pests. They want to see if the use of nanoparticles loaded with pesticides means farmers can use less chemicals while making the chemicals more effective. The particles were designed to assist in electrostatic binding to the foliage or the roots of the soybean plant and to provide controlled release properties of the entrapped component. Results could mean that nanoparticles may help farmers spray less often and spray less of the chemical. But questions still remain on the safety of the nanoparticles.
