How did LeafLock start and how are we funded?
How did LeafLock start and how are we funded?
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A brief history
A brief history
LeafLock is a project that was funded in 2023, partnering Dublin City University, Atlantic Technological University, Technological University Dublin and many other stakeholders and actors in the agri-food sector.
LeafLock is one of 25 research teams funded under the National Challenge Fund announced recently by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris. The National Challenge Fund is a €65 million programme established under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The research teams aim to come up with solutions to societal challenges through engagement and collaboration with communities, with funding.
Fungicide Use
Fungicide Use
Fungicide use and persistence in agricultural soils can have long-term effects on ecosystems and soil organisms. Compared to pesticides and herbicides, fungicides' environmental fate and impacts have gotten less attention, despite the concerns. Ecological systems are at risk from synthetic petrochemical-based excipients used in these fungicides because of their manufacture and potential for environmental contamination. The use of petroleum-based resources in the creation of novel polymeric materials has come under increased attention in recent years due to their unsustainability, lack of bio absorbability or degradability, and general negative environmental impact. Although there are unquestionable advantages to using petrochemical-based polymers in agriculture, such as higher productivity and efficiency, it is crucial to take into account sustainable alternatives in order to reduce environmental impact and advance a more environmentally friendly agricultural sector. Because these substances are not biodegradable, they build up and linger in the environment, endangering both aquatic and terrestrial life. Furthermore, agricultural polymer excipients based on petrochemicals have hazardous ingredients. These dangerous chemicals can also seep into crops, water, and soil, putting human health at risk and entering the food chain. properties. In order to overcome the challenges and limitations with current fungicides, the next generation of antifungal technologies should be (1) bioderived, bioabsorbable and sustainable, (2) exhibit enhanced efficacy over current synthetic fungicides (3) easy and cost effective to produce and (4) easily adapted to the crop and environment of application.
Our Solution
Our Solution
The LeafLock team will use alternating ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of biomass-derived monomers to create a biodegradable and sustainable bioderived polymer sticker system for improved delivery of bio fungicides and bio stimulants. The ROCOP of epoxides with naturally occurring anhydrides has been used to synthesize semi-bio-based polyesters throughout the last ten years. This process provides a novel way to produce a variety of functional polyesters without the use of harsh reaction conditions like high temperatures and extremely toxic catalysts that are commonly associated with the synthesis of polyester. Despite being easily biodegradable, these polyesters have the potential to harm the environment because to the hazardous and bio accumulative degradation products they produce, like ethylene glycol. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the development of bio-derived monomers that result in breakdown products that are non-toxic and bio-absorbable. The materials created in Development 1 will be utilized to create "sticker" microparticle formulations that can load and deliver different fungicides selectively. The sticker formulations will be tailored to optimize antifungal activity, foliage specific adhesion and degradation, which will be tested thoroughly
Where we are today
Where we are today
We are in the concept phase of the project, which involves assembling a team and deep engagement with expert stakeholders on understanding the exact problem at hand.
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