| Project Detail |
Protecting crops by mimicking natural wax crystals
Wax crystals are small and can be found on the cuticles of some plants, particularly superhydrophobic plants like lotus and broccoli. Taking inspiration from these plants, the EU-funded SafeWax project will use bio-derived non-toxic fatty acid-based formulations to create a protective coating with anti-adhesive, self-cleaning and antifungal properties. This innovative technology aims to reduce the overuse and misuse of chemical fungicides, which have devastating implications for the environment and the global economy. SafeWax coating will initially be demonstrated on grapevine, which is susceptible to fungal diseases. Apart from protecting crops from fungal infections, the biodegradable coating will prevent sun damage and facilitate water collection from dew condensation, mitigating the effects of climate change. |
