Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to compositions including a vacancy-engineered (VE)-ZnO nanocomposite, methods of making a composition, methods of using a composition, and the like.

Abstract: A nanoparticle for use within a composition for treating tomatoes as well as other agricultural products comprises: (1) a first shell layer comprising a leachant permeable base material in addition to a multi-valent metal (i.e., typically copper) material; and (2) a second shell layer comprising a Quat material. Due to the multi-valent metal material and the Quat, the nanoparticle and the composition provide superior performance when treating tomatoes.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an intermolecularly-fabricated composition for capturing plant materials, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals which can simultaneously capture inorganic particulates and organic compounds in which the capture materials have mutual chemical affinity with the composition matrix thereby exhibiting an adhesive property.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to compositions including a vacancy-engineered (VE)-ZnO nanocomposite, methods of making a composition, methods of using a composition, and the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light sensitive particle that uses at least one metal precursor material and at least one dopant precursor material mixed in solution absent a surfactant. Upon an optional adjustment of pH to about 3 to about 6, a light-sensitive particle comprising a metal-dopant material may be formed and separated from the solution. The light-sensitive particle may comprise a Q-dot particle. Also described are the particles themselves.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light sensitive particle that uses at least one metal precursor material and at least one dopant precursor material mixed in solution absent a surfactant. Upon an optional adjustment of pH to about 3 to about 6, a light-sensitive particle comprising a metal-dopant material may be formed and separated from the solution. The light-sensitive particle may comprise a Q-dot particle. Also described are the particles themselves.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for systemic delivery of at least one cargo in a vascular plant. Compositions may include at least one cargo delivery particle, having a core and a shell; and at least one cargo disposed on the shell. The core may include at least one micronutrient. The shell may include a coating material. The at least one cargo delivery particle may have a size of less than about 10 nanometers. Methods may include administering an effective amount of the compositions to a plant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for systemic delivery of at least one cargo in a vascular plant. Compositions may include at least one cargo delivery particle, having a core and a shell; and at least one cargo disposed on the shell. The core may include at least one micronutrient. The shell may include a coating material. The at least one cargo delivery particle may have a size of less than about 10 nanometers. Methods may include administering an effective amount of the compositions to a plant.

Abstract: A composition comprising a chelate-based ternary complex is useful for: (1) at least in-part disabling existing populations of microorganisms; and (2) at least in-part inhibiting growth of new microorganism populations. The chelate-based ternary complex comprises a hydrogen peroxide component, a plant compatible growth promoter component and a divalent zinc ion component. The plant compatible growth promoter component may comprise a urea component or a gluconate component or a salicylate component.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light sensitive particle that uses at least one metal precursor material and at least one dopant precursor material mixed in solution absent a surfactant. Upon an optional adjustment of pH to about 3 to about 6, a light-sensitive particle comprising a metal-dopant material may be formed and separated from the solution. The light-sensitive particle may comprise a Q-dot particle. Also described are the particles themselves.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for systemic delivery of at least one cargo in a vascular plant. Compositions may include at least one cargo delivery particle, having a core and a shell; and at least one cargo disposed on the shell. The core may include at least one micronutrient. The shell may include a coating material. The at least one cargo delivery particle may have a size of less than about 10 nanometers. Methods may include administering an effective amount of the compositions to a plant.

Abstract: In agriculture, prolonged use of Copper (Cu) biocides increases the risk of development of Cu resistance and their accumulation in soil, demanding an alternative. In this paper, we report antimicrobial Magnesium (Mg) hydroxide nanoparticles (NPs) as an alternative to Cu biocides with low cytotoxicity. To improved bioavailability, Mg hydroxide NPs were synthesized followed by coating with water-soluble capping agents, trisodium citrate (zeta potential, ?=?22 mV) or betaine (?=+35 mV). Electron microscopy study confirmed the formation of ˜10 nm size cubical NPs with citrate and ˜100 nm size lamellar NPs with betaine. As-synthesized Mg hydroxide NPs inhibited bacterial growth of X. alfalfae, P. syringae and E. coli within 4 hours. Significant bacterial growth inhibition and killing were observed at 24 hours post treatment. Phytotoxicity studies on tomato plants showed no significant tissue injury. Therefore, Mg hydroxide NPs has potential to serve as Cu alternative.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium materials may be immobilized onto a metal oxide nanoparticle to provide a fixed-quat nanoparticle material. A particular example uses a silicon alkoxide as a silicon source material to provide a fixed-quat SiNP/NG material composition through either acidic or basic hydrolysis of the silicon alkoxide material. Particular materials may be characterized spectroscopically to ensure that the desirable materials are properly bound. Specific applications of fixed-quat SiNP/NC material compositions in accordance with the embodiments include, but are not limited to agricultural biocide applications and tobacco smoke selective filtration applications.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for delivering therapeutic compositions to plants. Specifically exemplified herein is a device comprising a plurality of microneedles for creating pores in an effective area of a target plant and then applying a second device loaded with the therapeutic composition. The microneedle device is designed to impart pores that allow for access of the therapeutic composition to the plant vascular system including phloem.

Abstract: A nanoparticle for use within a composition for treating tomatoes as well as other agricultural products comprises: (1) a first shell layer comprising a leachant permeable base material in addition to a multi-valent metal (i.e., typically copper) material; and (2) a second shell layer comprising a Quat material. Due to the multi-valent metal material and the Quat, the nanoparticle and the composition provide superior performance when treating tomatoes.

Abstract: A silica-based nanoformulation and method is used to treat citrus canker, inhibit the growth of mold and mildew, and add nutrients to soil used for agricultural purposes. The nanotechnology-enabled copper-loaded, silica nanoformulation (CuSiNP/NG) design is a “revolutionary re-invention” of Cu for safe application because it provides a formulation with maximum abundance of ionic Cu, provides sustained and optimal Cu ion release for long-term disease protection, better adherence to plant surfaces and structural surfaces due to gel-based nanostructure of CuSiNG, thus avoiding multiple spray applications and reducing the amount of Cu used in comparison to existing Cu compounds without compromising antibacterial activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, inter alia, a composition, a nanocomposite material, and a method for preparing the nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material includes: a dielectric-silver nanocomposite material, the dielectric-silver nanocomposite material including a silver nanoparticle having a silver ion, and a dielectric material encapsulating the silver nanoparticle, where the silver ion chelates with a matrix of the dielectric material, and a surface plasmon band absorption of the dielectric-silver nanocomposite material lies outside a range of a visible region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to compositions including a copper/silica nanocomposite and a polymer, methods of making a composition, methods of using a composition, and the like. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a composition, among others, that includes: a copper/silica nanocomposite having a silica gel matrix that includes copper from one or more of copper nanopartides and copper ions, and a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylpyrrolidone, poryacrylamide, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, starch, a quaternary ammonium compound, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: An agrichemical composition comprises a clay material, a metal chelate material and a quaternary ammonium material. In some instances the agrichemical composition provide superior and synergistic performance in comparison with otherwise analogous agrichemical compositions that do not include at least one of the clay material, the metal chelate material and the quaternary ammonium material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to organo-silica based composite materials, methods of making the organo-silica based composite material, methods of using the organo-silica based composite material, and the like.