Principal Investigator: Prof Lam Yeng Ming (School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU)
Team: Dr Zhang LiLing, Dr Nguyen Anh Chien (Postdoctoral Researchers, School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU), Dr Goh Chin Foo (Chief Health, Safety and Emergency Officer, NTU)
Mentor: Dr Christina Tong (Programme Director, Regulatory Affairs and Investments, NTUitive Pte Ltd)
Unique non-toxic formulation that serves as a wetting agent and dispersed 'water bank'
Our nano-gel (‘RetenSol’) is a unique non-toxic formulation that serves as a wetting agent and dispersed 'water bank' that retains water when the ground is wet and does 'smart' water release when conditions become drier. The cycle is repeated with rainfall or intentional watering and can be repeatable over 12 months or more. In multiple trials, adding our formulation increased plant survival and lushness under drought environment, thus watering frequency could be reduced by half to save water cost, manpower and ancillary costs.
By modulating the effects of unpredictable rainfall, RetenSol also increases planting options and mitigates the negative effects of climate change. Suitable for both fresh planting and mature plants with no requirements for soil churn, it does not cause localised ponding, algae growth or root rot. Potential applications include agriculture, golf courses, landscaPrincipal Investigatorng, rooftop/vertical gardens, indoor plants, soil remediation and anti-desertification efforts. RetenSol is particularly beneficial for semi-arid areas and places experiencing seasonal drought.