
NSF Org: |
ITE Innovation and Technology Ecosystems |
Recipient: |
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Initial Amendment Date: | November 2, 2022 |
Latest Amendment Date: | January 30, 2024 |
Award Number: | 2236235 |
Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
Program Manager: |
Michael Reksulak
mreksula@nsf.gov (703)292-8326 ITE Innovation and Technology Ecosystems TIP Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
Start Date: | December 1, 2022 |
End Date: | November 30, 2024 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $750,000.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $750,000.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
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History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
200 WILLOUGHBY AVE BROOKLYN NY US 11205-3899 (718)687-5546 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
200 WILLOUGHBY AVE BROOKLYN NY US 11205-3802 |
Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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Parent UEI: |
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NSF Program(s): | Convergence Accelerator Resrch |
Primary Program Source: |
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Program Reference Code(s): | |
Program Element Code(s): |
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Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.084 |
ABSTRACT
The availability of global water resources is under stress and water scarcity is increasing, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. The situation will only worsen, leading to more severe and frequent droughts followed by flooding, decreasing arable land, and increasing food insecurity. A more efficient irrigation system is needed, especially for water-intensive crops, such as soybeans, wheat, and sugarcane. Hydrogels added to soil reduce irrigation frequency by absorbing and retaining water and releasing it when the soil dries. They improve the hydro-physical properties of the soil, such as porosity, and they can reduce erosion and runoff and thereby mitigate the effect of flooding. Hydrogels function as small water containers in the ground with osmotic membranes that increase microbial activity, growth, and performance rate.
Currently, most of the hydrogels on the market are synthetic polyacrylates and polyacrylamides, which are petroleum-based materials and not ecologically friendly for large-scale agriculture. Some semisynthetic starch-based polymers are also available. However, a better alternative is possible. Alginate-based hydrogels have been shown to be efficient in controlling soil moisture for plant growth. In this project, we introduce the ecologically friendly water container Aqua Sac, an alginate-based hydrogel that can be produced in various patterns such as sheets or meshes. Osmotic membranes can be formed by binding calcium at the surface, making them similar in function to synthetic hydrogels. Moreover, adding alginate hydrogels to soil can stimulate microbial activity, which generates microbial biomass and diversity, and the biodegradation of alginate can contribute to soil health and, in turn, leads to increased crop production. Alginate is extracted from seaweeds, such as kelp, which can be sustainably farmed while providing a suite of environmental benefits. Seaweeds are a zero-input crop that does not require the use of fertilizers, pesticides, or fresh water. Rather, seaweeds extract excess nutrients from the surrounding waters, including dissolved nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which helps to combat eutrophication. Thus, the development of Aqua Sac will benefit agriculture and soil health on land and the marine environment by helping to increase the demand for aquacultured seaweeds.
This collaborative project aims to understand and develop the industrialization steps required to produce Aqua Sac at a commercial scale. The technique that was developed allows the production of alginate hydrogel in rolls that can be deployed to the field in the form of sheets or meshes of various patterns that can be used as an additive material for applications ranging from soil hydration to food preservation. The scaling from a laboratory to an industrial scale requires an understanding of seaweed farming, alginate extraction, hydrogel optimization, and field performance. Information obtained from these steps will give us the elements necessary to create a business model and seek industrial partners for the production and distribution of Aqua Sac on an industrial scale. Specifically, we will seek to: 1) identify seaweed species and growing regions that maximize domestic alginate production and quality; 2) refine methods of alginate extraction and hydrogel production to minimize waste production, 3) optimize the hydrogel membrane for water absorption and retention, and 4) conduct field tests to understand the performance of the hydrogel under actual agricultural conditions. All steps will be developed within a circular economy model to minimize environmental impact. The project will be documented by photo and filmed for public dissemination.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
AquaSteady (formerly Aqua Sacs) addresses one of agriculture's most significant challenges: water management during variable weather conditions. We are developing an innovative seaweed-based hydrogel that transforms agricultural resilience by dramatically improving soil water retention and overall soil health.
Intellectual Merit
AquaSteady is a biodegradable hydrogel made from an extract of seaweed that can absorb up to 500 times its weight in water. Through comprehensive material characterization and testing, we establish that AquaSteady effectively captures water from rainfall or irrigation and releases it slowly during drought conditions.
Laboratory testing and soil effect analysis at the University of Arizona demonstrates significant improvements in water-holding capacity in both sandy and clay loam soils, with particularly notable results in sandy loam. The Pratt Institute team, in collaboration with the City College of New York, focuses on material development and characterization, including electron microscopy visualization of the hydrogel structure.
Field tests show promising results: summer squash treated with AquaSteady displays more vibrant green stems. In a separate study, orange tree saplings planted with AquaSteady remained healthy through drought conditions that severely affected the untreated specimens. Our findings suggest AquaSteady can enhance plant growth by approximately 20% while preserving soil moisture for up to 45 days during periods of drought.
Broader Impacts
AquaSteady offers transformative potential for agricultural productivity with significant economic benefits at multiple scales:
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Improved Crop Yields and Stability: AquaSteady offers farmers more reliable harvests and mitigates risks from weather fluctuations by safeguarding crops during droughts and enhancing yields across different soil types.
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Operational Cost Reduction: The hydrogel effectively reduces irrigation needs, decreasing both water bills and labor expenses for small farms and large agricultural enterprises.
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New Revenue Streams: Our project develops the domestic alginate supply chain, creating economic opportunities in coastal communities through seaweed farming and processing industries.
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Agricultural Expansion Potential: AquaSteady enables productive farming in previously challenging soil conditions, allowing farmers to utilize more of their land for profitable crop production.
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Multi-Industry Economic Impact: Beyond agriculture, AquaSteady's natural, biodegradable properties create value-added opportunities in food packaging, personal care products, land management, and other sectors.
Throughout the project, we engage directly with farmers and agricultural stakeholders, conducting interviews during Phase 1 with ongoing engagement in Phase 2, particularly in arid regions. This user-centered approach ensures AquaSteady's form factor meets real-world farming needs.
We have protected our innovation through a comprehensive patent application covering AquaSteady's manufacturing methods in multiple forms and shapes, positioning this technology for broad implementation and impact in building weather-resilient agricultural systems.
Last Modified: 03/07/2025
Modified by: Cindie Kehlet
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