Rutgers awarded $607,000 USDA grant to pioneer electroponics technology

Rutgers awarded $607,000 USDA grant to pioneer electroponics technology
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 04, 2024

Rutgers Health has secured a $607,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spearhead the development of "electroponics," a new farming method designed to operate in water-scarce or zero-gravity environments, including space stations. This innovative approach aims to address the limitations of traditional hydroponics by leveraging precise agricultural techniques that minimize water usage and reduce environmental pollution from agrichemicals.

The research initiative will focus on adapting agriculture to the demands of climate change, where water is increasingly scarce. "Increasing food security is one of the challenges of the 21st century. We need to increase food production by 100% by 2050, and we need to do so in a more sustainable manner at a time that climate change reduces arable land and makes water scarce," said Philip Demokritou, Henry Rutgers Chair and Professor of Nanoscience and Environmental Bioengineering at Rutgers Health, and principal investigator of the project.

The three-year project will draw on cutting-edge advancements from Demokritou's Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, as well as Jonathan Singer's Hybrid Micro/Nanomanufacturing Lab at Rutgers School of Engineering. Singer, who is the project co-principal investigator and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, highlighted the technology's potential: "We will scale up and demonstrate these innovative technologies in simulated urban and space environments, bringing precise micronutrient and water delivery to critical scenarios for long-term sustainability and exploration."

The key technology behind electroponics includes the use of electrospray, which delivers water in electrically charged micron-sized droplets, and biopolymer-based nanofibers derived from food waste, which serve as seed coatings to boost germination and plant growth. The system is designed to support a variety of edible plants, such as lettuce, and aims to demonstrate the viability of the technology in both urban settings and space exploration.

The agricultural sector is grappling with numerous challenges, such as water scarcity and inefficient agrichemical distribution, both of which lead to reduced crop yields and significant environmental and public health concerns. The Rutgers team's work seeks to address these issues through innovative farming techniques that can enhance food security worldwide. "The scientific knowledge gained in the project can impact and inform more efficient farm practices and enhance food security at a global scale," added Demokritou.

The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate the scalability of the electroponics system in a field study, proving its ability to enhance plant growth with minimal water and agrichemical use. If successful, this precision farming approach could serve as a valuable alternative to current soilless farming methods, helping to overcome future agricultural challenges.