“ChemLab” specialists develop a new type of superabsorbent material, with the key feature to absorb water very fast and store it for weeks. Thanks to this the material can be used in agriculture. Absorbent pellets are put into soil. Then they become bigger by watering. Having a lot of liquid inside hydrogel starts secreting.
According to Andrey Uspensky, “ChemLab`s” head, unlike usual typical superabsorbent materials that are dissolved at a temperature of 30 degrees centigrade, the new hydrogel is effective at 50 degrees. It means that this material can be used in rainless regions of India, China, Israel, Arab countries and so forth. Moreover, it is also biodegradable.
“Being developed several years ago this invention gains medal places at competitions. Having tested the material we sell it out. According to results of experiments the hydrogel increases crop capacity by 30-40%,” noted Mr. Uspenskiy.
The unique material was developed on the base of сhair of IT in the Fuel and Energy Industry. Its main component is acrylic acid. Depending on manufacturing methods it can be used in different fields.
“Material properties depend on additions. For example, adding medical products one can develop a hydrogel-based bandage, which heals scars,” said Mr. Uspenskiy.
ITMO University is also going to present other projects at SLUSH-2015. There are “Video-360,” “Rehabot,” “Aquamagnetics,” and “ColotIT,” which became the best project of the last accelerator session Future Technologies.
Previously an oil sorbent developed by ITMO University researchers became the best innovative Product-2015.