Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Leaching

Microbial Leaching

Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

MDA-MB-231 cell morphology influences chemotactic sensing of CXCL12 gradients in type 1 bovine collagen matrix.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Leveraging nanoparticle protein corona to advance plasma proteome profiling.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Metabolic Trojan Horse: Multivalent Glucose Ligand Modified Near-Infrared-Absorbing Gold Nanorods for Targeted Photothermal Therapy.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same author

Real-Time Subcellular Imaging of Plant Signaling Molecules and Bio-Coronas by Near-Infrared Nanosensors.

ACS nano·2026

Same author

33 Unresolved Questions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

ACS nano·2025

Same author

Casimir self-assembly: A platform for measuring nanoscale surface interactions in liquids.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 12, 2012

Copper-Cross-Linked Alginate-Based Hydrogel Nanoparticles for Sustainable Slow-Release Fertilizer Applications.

Catherine A Jalomo¹, Adriana G Schroeder¹, Ehmely M Hernandez¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana Illinois 61801, United States.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|July 8, 2025

Summary

Controlled-release hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs) deliver essential copper micronutrients for agriculture. Combining chitin and alginate in HNPs significantly enhances copper release for improved crop management.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics with Biocompatible Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics with Biocompatible Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres

Published on: June 7, 2024

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing

Published on: December 13, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 12, 2012

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics with Biocompatible Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics with Biocompatible Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres

Published on: June 7, 2024

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing

Published on: December 13, 2024

Area of Science:

Agricultural Science
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Controlled-release materials enhance fertilizer and pesticide efficiency in agriculture.
Nanomaterials offer reduced chemical application and prolonged active agent exposure.
Hydrogels are emerging as effective controlled-release nanomaterials for various cargos, including metal ions.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate alginate-chitin hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs) for controlled copper (Cu2+) delivery.
Explore the impact of polymer composition on copper release profiles.
Evaluate the potential of these HNPs for foliar delivery in agriculture.

Main Methods:

Synthesized hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs) using liquid-liquid emulsion techniques.
Formed double-network hydrogels cross-linked with Cu2+ using alginate and chitin.
Characterized HNPs (100-300 nm) using cryogenic electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, FTIR, and TGA.

Main Results:

HNPs effectively coordinated and released Cu2+.
Hydrogels containing both chitin and alginate exhibited 8-20 times greater copper release compared to alginate-only hydrogels.
Demonstrated tunable copper release by adjusting polymer composition and intraparticle bond dynamics.

Conclusions:

Alginate-chitin HNPs show promise for controlled copper delivery in agriculture.
The inclusion of non-cross-linking polymers like chitin enhances micronutrient release.
HNP properties can be tailored for optimized agricultural applications through material design.