Reconstitutable bio-based hydrogel for drug and agrochemical
This technology provides a set of chemical synthesis methods for creating modified polysaccharides — sugar-based polymers derived from natural sources like starch or cellulose — that can form hydrogels. The key innovation is a two-part system: one modified polysaccharide carries ketone chemical groups, and a second carries amine groups; when combined, they crosslink to form a stable gel network through a straightforward chemical reaction. The resulting hydrogels can also be dried into a solid powder and then rehydrated later, which is a meaningful practical advantage for storage and shipping. The amphiphilic variants (having both water-attracting and oil-attracting regions) expand potential applications into areas requiring interaction with both aqueous and lipid environments.
What you could build
A tunable, bio-based hydrogel platform sold as a dry powder that reconstitutes on demand — targeting drug delivery formulators, wound care product developers, and agricultural companies needing controlled-release carriers for agrochemicals or soil conditioners.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), agricultural biotech firms in the Shenandoah Valley corridor, or specialty chemicals companies near the Richmond industrial corridor would be natural early customers or partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Kevin Edgar, Brittany L. B. Nichols, Junyi Chen, Charles Frazier, Ann Norris
- Granted
- July 12, 2022
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11384161
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.