Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

With a steadily growing global population, it is imperative that all available farmland is intensively utilized andx000D
that crop yields are maximized. Carbon Control Technology (CCT) is one of Sulvaris' promising fertilizerx000D
technology platforms, employing inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials to generate ax000D
controlled-release fertilizer product that will enhance crop yields and minimize waste-products. The challengex000D
facing Sulvaris in the development of CCT into a marketable product is understanding the mechanisms behindx000D
the controlled-release phenomenon so that release characteristics can be optimized. In practice, biomassx000D
materials are first hydrolyzed to form a porous carbon matrix and the pores are then impregnated with vitalx000D
plant nutrients, i.e., nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and sulfur. It is hypothesized that the physical and chemicalx000D
properties of the carbon matrices (e.g., pore sizes, porosity, elemental compositions and wettability) have ax000D
significant effect on the rate at which nutrients are released. To test this hypothesis, a complete understandingx000D
of the effect of the microstructure of these structures on release rates and the anion and cation exchangex000D
capacity is required. A collaboration between the Birss team at U of Calgary and Sulvaris will provide thex000D
specific expertise and the state-of-the-art instrumentation required to fully understand the controlled-releasex000D
phenomenon. The Birss group has world leadership in nanocarbon technologies, having developed a range ofx000D
carbon powders and membranes that exhibit carefully selected physical and chemical properties. These modelx000D
structures will be used to aid in understanding the relationship between the carbon nanostructure and the rate ofx000D
nutrient release, as well as how biomass can be tailored to give similar properties. Samples that demonstratex000D
good preliminary controlled-release properties in the Birss lab will then undergo long-term in situ analysis atx000D
Sulvaris. With the knowledge gained from this partnership and the benefits in terms of waste management andx000D
value-added processes of relevance to agriculture, it is expected that Sulvaris will be better positioned for thex000D
commercialization of CCT, resulting in multiple economic benefits for both Alberta and Canada.