Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139564"> Graphical abstract. Credit: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139564

A water-based formulation developed at the University of Waterloo using nanotechnology is both greener and more effective than conventional methods for delivering agricultural pesticides.

The new solution dramatically improves how pesticides stick to plant leaves—even in wind and rain—minimizing splash and runoff that contribute to costly waste and environmental contamination.

The study, " Self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals for splash suppression and enhanced pesticide delivery on hydrophobic surfaces," is published in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science .

In early field trials in cabbage plots with an industrial partner in Singapore, the formulation outperformed conventional delivery systems, which use chemicals and solvents to help droplets stick to leaves, by providing better pest control with less…