Using nano coated glass stimulates growth of green vegetables

Nano glass will turn light to green and red, making plants more photosynthetic and fast growing.

Nanyang Polytechnic Polytechnic (NYP) and Singapore Safety Glass (SSG) safety glass manufacturing group cooperating to develop nanotechnology-applied glass aims to improve agricultural productivity.

Through testing, the colorless transparent glass used as a greenhouse for lettuce, coriander and rocket salad helped these vegetables increase in height three times faster than usual, the area of ​​leaves is also greater than 40%. normal.

NYP's research team has created a mixture of nanoparticles capable of changing the color of sunlight into blue and red, making plants more photosynthetic. Nanoparticles are embedded in a layer of polymer integrated in safety glass panels.

Mr. Gan Geok Chua - CEO of SSG Group said that the rapid development of population and climate change in the world will make food sources will not be enough to supply within 10-20 years. Therefore, the application of technology to agriculture is necessary to help solve this problem.

This new technology helps make the most of sunlight without using electricity.

The new glass technology called Nano Glo-n-Grow helps to make the most of sunlight without using electricity. As a result, the cost of production is much cheaper than the existing plant growth enhancement methods such as using red and blue LED lighting systems.

"It is expected that we will commercialize this invention within 1-3 years after studying the material improvement more effectively," said Gan Geok Chua.

Hannah Gardner, a senior NYP lecturer, head of the project, declined to reveal the details of the glass. However, she said that the production is not too complicated, the materials are easy to find and cheap, can be purchased at normal grocery stores.

Researchers developed nanoparticles with chemical reactions and temperatures. The diameter of each particle ranges from 3-20 nanometers, depending on the purpose of changing the color of the light. This is about 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. These small particles will convert shorter wavelengths of light or create a greener color.

This project attracts many final year NYP students to participate as a research topic on new material science. The members encountered many difficulties in combining chemicals and temperature to produce ideal materials. However, after 12 weeks of testing, they succeeded in using nano glass to convert light colors.

"This approach helps students to be more creative, helping them gain more useful knowledge that can be applied in the knowledge economy and clean agriculture later," said Dr. Choo Keng Wah - NYP Deputy Director. strong.