Microfilm Research Articles

Mobility of Surface State Electrons on Liquid Helium Films in Micro- Structured Geometry

The present paper discusses the studies of surface state electrons (SSE) on liquid helium films in confined geometry using suitable substrate structures, microfabricated on a silicon wafer which resembles Field Effect Transistors (so called Helium FET). The sample has a Source and Drain regions, separated by a Gate structure, which consists of 2 gold electrodes with a narrow gap (channel) through which the electron transport takes place. After developing a new model of number of saved electrons as a function of gate barrier, it becomes easier to study the mobility of SSE. The experimental results show a reasonable agreement with the literature.

The effect of hydroxyapatite particle size on viscoelastic properties and calcium release from a thermosensitive triblock copolymer

Well-defined “smart” injectable hydrogel based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLA/PGA) copolymer (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) gelling at the body temperature was modified by bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp) in the form of micro-, nano-, and core-shell particles (μ-HAp, n-HAp, and CS-x, respectively) to be applicable as calcium delivery system in bone regeneration. Viscoelastic moduli increased with HAp content as expected. Whereas systems containing μ-HAp or CS-x particles maintained two sol-gel and gel-sol phase transitions, the n-HAp containing system showed only one sol-gel phase transition due to the strong interactions between polymer chain and the n-HAp surface. In vitro, studies proved the controlled uniform release of calcium cations from both CS-x and n-HAp over the 9-day period without any initial burst release.

Micro- and nanocarriers by electrofludodynamic technologies for cell and molecular therapies

Abstract Electrofluidodynamic technologies (EFDTs) are receiving attention in the biomedical field as high-throughput technologies to encapsulate different types of molecules for cell and drug delivery. In this study, we propose an overview of the most cutting-edge approaches based on EFDTs to create, process and assemble biomaterials in the form of micro-/nanoparticles with unique and intriguing properties for different biomedical applications. After a brief description of the basic mechanisms involved in the formation of microparticles – by electrodynamic atomization (EDA) or nanoparticles – by electrodynamic spraying (EDS), we propose a critical review of the main applications of EFDTs in different biomedical fields (e.g., drug delivery, regenerative medicine and diagnostic/theranostic applications) so as to highlight the role of materials and process conditions. In this way, we discuss the potential of EFDTs to design a large set of smart microscale devices (i.e., nanoparticles, capsules, multicompartment systems, microgels, and microscaffolds) suitable to successfully face new challenges of nanomedicine (i.e., cancer targeting) and tissue regeneration (i.e., cell or molecular printing).

Broadband Spectroscopic Characterization of Hybrid Low-k Dielectric Thin Films for Micro- and Nanoelectronic Applications

Broadband Spectroscopic Characterization Of Organic and Hybrid Dielectrics Thin Films for Micro- and Nanoelectronic Applications Yaw S. Obeng*, Chukwudi A., Okoro, Karl R. Montgomery, Papa K. Amoah, Lin You, Joseph Kopanski, Jan Obrzut Engineering Physics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 Micro- and nanoelectronic devices use materials of varying dielectric constants for specific applications1, 2, as in electrical insulation and isolation; however the matching of materials to applications has is frequently guided by intuition3. The electrical performance of the materials, e.g., dielectric constant, is frequently evaluated by measuring the metric such as impedance measurements on metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors, and by assuming that the MIM devices are ideal4. However, as we have shown elsewhere, these devices are imperfect, and the chemistry and physics of the materials also play crucial roles in their application utility, especially in low operating voltage devices5, 6. Thus, material selection based on such characterization frequently result in sub-optimal choices. In this paper, we discuss the use of broadband microwaves (MW) (up to 20 GHz) characterize organic and hybrid silicon-organic thin films meant for insulation applications in micro- and nanoelectronic devices. Specifically, we will take advantage of MW propagation characteristics7, to extract and examine the relationships between electrical and mechanical properties, and the chemistry of prototypical materials. The impact of moisture on the electrical behavior of any material defects will be evaluated from the impact of thermal anneal at modest temperatures on the samples. These studies will shed light on the chemical changes that occur within the dielectric films that could impact the performance and reliability, as well as provide basis for rational selection of organic dielectrics for integrated device. 1. R. P. Ortiz, A. Facchetti and T. J. Marks, Chemical Reviews 110(1), 205-239 (2010). 2. W. Volksen, R. D. Miller and G. Dubois, Chemical Reviews 110(1), 56-110 (2010). 3. V. Sharma, C. Wang, R. G. Lorenzini, R. Ma, Q. Zhu, D. W. Sinkovits, G. Pilania, A. R. Oganov, S. Kumar, G. A. Sotzing, S. A. Boggs and R. Ramprasad, Nat Commun 5(2014). 4. E. Verrelli, N. Kemp, M. O'Neill, F. Cheng, F. A. Alharti and S. M. Kelly, SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers 44, 108-111 (2013). 5. Y. S. Obeng, C. A. Okoro, P. K. Amoah, R. R. Franklin and P. Kabos, ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology 5(4), P3025-P3030 (2016). 6. C. A. Okoro and Y. S. Obeng, Thin Solid Films 520(15), 5060-5063 (2012). 7. J. Obrzut, ACTA IMEKO 4 (3), 42-46 (2015).

Effect of particle size and percentages of Boron carbide on the thermal neutron radiation shielding properties of HDPE/B4C composite: Experimental and simulation studies

In this paper the effects of particle size and weight percentage of the reinforcement phase on the absorption ability of thermal neutron by HDPE/B4C composites were investigated by means of Monte-Carlo simulation method using MCNP code and experimental studies. The composite samples were prepared using the HDPE filled with different weight percentages of Boron carbide powder in the form of micro and nano particles. Micro and nano composite were prepared under the similar mixing and moulding processes. The samples were subjected to thermal neutron radiation. Neutron shielding efficiency in terms of the neutron transmission fractions of the composite samples were investigated and compared with simulation results.According to the simulation results, the particle size of the radiation shielding material has an important role on the shielding efficiency. By decreasing the particle size of shielding material in each weight percentages of the reinforcement phase, better radiation shielding properties were obtained.It seems that, decreasing the particle size and homogeneous distribution of nano forms of B4C particles, cause to increase the collision probability between the incident thermal neutron and the shielding material which consequently improve the radiation shielding properties. So, this result, propose the feasibility of nano composite as shielding material to have a high performance shielding characteristic, low weight and low thick shielding along with economical benefit.

PERILAKU VERBAL DAN NONVERBAL DALAM RANAH KESEHATAN PADA MASYARAKAT DI DUSUN TAMBRAN KIDUL KECAMATAN SEMIN KABUPATEN GUNUNGKIDUL (KAJIAN ETNOLINGUISTIK)

<div id="__if72ru4sdfsdfruh7fewui_once" style="display: none;"> </div><div id="__zsc_once"> <p>The aims of this study are (1) to describe the view of health and sickness in the cummunity of Tambran Kidul village; (2) to describe verbal and nonverbal behavior in healing and preventing the sickness in the cummunity of Tambran Kidul village; (3) to explain the reasons why verbal and nonverbal behaviors are very essential in healing and preventing the sickness on cummunity of Tambran Kidul village; and (4) to describe mindset, view of life, and worldview in the domain of health on the cummunity of Tambran Kidul village, Semin district, Gunungkidul regency.</p><p>This study is a descriptive qualitative. Data in this study consisted of primary data and secondary data. Primary data in the form of words in the event said the treatment and prevention of illness-disease using interviews and observation with informants (curer). Secondary data were obtained from books and journals by using literature study method. The data analysis used were ethno science and distributional method with the phases of analysis of domain, taxonomy, componential, and cultural theme. The result of the data analysis is presented through formal and informal method.</p>The result of this study shows that (1) there is a view of health and sickness based on cognition system of Javanese cummunity in Tambran Kidul village; (2) there are verbal and nonverbal behaviors such as (a) text of verbal and nonverbal behaviors are in form of micro and macro structures. Micro structure includes introduction, contents, and cover. Macro structures includes setting and scene, participants, purpose dan goal, act sequences, tone or spirit of act, instrumentalities, norms, and genres. (b) co-text which is kinetic or movement and material element (c) cultural, situational, socio-economic, and spiritual context. (3) the verbal and nonverbal behaviors are very essential because of some reasons (a) verbal behaviors is the realization of faith and hope in God; (b) nonverbal behaviors is the realization of a real action and (c) the existence of inner-energy<strong>, </strong>(4)<strong> </strong>the mindset of the Tambran Kidul villagers are; keeping a harmony, peaceful and principle of living together, <em>eling lan waspodho </em>remember and keep watch’, respecting forefathers, and living plainly.. The view of life are: <em>tepa slira</em> ‘mutual respect’; <em>ayom</em> ‘peaceful’, <em>ayem</em> ‘serene’,<strong> </strong><em>suka</em> ‘happy’; <em>asih samaning titah </em>‘love of neighbor’<strong>;</strong> and <em>nglurug tanpa bala </em>‘attack without troops’<em>, sugih tanpa bandha </em>‘rich without possessions’<em>, digdaya tanpa aji </em>‘divine power without talisman’. The worldview are: the existence of the highest holly spirit, forefathers <em>dhanyang </em>‘the ancestral spirits who protect the village’, and<em> mbok Sri </em>‘mother Sri’</div>

Thin film wrinkling by strain mismatch on 3D surfaces

Wrinkling of thin films in micro- and nanoscale has found wide applications in stretchable electronics, optical gratings, material characterization, and biology. However, most wrinkling work is in planar fashion and only limited work on 3D wrinkling has been reported. In this paper, we present experimental demonstration of 3D Cr film wrinkling on PDMS micro-ridges induced by strain mismatch. We first fabricated PDMS micro-ridges using replication from a silicon mold, prepared by conventional microfabrication processes. While pre-stretching the PDMS specimen along the ridge direction, thin Cr film was deposited through physical sputtering. After releasing the prestrain, two wrinkling waves formed on the two inclined surfaces of the PDMS ridges with the same wavelength but opposite phases. These two wrinkling waves twist the top of the ridge into a wavy shape, forming wrinkling waves oscillating in the direction parallel to the substrate plane. In contrast, 2D wrinkling waves oscillate in the direction perpendicular to the substrate plane. Using finite element simulations, we demonstrate that the 180° phase shift between the two sides is favored by the dominant buckling modes. While the 3D wrinkling wavelength is consistent with 2D theoretical prediction, wrinkles on the ridge feature non-uniform wrinkling wave amplitude along the width of the inclined surface. This 3D wrinkling work opens new opportunities in manufacturing curved-shape mold for contact printing and increases surface to volume ratio for wetting and battery applications.

Effect of chitosan molecular weight as micro and nanoparticles on antibacterial activity against some soft rot pathogenic bacteria

This study evaluates the in vitro antibacterial activity of three molecular weights of chitosan in the form of micro (CS) as well as nanoparticles (CSNPs). CSNPs were prepared using low (LWC), medium molecular weight (MWC) and middle-viscous crab shells chitosan (MVC). The antibacterial activities were evaluated through determination of IC50, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Pseudomonas fluorescens, Erwinia carotovora and Escherichia coli. Experimental results showed that the antibacterial activity was significantly enhanced in the CSNPs comparison to CS microparticles, especially so for MVC nanoparticles (MVCN) in that the MIC values against all tested bacteria were ca. 50% those of the microparticles. Moreover, MWC and LWC nanoparticles showed lower MIC values compared with related microparticles only for P. fluorescens and E. coli, respectively. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM) of CSNPs-treated cultures of selected bacteria species revealed structural changes in the bacterial cell wall. The present study indicates that the antibacterial activity of CS varied depending on the molecular weight of CS micro and nanoparticles forms as well as on the particular bacterium. The selection of CS's molecular weight could be thought to be more dependent on its application.

ChemInform Abstract: Precipitation Polymerization: A Versatile Tool for Preparing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Beads for Chromatography Applications

AbstractReview: 116 refs.

Hemostatic, Resorbable Dressing of Natural Polymers-Hemoguard

Abstract Investigations are presented for the preparation of a model hemostatic dressing that would exhibit an adequate hemostatic capacity in injuries and surgical wounds, an antibacterial activity to prevent primary and secondary infections, and offer safety in use. The Hemoguard dressing has been designed as a powder prepared from the complex chitosan/alginate Na/Ca in the form of micro- and nano-fibrids. Useful antibacterial and hemostatic properties of Hemoguard, which would qualify the material as first aid dressing and a temporary protection of injury wounds in field conditions, were assessed. Biocompatibility of the dressing was confirmed by biological in vitro examinations.

Selective Photophysical Modification on Light-Emitting Polymer Films for Micro- and Nano-Patterning

Laser-induced cross-linking in polymeric semiconductors was utilized to achieve micro- and nano-structuring in thin films. Single- and two-photon cross-linking processes led to the reduction in both the refractive index and thickness of the polymer films. The resultant photonic structures combine the features of both relief- and phase-gratings. Selective cross-linking in polymer blend films based on different optical response of different molecular phases enabled “solidification” of the phase-separation scheme, providing a stable template for further photonic structuring. Dielectric and metallic structures are demonstrated for the fabrication methods using cross-linking in polymer films. Selective cross-linking enables direct patterning into polymer films without introducing additional fabrication procedures or additional materials. The diffraction processes of the emission of the patterned polymeric semiconductors may provide enhanced output coupling for light-emitting diodes or distributed feedback for lasers.

Design-based research: is this a suitable methodology for short-term projects?

This article reports on a design-based methodology of a thesis in which a fully face-to-face contact module was converted into a blended learning course. The purpose of the article is to report on how design-based phases, in the form of micro-, meso- and macro-cycles were applied to improve practice and to generate design principles. Design-based research traditionally is associated with multiple iterations of design, development and revision over a long period of time. This challenges the idea of design-based research being an appropriate methodology for a short-term thesis or dissertation. We argue that graduate students who are limited by time constraints can also conduct educational design-based research as long as the relevant phases are followed, which can produce significant, appropriate and effective design principles. This article suggests that the scope of design-based research should not be limited to long-term projects only, which restricts the value of implementing this methodology to improve practice.

Macrovesicular steatosis is associated with development of lobular inflammation and fibrosis in diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by liver steatosis and lobular inflammation. It is unclear how the development of liver steatosis and the formation of inflammatory cell aggregates are related to each other. The present study investigated the longitudinal development of two forms of steatosis, micro- and macrovesicular steatosis, as well as lobular inflammation. ApoE*3Leiden.CETP (E3L.CETP) transgenic mice were fed a high-fat diet containing 1% w/w cholesterol (HFC) for 12 weeks to induce NASH. Livers were harvested in intervals of 4 weeks and analyzed by histological and biochemical techniques, as well as transcriptome and subsequent pathway analysis. Major findings were validated in independent NASH studies using other rodent models, i.e. HFD-treated C57BL/6J and LDLr ‑/- .Leiden mice. In E3L.CETP mice, microvesicular steatosis was rapidly induced and reached plateau levels after already 4 weeks of HFC treatment. By contrast, macrovesicular steatosis developed more gradually and progressed over time. Lobular inflammation increased after 4 weeks with a significant further progression towards the end of the study (12 weeks). Macrovesicular, but not microvesicular, steatosis was positively correlated with the number of inflammatory aggregates. This correlation was confirmed in a milder (C57BL/6J) and a more severe (LDLr ‑ /-.Leiden) NASH model. Furthermore, collagen staining showed onset of perihepatocellular fibrosis in E3L.CETP mice after 12 weeks of HFC treatment and transcriptome analysis substantiated the activation of pro-fibrotic pathways and genes. Macrovesicular steatosis correlated positively with liver fibrosis in LDLr-/-.Leiden mice with pronounced fibrosis. Collectively, this study shows that macrovesicular steatosis is associated with lobular inflammation and liver fibrosis in rodent models and highlights the importance of this form of steatosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.

HUBUNGAN TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN OSTEOPOROSIS DENGAN PERILAKU PENCEGAHAN OSTEOPOROSIS PADA WANITA PRE MENOPAUSE DI KELURAHAN TIPES SURAKARTA

The background of this research is Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by reduced bone mass and a change in microarchitecture (the form of micro / subtlest) of bone tissue that result in decreased bone strength and increased bone fragility, leading to brittle bones. From preliminary observations that researchers do in the Village of typhoid in November showed 10 pre-menopausal women who were interviewed 8 of them did not undertake to prevent osteoporosis. Things that cause them not to prevent osteoporosis is ignorance about the dangers of osteoporosis and ignorance about how to prevent. The purpose of the research was to determine Relations Knowledge Level Osteoporosis with Behavioral Prevention of Osteoporosis in Women Pre Menopause in Tipes.The Subject of research were all pre-menopausal women aged 40-50 years with the criteria in the Village Tipes who met the inclusion criteria were already writers set. The sampling technique used is the consecutive sampling technique that is the way the sampling is done by selecting a sample that met the study criteria until a certain time so that the number of samples met. The result of the research are largely pre menopausal women have a high level of knowledge about osteoporosis as many as 32 people (59.3%), the majority of pre menopausal women are 32 women (59.3%) had less active behavior in the prevention of osteoporosis, while women which has the active behavior as much as 22 women (40.7%). From the results of Chi-Square test SPSS version 18.0 with α = 5% (0.05), obtained p equal to 0.002 so that the value of p <0.05, which means that Ho is rejected and Ha accepted. Conclusion of the research was the existence of relationship the level of knowledge about osteoporosis with prevention behaviors pre menopausal osteoporosis in women in Tipes Surakarta.Keywords: Knowledge Level of Osteoporosis, Behavioral Prevention

From macro to nano polysaccharide hydrogels: An opportunity for the delivery of drugs

This overview follows the evolution of the studies carried out, mainly during last years, on polysaccharide hydrogels, with particular attention on the researches carried out in our department, often in collaboration with other groups in our country and abroad. The review points out the importance of this type of networks for the optimization of drug delivery and targeting in the various forms of macro, micro and nano systems. It is also shown that these materials are suitable for the culture of different types of cells. Release mechanisms are reported and explained by different physico-chemical approaches and by means of molecular dynamics simulations and the anomalous swelling behavior of a scleroglucan/borax hydrogel is thoroughly discussed. The role of polymer combinations forming interpenetrated structures is explained in terms of specific properties which significantly differ from those of the constituent polymers, thus allowing appropriate tailoring of the delivery rates. Finally the wide possibilities of applications of nanogel structures which allow combination therapies for cancer treatment and can be suitable for intracellular targeting are reported. The studies on polysaccharide hydrogels are still in progress and it is underlined that future researches, more focused on the passage from lab to market, should be further stimulated.

Ironstone deposits hosted in Eocene carbonates from Bahariya (Egypt)—New perspective on cherty ironstone occurrences

This paper gives new insight into the genesis of cherty ironstone deposits. The research was centered on well-exposed, unique cherty ironstone mineralization associated with Eocene carbonates from the northern part of the Bahariya Depression (Egypt). The economically important ironstones occur in the Naqb Formation (Early Eocene), which is mainly formed of shallow marine carbonate deposits. Periods of lowstand sea-level caused extensive early dissolution (karstification) of the depositional carbonates and dolomitization associated with mixing zones of fresh and marine pore-water. In faulted areas, the Eocene carbonate deposits were transformed into cherty ironstone with preservation of the precursor carbonate sedimentary features, i.e. skeletal and non-skeletal grain types, thickness, bedding, lateral and vertical sequential arrangement, and karst profiles. The ore deposits are composed of iron oxyhydroxides, mainly hematite and goethite, chert in the form of micro- to macro-quartz and chalcedony, various manganese minerals, barite, and a number of subordinate sulfate and clay minerals. Detailed petrographic analysis shows that quartz and iron oxides were coetaneous and selectively replaced carbonates, the coarse dolomite crystals having been preferentially transformed into quartz whereas the micro-crystalline carbonates were replaced by the iron oxyhydroxides.A number of petrographic, sedimentological and structural features including the presence of hydrothermal-mediated minerals (e.g., jacobsite), the geochemistry of the ore minerals as well as the structure-controlled location of the mineralization suggest a hydrothermal source for the ore-bearing fluids circulating through major faults and reflect their proximity to centers of magmatism. The proposed formation model can contribute to better understanding of the genetic mechanisms of formation of banded iron formations (BIFs) that were abundant during the Precambrian.

Nasolabial muscle finite-element study and clinical application

To investigate the nasolabial muscle anatomy and biomechanical characteristics. Micro-computed tomography scan was performed in 8 cases of spontaneous abortion fetus lip nasal specimens to construct a three-dimensional model. The nasolabial muscle structure was analyzed using Mimics software. The three-dimensional configuration model of nasolabial muscle was established based on local anatomy and tissue section, and compared with tissue section. Three dimensional finite element analysis was performed on lip nasal muscle related biomechanics and surface deformation in Application verification was carried out in 263 cases of microform cleft lip surgery. There was close relationship between nasolabial muscle. The nasolabial muscle tension system was constituted, based on which a new cleft lip repair surgery was designed and satisfied results were achieved. There is close relationship among nasolabial muscle in anatomy, histology and biomechanics. To obtain better effect, cleft lip repair should be performed on the basis of recovering muscle tension system.

Biodegradation-tunable mesoporous silica nanorods for controlled drug delivery.

Mesoporous silica in the forms of micro- or nanoparticles showed great potentials in the field of controlled drug delivery. However, for precision control of drug release from mesoporous silica-based delivery systems, it is critical to control the rate of biodegradation. Thus, in this study, we demonstrate a simple and robust method to fabricate "biodegradation-tunable" mesoporous silica nanorods based on capillary wetting of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template with an aqueous alkoxide precursor solution. The porosity and nanostructure of silica nanorods were conveniently controlled by adjusting the water/alkoxide molar ratio of precursor solutions, heat-treatment temperature, and Na addition. The porosity and biodegradation kinetics of the fabricated mesoporous nanorods were analyzed using N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, TGA, DTA, and XRD. Finally, the performance of the mesoporous silica nanorods as drug delivery carrier was demonstrated with initial burst and subsequent "zero-order" release of anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin.

Philip S. Gorski, editor. Bourdieu and Historical Analysis.

According to Philip S. Gorski, Pierre Bourdieu has mistakenly been treated as a reproduction theorist rather than as a historical analyst concerned with explaining social change beyond the dualism of structure and event. This orientation, he argues, guided Bourdieu's empirical studies of Algerian and French peasants, literary fields, and May 1968; it was also built into his dynamic concepts. But is this volume's aim to revise our understanding of Bourdieu or to elaborate new approaches to historical analysis? David L. Swartz contributes to the former by skillfully elaborating Bourdieu's “metaprinciples”: an activist orientation, attention to material and symbolic forms of power, micro and macro levels of analysis, relational thinking, breaking with conventional understandings of objects, and self-reflexivity about the positions and dispositions that link analyst to object. Unfortunately, Swartz does not directly discuss what these principles might mean for historical analysis. In contrast, Craig Calhoun insightfully treats Bourdieu as a historical sociologist whose interest in change was itself forged through experiences of historical transformation, including Algerian colonialism, the postwar economic boom, and neoliberal anti-welfarism. He contends that Bourdieu's concepts (i.e., field, habitus, and capital) grasp the historical specificity of modern society as differentiated into distinct spheres with their own logics and values. He also identifies Bourdieu's method of historicizing a field, its corresponding habitus, and the analyst's categories in order to counteract the “tendency [of scholars] to project their own … relation to the social world into the minds of the people they observe” (p. 43). The third framing essay by Christophe Charle makes interesting points about comparative and transnational histories of European intellectual networks, but offers little new about Bourdieu or his historical analysis.

Polysaccharides as safer release systems for agrochemicals

Agrochemicals are used to improve the production of crops. Conventional formulations of agrochemicals can contaminate the environment, in particular in the case of intensive cropping. Hence, there is a need for controlled-release formulations of agrochemicals such as polysaccharides to reduce pollution and health hazards. Natural polysaccharides are hydrophilic, biodegradable polymers. This article reviews the use of polysaccharides in the form of micro- and nanoparticles, beads and hydrogels. The main points are: (1) slow release formulations minimize environmental impact by reducing agrochemical leaching, volatilization and degradation. For example, 50 % of the encapsulated insecticide chlorpyrifos is released in 5 days, whereas free chlorpyrifos is released in 1 day. (2) Slow release formulations increase the water-holding capacity of soil. (3) Slow release formulations better control weeds in the long run. (4) Polymer-clay formulations store ionic plant nutrients. (5) Polymer hydrogel formulations reduce compaction, erosion, and water run-off. They increase soil permeability and aeration, infiltration rates, and microbial activity, and, in turn, plant performance. In conclusion, polysaccharide formulations can be used for safer use of agrochemicals.