Synthesis, computational modelling and testing of inorganic molecular heaters incorporated in foliar spray for frost damage control in crops.

Food security is a growing area of concern, with the United Nations listing it as part of its Sustainable Development Initiatives. To improve food security, current harvests must be enhanced.

My project is aimed at the development and application of Inorganic molecular heaters (IMHs) as photothermal molecules, which can be incorporated in a water-based foliar spray and applied to crops to mitigate frost losses in the cold regions of the Kenyan Highlands.

 The premise is that these IMHs absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, convert this to heat and provide the crop with supplementary heat, thereby encouraging successful crop growth in cooler geographical regions and helping mitigate against frost losses.

To note, frost damage alone is estimated to cost Kenya around KES.1 billion per annum in reduced harvests. I intend to bring together a multidisciplinary team of synthetic chemists, computational chemists, Meteorologists and agriculturists to tackle this very important problem. I believe this to be a very important contribution to this sustainable development initiative, with possible upscaling beyond the target region. Computational software will be used to model the data to help interpret molecular processes post absorption of light.

I seek funding and collaboration, especially to assist in upscaling and making the product commercially ready for actual applications