Researchers collaborating in four U.S. universities have developed a new biodegradable, nontoxic solid lubricant they hope will improve seed planting efficiency and reduce environmental harm. The cellulose-based material could replace conventional talc or microplastic lubricants used in agricultural machinery, which have been linked to soil and pollinator toxicity.
Modern planters rely on solid lubricants to keep seeds flowing smoothly through equipment. Existing products prevent clumping but often pose health and ecological risks. The new material, developed by a team from North Carolina State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Southern California, and Iowa State University, provides a safer alternative that performs better than commercial products.
“Lubricants are essential to modern farming, but existing approaches are contributing to toxicity in our farmlands that affect farmer health, soil health and pollinators that are essential to our food supply,” says Dhanush Udayashankara Jamadgni, co-lead author of the study and a Ph.D. student at NC State. “We’ve developed a new class of safe solid lubricants that are effective and nontoxic.”
The lubricant is made from cellulose fibers that measure 0.2 to 2 millimeters in length and 10 to 40 microns in diameter. Each fiber is coated with hydrophobic particles that repel water. The resulting powder reduces friction by smoothing seed movement and minimizing moisture buildup, allowing seeds to move easily through machinery without jamming.
The researchers also found that the new lubricant reduces the release of pesticide and nutrient coatings from seeds, which can become airborne during planting and harm farmers, birds, and pollinators. “We were surprised to find that our cellulose-derived lubricant drastically reduces this problem,” says Udayashankara Jamadgni.
Martin Thuo, co-corresponding author and professor at NC State, said the material is “relatively inexpensive, efficient, and makes use of sustainable, readily available materials.” The team also developed a graph theory-based analytical model to evaluate future candidates for solid lubricant applications.