There are many possible “Field(s)-of-Use” for the HYDROCAPSULE^® technology.  Some are being evaluated by ARS, Inc. with other collaborating companies.  ARS, Inc. can license this technology for any available field-of-use.  There is a separate license fee associated for each field-of-use or area of application that the technology is used in.  License fees will vary for each different application and are based upon several factors. The assessed worth of the technology (based on gross sales of products resulting from the use of the technology), the cost savings to the purchaser by implementing the technology, the cost of initial development, and the cost of continued maintenance of the intellectual property.  This technology is currently available for license in the following Fields-of-Use:  

• Encapsulation of insect diets (any nutritional supplement including water)

• Encapsulation of nutritional supplements for any animal species.

• Encapsulation of chemical-based pesticides or herbicides of any type.

• Encapsulation of bio-pesticides (non-chemical) or pathogens for any animal.

• Encapsulation of any living organisms (protozoa, cell, bacteria, virus,...)

• Pharmaceutical or Veterinary applications such as vaccines or medicines.

• Encapsulation and controlled release of semiochemicals and fragrances.

ARS has produced several different coating FORMULATIONS for various other applications, that include time release, pH-activated release, and gas permeable shells.

Properties of 'HYDROCAPSULES^®'

• HYDROCAPSULES^® can be used to encapsulate aqueous solutions, lipophilic substances, and emulsions of lipophilic and aqueous materials. Finely divided suspensions with particle sizes up to 400 microns (0.4 mm) also can be encapsulated. 

• HYDROCAPSULES^® can be produced as small as about 0.2 mm and as large as about 15 mm in diameter at present. As compared with conventional microcapsules of only a few microns in diameter, Hydrocapsules provide a more favorable surface-volume ratio, with a reduced chance of desiccation. Because they contain a larger internal volume than conventional microcapsules, the cost of encapsulating a quantity of bait should be less than with microcapsules.

• HYDROCAPSULES^® are large enough to be directly detectable by target pests, such as fire ants, which carry them into the nest and consume the contents. 

• Semiochemicals can be incorporated into the contents or encapsulant (polymer shell), or applied to the surface to promote attraction and feeding upon the Hydrocapsule and its contents 

• HYDROCAPSULES^® are "rainproof" since they are designed to contain 100% water indefinitely and they can be stored in bulk in water. 

• HYDROCAPSULES^® can provide protection of the contents from UV - since they are made using a UV process. However, additives can be put into the polymer shell to allow degradation and eventual breakdown by UV over time once the capsules are put into the field. 

• Contents are sequestered from exposure to air and anti-oxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, BHA, BHT, or tertiary butyl hydroquinone also can be included to reduce oxidation of fatty acids and other labile agents. 

• HYDROCAPSULES^® are 'flowable' and ameliorate problems in distributing otherwise sticky/gooey baits.

• They can be used to encapsulate biopesticides or entomopathogenic organisms such as protozoa, bacteria, viruses, fungi, & nematodes, as well as IGRs and conventional pesticides. 

• This patent-pending technology (application has been made in the US & internationally) will provide a completely novel, proprietary method for delivering pest control agents.

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