Plant-based lubricant outperforms talc and microplastics, offering a nontoxic alternative for seed dispersal

Plant-based lubricant outperforms talc and microplastics, offering a nontoxic alternative for seed dispersal

Researchers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants that can be used to facilitate seed dispersal using modern farming equipment, with the goal of replacing existing lubricants that pose human and environmental toxicity concerns. The paper, "Graph Theory Based Bioderived Solid Lubricant," is published in the journal Matter.

Engineers Develop Solid Lubricant to Replace Toxic Materials in Farming

RALEIGH, N.C. — Researchers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants that can be used to facilitate seed dispersal using modern farming equipment, with the goal of replacing existing lubricants that pose human and environmental toxicity concerns. The researchers have also developed an analytical model that can be used to evaluate candidate materials for future lubricant technologies. Modern farming makes use of vari…