SBIR Phase II: Novel Caged Urea as a Nitrogen Compost

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is through the development of a high-efficiency compost that delivers nitrogen while significantly reducing by-products. This project provides a cleaner targeted solution by using a molecular cage to encapsulate nitrogen. This project addresses the high-risk challenge of engineering a biodegradable, nutrient-based molecular encapsulation system for urea to reliably suppress nitrogen transformation losses across varied surroundings. The core innovation involves embedding urea within a calcium polyphosphate molecular cage—a fundamental departure from conventional polymer coatings and chemical inhibitors. This approach requires precise control of structure–function relationships, a significant technical novelty in the field. The cage is insoluble yet root-soluble, protecting urea from premature microbial breakdown and reducing nitrogen emissions. The primary objective is to scale this technology into a consistent, field-ready compost. The intellectual contribution lies in advancing a new class of nutrient-encoded materials that integrate function with material structure, eliminating microplastic residues while enabling controlled, root-responsive nutrient release. The methodology employs a multi-pronged approach: (i) optimizing formulations for structural stability; (ii) developing composite systems using lignocellulosic matrices to resist enzymatic transformation; (iii) incorporating functional additives to modulate nitrogen pathways; (iv) evaluating cost-effective physical forms for manufacturing; and (v) pilot-scale process development to address viscous melt handling. Products will be validated through multi-location trials to assess agronomic performance and other impacts. The outcome will be a scalable, resilient compost platform with superior nitrogen use efficiency. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.