Introduction to Agricultural Formulations: What to Make?

We will cover course logistics and introductions as well as provide background information, basic fundamentals and a context for why agricultural formulations matter. We will review attributes of "useful" consumer products and discuss what makes them effective.

Introduction to Chemistry of Formulations: How to Make It? 

All things fundamental chemistry! We will review measurement units, how they are calculated and what they tell us about the structure of molecules. Classroom discussions will cover how this information can be used when formulating a product and what considerations are made when modifying existing ones.

Product Use and Function: How Will it Be Used? 

We will review physical and biological properties of different formulation types and examine how products with known chemical properties must be modified to include a specific product function (product mechanism, method of exposure, etc.). 

Product Use and Application: How Do I Apply It? 

Industry Site Visit

Demonstrations of different types of eequipment used for different formulations, highlight "pitfalls" or application "breakdowns" that commonly occur

Product Identification and Analytical Testing: Is it What I Think It Is? 

We will cover different kinds of analytical testing strategies including: calorimetry, chromatography, elemental analysis, spectroscopy and rheology. You will work in groups to discuss a hypothetical "change in product" and how you are going to use an analytical testing procedure to figure out why this is occurring. 

Guest lecture: Present perspective from an analytical services division

Product Modification: How do I Modify to Improve Effectiveness?

Students will work in groups to solve an issue with the practical application of a formulation and describe how that affects the production process. 

Guest lecture (2): Present real-world examples of products that required some kind of modification to the formulations (e.g. Surfactants, Suspension Agents, Preservatives, Antifoaming agents, Antifreeze, Adjuvants, Buffers, Rain-fast additives, Water quality, Particle size).

Production Lab to Test Field/Pilot: What Is an Effective Deliverable Form? 

We will review examples of "scaling up" production of a formulation from laboratory testing to the test field (pilot study).

Guest lecture (2): Present case study to students describing the process from taking the formulation you developed in the lab to a scale that can be tested at a test-plot and/or pilot plant.

Production at Market Scale: How Am I Going To Produce It?

We will cover specifics of the production part of the product development process, including how raw materials are sourced and how products are distributed and stored. 

Guest lecture (2): Provide specific examples and techniques used to produce products on a large scale. What considerations should be made when thinking about distributing, transporting and storing products?

Product Optimization: Can it be Easily Implemented?

We will discuss some of the factors that influence commercial viability of a product by reviewing grower feedback for existing products. How can formulations that are not easily utilized by growers be modified to encourage use? What are the limitations?

Guest lecture (2): Present examples of how applicator feedback, preferences and motivations can be incorporated for product optimization. 

Product Development Overview: The Process 

Industry Site Visit

Demonstrations of different types of equipment used for different formulations, highlight crucial steps in the development process, challenges for production, on-site testing.

Product Movement: How Does It Move in the Environment? 

We will review factors that impact product movement in the environment during applications. Which considerations are most important when developing a product that will be applied in certain areas?

Product Safety and Regulation: How Should It Be Regulated? 

We will cover the impact of product utilization on sensitive populations and how this information can influence label requirements and regulation. 

Current Challenges and Innovations 

We will review innovations in current formulation development.