The first commercial application of Electrodyn/Nimbus technology was a handheld crop sprayer designed for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Its effectiveness and durable, easy-to-use design allowed farmers to operate it safely and enthusiastically. In one trial, crop yields increased tenfold.

Additional studies showed a dramatic reduction in human exposure to toxic chemicals, potentially saving up to 10,000 lives annually in Africa. The technology was also tested in vector-control programs, including animal health and mosquito control, showing similar advantages over existing methods.

Nimbus Benefits:

1. sigificantly reduces the amount of chemical required for any given application.

2. uses no water.

3. uses oil formulations that stay longer on surfaces

4. uses electric field forces that mean that droplets evenly coat surfaces and there is no spray drift.

5. has no moving parts and requires virtually no maintenance.

6. has equipment cost that are substantially lower than conventional application equipment.

7. is quick, easy and safe to set up and operate.

VS

The ED sprayer designed for the African market comprised a ‘stick’ containing 4 1.5v batteries and a 25KV HV generator connected to a .75l bottle/nozzle unit.

  • safe, robust, easy to use, and highly effective

  • small, automatically-controlled droplets, which cover leaves evenly on both sides.

  • droplets propelled by very powerful field forces even against strong winds

  • chemicals formulated in oils, which resist evaporation and lead to greatly improved efficiency- half a litre of spray will control one or two hectares of field crops. Hydraulic sprayers require hundreds of litres for the same level of control.  

  • no moving parts/regular maintenance needed.

 
 

Most crop sprayers work on a basic hydraulic system. Liquid is pumped through a nozzle, producing predominantly large droplets that vary greatly in size. There is very little control over where they are deposited, and in order to achieve an effective coverage it is necessary to over–spray with very large quantities of dilute chemical: 

As a result: 

· Many of the plants have too much spray.

· Spray runs off into the soil.

· Small droplets in the spray are caught on the wind and pollute the air.

· Where water is at a premium, subsistence farmers frequently have to walk for miles to get water for the essential dilution.

· Many accidents occur when mixing chemicals – many thousands per annum, including many fatalities, have been cited by various authorities.

Nimbus for Public Health Spraying

Nimbus can be utilized for public health vector-control spraying in either a compact stick-and-bozzle format or an ultra-lightweight backpack-and-lance system.

Studies conducted in Togo for tsetse control have identified several advantages of EHD technology, including:

  • No moving parts
  • Ready-to-use liquid
  • Elimination of concentration miscalculations
  • No water required
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Cost-effective spray liquid
  • Versatility for cotton and mosquito spraying

Trials in Tanzania demonstrated the efficiency of EHD technology, with users finding it easy to operate, safe, and effective, thanks to the absence of mixing, calibration, or cleaning. 

For Indoor Residual Spraying:   

Conventional compression sprayers are bulky, heavy, and messy. Spraying typically requires professional teams, forcing households to vacate their huts for extended periods, during which all belongings must be removed. This process can be costly, and many homeowners are hesitant to allow spraying due to the associated mess and inconvenience.

In contrast, Nimbus is affordable, clean, and user-friendly. Furniture often remains in place, and studies indicate that huts can be sprayed in just minutes. Most importantly, the precision delivery system minimizes the risk of operators coming into contact with hazardous chemicals.

We are currently developing a system that empowers homeowners to spray safely and effectively, eliminating the need for trained professionals.

Animal Spraying:

Recent studies using interviews and focus groups reveal that farmers often struggle to follow proper spraying routines for their cattle.

However, spraying with a Nimbus machine is quick, easy, and clean. Each animal can be treated in just two to three minutes when done manually. Additionally, the technology can be adapted into an automatic gate system, allowing livestock to be sprayed as they pass through, streamlining the process even further.

Screen Traps:

Studies indicate that screen traps are susceptible to environmental damage and component wear. Nimbus technology allows for on-site repairs of these traps, ensuring that more units remain operational at all times.