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Dr Rajesh Anandjiwala |
Chief researcher, Dr Rajesh Anandjiwala of CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing has been appointed as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Textile Science of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), Port Elizabeth.
Anandjiwala is experienced in the processing of all plant fibres, such as hemp, flax and kenaf in short and long staple spinning areas. This includes weaving to convert fibres into different fabrics. He has setup a nonwoven technology platform at the CSIR and is currently research group leader for the nonwoven area.
He is particularly interested in exploring new materials development from natural textile materials (hemp, flax, sisal, kenaf, banana and pineapple fibres) in combination with natural and bio-degradable polymers, recycled and regenerated materials. He is currently working on the development of low-weight, recyclable fibrous composites from wovens, and nonwovens for structural applications in the automotive, aerospace, civil engineering mechanical and biomedical applications. He is also working on computational aspects of the mechanics of flexible fibrous assemblies and is a promoter of three Master's and PhD students at the NMMU.
Anandjiwala joined the CSIR in 2000 and has widespread experience in the textile industry, research, teaching and advising at universities abroad and in South Africa.
He holds several professional memberships, such as Fellow of the Textile Institute, UK, member of the Fiber Society, USA, and being a life member of the Textile Association of India. He is, among others, the chair of the Nonwoven Association of South Africa, the coordinator of the fibre reinforced composites project for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy of the Department of Science and Technology, as well as coordinator for Africa for FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on flax and other bast plants.
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