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Dr Sisa Pityana studies surface engineering in metals, through
laser materials processing techniques. His particular research
interest includes surface modification through remelting,
laser alloying, incorporating new materials, and corrosion
prevention technologies. Pityana also has an interest in
modelling laser materials interactions.
Current research
Dr Pityana studies processes that improve or enhance the
properties of metal surfaces. His current research focuses
on creation of advanced surface coatings through laser alloying
on aluminium matrix surfaces. Materials under investigation
includes various ceramics, and elements such as Boron. Research
is also conducted in dispersion of carbon nanotubes in host
powders, and the influence of this on the surface properties
of ferrous and non ferrous host matrix surfaces are studied.
Corrosion resistance of ferrous metals after laser assisted
remelting is also being investigated.
Background
Dr Pityana has a wealth of experience in laser-assisted
surface engineering. He started his career in 1997 as a
laser scientist at the Atomic Energy Corporation, with specific
responsibility for the theoretical modelling studies of
parameters for the laser and beam parameters for molecular
laser isotope separation. He later re-focused his research
efforts on laser surface engineering aspects, with studies
in pulsed laser ablation deposition, laser alloying and
laser hardening. His research work focused on the damage
mechanisms prevalent during laser beam-material interactions,
and he developed numerical models that supported this phenomena.
His current research interests is on laser alloying, and
surface enhancement through various laser materials processing
techniques.
Academic qualifications
Dr Pityana started his studies at the University
of Fort Hare, and obtained his BSc (Chemical Physics) from
the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He also
completed his DPhil at this university, with a thesis entitled
'Second harmonic generation in waveguides'. He completed
a diploma in Business Management in Pretoria in 1999.
Dr Pityana was awarded an Extraordinary Professorship from
the Tshwane University of Technology in May 2007.
Dr Pityana's presentations have been included
in numerous conference proceedings and he has published
extensively in peer-reviewed journals in his field. Full
text versions of recent
CSIR research, which he authored, are available through
the CSIR's research database. He contributes to human capital
development in his field through supervising MSc and PhD
students.
Organisational details:
CSIR
PO Box 395
Pretoria
0001
South Africa
Email: spityana@csir.co.za
Publications
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