Advanced Search
Search Results
Ecotoxicology is a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment.
Media advisory: 10/12/2021
CSIR Photonics Centre
The CSIR houses a critical core of photonics expertise and scientific infrastructure for R&D and innovation in photonics-based technologies and applications at its Photonics Centre.
The aim of the Photonics Centre is to equip South African industries with laser and photonics tools and processes to transition, transform and maintain their global competitiveness. A wide range of sectors are targeted, from manufacturing to health, defence to mining and power generation.
The main offerings, tools and processes include:
Additive manufacturing
- Custom selective laser sintering machines
- Large parts size up to 600 x 600 x 2000 mm
- Fast printing speeds
- High quality printed parts
- Multiple materials (titanium, aluminium, steel and a range of new alloys and polymers not available elsewhere)
Laser surface engineering
- Laser cladding and onsite repair of large equipment
- Laser shock peening to enhance durability of high wear surfaces
Laser welding and cutting (2D and 3D)
- Fast, large-area laser marking machines
- Biophotonics diagnostic tools to detect HIV, tuberculosis, Covid-19 and substandard medication
- High-power lasers in all wavelengths across the infrared spectrum from 1µm to 10µm for a suite of applications
- Custom high-power laser and remote sensing solutions
The centre also focuses on supporting R&D at universities and other research institutions, as well as training and developing the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians in fields where photonics-based technologies are key.
The centre hosts the Photonics Prototyping Facility, which supports the industrialisation and commercialisation of photonics-based technologies. Entrepreneurs or existing industry can mature their technologies to a higher technology readiness level through the development of prototypes at the facility to enter the market.
Research has shown that unique African genetic variants in hepatic metabolism genes alter the efficiency of drug metabolism and, thus, drug response.
Biophotonics experts at the CSIR have created a diagnostic tool that can detect illnesses in bodily fluid samples like urine, saliva and blood, using a smartphone.
Khavhatondwi Rinah Netshiheni
Full Profile
Malnutrition is a major health concern caused by a deficiency or excessiveness of essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in a diet. Malnutrition affects growth and development of children and increases their risk of death from common childhood illness. Children who are undernourished stand a great chance of being sick as compared to well-nourished children. Although micronutrient deficiency is not visible to the naked eye, it can greatly impact one’s wellbeing and is prevalent in South African child, WHO supported the above findings by reporting that 17% and 24% of South African children under the age of five have vitamin A deficiency and anaemia, respectively. The cause of malnutrition among South African children could be attributed to the high consumption of maize porridge, which is the staple food for most people in South Africa, as reported and maize contributes significantly to the dietary intake of 80 % of households in Limpopo. Regardless of all carbohydrates contained in maize grain, maize is not a good source of essential nutrients for the human body due to the bioavailability of minerals, which are vital for proper nutrition and health),often affected by phytic acid contained in the maize grain that interferes with the absorption of minerals. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of consuming instant-maize porridge fortified with Moringa oleifera leaves and termite powders on the nutritional status of children aged 3 to 5 years in the Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa as this could be one of the sustainable strategies in alleviating malnutrition.
Van der Woude is a senior executive of modernisation and safety at the Minerals Council South Africa and is well-known for his extensive knowledge and passion for people-centered innovation and modernisation of the mining sector.
Centre for Robotics and Future Production
In the Robotics and Future Production Centre, the focus is on the application of digital transformation and 4IR disruptive technologies to enable local manufacturing industries of all sizes to be globally competitive. The centre collaborates with partners (from universities to private sector players) and places emphasis on skills development and training – particularly in and using 4IR technology.
Key focus areas include automation and connectivity, and localisation of robotic infrastructure and equipment, as well as broader product development for uptake by local companies in priority sectors such as mining, health, automotive and agriculture or agro-processing. Capabilities include automated inspection and quality control, automated materials handling solutions, customised robotic equipment development, machine monitoring and predictive maintenance, augmented reality and virtual reality solutions and human-centred automation through assistive/collaborative robotics.
In addition, the centre has a strong capability in 4IR assessments and benchmarking, plant and process model development, equipment instrumentation and data gathering, data analysis and optimisation and digital integration into supply chains. This allows us to enable industry to participate in the global value chain.
South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) continues to undertake research, development and innovation to benefit the South African mining sector.
Sharing knowledge and inspiring young people to take up science-related careers is just what the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is gearing up to do at this year’s National Science Festival in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, from 8 March to 14 March 2017.