Multimedia Gallery
Estuaries: Super-ecosystems under threat
Estuaries: Super-ecosystems under threat
South Africa’s estuaries are under threat. Researchers say that multiple interventions are required to avoid a further decline in health. The CSIR led the estuarine component of the National Biodiversity Assessment released earlier this year.
Bioengineering cells for precision medication for the South African population
Bioengineering cells for precision medication for the South African population
CSIR bioengineers are combining stemcell technology and genome engineering to help improve the efficacy and safety of medication for the African population.
CSIR conducts 3D model studies for a proposed tidal pool in Port St Johns
CSIR conducts 3D model studies for a proposed tidal pool in Port St Johns
Some of the biggest and busiest ports in the world have been tested at the CSIR’s coastal and hydraulics laboratory. Recently, the team modelled a far smaller project, but one with significant potential impact for the remote coastal community of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.
A blueprint for an energy-grid for South Africa's rural communities
A blueprint for an energy-grid for South Africa's rural communities
CSIR energy researchers are working on the wind component of a mini-grid project in the Eastern Cape that will in future be rolled out to areas that do not have access to the national electricity grid.
Refurbishing steam turbine components with laser technology
Refurbishing steam turbine components with laser technology
The CSIR and Eskom have developed a laser welding process to reconstruct tenons on turbine rotor blade tips which may lead to significant cost savings at power plants.
The evidence of our warming continent and the impact on SA industrial sectors
Bio-degradable plastic bags
Bio-degradable plastic bags
The CSIR is making fully bio-degradable plastic materials by using plant-based polymers to replace the currently used synthetic polymers. The technology will see plastic bags that end up in landfills bio-degrading within 90 days.
CSIR Davit System
CSIR Davit System
What if there were Ideas that worked to protect precious lives and tons of cargo?
Rapidly detecting E.coli in water
Rapidly detecting E.coli in water
The CSIR has developed a disposable device that can rapidly detect E.coli without the need to send samples to laboratories.
New device monitors indoor airborne infection risk
New device monitors indoor airborne infection risk
The CSIR has developed an electronic device that monitors indoor carbon dioxide levels and generates an alarm when corrective action is needed.
The CSIR tests a novel turbine wing for its inventor
The CSIR tests a novel turbine wing for its inventor
The CSIR has tested a novel new turbine wing for its South African inventor, using the organisation’s seven-metre wind tunnel. The wing, called BRAYFOIL, was assessed by researchers for its power output potential.
Insects: Unlikely heroes in the quest for alternative protein
Insects: Unlikely heroes in the quest for alternative protein
The CSIR has proven the viability of using mealworms – industrially bred on agricultural waste – as protein for poultry and fish feed. This makes it possible to establish rural enterprises that rear insects, make animal feeds and farm fish and poultry.
A novel encapsulation technology to protect probiotics
A novel encapsulation technology to protect probiotics
The CSIR has developed a novel technology that protects probiotics from environmental effects during storage and from gastric fluids when ingested, to improve their health-imparting benefits.
CSIR Advanced Fire Information System
CSIR Advanced Fire Information System
What if there were Ideas that worked to better manage wildfires and protect infrastructure?
Assisting enterprises to create market-ready products and services
Assisting enterprises to create market-ready products and services
The CSIR helps enterprises in the bio innovation space with product development. In the case of Marple Skin Care, researchers have ensured that its products meet the necessary shelf-life and validation requirements to ensure a high quality product.
Microbes in biodiverse Cape soil may lead to promising molecular biology reagents
Microbes in biodiverse Cape soil may lead to promising molecular biology reagents
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve in the Western Cape is one of the world's most recognised biodiversity hotspots. CSIR researchers have identified microbes from the reserve's soil that may be used to produce protein molecular biology reagents used in genome engineering.
Towards smart water use in South African apple orchards
Towards smart water use in South African apple orchards
Understanding the water use of apple orchards in a dry country like South Africa is increasingly important. Zanele Ntshidi is part of a CSIR team of scientists that is studying the water use of apple orchards in the Western Cape.
CSIR develops chemical-free water purification solution for water in rural areas
CSIR develops chemical-free water purification solution for water in rural areas
The CSIR together with local and international partners has developed a low-cost purification system to help make water in rural and peri-urban areas safe to drink. The system uses no chemicals and less energy than conventional systems.
Discovery of a new coastal current off Madagascar
Discovery of a new coastal current off Madagascar
South African, Malagasy and French researchers have discovered the existence of a coastal current off Madagascar. The newly-described current, the South-west Madagascar Coastal Current, flows poleward off the south-west coast of Madagascar.
CSIR's new fingerprint technology
CSIR's new fingerprint technology
The CSIR has launched a new-generation fingerprinting sensing technology that uses high-speed, large-volume optical coherence tomography to acquire the prints.
Equipping a next generation of young small-scale farming entrepreneurs
Equipping a next generation of young small-scale farming entrepreneurs
The CSIR is implementing an innovation and rural economic development programme that assists young rural participants to enter the farming industry as entrepreneurs.
Careers at the CSIR
Careers at the CSIR
The CSIR is a leading scientific and technology research organisation, implementing projects throughout Africa and making a difference in people's lives.
Solar energy plant for research on distributed energy generation; reduced carbon footprint - English
Solar energy plant for research on distributed energy generation; reduced carbon footprint - English
New CSIR solar energy plant contributes to reduced carbon footprint and research on distributed energy generation
Meet a CSIR limnologist who specialises in fresh water systems
A survey and inspection device to improve safety on South Africa's railway lines
A survey and inspection device to improve safety on South Africa's railway lines
The CSIR is developing an autonomous vehicle to help prevent delays and accidents on railway tracks.
Cmore wildlife in action
Cmore wildlife in action
The CSIR has developed an innovative shared awareness and integration platform, Cmore, using modern web and mobile technology. It addresses the need for situation awareness and collaboration amongst users through the consolidation of information from various sensors and external systems as well as real-time analytics.
The CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre
The CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre
The Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre is a first of its kind in South Africa and it aims to support SMMEs involved in biomanufacturing in meeting their customer needs within short time-frames and be able to exploit market opportunities.
Sedirisiwa sa go sekaseka le go phuruphutsha go ka tokafatsa pabalesego mo ditereneng
Using biometrics to identify minors
Using biometrics to identify minors
The CSIR is investigating a suitable biometric - using the ear, iris and fingerprint - for the automatic recognition of children's identities from birth till adulthood.
Collaborating to advance quantum physics
Collaborating to advance quantum physics
The CSIR and Stellenbosch University are collaborating to boost local training of experts to do fundamental research in the field of quantum physics. CSIR physicist, Dr Herman Uys, is the research chair in quantum, optical and atomic physics at the university’s science faculty.
The Photonics Prototyping Facility
The Photonics Prototyping Facility
The Photonics Prototyping Facility (PPF) is aiming to address the current lack of commercialised photonics products within South Africa by providing world-class facilities, technical support and scarce skills.
Indlela yokucwaninga nokuhlola ezokuphepha emizileni yezitimela yaseNingizimu Afrika
Helping entrepreneurs with environmental impact assessments
Helping entrepreneurs with environmental impact assessments
The CSIR helps entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses but find themselves in unfamiliar environmental regulatory territory through the Special Needs and Development Programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs.
The CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre 2018
CSIR Star Profile Advert
CSIR Star Profile Advert
Meet some of the bright young scientists behind the Ideas That Work.
Implementing an algae-based wastewater treatment system in a Limpopo community
Collecting climate change data using state-of-the-art equipment
Collecting climate change data using state-of-the-art equipment
CSIR scientists are using state-of-the-art equipment to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange and related factors on land and sea. This information helps researchers to more accurately predict the rate of CO2 build-up that could lead to high risk and costly climate change and to test the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.
CSIR develops vineyard robot
CSIR develops vineyard robot
The CSIR, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, has developed a robotic system for horticultural monitoring. This precision-farming tool consists of an automated mobile platform fitted with sensors to monitor plant growth and to estimate grape yield.
Making sense of fuel sloshing
Making sense of fuel sloshing
Local experts are collaborating to build a capability in the analysis and design of aircraft fuel tanks. The collaborators are the CSIR (through the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the dti), Denel Aerostructures and the University of Pretoria.
Meet a CSIR mechanical engineer who specialises in strength and safety testing
Meet a CSIR mechanical engineer who specialises in strength and safety testing
Meet a CSIR mechanical engineer who specialises in strength and safety testing
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics
Meet a CSIR systems biologist who specialises in malaria research
Meet a CSIR systems biologist who specialises in malaria research
Meet a CSIR systems biologist who specialises in malaria research.
Meet a CSIR geneticist who specialises in stem cell research
Meet a CSIR geneticist who specialises in stem cell research
Meet a CSIR geneticist who specialises in stem cell research.
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics
Meet a CSIR computer scientist who specialises in robotics.