Innovations

The current patterns of production and consumption of conventional plastics are unsustainable. Conventional plastics are non-biodegradable, leading to visible pollution in soil, marine environments and the air when discarded, landfilled or burnt. Products that are practically non-recyclable, such as

Fleet owners and distribution agents face a myriad of challenges. These include crimes such as cargo theft and hijackings; vehicle misuse; and high costs of fuel, insurance and maintenance, including mechanical failures and power outages affecting traffic flow. The CSIR has developed a web-based

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are immune system proteins that are used in targeted drug therapy and prophylaxis and are in high demand around the world to fight diseases. Despite advancements in biomedical technology, current methods for producing mAbs – primarily mammalian cell cultures – can be

Some 13,000 ships enter South Africa’s eight ports annually. These ports process some 10,000 containerised loads per day. Many industries rely on imports and exports via the country’s ports, where a safe port environment, with minimal disruptions while loading or offloading cargo, is critical

The CSIR has developed a smartphone technology that is used as a detection system for analysing biomolecular assays or chemical reactions. The smartphone is used to capture one or more images of the biomolecular assays, which are processed by way of bespoke hardware and software to provide

The CSIR has developed the next-generation ground-based surveillance and classification radar that enables automated detection and classification of movement over a wide area, enabling proactive protection of wildlife and other security applications. With the insights gained from Meerkat 1, the CSIR

The High Agility Hybrid Serial-Parallel Kinematic Robotic Arm architecture leverages the benefits of serial and parallel kinematic machines while minimising the disadvantages of each. The design is based on the transmission of mechanical power via embedded drivetrains to each joint in the system

Air quality is a concern worldwide. Consequently, efficient means to monitor air pollutants are critical. Current commercially available carbon-based sorbents used for sampling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air typically require solvent extraction prior to analysis, and they cannot be reused

The invention The invention uses plastic waste and Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) to produce building and construction material with a density of between 1700 and 1750 kg/m 3 . The plastic is melted and WFS is used to produce a paste for the moulding of building material. Problem solved Plastics are vital

Invention The invention relates to a food ink for use in a 3D printing process for the manufacture of food items, using extrusion-based printing techniques. Problem solved The printer can make foods with elaborate decorations and designs more easily than doing it by hand. It can enhance diversity

The invention consists of a unique hinge mechanism as an alternative to existing spectacle hinge configurations. This mechanism facilitates the customisation of spectacle frames while also reducing costs associated with customisation. The majority of eyewear frames uses hinging systems that are

Radar technology is well suited to solutions such as those to protect helicopters. The CSIR was approached by SAAB Grintek Defence, a leading supplier of aircraft self-protection suites, to collaboratively develop a radar-based hostile fire indicator sensor to add to its existing platform protection