Innovations

Baobab LIMS is an African-led innovation that was developed as part of the B3Africa consortium. It is an affordable sample and laboratory management tool for biobanking that has been implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which previously (due in part to financial constraints)

South Africa harbours the highest number of rape incidents in the world, and sexual assault and rape cases in the entire SADC region are estimated at a minimum of 55 000 cases per year. Crime scene investigations utilise DNA technology on a regular basis. In cases of rape or sexual abuse, male

The collection and preservation of biological material for further DNA and RNA analysis are critical to many biomedical fields, from medical diagnostics to forensics and biodiversity conservation. The Forensic DNA lab at the University of the Western Cape has developed a novel, proprietary DNA

Surfactants are amphipathic molecules with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition preferentially at the interface between fluid phases, such as oil/water or air/water interfaces. Such characteristics confer excellent detergency, emulsifying, foaming, and dispersing traits, which

A novel bioreactor system that uses membranes to create a compartmentalised system where two or more species can be co-cultured without mixing of species, while ensuring rapid exchange of metabolites and proteins between compartments and shared medium composition. The system operates continuously

The CSIR has established a bioconversion platform that focuses on alternative pathways for chemical production. The platform is geared towards local production and replacing imports of bio-based platform chemicals, including lactic acid. This shift will have a direct impact on the bioeconomy. The

Improved Alkaline-Activated Slag Composition: Green Mortar Solution The invention relates to the development of both an improved alkaline-activated slag (AAS) composition as well as a dry mixed ready-to-use alkaline-activated slag (AAS) composition. The ready-to-use AAS can be pre-packed into bags

The researchers at Stellenbosch University have developed a technology for the radiometric correction of high spatial resolution imagery (aerial or UAV). The imagery is calibrated to approximate surface reflectance by fusing with concurrent and collocated satellite imagery. The technique allows the

Toxi Trail™ is an educational board game developed at Stellenbosch University to strengthen toxicology knowledge and clinical reasoning among healthcare professionals. Building on earlier game-based learning tools, the design incorporates realistic toxicology scenarios, variable difficulty levels

The Department of Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University has developed a novel solvent-based process for extracting cannabinoids directly from plant-wax waste streams generated during industrial processing. The method uses a simple but effective combination of two immiscible solvents, one

ImmerseCell is a virtual reality experience (VLE) to teach undergraduate and postgraduate students about key cellular structures with an interactive, narrated, guided experience (Figure 1, Figure 2). The team utilised real-world microscopy data of various key cellular structures in the mammalian

This technology makes it possible to grow tiny, three-dimensional (3D) pieces of human heart tissue, called cardiac spheroids. It models the functions of a real heart and recreates key features of cardiometabolic disease such as insulin resistance and high fat levels. What makes this technology a