Innovations

Fly ash is a waste by-product generated by coal-fired electricity power stations. Due to its environmental impact, there is a growing need for safe and sustainable methods of fly ash disposal. One effective approach is the beneficiation of fly ash through the production of zeolites—a class of

The North-West University (NWU) has pioneered the novel use of Europium-Tellurium-Oxide (ETO) in the production of clean energy. ETO is a light-chargeable catalyst material that exhibits sustained and enhanced activity after light excitation has ended. Its unique characteristics present an

The invention relates to a novel process of partial oxidation of un-agglomerated chromite ore in ferrochrome production processes. The process includes the steps: Providing a source of un-agglomerated chromite ore; subjecting the source of un-agglomerated chromite ore to pre-oxidation at a

Many of the commonly used food preservatives and microbial agents are synthetic compounds. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in avoiding or eliminating the use of synthetic compounds and in developing and promoting the use of natural materials for use as antimicrobial agents

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

In the coarse particle transportation industry, there are major challenges in pumping mineral suspensions due to water scarcity. As a result, more solids are transported and pipe blockages occur which cause major problems such as environmental spillages and economic losses (pipe replacement, wastage

The invention relates to the use of maghemite nanoparticles at pH less than 5 to remove sulphate, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc metal ions from acid mine drainage (AMD). In conventional AMD treatment, these pollutants are only removed at higher pH, and that requires costly alkaline

Industrial electrowinning is one such example where archaic technology has become the norm, with innovation being limited simply because the process is “good enough”. After doing a fundamental analysis on the electrowinning process, the design team has invented a dynamic solution which improves on

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

Using a metallurgical waste product, the invention consists of a method to treat acidic water from mining sites. The treated water can be used for industrial applications or, with additional steps, be treated for potable usage. Water is currently a scarce resource in South Africa, and the depletion

A new technology that provides the first ever high-throughput 3D imaging of locked diamonds within kimberlite rocks. Locked diamonds of up to 10cm in diameter can now be located within rocks before the crushing process begins. Conventional sorting as well as other more recent sorting technologies