Innovations

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

Conventional irrigation sprinklers which are fitted with rises pipes above the ground are prone to mechanical damage and disorientation. As a result, the lifespan of the irrigation system is shortened or the potential of irrigation systems to optimally irrigate the required surface areas are

An irrigation sprinkler riser technology which comprises of a flexible tubular body which is installed to join from the lateral water supply pipe to the sprinkler head, allowing adjustable positioning of the sprinkler at various angles or directions by means of an adjustable knob. The body of the

The invention relates to a process for producing protein microparticles in dilute organic acid solutions, without the presence of an alcohol such as ethanol. The microparticles are formed by dissolving a cereal prolamin protein in a concentrated organic acid solution with agitation, followed by

Activated Carbon: Local Production Using Local Nuts The invention describes a novel method of producing activated carbon from locally available nut shells. The invention provides a method to carry out carbonation and physical activation simultaneously via a pyrolysis process. This process produces

Prosopis Glandulosa commonly referred to as Honey Mesquite, has been discovered to strengthen skeletal muscle and boost healing of contused skeletal muscle. The plant is easy and cheap to cultivate. Harvesting of the plant will not deplete any natural resources. Tests on rat models scientifically

Short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) are prebiotics used as a food supplement to improve dietary health in humans and animals. FOS are also used in the food industry as low-calorie sweeteners and added to food products to improve their organoleptic properties. Global demand for FOS is growing

PhenoLAB is an online web-based analyses platform and database for wine producers. PhenoLAB incorporates highly accurate, extensive and robust analyses methods based on absorbency values for determining tannins, colour density, anthocyanins and total phenolics levels in grapes, fermenting must and

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

This technology introduces a new class of zwitterionic polymers designed to gently break apart lipid bilayers and form stable lipid nanodiscs. These nanodiscs can capture and isolate membrane proteins in an environment that closely mimics their natural state. At the core of the invention is a

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

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