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)

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

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 Adult Diaper consists of a reusable outer casing and a disposable, biodegradable inner lining that can be easily removed. There is a growing need for affordable, well-designed, and absorbent adult diapers for the elderly market. The cost for individuals or care homes is high, especially in terms

This technology offers a next-generation creatine powder formulated with food-grade components that enable instant mixing in water and long-term shelf stability. When added to liquid, the powder disperses rapidly and forms a clear, grit-free solution within seconds, avoiding the sedimentation and

Acute kidney injury presents as a rapid decrease in renal function and can be caused by severe trauma, illness, surgery or chronic medication, such as the use of antiretroviral treatment. Many assays used in disease detection were developed decades ago, and their performance is lacking. This is the

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 invention is a leakage detection system for water pipelines installed in partially saturated soils. Most soils in South Africa and the rest of Africa are partially saturated because the water table is usually deep. Given the large amount of water lost from water distribution systems worldwide

The invention relates to the scavenging of flavour compounds, typically undesirable or off-flavours, from a liquid beverage or foodstuff. In particular, the invention relates to the use of proteins for scavenging flavour compounds associated with dairy products, such as those which arise from heat

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

Slow-Release Bicomponent Fibres: Teaming Up Against Malaria This technology enables the controlled release of insect-repellent formulations by engineering the interactions between the components of the repellent mixture. The composite polymer fibres consist of a filament with a core containing a