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PUBLICATION OF THE CSIR | VOLUME 6 | NUMBER 3 | FEBRUARY 2013 SOUTH AFRICA’S COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

Improving impact through licensing and ventures FOREWORD

THE CSIR’S OPERATING UNITS, NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRES AND SERVICES Improving impact through licensing > CSIR Biosciences Pretoria 012 841-3260 > CSIR Built Environment and venture creation Pretoria 012 841-3871 Stellenbosch 021 888-2508 > CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety Beyond the CSIR’s significant contribution to the global knowledge base, we are determined to ensure and Security that our work has quantifiable economic, environmental and social benefits. One of the ways to attain Pretoria 012 841-2780 > CSIR Materials Science and this is to improve our transfer of technology and innovations to third parties. Manufacturing Pretoria 012 841-4392 We recognise that innovation have arisen from the collective There are many examples of to national imperatives such CSIR Licensing and ventures Johannesburg 011 482-1300 implies dissemination and efforts of our multidisciplinary technologies and services with as the creation of decent Port Elizabeth 041 508-3200 Pretoria 012 841 4212 [email protected] uptake and that for an invention competence base. In all of these CSIR roots that have been employment through inclusive Cape Town 021 685-4329 to become an innovation, it cases the technology readiness transformed as technologies economic growth, poverty > CSIR Modelling and Digital Science needs to be implemented or is at an advanced stage. In some merged and grew. The CSIR reduction and the development Compiled by Pretoria 012 841-3298 used by the market and society. cases, such as the portable hosted the very first Internet of vibrant, equitable and CSIR Strategic Communication > CSIR Natural Resources and The term ‘third parties’ hints at landing lights, the technology service provider in South sustainable rural communities. the Environment the diversity of actors needed was first developed for a specific Africa, for example. Today In this publication, two such Pretoria 012 841-4005 Editorial team for innovation, and the implied client with great uptake and very little of that service is undertakings are featured. Stellenbosch 021 888-2400 Alida Britz interdependencies. These success. It has since been recognisable, but we take Durban 031 242-2300 (Content Manager) parties all hold knowledge that modified, with exciting potential pride in having played a part We trust that you will enjoy Pietermaritzburg 033 260-5446 is essential for true innovation for application elsewhere. in its evolution. this edition of ScienceScope Thabo Ditsele Nelspruit 013 759-8036 and invite your feedback via (Editor) to occur. We also feature some success Arguably, one of the biggest [email protected]. > CSIR Consulting and Analytical Services In this edition of ScienceScope, stories: outputs that have been impacts CSIR research has Pretoria 012 841-2525 Writers successfully licensed or have Stellenbosch 021 658-2766 we are giving you a glimpse had on an industry, is in Bandile Sikwane into our efforts in licensing become the basis for new the development of the Cottesloe 011 482-1300 Biffy van Rooyen and venture creation as a companies. Some technologies lithium ion battery, which Modderfontein 011 605-2452 Christa van der Merwe mechanism of technology have been in use for decades has literally changed the > CSIR Meraka Institute Mzimasi Gcukumana transfer. Details on the and their impacts are world. All major lithium Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, Pretoria 012 841-3028 Sibusiso Ralarala CSIR CEO organisation’s view in this undeniable. The heavy vehicle ion battery manufacturers Cape Town (Centre for High Performance regard are contained in an simulator has earned South have been licensees of CSIR Computing) 021 658-2740 Photography interview with Dr Sean Africa more than R200 million patented intellectual property. Apsci > CSIR National Laser Centre in foreign revenue since 1994 Monsoon Photography Moolman, group manager: The person behind the Pretoria 012 841-4188 while the PUDU sense-and- istockphoto licensing and ventures, whom 1994 invention was world- > CSIR Centre for Mining Innovation Shutterstock I appointed to this position a deploy system is regarded as renowned scientist, Johannesburg 011 358-0000 year ago. a contributor to the continued Dr Michael Thackeray. decline in cash-in-transit > CSIR Strategic Initiatives Group Design and production In the first section of this heists. The development of a A publication on venture Pretoria 012 841-4127 Creative Vision – 082 338 3742 publication, opportunities camera that visually displays creation would not be for uptake of technologies the corona discharge around complete without reference are outlined. High potential defective, high voltage electrical to our organisation’s activities opportunities in sectors equipment and cabling has in enterprise creation such as health, advanced proven extremely useful for for development. These manufacturing and defence power utilities worldwide. activities are in response

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• An invention in bomb disposal continues to make an impact...... 34 OPPORTUNITIES FOR LICENSING & VENTURES 8 • Heavy Vehicle Simulator – An enduring legacy with a trajectory well into the future...... 36 36 • A new microsphere technology set to overhaul life-sciences research • Foiling cash-in-transit heists...... 38 and development...... 8 • Mobile Internet TV broadcasting...... 40 • Genetically modified tobacco plants deliver a cheaper, better rabies antidote...... 10 • Seeing what is invisible to the naked eye...... 42 • Better primary health care services for pregnant women...... 12 • From polymer technology to cosmetic products...... 44 • Using biological expression systems to manufacture therapeutic peptides.....14 • Lobsight technology gets it ‘right on target’...... 45 • Challenging the tradition of 2D cell culturing...... 16 • An invention resonates with a local laser manufacturer...... 46 • Harnessing the power of nature for better health...... 18 • CSIR and Afrox in licensing deal...... 48 • Low-cost technology for mass production of arrayed • Electronic sounding device for mines commercialised...... 49 miniaturised experiments...... 20 • An innovative way of delivering broadband to rural South Africa...... 22 Commercial ventures with CSIR roots 50 • Preventing derailments caused by broken rails...... 24 • Finding new applications for semi-solid metal casting...... 26 • Converting waste to energy through fluidised bed processing...... 50 • CSIR develops a protocol for underground mine networks...... 28 • From a research tool for the few to an everyday commodity – The CSIR and the early days of Internet services in SA...... 54 • Home-grown borehole radar system...... 29 fluidised bed processing mosquito repellent candle • Lighting for safer landing...... 30 • Boots to limit landmine injury...... 32 ENTERPRISE CREATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 56 modified tobacco plants 10FOR RABIES DRUG delivering 22RURAL broadband • Increased food and beverage shelf-life through polymer technology...... 33 • Winning recipe for a ‘home-grown’ mosquito repellent candle...... 56 • Local mussels are ‘lekker’ – 50 56 Supporting production of South African seafood...... 58

SNIPPETS 60

An invention resonates with a local laser manufacturer 46

Home-grown borehole29 radar system Lighting for30 safer landing

INTRODUCTION

Transforming ideas into innovations

“There are more CSIR Technology transfer: PhDs, and the same number of technology through licensing studentships supported in the and venture creation, points technology opportunities in the One route to impact past financial year. Knowledge out Moolman. A World In the research, development transfer is an equally well- Intellectual Property early stages of maturity than and innovation (RDI) trodden route to impact for the Organization (WIPO) report there are resources to help landscape, the term CSIR. The organisation produces published in 2009 and ‘technology transfer’ is widely a myriad of reports, findings surveying local institutions in mature and package them for used. It refers to the process of and documents for stakeholders the period 2001-2007, featured commercialisation.” But as he transferring new knowledge in the private sector and in the CSIR as the top institution and innovations to third government departments. by Patent Cooperation Treaty cites the plans and progress parties who can realise value New knowledge generation (PCT) patent application with from them by making them too is a familiar pathway for a South African priority; made in getting all the gems available to the market and the organisation’s 1 500-strong revenues generated through packaged and successfully society, for commercial science, engineering and commercialisation; and the gain and social good. technology base, with research number of start-up companies transferred, it becomes clear findings being published in established. It should be taken In the case of the CSIR, the conference proceedings and into consideration that the that Dr Sean Moolman, organisation is committed technical journals around CSIR was one of the first South CSIR group manager: licensing to this aim through its the world. The CSIR’s online African public research and mandate, which states that repository of research publication development organisations and ventures, is in serious the organisation should use records continues to see a growth that had established a directed and particularly pursuit of his vision – in download numbers. technology transfer office, multidisciplinary research and he says, and other institutions and that of his organisation technological innovation to Moolman has been mandated have caught up in recent foster industrial and scientific to drive technology transfer, years. – of securing as much impact development to contribute to specifically through licensing and the improvement of the quality venture creation, even though he “The CSIR did quite well in from as many technologies of life of the people of South fervently opposes boxing these the past, but the fact is that Scientists, traditional healers and entrepreneurs as possible for the country. Africa. elements. In fact, he is making we can do much better. This pooled their skills and today consumers can reap it his business to encourage is particularly evident when the benefits by purchasing a new insect repellent “Technological innovation is Of course, technology transfer colleagues to view what happens comparing ourselves to similar candle with more effective repellent properties is not the only way to heed international organisations. than comparable commercial products. Isaac important for companies to across the innovation chain as a Mohlamme, Business Development Manager at this call. There are numerous single process. “Block thinking Room for improvement is Zolhaus International (Pty) Ltd, with whom the remain competitive and we pathways to achieving impact, is not good for achieving apparent in comparative CSIR signed a licensing agreement, spends time says Moolman. One can maximum impact.” figures such as number of | 4 | in-store at a major Gauteng retailer to discuss can help them. We want our develop skills through training, start-ups as well as invention | 5 | product sales with his General Manager, Gordon lecturing and secondment of disclosures per Rand spent on Muller. Read the full story on page 56. Technology transfer technologies to be used. staff. For the CSIR, this is a research and development. We want South Africa to road well-travelled, with 245 track record When comparing ourselves to CSIR staff members studying The CSIR has a sound track a similar organisation like VTT benefit from it,” he says. towards their Master’s and record in transferring its in Finland, that also receives

INTRODUCTION

The quest to develop batteries that are small, light and rechargeable ultimately resulted in the Eleven of these CSIR-developed lithium-ion battery, which continues to be a major technology driver worldwide. Major lithium ion roadside laboratories battery manufacturers licenced the CSIR’s patented intellectual property in this regard. have been exported to date.

Dr Sean Moolman, CSIR group manager: licensing and ventures (top left) and his team (clockwise from left), Dr Janine Chantson, Bongani Masombuka, Rosemary Wolson, Brian Mphahlele and CSIR innovations in mining safety are a nose-clip, used in self-contained, self-rescuers and an electronic sounding device to detect loose overhead rocks after blasting. Wilma van Rooi. 30% direct government funding “But you may come to an licensed this patented, rubber worldwide (especially in the But arguably the most important Moolman says that this was only opportunities with large impact even if it has limited support, we are behind in several altogether different conclusion mouthpiece to Afrox. (The USA), technology transfer offices improvement needed, is industry aggravated in the past by commercial potential; tend potential for returns to the CSIR. respects.” on success when learning CSIR is also the only accredited have become more sophisticated involvement in the RDI process, the fact that generally only to look internationally for It also implies that we wish to about CSIR innovations that facility in South Africa to test and efficient in their approaches says Moolman. “In a small case technical stage gates were bigger markets; concentrate assist innovators and staff who Probed about which CSIR are keeping South African the performance of self- and the CSIR is following suit. study, I analysed the reasons used. Simplified, the only on licensing at the expense want to start companies; that innovations he would cite as miners safe. In 2011, there were rescuers, testing in excess of for success and failure of 23 reason to stop research projects of start-ups; and negotiate we are keen to link technologies the most successful to date, he about 200 000 self-contained 1 500 of these every year.) Numerous steps are being taken technologies developed at the was technical failures. All of the best possible licensing with entrepreneurs and funders, points out that one would come self-rescuers deployed in South to make it easier for researchers polymers and composites group this has changed with the terms. This is not the CSIR and that we will invest in to different conclusions when African mines which provide If pervasiveness of adoption to see their innovations ‘go all at the CSIR, a group I previously organisation’s new growth and position, Moolman emphasises. transforming technologies into revenue is the proxy for success, the wearer with a supply of were the criterion for success, the way’ – from awareness headed. It was not technical impact strategy. Planning for Instead, the organisation’s market-ready opportunities. compared to, for example, degree breathable oxygen, which will one should consider that all programmes to comprehensive failure that was the number one impact requires continuous central motivation for its of industry adoption, social impact save lives in the event of, for major lithium ion battery new training modules and reason for failure (only one out stakeholder interaction, from technology transfer activities “We have some of the best or impact on human health. example, an underground fire. manufacturers – a sector technology transfer operating of 19 technologies failed due the earliest planning stages up is increasing the organisation’s researchers and engineers in A CSIR researcher has developed still dominated by Japan – manuals. A seed fund has been to technical issues); it was the to the final stages of uptake and positive impact in South Africa the world. Generally, they solve “With revenue as a proxy for a noseclip that does not slip have been licensees of CSIR established to give technologies failure to sufficiently engage with implementation. and globally. This includes the problems that they set out success, contenders for the most off when using these self- intellectual property. the extra momentum needed industry, stakeholders and end- supporting opportunities to. We just need to help them successful innovation include a rescuers. Approximately half a to get them into the final users from the planning stages The CSIR’s position on for social and economic identify the right problems to system that protects vehicles and million noseclips are now used stretch of ‘investor fundable’ right through to transfer and development, as well as having solve, and provide the right its occupants from the effects of throughout the world. He went Gearing up opportunities. implementation. If a fantastic licensing and venture creation a service orientation. support along the way,” he landmine explosions, and a heavy on to develop a new mouthpiece Irrespective of the successes The organisation has also system does not fit into the Clarity in terms of one’s own concludes. | 7 | | 6 | vehicle simulator that determines that is more comfortable and of the past, Moolman says adopted a new intellectual factory because researchers or organisational drivers is key “This means that we lean property and technology transfer whether a road will have an does not irritate or stimulate the the time has come to take developers never sufficiently before going about the business towards start-ups; local, Enquiries: policy that is more streamlined acceptable life-span and which sublingual saliva glands and technology transfer to the engaged to understand the of licensing technologies and regional and national Dr Sean Moolman and should better enable can simulate damage caused by which allows you to verbally next level and that there are requirements, the most robust creating businesses. If pursuing opportunities; the development [email protected] 20 years of traffic, within three communicate while wearing the many things that can be done technology transfer activities in technology simply won’t be maximum revenues is the aim, of local entrepreneurs; and months. mouthpiece. The CSIR has now to achieve this. He says that the CSIR. taken up.” one would typically pursue opportunities with significant Life-sciences research is about to OPPORTUNITIES Dr Isak Gerber preparing microspheres. become a whole different ball game with the CSIR’s ReSyn™ microsphere technology. Microspheres are tiny beads onto which molecules can attach. ReSyn™ microspheres are unique in that they resemble a ball of wool rather than a solid sphere – this maximises surface area for the molecules to bind. They are also able to bind targets very A new microsphere technology specifically and are magnetic for easy purification. The technology is set to boost drug development, set to overhaul life-sciences diagnostics, R&D and industrial research and development processes.

CSIR spin-off company, ReSynTM Biosciences, will soon put a range of versatile tools on the life-sciences research and development (R&D) market. ReSynTM is a ‘microsphere technology’. A microsphere is a tiny, artificial bead onto which molecules like DNA and proteins can be attached. The technology has been around for a long time, but CSIR researchers have made some drastic improvements to it.

The first microspheres were solid In diagnostics, for instance, molecules, which will allow says Dr Dusty Gardiner, a research balls that could bind molecules antibodies can be bound to the scientists to improve the quality manager. only on its outer surface. ReSyn™ beads. These antibodies are of their research. microspheres are not solid; they attracted to specific disease- While not a new idea, this simple are made up of many strands, related proteins from the likes property replaces the usual coiled together like a ball of wool of viruses and bacteria. If these A versatile technology technique of spinning the solution so that molecules can bind on the disease-causing agents are The beads are not just useful in at extreme speeds in a process surface of individual strands. In present in a blood sample, they pharmaceutical research and called centrifugation. It takes much other words, far more biological will bind to the antibodies on diagnostics. They can also be more time and effort to purify by particles can stick to a ReSyn™ the beads and the disease can used to improve many routine lab centrifugation than it does to use bead than to other beads on the then be positively diagnosed. processes such as DNA and protein a simple magnet. “Magnetism market. Research group leader, purification, for the purpose of further adds to a much faster Dr Justin Jordaan, says that Custom design any biological research or even workflow,” says Gardiner. binding more molecules at one forensics. ReSyn™ microsphere Both researchers say that they time will allow scientists to work Jordaan says that new technology can also be applied in expect ReSyn™ products to hit the much faster than before. diagnostic technologies are industrial processes. For example, planned for the future, but for market within three months. They enzymes can be permanently Market-ready products will initially focus on larger US and now they will have a range of attached to the beads for speeding for the life-sciences R&D UK markets and will expand into Drug discovery and disease R&D, off-the-shelf products up chemical reactions. sector. Shown in the centre diagnosis and custom solutions to target Europe later on. The technology is a magnetic separator different molecules. “It only should prove highly competitive which forms part of the product pack. Such speedy workflow is useful, takes four days to engineer Magnetism: as it is cheaper, compatible with for example, in fast-tracking the the beads to meet the desired where the magic happens existing processes and equipment, discovery of drugs and specific properties,” he says. easy to use, efficient and it speeds molecules that are only present A major feature of ReSyn™ up workflow. | 8 | during disease. Such molecules Researchers can customise microspheres is that they are | 9 | are known as biological markers, unique features of the beads magnetic. “Once the required Enquiries: and the ReSyn™ microspheres to maximise the attraction molecule sticks onto the bead, Dr Justin Jordaan that bind them are thus valuable between the beads and the the beads can be easily separated [email protected] for diagnosis that leads to disease target molecule. This makes from a mixture, such as a blood www.resynbio.com treatment. for very specific targeting of sample, using only a magnet,” OPPORTUNITIES Plants are the most efficient producers of proteins on earth. The CSIR got involved in research on the use of plants as ‘biological factories’ in 2003 and has gained significant experience in this domain in subsequent years, specifically studying tobacco plants in biosciences laboratories, taking it all the way to the Rabivir product (bottom) that is ready for trials. The tobacco plant family has turned over a new leaf – to save lives. CSIR researchers have genetically engineered a microfactory to produce the world’s first injectable medicine from a plant: a rabies antidote 10 times cheaper and potentially far more effective than the currently available cure.

The CSIR has pioneered cocktail of antibodies and a The CSIR scientists worked Chakauya also highlighted the the world’s first injectable vaccine. Every year around closely with the World Health important role of funding from plant medicine. Researchers 20 million people receive this Organization, and other partners the Technology Innovation have genetically engineered treatment. like Kentucky BioProcessing and Agency. the micromachinery of a leafy MAPP Biopharmaceuticals, to tobacco plant to churn out a In South Africa, a single address these challenges. Since Now, GreenPharm not only has cocktail of life-saving drugs. non-profit company currently it was already known which a potential commercial product, produces the antibodies from antibodies worked against it also has the tools and skills Their flagship product is an human blood. An average adult rabies, their genetic codes were to create other drugs and antidote to the deadly bite of a male would need about five engineered into Nicotiana vaccines using the same genetic rabid dog. It’s called Rabivir and vials, setting him back about benthamiana plants, a cousin of engineering techniques. it doesn’t just match the only R3 000. He would also need the commercial cigarette tobacco For GreenPharm, Rabivir is other available product on the four injections of the vaccine, plant Nicotiana tabacum. just the beginning. South African market against which is more readily available but still costs about R300 per rabies, it betters it by far. The research group’s first Enquiries: jab. If South Africa has trouble attempts produced just below Dr Ereck Chakauya affording the drugs, other Why rabies? ten milligrams of antibody per [email protected] African countries are almost Dr Ereck Chakauya leads the kilogram of leaves. Now, after www.csir.co.za/ certainly worse off, Rabivir research at the CSIR some clever genetic tweaking, greenpharm says Chakauya. and says that deaths caused by they have increased the yield substantially. rabies are vastly underestimated, Rabivir is an alternative to the especially since developing antibody component of the PEP. GreenPharm is currently seeking countries often have stray dog What GreenPharm, the proposed funds to complete pre-clinical overpopulation. spin-off company of this trials. The trials will test whether research has effectively done, is Five reasons why Rabivir “By my approximation there are Rabivir is safe for healthy to reduce the cost of the antibody about 9 million dogs in South humans. The antibodies will treatment from R3 000 to just is perfect for treating Genetically modified tobacco plants Africa, and some researchers also be further tested against R200, while still being profitable. say there may be up to 2 000 rabies strains specific to Africa dog-bite victims in deliver a cheaper, better rabies antidote bites per day, many [of the and Asia. victims] kids.” He believes many Simpler, better, faster developing countries deaths caused by rabies may go Apart from being both cheaper Potential partners include Poorer countries have more unnoticed since diagnosing the and more effective than current companies which currently only manufacture the vaccine 1 stray dogs vulnerable to rabies disease after the victim has drugs, Rabivir could also solve a few other problems unique to component of the PEP. died requires laboratory tests. Not enough human-donated The disease can also be mistaken developing countries. Chakauya and his fellow for cerebral malaria. 2 blood is available to make For example, human blood inventors, Dr Rachel Chikwamba human antibodies If the virus is not stopped in its donations are prioritised for life- and Dr Tsepo Tsekoa, hope tracks soon after the bite, death saving transfusions, not for the Rabivir will be on African and Antibodies from horse blood is virtually inevitable. production of anti-bodies. Blood Asian markets within five is a scarce resource in the first to 10 years. 3 used in some African countries Victims need help before the place since much of it is infected can cause allergic reactions flu-like symptoms of the disease with HIV and hepatitis B and start showing. Treatment must thus be discarded. Certain A steep curve to the top Some religions reject the use | 10 | involves taking preventative African countries make the anti- “There’s a lot of learning that of blood-based products | 11 | medication as soon as possible bodies from horse blood, but this came out of this,” he says, 4 after suspected infection. may cause an allergic reaction referring to lessons in drug At R200, Rabivir treatment This is known as post-exposure in the patient. Some religions research and development from prophylaxis (PEP) and, in the are against using blood-based the CSIR’s more experienced 5 will cost about 10 times less case of rabies, consists of a products at all. international partners. than current treatments. ‘Normal’ OPPORTUNITIES growth curve

Foetal Mass ‘Small for Gestational Age’ Better primary health care services for growth curve

pregnant women through Umbiflow Time Foetal size is used as a simple metric to assess the health of the growing foetus during pregnancy. Concerns are raised whenever a foetus is considered to be below the growth curve, as per this Technology that empowers nursing sisters, midwives and general practitioners (GPs) in mobile, rural and low-resource primary figure. Such foetuses are termed “small for gestational age” or SGA. health care settings

CSIR researchers, together Umbiflow, as the device is Filling a gap such as an early Caesarean The infant mortality rate the while worrying about the foetus as a means to assessing with cost being a significant with their counterparts at the called, speaks directly to the section may be indicated in order health of their unborn babies,” placental sufficiency or factor,” he says. Foetal size is used as a simple Medical Research Council, have Millennium Development Goals to save its life. of a country is often used says Wallis. insufficiency. metric to assess the health of a developed a low-cost Doppler (4 & 5) around mother and as a metric of that nation’s Umbiflow is a PC-based or growing foetus during pregnancy ultrasound device that aims to child care. It also addresses All SGA foetuses are referred to Through connectivity, Wallis explains that, in South hand-held / tablet based system and concerns are raised whenever health care status. It is defined place Doppler technology at the three of the four priorities of the secondary level of health Umbiflow will furthermore be Africa, an umbilical blood flow with an ultrasonic transducer. a foetus is considered to be below primary health care level. It is a the South African National care for a Doppler ultrasound as the number of infants under able to provide accurate and up measurement is only available It displays data on a screen and the growth curve. Such foetuses simple yet effective device that Department of Health, namely, measurement by a specialist. Up to date statistics on the medical in the secondary level of health provides diagnostic support, are termed ‘small for gestational the age of one who die per can assess foetuses considered increasing life expectancy, to nine out of 10 referred patients conditions being assessed at care and above, as it requires which means operators require age’ or SGA. 1 000 live births. South Africa’s to be ‘small for gestational age’ decreasing mother and child are found to have healthy-SGA the point-of-care (primary a specialist to operate the very little training. (SGA) at the primary point of mortality and strengthening the foetuses and are referred back to Infant Mortality Rate places it level), and on the quality of conventional equipment. The current reality at the primary “Other than the probe, the care, thereby greatly reducing health system effectiveness. the primary level for continued data measurements being done health care level is that foetuses 164th out of 220 countries. “Cost is also a prohibiting factor. system uses a commercially the cases of mothers being (standard) antenatal care. by staff at this level. are assessed regularly for SGA At the time development for available PC or tablet as display referred with healthy-SGA ”At present, we are working status using a tape measure “With a hospital like Tygerberg in The effectiveness of the Doppler Umbiflow started, stand-alone and processing device for the foetuses. to establish Umbiflow’s How Umbiflow can help measurement of the fundal Cape Town currently doing 4500 measurement has been shown Doppler ultrasound units for Umbiflow software to run on. effectiveness in a clinic Umbiflow aims to reduce the height (measured from the pubic such Doppler measurements at the secondary level to have umbilical blood flow analysis This reduces time to market and environment, following which number of pregnant women bone to the top of the uterus). per year, there is room for considerable benefits, including were available at more than development costs,” says Wallis. we are looking to roll out the who are referred to the This technique is able to correctly significantly reducing this figure reduced numbers of hospital R200 000 each. High-end “This truly is technology that systems to the primary health secondary level for a Doppler identify SGA foetuses (typically for those cases linked specifically admissions (e.g. by 44%), ultrasound imaging systems, can empower every nursing care sector,” says the CSIR’s ultrasound test to assess 10 in every 100 cases) but is to the SGA condition,” says Wallis. reduced numbers of induced requiring a higher level of sister, midwife or rural GP based Jeremy Wallis, who heads up placental sufficiency as a result unable to assess if the baby is labour (e.g. 20%) and reduced training, cost around in mobile clinics or resource- the team that developed the of having a SGA foetus. This “healthy-SGA” or “sick-SGA”, The plan is therefore to numbers of caesarean sections R1,5 million. Prices for these poor primary health care technology. will reduce the costs associated the latter often being consistent implement the Umbiflow for foetal distress (e.g. 52%). devices have since dropped, but settings. It has the potential for with Doppler measurements at with placental insufficiency. technology which will permit This is according to studies they are still not employed in great impact in our health care The CSIR is seeking to partner the secondary level through the A condition of placental such Doppler measurements to published in the American the primary health care sector, system.” greatly reduced patient load. with NGOs or potential licensees insufficiency implies that the be done at the primary health Journal of Obstetrics and placenta is not able to provide care level by nursing sisters and that will assist with the Through improved access to Gynaecology. Up to nine out of 10 Enquiries: sufficient blood flow to maintain midwives, without the need the Doppler measurement, Jeremy Wallis distribution, marketing and the foetus on the standard growth for a specialist to operate the “Umbiflow’s introduction at the pregnant women referred Umbiflow can reduce the [email protected] sales of Umbiflow. curve and hence an intervention equipment. primary level will see reduced perinatal mortality rate. to secondary care can be www.umbiflow.com referral numbers between Literature suggests the mortality referred back. Umbiflow the primary and secondary rate of sick-SGA foetuses can levels and, if implemented at aims to reduce this number. be reduced by, on average, secondary level facilities that 38% compared to a health do not currently have access care system that does not have to the Doppler measurement, access to Doppler ultrasound. could have the additionally “Umbiflow will also reduce mentioned impact,” says Wallis. the cost, inconvenience and emotional burden to pregnant A cost-effective, | 12 | women by avoiding referrals. | 13 | Such referrals generally means easy-to-use system that they need to book days The Umbiflow system uses A screen grab from the current Umbiflow system showing the A screen grab from the current Umbiflow system showing off from work, arrange for image that provides the operator (typically a nursing sister or a typical Doppler ultrasound image of the blood flow Doppler ultrasound to measure Jeremy Wallis manages the CSIR’s midwife) with diagnostic support. Foetuses that fall within the red through the umbilical artery. costly transport and spend long blood flow in the umbilical The Umbiflow system is being tested by a registered nurse and midwife, research in sensor science and technology. zone will be referred to secondary health care providers. waiting times in queues, all artery of a third trimester on a patient at Tygerberg provincial hospital in Cape Town. OPPORTUNITIES

Using biological expression systems Dr Michael Crampton purifying chimeric flagellin from the recombinant soil isolate, to manufacture therapeutic peptides B. holadurans BhFL05S, harbouring the optimised flagellin expression vector.

A proprietary biological expression system to manufacture therapeutic peptides is one of the latest CSIR inventions in life enhanced, giving rise to peptide development of the expression has resulted in the successful concentrations in the range of system. The CSIR agreed to expression of antigenic peptides sciences. These peptides are generally manufactured by pharmaceutical companies through chemical synthesis and this route mg/L as opposed to the previous incubate the HaloBiologixTM (useful for vaccine development), µg/L. Actual concentrations technology with a view to spinning anti-microbial peptides (useful can be complex, costly and inefficient. Globally, the use of biological expression systems is finding favour as a low-cost, vary depending on the nature it out as a new start-up venture to as a topical antibiotic) and anti- TM of the peptide. The peptides commercialise the biological route viral pre-curser peptides (useful environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical processes. The HaloBiologix technology is being further are secreted into the medium to recombinant peptide production. in antiretroviral therapy). Many developed at the CSIR and incubated as a potential new start-up venture. as protein fusions with built-in In doing this, the CSIR team is of these peptides need post- cleavage sites and affinity tags, collaborating with the chemical translational modifications such thereby facilitating purification. engineering department of the as amidation and/or acetylation to HaloBiologixTM is the flagellin) was utilised to develop is expensive and results in the rely on other countries to supply The cleavage sites are amino acid University of Cape Town and the improve efficiency. Chemical and brand name given to a grouping a surface display system. Surface production of large quantities of products for which we require a sequences which are recognised Technical University of Berlin. biological approaches to address of technologies used for the display technologies are used in toxic waste. The number of steps high level of quality and security by specific proteases and allow this are being evaluated and production of pharmaceutically applications such as biosensors, required for the synthesis of larger of supply for the antiretroviral for the separation of the carrier “Recently, government has called developed. relevant peptides and proteins. vaccines, nanotechnology, peptides (>35 amino acids) is treatment programme. Secondly, protein from the therapeutic for the rapid implementation The name was derived biosorbants, and whole cell also excessive and adds to the the pharmaceutical sector peptide of interest. The affinity of sectorial strategies and In addition to the biological from the development of a biocatalysis. Furthermore, through high cost of production. Through has for good reason been tag is also a specific amino acid for leveraging of the state’s production of peptides, a number proprietary expression host, genetic inactivation of genes on the use of the CSIR-patented identified as one of four lead sequence, six histidine amino pharmaceutical procurement of alternative applications Bacillus halodurans Alk36, as a the chromosome involved in the expression technologies, we hope sectors which could be used to acids, and facilitates the binding programme in order to stimulate for the technology are being potential expression system for production of flagella, the flagellin to produce such peptides at a diversify South Africa’s industry of the produced protein to a metal the local production of APIs. explored. These include vaccine the production of therapeutic secretion pathway, also known much lower cost. This will result (away from its predominantly based affinity resin for purification Finally, new ARV drugs, such development for both veterinary peptides. as the type III secretion system, in drugs being made available to resource-based nature) and (IMAC, immobilised metal as Enfuvirtide, that are highly and human applications; surface was genetically engineered to lower income patients, especially to address a worsening trade ion affinity chromatography). effective, are also very costly and as display of peptides for applications The proprietary Bacillus successfully secrete recombinant in Africa. balance problem (present trade Peptides of up to 80 amino acids such will forever be out of reach of in metal binding; biocatalysis, halodurans Alk36 strain of therapeutic peptides into the imbalance for the pharmaceutical and small proteins have been African patients unless alternative, biosensors and synthetic biology bacteria was found to produce supernatant. “South Africa’s entire active sector alone is R11.8 billion),” secreted in this way without cost-effective manufacturing applications in artificial scaffolding | 14 | flagellin protein at high levels. pharmaceutical ingredient (API) says Crampton. | 15 | the need for expensive inducer methods are found that will lower development and nanotechnology. The flagellin protein is the main Dr Michael Crampton, a senior requirements for the anti- chemicals. the cost of production,” adds building block of flagella, a researcher at the CSIR says: retroviral treatment programmes In further genetic modifications Crampton. Enquiries: surface-exposed appendage, used “Currently, therapeutic peptides are imported, mainly from India of the Bacillus strain involving In 2009, the Cape Biotech Trust Dr Michael Crampton Transmission electron micrographs of for motility. The ability to produce are produced using chemical and China, but also from other the inactivation of five protease (now Technology Innovation Evaluating the proprietary [email protected] Bacillus halodurans Alk36 demonstrating the large numbers of flagella (and synthesis procedures. This process countries. We cannot continue to genes, protein secretion was Agency) invested in the HaloBiologixTM technology abundance of flagella on the cell surface. OPPORTUNITIES

Culturing cells in a Non-destructive cell The CSIR’s laboratory is conventionally harvesting mechanism cell culturing Challenging the tradition done using a two-dimensional bioreactor (2D) cell culture tray. It has The scaffolds are made from a has been some pitfalls though. It is highly 3D, highly porous, non-woven tested using labour-intensive and does material that was manufactured mammalian of 2D cell culturing not replicate the complexity at the CSIR’s facilities in Port hepatocyte cells of the three-dimensional (3D) Elizabeth. The non-woven (liver cells). It has Cells are cultured in laboratories around the world every day. They are typically used in a large number of applications, environment of natural tissues. material has been treated with demonstrated PINCH VALVE MEDIA RESERVOIR a thermoresponsive polymer. that cells attach including screening of new drug-leads, cytotoxicity testing of new biomaterials or chemicals, cancer research, stem cell research, “Cells grown on 2D surfaces The polymer changes from a SAMPLING PORT & and grow on the INSTRUMENTATION tissue engineering, gene therapy, and for the production of cell culture products such as vaccines, hormones, enzymes, tend to lose their native hydrophilic (water-loving) to a scaffold, easily characteristics and display hydrophobic state depending on yielding high- antibodies, and other therapeutics. Can it be done reliably in 3D, on a large scale, with minimal damage to harvested cells? vast differences to their in vivo the temperature. At temperatures density cultures BIOREACTOR counterparts. The methods used above 32°C, cells happily attach (approximately PINCH VALVE to remove these cells from the to the polymer-covered scaffolds 45 million cells surface that they have grown and grow in 3D into all the were achieved on are also damaging to the spaces of the porous scaffold. after 14 days cells,” explains Avashnee Chetty, If the temperature is lowered to of continuous who heads up the CSIR’s team around 20°C, the polymer that culture with CELL developing an automated cell they have attached to, changes 10 times COLLECTION culturing system. its state and releases the cells increase in cell TANKS PERFUSION PUMP in clusters from the scaffolds number). From 2D to 3D without damaging it. Says Chetty: “We Chetty says that the need The bench-top thermoresponsive 3D cell culture device, containing a have also proven existed to develop a system “What is important is that media reservoir, a pump for perfusing media, a bioreactor containing the bioreactor’s for culturing cells that would the bioreactor delivers large the scaffolds, and a collection unit for released cells. ability to release allow them to grow in 3D, as numbers of 3D cell clusters the cells spontaneously without they would do in their natural by simply cooling the culture bioreactor to provide a superior requiring enzymes, and we have environment, without too media, and without damaging system for cell culture which shown that even after 21 days much human intervention. the cell membrane,” says Chetty. currently is not available,” of continuous culture, the cells This would reduce the chances “These cells also have enhanced explains Chetty. remain healthy and viable.” of contaminating the cells. metabolic activity and gene expression, which we have The system also needed to Work to be done spontaneously release the cells demonstrated in our labs and Patent filed from the surface they have would be far more valuable The CSIR’s cell culture system According to Chetty, the CSIR grown on without damaging for use in, for example, drug received a positive International hopes to sell the cell culturing them. This was achieved screening,” says CSIR candidate Preliminary Report on bioreactor in its final form as an through the CSIR’s cell culturing researcher, Claire Rossouw. Patentability from the EPO automated cell culture system. bioreactor, a cost-effective (European Patent Office), and “We can develop the bioreactor bench-top system that allows is patented in South Africa further so that it becomes an for non-invasive, high-density, Proven technology (2010/02052), with a patent automated cell culture system. 3D culture of adherent cells. A perfused bioreactor application pending in the USA To get it to this final form, system containing a 3D (12,678,450). Chetty describes the bioreactor: thermoresponsive scaffold we would need to optimise “It is a small cylindrical glass allowing for high-density, “With respect to bioreactors the system for high-density vessel housed in a stainless non-invasive culture of and automated systems, there cell culture and optimal cell steel casing, which is perfused adherent cells does not exist are several types commercially release, and automate it. This with oxygenated media with anywhere in the world. The available. However, destructive will include incorporating a a peristaltic pump allowing novelty of the CSIR’s system is cell release methods are often programmable logic control sufficient oxygen and nutrient the combination of three key still used to release confluent system to automate the manual steps, as well as a user interface.” | 16 | delivery to the cells. It contains components into one device, cells. The CSIR’s cell culturing | 17 | stacked scaffolds – highly that is, the thermo-responsive bioreactor combines the porous 3D non-woven matrices cell release mechanism, the use advantages of the use of a 3D Enquiries: onto which the cells are seeded of a 3D scaffold, and a perfused scaffold, the thermoresponsive Avashnee Chetty and where they grow.” bioreactor. polymer and a perfused Avashnee Chetty and Claire Rossouw both completed their PhDs on 3D culturing of cells. [email protected] OPPORTUNITIES

From raw plant material (right front) to extracts (centre) to product formulations such as capsules and scalp serum. Knowledge of the healing powers of South Africa’s abundant flora has been passed down through generations of Dashnie Naidoo has closely managed the scientific research and development for this product to retard hair loss. traditional health care practitioners for centuries. Although few products derived from these botanical specimens are registered treatments, there is a definite place for them on retail shelves stocking complementary medicines and cosmetic preparations. To bring more of these products to market, the CSIR has entered into a partnership with Afriplex, a leading manufacturer of botanicals for the complementary health, cosmetics and food markets.

With the slogan ‘From and clinical supplies facility, Before the product is launched, Depending on availability of source to shelf’, Afriplex from which formulations the CSIR will meet with finance, the formulation could produces more than 5 million such as topical creams were stakeholders, including the go to market within two years, pharmaceutical units a year to developed. The extracts and traditional health practitioners says Dr Vinesh Maharaj, CSIR serve the demand for wellness compounds were shown to and communities from which the manager of the natural products products. Using raw materials have significant activity against raw material will be sourced, to technology platform. harvested from sustainable the enzyme steroid 5-alpha agree on a benefit-sharing model sources, and then transforming reductase. This enzyme – involving financial support and Work on the final product, to these into innovative, client- which converts testosterone non-monetary benefits such as manage sexual dysfunction, specific products. to dihydrotestosterone – is expanding cultivation, which is at an early stage, with seen as a causative factor in will create jobs and provide skills the development of a The CSIR-Afriplex partnership the progression of prostatic development opportunities. manufacturing process. aims to see three new botanical hyperplasia and male pattern The road to market is not always preparations being launched baldness. Current commercial In the months to come, the CSIR, short or direct, says Maharaj, in South Africa and, ultimately, treatment of these indications is with Afriplex, will evaluate with anything from five years internationally. It taps into based on the inhibition of this thoroughly the commercial for an improvement to an plants that hold the promise of enzyme. feasibility of BP5 for other efficacy and the potential for applications, assessing the cost established formulation, to commercialisation, and is seeking The extract also showed potent of manufacturing and performing 10 years for the development solutions for the management anti-oxidant activity – greater clinical evaluations of selected of a novel ingredient. “Research of colds, flus and allergies; male than that of green tea extract formulations. into hoodia started in the pattern baldness and hair loss; – when tested in several 1960s and it was licensed only and sexual dysfunction. comparable anti-oxidant assays. In the meantime, work in 1998,” he says. “Still, after is advancing well on the further investment by licensees The CSIR has a long history of The clinical study to confirm second product of the of close to half a billion Rand, working with traditional health product efficacy involved more Afriplex agreement. BP4 has we do not have the ideal practitioners, tapping into South than 40 individuals and spanned as its principal component product.” Africa’s rich biodiversity of more three months. Results have Siphonochilus aethiopicus, than 24 000 plants to identify been extremely encouraging or African ginger, a traditional The collaboration between candidates for development into and point to a successful product treatment for mild asthma, colds, the CSIR and Afriplex is commercial preparations. With launch within the next two influenza and sinus problems. important from an import more than 200 000 such healers years, says the CSIR’s Dr Dashnie With only anecdotal information replacement perspective. He – catering for about 70% of the Naidoo, cosmetics business area on the plant’s effectiveness, adds, “By adding value to the population – the knowledge base leader. “Our partnership with the CSIR demonstrated country’s natural remedies and is immense. Afriplex will come to the fore that extracts from the plant applying local know-how and now, with that company’s vast significantly suppressed the technology, South Africa can Frontrunner for the market is knowledge and understanding increase of inflammatory cells produce and register high- BP5, an active ingredient from a of registration processes, supply in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid quality herbal medicines instead South African indigenous plant chain management and market when measured in an in vivo of buying them, while creating for managing hair loss. The plant sectors.” anti-asthmatic ovalbumin- formulations that can compete is traditionally used for a wide sensitised mice assay. very favourably on international range of ailments, including BP5, with its capacity to retard markets.” | 18 | diarrhoea, stomach disorders and hair loss and its anti-oxidant BP4 has reached the stage | 19 | haemorrhoids. properties, is well positioned of industrial manufacturing Enquiries: Harnessing the power for the cosmetics market and that precedes preparations for Dashnie Naidoo During the BP5 research cycle, Afriplex is currently finalising commercialisation. The CSIR [email protected] the CSIR produced plant extracts the development programme is currently sourcing funds for of nature for better health in the specialised botanical for marketing and distribution. clinical trials on the product. OPPORTUNITIES The technology was developed and patented by the CSIR.

While driven by necessity, miniature. Each experiment scaled experiments. But the A spin-out company, Persomics, miniaturisation’s greater impact is printed onto a glass wafer, size of the human genome is being formed to make Low-cost technology for came with mass production. as a spot of gene-silencing is a bottleneck, slowing the the technology available Large-scale production gave chemistry only 300 millionths introduction of screening which commercially. Persomics offers us lots of relatively inexpensive of a metre wide. A single printed creates an opportunity for making mass production of arrayed devices – such as the pocket experiment recapitulates all the array screening technology its clients the ability to convert calculator. The twin impact features of a macro-experiment. available to the market. It is their libraries into miniaturised of miniaturisation and mass The partner technology used believed that miniaturisation, arrays and produce them miniaturised experiments production impacts all aspects focuses on scaling this up – and mass production of Omic in a ready-to-go plate as a of modern life, business and producing thousands of these devices will create new markets research. experiments printed as arrays on in research and health care. commodity. Its product portfolio a glass wafer. offers miniaturisation and mass Actin stained cells – We are built of billions of cells, just like these shown in The CSIR’s high throughput Enquiries: production of personalised Life is complex. Tens of thousands of genes form the blueprint for every Life sciences and medicine are the image above. These are human cells that can be grown and looked at biology group, under leadership Dr Neil Emans moving towards large-scale arrays across all Omic domains. human cell, and 200 cell types form the thousand billion cells that make up to understand the mechanisms of disease. In this case, the cells have been of Dr Neil Emans, has [email protected] stained so as to see the cell interior skeleton (green) and the DNA packed developed new technology that biology, high-content, cell- For more information, into the nucleus (red). Each one of these cells is around 10-millionth of a a human being. Life’s complexity is the reason why the CSIR has developed miniaturises experiments and based screening. Miniaturised, visit www.persomics.com. metre across, and advances in Persomics technology and high throughput commoditised screening tools imaging makes it possible to look at thousands of experiments per hour to makes the task of finding new technology to investigate cells themselves, faster than ever previously possible. find genes and drugs that can be used to treat illness. cures easier. This technology access this space without the is incorporated in Persomics, need for complex robotics on a a new technology start-up wider customer base. Researchers and quality of life will improve. But Complexity comes at a price. The current technology is company. pharmaceutical this is challenging – any one Having 20 000 genes to study powerful, but that comes with “The technology provides the companies are interested in of thousands of human genes means many times the number the corollary of how long a single means to bring libraries and Persomics technology works knowing how cells work, how can fail and cause disease, yet of genes in experiments. screening experiment takes. experiments from plates to an through array printing they interact and how pathogens a pathogen can find its way This means that human Even with robotics, automation imaging-ready microtiter plate technology, which prints interact with them. These into cells using only a handful beings can no longer do all and a team of scientists, one packed with 3 000 experiments thousands of experiments onto interactions form the basis of of genes. This article describes these experiments. Biologists screening experiment takes from for clients. Clients will get these a device. Each experiment is most diseases afflicting society. new miniaturised technology have adopted automation four to six weeks of full-time ready for screening and at an tiny – the width of a pencil If they can be understood and to confront this challenge and technology and robotics from the work. Screening is also limited industrial scale of thousands,” tip – and yet each one is one ultimately treated, then our that is being spun out from pharmaceutical industry to do all to a handful of research centres says Marais. of thousands of experiments, the CSIR. these experiments and now large – mostly in the developed world and these are enough to Persomics array figure – There are thousands of genes and millions of potential drugs to treat industrial and academic centres – and requires a complex, fixed The currently available solutions use to screen how cells disease. Persomics miniaturises experiments into arrays of tiny spots of chemistry on a glass worldwide are performing these infrastructure. This makes the involve high-throughput, chip. Many thousands of these experiments can be seen as red dots on the left panel (siRNA work and understand how screens, looking to find new technology limited in application plate-based screening of large- array). Small RNA molecules have been delivered into human cells; these siRNAs silence genes, disease progresses. Screening understanding and new drugs. and technologically demanding. scale installations, producing stopping them from making any of the protein they code for within 48 hours. Each red spot thousands of experiments contains one of these siRNAs and the thousands of spots on the array enable thousands of genes Given how hard this is, our screening at a high cost with with cells this way is at least to be turned off in cells. The way this works, cells on the siRNA array are grown; siRNA enters approach is to miniaturise it all limited access and impact. It a hundred fold faster than the cells and stops production of a protein. If that protein is involved in a disease, it is found by and fit thousands of experiments also involves the use of arrayed image analysis of cells on every spot on the array. previous technology and can be into a handheld device. screens with no commercial mass produced for the first time. solution; has a labour-intensive The right panel shows human cells growing on 6 siRNA spots, where the production of a gene set-up; and is miniaturised, called p65 are detected. The more p65 there is in the cells, the greener they are. The bottom Miniaturisation permeates our three spots contain a siRNA-silencing p65 – and unlike in the upper spots – the gene is turned Fanie Marais, CSIR com- but not scaled to market or lives – we all understand the off and the cells go dark. mercialisation manager in the personalised medicine needs. benefits. Miniaturisation of biosciences domain, says: “This devices dates to the invention novel technology enables the “The fact that we are able to of the pocket watch in the printing of an entire array of produce these devices provides 16th century by Peter Heinlein. experiments at the same time, us with an opportunity to reducing the time and cost of further investigate diseases to cell-based screening through better understand how infection miniaturisation, literally creating proceeds and how exactly it can a mass production pipeline.” be cured,” concludes Marais. | 20 | | 21 | Mass miniaturisation Creating new markets Silencing the genome, by silencing the genes – The panels show the p65 gene being silenced Miniaturisation is used to shrink The human genome is at the in cells using a p65 siRNA (lower panel) and no effect in a control (upper panel). Persomics gene silencing experiments leading edge of modern life technology miniaturises and commoditises screening for the first time, enabling industry and from the macroscale to the sciences, enabled by genome- researchers to screen for new therapies faster than ever before. OPPORTUNITIES

An innovative way of delivering broadband to rural South Africa

Using wireless mesh networks, the CSIR has devised an Learners of the Zenzeleni Primary School (the gateway school for Village operator Timothy Segopolo checks up on a Nombulelo Molumaela (left), village operator for the Vezubuhle innovative way of delivering broadband to rural communities in this cluster) in KwaMhlanga in the Nkangala District Municipality network monitoring tool for his cluster. Segopolo cluster in Nkangala, Mpumalanga, with an employee tasked with of Mpumalanga during a computer literacy class using the BB4All purchased the land and built suitable offices using overseeing the office when Molumaela is away visiting the schools South Africa with partnership potential for social entrepreneurs. broadband wireless mesh network to access the Internet. his own funds. in her cluster.

The Internet has come to knowledge and information communication, a way of employed, are then trained to represent societal connections, that abounds on the Internet as communicating information provide support and manage co-creation, knowledge sharing, well as the potential to link up using unconventional methods. the BB4All network. These a gateway to new markets and to health facilities and to share operators are the key success ultimately a new economy. It know-how. Thus, broadband factor in the BB4All initiative. has the same impact on society access could aid in alleviating Making it work They are sourced from the as the railway, post office and some of the challenges in terms The CSIR, in collaboration targeted communities to service telecommunications networks of educating and developing with non-governmental their own communities. of days long gone by; such that an informed, knowledgeable organisations, government those not connected are left and healthy citizenry. A digital and industry, has deployed a behind in what is now termed divide is caused by the fact that novel ecosystem using wireless An opportunity for BB4All initiative progress to date the knowledge economy. building large scale networks mesh networks for delivering partnerships in these remote areas is not broadband infrastructure in An opportunity exists for Take South Africa for instance; Nkangala and Sekhukhune network economically viable. Without under-served areas. Instead partners to take the BB4All it has approximately 26 500 intervention, the digital divide of the traditional point-to- initiative to other regions of • Wireless mesh network with 16 village operators primary and secondary schools, will continue to polarise South multi-point communication, the country and the CSIR is and 200 schools connected of which at least 17 000 are in African society into those that it is based on peer-to-peer currently engaged in talks remote rural villages, according • Backbone to CSIR linked on to SANReN are connected and those not communication between with some potential partners. to a research paper by CSIR connected. network nodes. The CSIR Partner opportunities exist in • Test-bed for further research and development researchers Kobus Roux and makes use of high performance the design and development of Mario Marais. None of these This is one of the main drivers • Operations with call centre implemented. nodes to establish peer-to-peer the wireless mesh technology rural schools have any form of behind the CSIR’s Broadband communication within the as well as the design of wireless Internet connectivity, the paper for all (BB4All) initiative, which John Taolo Gaetsewe wireless mesh network network. Imagine a community mesh network infrastructure; states. The same rural villages is funded by the European with these nodes installed at the installation, support • Detailed plans for connecting 59 schools using may have one health facility Union through the Sector certain points. If a person in and maintenance of the for every 20 schools and very Budget Support programme wireless mesh network in the Northern Cape one house wishes to relay a networks and measuring and few other public or community of South Africa’s Department message to a person in another monitoring performance of such • Funding from DST to build network (backbone and service centres. of Science and Technology. house that is not adjacent nor networks. Non-governmental mesh) in the Northern Cape The initiative aims to build close to it, the message will go organisations and social low-cost infrastructure to • Grant from Sishen Iron Ore Company to construct Intervening to bridge the through other nodes between entrepreneurs are also ultimately bridge this digital the two houses until it reaches welcome to contact the CSIR. 12 m towers at 25 schools for each of the digital divide divide. At the heart of the its destination. So-called | 22 | Neil Oosthuizen, field operations manager for the – Bandile Sikwane | 23 | 59 schools to ‘see’ at least two other schools in BB4All project and Timothy Segopolo, the village If all of those in remote villages initiative is the Wireless village operators, young local operator for the Marapong cluster in the Sekhukhune and on the rural-urban fringe Mesh Network project, a entrepreneurs with a keen the mesh network District Municipality of Limpopo discuss the installation Enquiries: could have affordable access collaborative project started interest in information and • Commitment from the Northern Cape Education of the high-performance node which links the village Kobus Roux operator office with the other sites (schools and to broadband, they could in 2009. This project is based communications technology [email protected] Department to fund school connectivity. nutritional units of the Ndlovu care group) in the cluster. have access to the wealth of on using wireless mesh and who want to be self- OPPORTUNITIES

Field measurement of ultrasonic waves travelling in the rail head at a distance of 500m from the transducer.

Preventing derailments caused by broken rails

CSIR research conducted in the domain of guided wave ultrasound has supported the development of an Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detector (UBRD) system that reliably detects rail breaks on heavy-duty continuously welded railway lines, preventing derailments that are estimated to cost over R50 million per incident. First generation (left) and second generation (right) rail transducers.

Operating concept and to indicate that there is a broken he has also conducted research system on another 800 km The insights obtained from Science and Technology. It is Subway, and is currently being to speak to a broader market, rail. This means that the entire on vibratory gyroscope of the Orex line. field measurements and anticipated that this future tested at two sites in Japan. which could even include high- initial development length of rail can be monitored dynamics and control, the modelling capability system will achieve twice the speed passenger trains across the The concept of rail integrity remotely and continuously, the analysis and design of Improving the system were used to develop a distance of the current system. According to Delon Mudaly, world.” monitoring by using long- and it also allows the railway sonar transducers and the through research and second generation ultrasonic manager of intellectual range ultrasound was selected operator to know in which optimisation of piezoelectric transducer. A transducer has The CSIR has started longer property and technology by Transnet Freight Rail to section of the rail the break actuators for smart applications. development been demonstrated that is term research aimed at transfer for materials science Global market address the problem of the has occurred. This system is a After the initial development significantly smaller than using the new transducers and manufacturing at the To put the international market country’s ageing railway world-first for monitoring tracks Over the years numerous of the system, a number of the original version but can to detect and locate cracks in CSIR, the development of the broken rail detection infrastructure, where breaks and detecting rail breaks. It is improvements to the questions remained around the transmit and receive ultrasound the rail head before complete of the new generation system into perspective, it can be in continuously welded rails designed to operate with solar transducers and the system physical operation of the system over greater distances, thereby breakage occurs. model is accompanied by assumed that more than 60% of can cause derailments to power; is not maintenance have been made to achieve and the possibility of improved reducing the number of business development and all rail worldwide is suitable for occur, at an enormous cost to intensive; is easy to install; and reliable operation without operation either in terms of transducers required for the Commercialisation of the commercialisation planning. the current system. This means the economy. The Institute for does not interfere with train false alarms. Extensive distance between transmit and total length of the railway line. The commercialisation task that at least a total of 673 554 km Maritime Technology (IMT) operation. field qualification has been receive stations or detection This makes the new version not innovation team will need to investigate is suitable. At a conservative was contracted to develop performed by IMT to meet of cracks before complete only more cost-effective, but The new-generation the best way of taking the estimate of 1.75 km per unit, the the system and the CSIR was The initial development of an Transnet’s requirements. The breakage without false alarms. also easily adaptable to operate transducer is in the application device to market, which may total global market is estimated to subcontracted to develop the ultrasonic transducer to detect broken rail detector system is on a variety of rail profiles, stage of commercialisation, be via a spin-off company or be more than 384 888 units. With ultrasonic transducers. broken rails was led by the currently installed on sections A capability in guided wave which are used internationally. and a PCT patent application licensing to a going concern. the improved version, the system CSIR’s Dr Philip Loveday in of Transnet’s heavy-duty iron ultrasound was established has been filed for the new should also become applicable The operation of the system the late 1990s. Loveday is a ore Orex line (860 km of track at the CSIR through strategic The CSIR is currently transducer in the UBRD The scope of commercialisation to the other 40% of the world’s is based on the concept of technical expert in piezoelectric between Sishen and Saldanha research projects led by industrialising the new system. will include the manufacture of continuous welded railway lines, ultrasonic waves that are actuators and transducers in Bay) and sections of their coal Loveday. These projects transducer and IMT is the transducer devices, as well expanding the market by a further transmitted along the rail the CSIR’s sensor science and line (460 km of double track developed original numerical developing the next version The system has attracted a as the assembly of the system, 450 000 km of rail. | 24 | between a transmitter and technology area. In addition to from Ermelo to Richards Bay). modelling techniques for of the system, which will great deal of international the installation of the units and | 25 | a receiver that are placed the design of patented high- During 2010 alone, it prevented simulating the transmission exploit the new transducer interest thanks to the unique ongoing maintenance. “Although Enquiries: alternately along the length displacement piezoelectric two definite derailments, saving of elastic guided waves by along with modern signal solution it offers for a problem the current focus is on Transnet Dr Philip Loveday of the rail. If the required actuators and ultrasonic the economy an estimated piezoelectric transducers and processing techniques. These that is experienced all over and the freight industry,” says [email protected] ultrasound signals are not transducers for the integrity R100 million. A contract has measurement techniques based developments are being the world. It has already been Mudaly, “the commercial received, an alarm is activated monitoring of railway tracks, been awarded to install the on scanning laser vibrometry. funded by the Department of tested in the New York City feasibility of the device will need A part produced using semi-solid metal casting. OPPORTUNITIES

Although the casting of semi-solid metal alloys was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the early Finding new applications 1970s, the challenge for the CSIR was to develop a technique that consistently produces high-quality products and can be used for semi-solid metal casting in cost-sensitive niche markets, such as the automotive industry.

Following research cannot be recycled on site and cast components on an industrial research group. With the conducted at the University of is sold as conventional scrap. scale. establishment of the industrial- KwaZulu-Natal in the mid 1990s, With rheocasting, in contrast, the scale facility at the CSIR, the the CSIR, in collaboration with molten metal is cooled and cast Similar systems have been patented rheocasting device can its research partners, secured an into a solid shape in one step. developed in other countries, using be tested on a commercial scale Innovation Fund project to develop The biggest advantage of this semi-solid metal and high-pressure to optimise the process. a rheocasting system in 2000. process is that the slurry can be die casting techniques, but by This resulted in the patented made on demand and ‘in-house’. taking these devices to market The research group has CSIR rheocasting system for the The chemical composition of the before being thoroughly tested, already identified several preparation of semi-solid slurries. cast metal can also be modified high failure rates were experienced. potential products on which to and tailored to meet the quality According to Dr Sagren Govender, demonstrate the technology, This process stems from a recent and property specifications of leader of the CSIR’s advanced which would enable them to trend in the automotive industry the components, and scrap casting technologies group, it is cast components and put them to produce fuel-efficient vehicles and other used metal can be essential that the manufacture of onto a platform to prove that it through the use of aluminium and directly re-melted for subsequent components using this process works. The technology can be magnesium alloys. The bulk of the rheocasting, which contributes should be proven to be consistent used to develop components for automotive industry’s needs in this to the lower production costs, and reliable, and should not a number of end-users, from the regard are satisfied through the and hence growing interest by produce more than 5-10% scrap aerospace industry to prosthetics. use of liquid metal, high-pressure industry. metal, preferably less than 5%. The aim is now to find a die casting (HPDC). The growing Only then can it be taken to commercial partner for which demand for improved quality and The rheo-high pressure die market. a component can be produced weight reduction is driving the casting (R-HPDC) technology using the R-HPDC technology. Before commercialising the development of new processing developed by the CSIR, which Discussions of this nature are R-HPDC technology, it is essential technologies. The problems incorporates its rheocasting currently underway with bicycle to ensure that the process can inherently associated with liquid system, is both flexible and manufacturers. metal HPDC led to increased capable of processing just about provide high-quality components interest in semi-solid metal casting any alloy or metal with a melting at a competitive price. Because Govender believes that the ideal processes, which in turn led to the temperature below 1000°C. the automotive industry is cost- route would be to incubate the development of rheocasting. driven and highly regulated, the technology within the CSIR and, The current focus is on the focus of the research group is on once it is found to be financially There are two technologies that commercialisation of the R-HPDC demonstrating the technology on sustainable, to develop it into an can produce metal slurries at a technology. In order to achieve a product that is less regulated, independent company or transfer temperature at which semi-solid this, an advanced research and which can enter the market the technology to a local casting casting can take place, namely, and testing laboratory has much sooner than would be the company that is willing to adopt thixocasting and rheocasting. been established at the CSIR, case with automotive components. this technology. By setting up a Thixocasting is a two-step process, comprising two HPDC machines: Once its feasibility is proven in central manufacturing facility, the main disadvantages being a research scale facility (130 tons) a less regulated market, e.g. the it would be possible to create the higher cost of the process and an industrial scale facility recreational market, it would be jobs and produce components compared to conventional casting (630 tons). Both machines possible to expand the application that can be marketed locally and processes. Special feedstock have real-time shot control and of the technology to other market internationally. material is purchased at a much monitoring capabilities, and sectors. | 26 | higher cost and reheated to a will ensure that component | 27 | semi-solid state – which is highly research and testing can be done “We are currently in the final stages Enquiries: capital and energy-intensive – effectively before being tested of development and are entering Dr Sagren Govender before being formed into a final on an industrial scale. It will the commercialisation phase,” says [email protected] A molten alloy as viewed from above (inserted) component. The scrap material also enable the research team to Ulyate Curle, a senior metallurgical during rheocasting at the CSIR’s facilities. from the manufacturing process simulate industry conditions to engineer and member of the OPPORTUNITIES

Josias Nonyama of the CSIR installing an AziSA communication link in a deep gold mine.

Home-grown borehole radar system

South Africa has its In deep-level South African process. If small dislocations can be commercial system used in CSIR develops a gold and platinum mines, the mapped, miners can plan for the routine surveys. It was named own system to delineate standard way of mining is by dislocations, lowering the cost of the Aardwolf BR40 borehole developing footwall or hanging dislocations by lowering the extent radar system. The system is still protocol for underground ore-body geometry. wall drives parallel to strike (the of uncertainty about the rockmass. in use to this day. line formed by the intersection of a bed or vein with the horizontal Designed for standard mine networks plane). Cross-cuts are then Enter borehole radar underground exploration developed perpendicular to strike Borehole radar, an electromagnetic, holes (so it fits comfortably in a until they intersect the reef. geophysical tool that creates 48mm borehole), the radar is Mining then proceeds up the reef images of the subsurface by using robust enough for routine work plane from level to level. short pulses of radio energy, is the underground and is easy to use. A common communication to communicate instructions and underground control. aiding in making decisions in best tool to identify production- It works in boreholes with high technology protocol for to each other. With all other The system serves as a the best interest of the health The geophysical challenge stopping dislocations. It is quick temperatures, which sometimes dangerous factors added, this backbone for standardised of workers. Ultimately, it will this presents is to define the and easy to apply, and images exceed 70 degrees Celsius. South African mines is a precarious state of affairs wireless sensor networks. enable tighter operational reef plane in sufficient detail dislocations in Witwatersrand The Aardwolf BR40 borehole for mineworkers. It is an open protocol for control and aid in creating Josias Nonyna, CSIR electronic engineering that once mining starts, it can radar system has a frequency South African platinum and technologist, holding a receiver printed circuit gold mines and Bushveld platinum connecting to sensors, safer and healthier working gold mines are a maze of board housed in a pipe-like probe. proceed without any unexpected mines up to 60m from the (40 MHz) that offers the best noise, dust, and darkness and Much has been tried in a bid getting measurements and conditions for miners. disruptions. Classically, geologists borehole. It is most economically compromise between range are generally hazardous. The to improve communication controlling actuators. It is also have mapped the reef plane applied from boreholes like haulage and resolution for geological In addition to the AziSA conditions make it quite difficult and environmental analysis a data communication system from boreholes, outcrops and and crosscut cover boreholes that targets in the Bushveld platinum protocol, the CSIR has a number for mine operation managers in mines. The problem is that uses already installed excavations. It is theoretically would be drilled in any event. and Wits gold environment. of reference designs available to to know what exactly is that because conditions vary mine power cabling (power possible to achieve any desired With rapid data turn-around allow equipment manufacturers happening in the environment greatly inside a mine, the line carrier). It can support resolution of the reef plane using (one week from provision) and to produce compliant as the mining face advances. equipment used may not data mining tools by using higher densities of boreholes, Go Team South Africa novel interpretation software to equipment, and to convert their They are often forced to react to work. Thus, you might find computational intelligence to but the cost is almost always South African mines are deep and augment mine geologist know- current equipment. Currently, internal environmental changes disparate systems being used distil the input from a vast array prohibitive. Large dislocations hot. Any tool used in our mines how, the system can be deployed the CSIR is in talks with A receiver of the borehole radar system rather than be proactive. in different environments of sensors into knowledge that that influence overall mine design must be designed to withstand without needing support from potential commercialisation which measures reflections from targets that within the same mine. can be mustered for real-time are usually identified using the these conditions. Also, designing, the mine or its drillers. partners who are interested are illuminated by the transmitter. Having a consolidated view These variations often lead decision-making. normal drilling pattern and from building and utilising a tool locally in distributing the standard, The system is currently operated of the environment could to the systems not being 3D seismic data. Knowledge has many other socio-economic as well as aiding mine houses commercially by the CSIR, which make mines safer, and more interoperable or data rendered AziSA is designed to enable of smaller dislocations can spinoffs, like job creation, human to customise and apply the is seeking partners for its survey profitable as managers would useless as they are too context mining companies to have greatly improve short term capital development and the standard in their environments. business. plan better – having knowledge specific. These are precisely a dynamic, continuous risk tactical planning: typically, if a building of scientific expertise. of what is happening or likely the problems that the CSIR is assessment of potential dangers – Bandile Sikwane dislocation in the reef is less than – Bandile Sikwane | 28 | to happen. For mineworkers, trying to solve with AziSA. during mining operations. For three meters, it is possible to This was the thinking behind the | 29 | communication is difficult as in example, it allows for early Enquiries: continue without redevelopment, design and building of a home- Enquiries: most cases it is non-mediated AziSA (IsiZulu for ‘make warning systems for potential Van Zyl Brink while dislocations of more than grown borehole radar system at Declan Vogt verbal communication, known’) is not a product as rock-falls. With AziSA, mine [email protected] 3m require redevelopment. the CSIR in 2001. The development [email protected] meaning that they constantly such, but a series of protocols operators will be able to easily The geometry of a typical deep-level Redevelopment takes time, and and testing was done at such a rate have to shout over the noise that facilitate data acquisition quantify dust and noise levels, conventional gold or platinum mine. production is stopped during the that by 2002, it was a complete OPPORTUNITIES

Chris Botha is a project CANDLE is most often used by Because it is infrared-enabled, The portable landing light manager and technician at the paratroopers in peacekeeping the lights are only detected by system was awarded a coveted CSIR’s technology for special operations, who perform a night vision equipment and operations group. Together path-finding function, and who thus remain unseen with the International Soldier Technology Lighting for with his team, he designed and are dropped in areas where naked eye. Award in 2006, selected developed a product named there is no landing strip. from a number of soldier Initially required to assist CANDLE, a portable landing modernisation programmes light system which won them The system consists of 12 lights, defence force personnel in safer landing international acclaim. each fitted with a transmitter/ areas without sufficient air from around the world. receiver with a remote control transport infrastructure, the The system is lightweight and effective up to 600 metres and system has also found civilian The special operations capability of the South African can be carried as part of a 200 metres between lights. application among mining paratrooper’s kit. It is rapidly set With six lights on either side, a companies both in South The upgrading of this capability National Defence Force enlists a particular brand up to either mark a drop zone landing strip of a km and longer Africa and elsewhere on the will ensure that the CSIR has for paratroopers or to lay out a can be marked out. This means continent. The CSIR is in the an updated version ready for of soldier to operate under difficult circumstances. landing strip for aircraft with a plane the size of a Hercules process of upgrading the industrialisation with a partner infrared or normal visible light. transport aircraft can be guided landing light system to include under a licensing agreement. These operatives often require technology solutions Its innovativeness lies in the with this system. landward-based sensor of particular sophistication and precision. The scene fact that the lights are remote- systems to serve as an early Enquiries: controlled and can be switched When the aircraft approaches, warning system for protection, Chris Botha is set for heightened creativity, discovery and invention. on and off either by operators the lights are switched on, and as well as a detection [email protected] on the ground or the pilot from then switched off immediately capability for intrusion into as far away as 10 kilometres. once it has landed safely. secure environments.

| 30 | | 31 | OPPORTUNITIES Boots to limit Increased food and beverage shelf-life through polymer landmine injury technology

Landmines have been branded the ultimate indiscriminate Having food or During the normal “The consequence is that you Cost-wise, the barrier technology course of the research process can increase the shelf-life of any compares favourably to other killer. They have claimed or impacted the lives of many beverages stay at the CSIR’s encapsulation and oxygen-sensitive beverage in barrier technologies, but is superior delivery research group, new plastic containers by up to 150 to them in certain aspects. For people in mine-affected countries throughout the world – fresher and last polymer systems with special times,” he says. example, metal-oxide coatings properties are created. It was the are expensive and suffer from regardless of age, gender or race. longer on the shelf special nature of these newly “Another advantage of this brittleness; oxygen scavenger is one ideal that created polymer systems that led technology is that it is a polymer technology has a limited life span; According to the 2011 that it employs a unique sensor researcher Dr Philip Labuschagne solution that can easily be and multi-layer technology is Landmine Monitor Report by the system capable of measuring the everyone in the and his team to discover new uses applied to a plastic surface, such not only prone to delamination, International Campaign to Ban shock or stress wave progression for it. What they found was a very as a beverage container, using a but also difficult to recycle. Landmines (ICBL), there were through the leg in microseconds. food and beverage handy new technology specifically simple dip-coating process. The “The containers can also be over 4 000 landmine-related The sensor system is under industries should geared towards the food and polymers used are also suitable for produced locally which can lead casualties recorded worldwide ongoing development and beverages industries. pharmaceutical use, thus they are to considerable cost savings,” says in 2010. Furthermore, the ICBL refinement. invest in. The CSIR completely non-toxic,” he says. Labuschagne. stated that while the Mine Ban Their invention, which is now The CSIR’s Ernst Smit with a prototype mine boot. Treaty has 160 signatory parties, Using the surrogate lower leg invented a way for patented, is an oxygen barrier Beverages that are typically With local inventions such as there are still three countries with a newly developed test and technology. It has the potential to sensitive to oxygen are beer or this barrier technology, it is just a actively laying antipersonnel evaluation system, the CSIR this ideal to become considerably lengthen the shelf- ciders, juices and any tomato- matter of time before we will be is in the process of developing able to buy fruit juices that can stay mines, while 12 countries a reality, with life of food and beverages stored based products. Traditionally have been identified as active a prototype ‘mine boot’. The in plastic containers. these products are stored in in the fridge for at least a month. antipersonnel mine producers. intention is to develop a boot that proven success. glass containers to ensure Or beer sold in plastic recyclable At last review in August 2011, can prevent any amputation in Labuschagne explains how sufficient shelf-life. However, bottles rather than glass. the event of small antipersonnel twenty countries within the the invention happened: “We with this barrier technology, new “The food processing sector is the mine detonations as well as to African continent remain mine regularly use a process called opportunities for plastic packaging country’s largest manufacturing mitigate tissue and bone damage affected. inter-polymer complexation in are possible. Plastic packaging sector in employment terms during larger antipersonnel our drug delivery research. The is desirable because it reduces with some 160 000 employees. mine detonations, as far as Against this backdrop of the result is a polymeric product with the enormous cost (and carbon South Africa has a competitive possible. The prototype mine severity of the threat, the unique properties – one of which emissions) resulting from the advantage in a number of fruit and boot is in the final stages of CSIR has undertaken work to is that the polymer has a high transport of heavy materials, such beverage sub-sectors which, if fully testing and development. It is investigate and quantify the density (or a close-knit polymer as glass. exploited, could place it among envisioned that the final product Surrogate lower legs with mine boot concepts fitted – ready for explosive testing. injury mechanisms resulting from network formed by hydrogen the top 10 export producers in will be available in both full the detonation of antipersonnel bonds). This property led us high-value agricultural products. boot and strap-on-sole user blast mines. The research to investigate its effect on the An external coating I believe that the oxygen barrier options, making it applicable to resulted in the development of a permeability of gasses.” Labuschagne continues: “The technology has the potential to commercial demining activities human surrogate lower leg which coating is applied on the outside of improve the competitiveness of this as well as military use where approximates an actual human the container using a dip-coating sector,” concludes Labuschagne. mobility cannot be restricted with leg in terms of geometry and the Not letting oxygen through process. Because it has some permanent heavy equipment. type of materials selected for its His group did several trials degree of moisture susceptibility, Potential commercial partners Enquiries: construction. The surrogate leg on various inter-polymer a second protective UV-curable are welcome to contact the CSIR. Dr Philip Labuschagne is intended for destructive testing complexation systems until a | 32 | overcoat is applied over the barrier [email protected] | 33 | to assess the degree of tissue system was found that reduces coating. Both these layers have and bone damage sustained, as Enquiries: oxygen permeability by a factor achieved approval for use as well as to estimate the potential Dr Nivan Moodley of about 20 (for polyester-based external coating on food containers levels of amputation. It differs [email protected] plastics) and by a factor of around by the American Food and Drug This article first appeared in The mine boots protect against anti-personnel mines (front). from other surrogate legs in 150 (for polyolefin-based plastics). Administration.” ScienceScope April 2012 edition. Simple in design, but highly effective. The basic operating principle of these devices used to disrupt improvised explosive SUCCESSES devices is to form a high-speed water jet by winding detonating cord around a hemispherical form. A larger tamping volume (3:1 ratio) fits over the smaller, to-be-projected volume with the explosive cord contained between the two containers. The detonating cord is initiated in the centre of the convex form; a high speed water jet is generated and projected towards the explosive device. The water jet, on impact with the improvised explosive device, penetrates the container and disrupts the electronic circuitry before the switches or triggers can close. Velocities in the region of 550 m/s can be obtained – a velocity The disruptor technology was first that exceeds the speed of sound. developed in the mid 1980s and A range of disruptors has been tailor-made for specific purposes. The ‘Whole cap’ for example, is suitable to disrupt explosive Roach has worked on them since devices in cars, steel drums or wooden boxes, while a Mini cap can be used where collateral damage needs to be limited, for example, when it is close to sensitive equipment, instrumentation or inside buildings. An invention its inception. “This technology is over two decades old, but it is still as effective – it remains the primary technology used for the in bomb disposal neutralisation of suspicious IEDs. We are constantly looking at ways of improving the methods and the continues to result of our efforts is the newer disruptor in the family: the Square cap uses coarse salt instead of water to disrupt the IED,” Roach make an impact states. Licensee ECM is in the process of securing an order from the United A CSIR invention in bomb disposal has made its mark over three decades and continues to generate international interest. Arab Emirates to sell the disruptors. “We are developing world-class Recently, the CSIR signed two non-exclusive licensing agreements for this invention with Electrochemical Machining technologies and by licensing Technology (ECM) and Hausler Engineering. them, we are aiding in building and supporting local industries that are able to sell to South African and A CSIR invention in bomb Four disruptors were licensed energy by way of a projected water African Police Service (SAPS) international clients,” says Dr Nivan disposal has made its mark over to ECM and one to Hausler. jet to neutralise the device. and South African National Moodley, a CSIR research and three decades and continues to These companies will sell the Defence Force operators and development outcomes manager. generate international interest. technology to end-users such Senior researcher Philip Roach are still in use today. Recently, the CSIR signed as the police and the army. says that the range of small to large Enquiries: two non-exclusive licensing The disruptors are used by “With Hausler, we licensed volume disruptors were developed Dr Nivan Moodley agreements for this invention bomb technicians to disrupt an only one of the disruptors to counter the range of IEDs [email protected] with Electrochemical Machining improvised explosive device confronting local bomb disposal called the Cobra, specifically for Technology (ECM) and Hausler (IED) from a safe distance by operators. “These disruptors were deployment by the SAPS bomb Engineering. delivering sufficient kinetic successfully used by the South disposal unit,” Roach remarks.

Projected mass Detonation cord

Tamping

| 34 | | 35 |

Cross-section of a Quarter cap (conical). The functioning of radial (left) and conical (right) cap disruptors. A single frame showing the use of a Quarter cap used in a disruption from 3.1 m Impressive impact SUCCESSES The quantifiable direct benefits of the HVS are significant: at a discount rate of 8%, between R3-R6 are returned for every R1 invested. Impressively, the HVS: basic understanding of pavement More recently, the CSIR-developed considerably for application in aligned with the GPDRT’s strategy material behaviour and HVS has been used locally to high-volume roads – seven times to cost-effectively and efficiently • earns foreign revenue for South advanced pavement engineering test the technology for using more steel is used than in ordinary rehabilitate and upgrade Gauteng’s Africa – more than R200 million in South Africa has been ultra-thin concrete technology continuously reinforced concrete.” road network – one where more since 1994; immeasurable. GPDRT studies for application in high-volume than 70% of the roads have indicate that the quantifiable roads in South Africa. The original The South African National reached the end of their design Heavy Vehicle • enables the improvement of road direct benefits of the HVS road design was imported from Roads Agency Limited has life-spans. Attention will be given design and construction practices; programme have been up to ten Denmark and adapted for local implemented the technology for specifically to public transport high-volume roads on the N12 • provides a high-tech field lab for times more than the investment conditions. Working with the routes, freight corridors and the Simulator – an enduring in the technology. University of Pretoria, the Cement near the Gillooly’s interchange in upgrading of unpaved roads. accelerated road-testing; and Concrete Institute and local Gauteng. In the Western Cape, • simulates damage caused by A benefit cost ratio of 10:1 was consultants, the CSIR used the the technology has been used It is foreseen that the local and legacy with a trajectory measured for the South African HVS to test the final design and on the N1 freeway between the international HVS programmes traffic over 20 years in three HVS programme in 2006. fast-track the implementation of Klip River Toll Plaza and the will continue to thrive, with other months; and Every country that participates the technology. Huguenot Tunnel. The technology countries and research groups in the HVS programme has likely to order HVS machines. well into the future • has been exported to a number has also been used on an apron benefitted from improved, more According to the CSIR’s Louw du at the Oliver Tambo International of countries, with 11 units active cost-effective roads and a far Plessis, an international expert Airport. Enquiries: worldwide. better understanding of its road in accelerated pavement (road) Dr Louw du Plessis structure engineering and road testing, “The ultra-thin, high- Over the next few years, CSIR [email protected] materials behaviour. performance concrete is reinforced research using the HVS will be

Proudly home-grown – the CSIR’s accelerated pavement testing facility – the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) is a success story with global impact and one that has had a major impact on Transport the design, construction and maintenance of roads locally and abroad for more than 40 years. engineer Louw du Plessis There is no doubt that layers to test whether a specific Eleven of these massive road- the results obtained from the road will have an acceptable side laboratories have been HVS programme over the past lifespan. With the accelerated exported to active duty in the four decades will influence testing and laboratory associated USA, Sweden, China, India all road design undertaken research, researchers can simulate and Costa Rica. The HVS has currently in South Africa, the damage over 20 years caused also been used for research in and well into the future. by heavy traffic volumes to road Finland, Slovenia and Poland. structures within a short time Over the past 18 years, the HVS technology licensing Roads are the lifeblood span of up to three months. These international programme has The HVS technology platform was of an economy; at a cost results are invaluable to taking generated significant direct licensed to Dynatest, a private of between R15 million corrective action in road design foreign income for the country and R8 million for a and selecting the best construction – brought home as a result of company in the USA. Dynatest kilometre for a highway materials and methods when quality research and technology markets and manufactures the with a relatively short planning the construction of long development and sound machines and also maintains the lifespan of 20 to 40 stretches of new roads. commercial decision-making. years, a country’s roads 11 machines already in operation. infrastructure has to be The latest model – the HVS Mk The largest and longest The CSIR receives a royalty for VI – is the result of continuous scientifically constructed machine ever designed and HVS sales from Dynatest. and maintained upgrades over the past two built is under construction to maximise cost- decades by the CSIR and its currently for the US Federal effectiveness. technology and commercialisation Aviation Administration. partner, Dynatest. Sporting | 36 | The HVS is a high-tech numerous advantages over its The contribution of the two | 37 | accelerated road-testing field predecessors, the new version machines in use locally – one lab with unique instruments costs less, is lighter and easier to owned by the CSIR and the that measure and analyse the tow on public roads and is less other by the Gauteng Provincial engineering performance of complex with increased wheel Department of Roads and One of the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) machines in India, suitably garlanded road structures and material speed and test beam length. Transport (GPDRT) – to our for the launch occasion, with Louw du Plessis of the CSIR in the foreground. SUCCESSES

Production units of the PUDU system. An example of a solidified foam block.

to protect the assets inside the The CSIR has gone on to The licensing agreement allows vehicle from attack. develop four generations the QD Group to manufacture of the product. It has now the PUDU in South Africa, Since the CSIR developed the been licensed to the QD and to market and sell it first prototype and patented Group, a local company that locally and internationally. It the innovation, it has been designs, manufactures and has already been exported to used by its client, SBV Services. distributes cash protection security companies in South In a statement, the company systems. According to Delon America, continental Europe proclaimed that “we trust the Mudaly, a CSIR manager and the United Kingdom, and PUDU to provide the last line of intellectual property the market potential looks of defence against attacks”. It and technology transfer encouraging. follows a two-pronged approach for materials science and to safety and security: firstly manufacturing, “This Enquiries: the armour on the vehicles technology will now be Delon Mudaly ensures the safety of its staff, available to the entire [email protected] and secondly, the PUDU ensures market, and other security that the assets that are being companies can access this transported are protected. benefit too.” The polyurethane component. Foiling cash-in-transit heists Cash-in-transit heists are well-planned criminal operations, executed with military-style planning and precision. In this form of robbery, criminals attack cash at its most vulnerable: away from the safekeeping of the bank and under the protection of only two or three armed guards.

Thanks to technology The PUDU has been designed The PUDU was originally developed by the CSIR, security and developed for use in developed for SBV Services, a companies are now able to modular armoured vehicles, local cash risk management reduce attacks on their cash-in- as well as the multipurpose company that has been rated by transit vehicles. This innovation vehicles that are used in the Lloyds of London as “the best involves the installation of a cash-in-transit industry. Its risk managed cash-in-transit polyurethane dispensing unit primary purpose is to protect company in the world”. The (the PUDU), which is essentially the assets in the vault area development of this technology a sense-and-deploy device that of the vehicle in the case of a was initiated in the 1990s when dispenses quick-drying and heist. It can be activated by the company approached the solidifying polyurethane foam different methods, depending CSIR with its need to develop into the vault area of cash-in- on the client’s needs and risk technology to protect the transit vehicles when they are exposure. It has been tested so-called ‘soft skin vehicles’ | 38 | attacked. The polyurethane in the field and has a proven transporting high volumes of | 39 | covers the cash in the vehicle’s track record in safeguarding cash. Although the protection vault and makes it impossible assets during cash-in-transit of the vehicle itself had been for attackers to retrieve the heists, leading to asset achieved by bullet-proofing transported assets from the recovery and a significant and armour-plating the vehicle, Components of the sense-and-deploy device. vehicle. reduction in actual attacks. what was needed was a way The solidified foam that significantly delays access to assets. SUCCESSES Mobile Internet TV broadcasting The CSIR is involved in the other emerging economies. Town and Durban-based Internet services in the development But now, buffering or any other service provider, East Coast of applications and licensing of a broadcast platform type of speed-related network Access (Pty) Ltd (ECA). solutions as dictated by disruptions might be a thing of market need. that is set to have a major the past. Put through its paces Now taking it to impact on the broadcast sector. The consortium was formed Science and technology in 2007 to develop the ARTIST the people From its roots at the CSIR, a unlocks new opportunities concept into a commercial Africa has one of South African consortium has the highest mobile A solution to this problem has broadcast platform suitable successfully licensed a broadcast user populations been found in the development for low network infrastructure platform that is set to change in the world. of a novel content delivery networks. With a first round broadcasting as we know it. However, the biggest method that is a core feature three-year investment from The platform allows viewers challenge for users, of the Adaptive Real-Time the Innovation Fund – now the to watch live content on their content creators and Internet Streaming Technology Technology Innovation Agency mobile devices and computers advertisers has been the (ARTIST) platform. This novel (TIA) – in 2008, the ARTIST from anywhere in the world delivery of content caused video content delivery technique consortium completed the without interruption to their by either undeveloped has extended the concept of research and development video stream, even at very low telecommunication infrastructure adaptive streaming to operate (R&D) phase of the product connection speeds. or exorbitant prices for broadband fast and at very low rates, thus in August 2011. access. Low-rate, fast, adaptive The trouble with streaming and widening the access not only to real-time streaming technology is viewing content on any device urban areas, but also to the rural The technology was successfully an answer to this problem because or computer is buffering, a African context. As the name piloted by several broadcast it not only allows viewers to have particular type of disruption to adaptive streaming suggests, the stations, among them an uninterrupted broadcast stream the data stream. The simplest technique involves adapting one Johannesburg-based radio on their mobile devices, but it also explanation as to why buffering or more data streams received stations namely, YFM and the opens up new opportunities for exists when viewing content on from multiple sources to the real- Voice of Wits campus radio. content creators and advertisers. a device, is that the connection time changes in the speed of the In August 2012, the ARTIST Content creators now have a to the Internet is slow or the user’s network. The broadcaster consortium entered into a new platform to distribute their network is congested, meaning reproduces the content in multiple licensing agreement with a new content, while advertisers could there is insufficient bandwidth bit rates. Instead of the viewer start-up company, Tuluntulu potentially unlock an untapped at a given instant in time to meet selecting the bit rate, the selection (Pty) Ltd. The licence allows market for their goods and the demand. is done automatically in the the commercialisation partner services. background; and is continuously to actively explore various Until recently, the best solution adjusted for uninterrupted business models and pursue – Bandile Sikwane to this particular type of stream commercialisation. While In the Voice of Wits pilot project, a camera captures dj@large during his show and streaming and viewing. Enquiries: disruption has been to invest in a Tuluntulu builds its own technical broadcasts it via Internet streaming to mobile phones, as seen on the photograph third Dr Keith Ferguson from left. The team comprises (below and from left) the CSIR’s Dr Keith Ferguson, faster Internet connection, which The consortium behind the capability, the ARTIST consortium [email protected] Pierre van Houten of Tuluntulu Pty Ltd, the CSIR’s Simeon Miteff, Prof Tawana Kupe is expensive for broadcasters development of ARTIST comprises members will provide technical of Wits, and the VoW station manager, Mike Smurthwaite, with VoW DJ, dj@large www.tuluntulu.com and users in South Africa and the CSIR, the University of Cape support and contract R&D (Tshepo Kgapane). The key adaptation of ARTIST has been patented.

| 40 | | 41 | SUCCESSES

Seeing what is invisible to the naked eye

the ability to detect faults during The UV image is overlaid on the night and day. According to Riaan background image to provide a Rossouw, UViRCO’s marketing final picture which shows the manager, more than 150 units of location of UV corona discharges the CoroCAM 504 have been sold on the object being inspected. internationally, the majority of which have gone to China, Russia The CoroCAM being used at a substation in Russia. and the USA. Other developments Apart from the CoroCAM, the “However, while the CoroCAM CSIR, which now acts as research can visually show power and development (R&D) partner utilities and large industrial for UViRCO, also developed a users of electricity where corona product called MultiCAM. This discharge creating equipment camera can detect both UV and faults are located, it cannot show infrared (IR) wavelengths and them the severity of the problem. visually display these images for This still requires a human the easy identification of high- operator,” says Rossouw. voltage equipment problems.

UViRCO is about to release the Jeremy Wallis, competence area CoroCAM 6D, the latest addition manager for the sensor science to the CoroCAM family. and technology group at the This image, produced by the CoroCAM, An image taken with the CoroCAM CSIR, says that by adding the IR shows a typical UV discharge overlaid on a 111, the best night vision camera. background image. It shows the corona where a cable The CoroCAM 6D was developed ability to the UV function, the has been damaged. in-house by UViRCO and MultiCAM can show differences in Visually displaying the corona discharge around a defective, high-voltage introduces a number of new temperature as well as faults that The CoroCAM, features which the market here held by radiate a corona. “Having both the UViRCO marketing electrical installation is a problem that researchers at the CSIR have long demanded, that is, on-board thermal and corona image allows manager, Riaan recording and a simplified user the operator to eliminate possible Rossouw, is since overcome – of that the worldwide success of its CoroCAM designs are interface. causes of a problem and get to the designed to visually real problem (and solution) faster.” display the corona proof. The CoroCAM range of products was licensed to UViRCO Technologies, The CoroCAM 6D leveraged The CoroCAM along with an FLIR product discharges from optimised electronics and mounted inside a gimbal that is attached defects on high- a CSIR spin-off, staffed by ex-CSIR personnel, in 2008. With the MultiCAM, an IR to a helicopter. Some power utilities find voltage electrical mechanical design to effect a dimension as well as the normal such a gimbal mounting handy especially installations. Power utilities The first CoroCAM was an reduction in production cost. visible spectrum can be recorded when inspecting remote cable lines. This allows them to inspect thousands of km of worldwide are experiencing ultraviolet (UV) imaging camera at the same time as the UV cable in a much shorter time than would pressure to manage their available that could detect and display The technology behind spectrum. The UV image can be have been possible if done manually. power efficiently. Preventative the UV discharges that indicate overlaid on top of either the IR maintenance can reduce high-voltage equipment CoroCAM or background image, showing blackouts and power loss on high- problems – discharges that are When looking at an object such a final image with temperature voltage equipment, which results not normally possible to spot as a high-voltage electrical wire differences as well as coronas on This article first appeared in ScienceScope April 2012 edition. in minimising power losses. with the naked eye as they fall through the UV detecting camera, the object being inspected. Under high load on transmission below the range of visible light the incoming light is split into and distribution infrastructure, that humans can detect. This two pathways. One path passes This camera too has been localised hot spots limit capacity camera could only spot the the visible light through to a transferred to UViRCO and about... and can cause black-outs due resulting corona at night and standard video camera which the CSIR is currently applying to failure. Power-loss causes the request soon came for a records the images of the object for funding to develop a fully Corona – Corona discharge is an unwanted | 42 | can be minimised through device that could do exactly the being inspected in order to create radiometric MultiCAM. side-effect of high-voltage electrical installations. It is a | 43 | inspection to verify that lines same thing, but during the day. a background image. The second phenomenon that results from the ionising of air due to are installed as designed. It is for path takes its light through a Enquiries: a high electric field. The high electric field gradients form these inspections that the CSIR- Four models followed, with the 240-280 nm wavelength solar- [email protected] developed CoroCAM has become CoroCAM 504 being the current blind filter to a camera which is www.uvirco.com around geometric sharp points such as loose cables, cracks irreplaceable. and very popular version with sensitive to UV light. or badly designed equipment. SUCCESSES

Lobsight technology gets it ‘right on target’

CSIR principal engineer weapon and the shaft encoder Not only a logistical improve- Increasingly, the defence Danie de Villiers is the keeps track of the compass ment, but more importantly, the industry opts to further mastermind behind a technology bearing – measuring the angle risk of secondary impact – for develop or enhance existing innovation that is – literally – at which to fire. The system is example accidentally striking a capabilities instead of aiming for a high hit rate. His battery-powered. non-threatening target – is also investing in new and novel brainchild, Lobsight, is a novel reduced. tools. This requires higher- Indirect Aiming System (IAS) In a deployment of forces, an systems level integration and to improve the hit probability of observation post identifies the technology adaption. mortars and other light artillery target’s location and issues The man behind the invention weapons used in indirect the coordinates to the artillery Inventor Danie de Villiers has The Lobsight technology was firing mode, in other words, in operators. The data are then a background in electronic licensed to a manufacturing situations where a projectile is entered into the computer to aim engineering and a track record partner and it was phased aimed and fired without the gun the weapon in terms of the angle of coming up with solutions that into use by the SA Army over and target being in line of site. and elevation to ensure that it is improve soldier systems. a number of years. It has on target. The firing table data become a tried and tested – Indirect fire most commonly on the system can be rapidly De Villiers had started work on and well-used – technological occurs in field artillery, although updated with corrective data to the indirect aiming system in the aid in the field. It is used it sometimes is used in naval re-aim – should that be required. mid ‘90s when employed by the most often to improve the combat, anti-tank operations company Mechem. speed and effectiveness of the From polymer or anti-aircraft guns. It is By improving the accuracy 40mm automatic grenade mostly used when the target of indirect fire, the Lobsight “I was the lead engineer at launcher. Several hundreds of is at longer range and invisible technology has delivered many that stage and my team and I the systems were deployed. to the firer due to the terrain. benefits in terms of tactical and demonstrated an indirect firing technology Many factors can influence the logistical advantages in the system for mortars,” he says. The De Villiers is always onto new projectile trajectory – atmospheric principles and doctrines required demonstration soon piqued the challenges. Aside from his conditions, the velocity of the by modern warfare – particularly interest of players in the industry. work in indirect fire solutions, to cosmetic products projectile, differences in altitude in the realm of a ‘system-of- In 2000, Denel requested an he has also contributed to the between the firer and the target, systems’ approach of network indirect aiming system for development of battery power to name a few. Determining centric warfare where various grenade launchers similar to (specifically for dismounted A polymer gel that originated in the CSIR’s polymers and composites research laboratories was reinvented to become the trajectory to ensure that the components work together to that demonstrated earlier by De troops and soldiers in the elevation and range are effective, achieve optimal firepower or Villiers. field). a highly successful international cosmetic product. The product, called Eyeslices, is commercially available internationally. is therefore a challenge. situation awareness. “This is the critical point in the Enquiries: Also, more accurate firing Eyeslices is an innovative, cryogel eye pad, which slowly stocked the product in over 100 salons and spas in South Africa. Lobsight consists of a ballistic process of developing a new Dr Nivan Moodley means less waste due to missing releases active ingredients to the skin to combat a wide range of The product is now exported to several countries, including computer with an integrated product: One needs the specific [email protected] eye irritations. It reduces the appearance of red eyes, dark circles Mexico, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the USA. tilt sensor and a shaft encoder targets – and less ammunition requirements from a client and under eyes, tired eyes, wrinkles and puffy eyes within minutes interface. The tilt sensor needed to be carried or otherwise work towards solving a specific of use. The company has received numerous awards for this innovative determines the elevation of the brought to the combat space. problem,” De Villiers explains. product, including a Technology Top 100 award in 2007 and a It started when CSIR researchers with expertise in polymers SABS Design Institute Award in 2004. In 2011, the company won invented a water-soluble polymer gel that functioned as a dermal the Technology Top 100 award for sustainability. delivery system – in other words, a gel-like substance that could be liquefied and solidified to absorb and emit ingredients to The product continues to capture market share, with direct the skin. response television campaigns marketing the product (under | 44 | different brands) set to start in the USA in the near future. | 45 | In 2000, entrepreneur Kerryne Neufeldt, licensed this technology from the CSIR and built up a company (i-Slices Innovations Enquiries: (Pty) Ltd) around it. By the end of 2006, the company had Eyeslices website: www.eyeslices.com SUCCESSES

by exploiting the extra are the mirrors of the laser. efficiency to make the support The idea was that if the mirrors systems work a little less. were correctly calculated, and then fabricated, the laser itself The CSIR has for several years would select the best beam invested in developing core for maximum brightness. expertise in shaping light with The shape of the laser beam diffractive optical elements; bouncing around inside the optics that have feature sizes laser was chosen to extract as down to the micrometre much energy as possible from scale, and sometimes to the the laser, but in a ‘good’ shape. nanometre scale. The licence agreement sees The idea is that given a CSIR technology helping to laser beam of a particular make local industry more intensity profile (i.e. how competitive. In this case, the the energy carried by the aim was a more efficient laser is distributed in space), industrial laser, but similar it is possible to reshape the technology can be used to profile of this laser beam by make almost any laser operate redistributing the energy. in a ‘high brightness’ mode. – Mzimasi Gcukumana The work of CSIR chief scientist, Prof Andrew Forbes has helped build the CSIR’s reputation in laser research and If this is done correctly, then in development. A technology developed in his group has been transferred to one of the largest optics producers in the world. principle any laser beam shape Enquiries: can be achieved. The group Dr Andrew Forbes worked on achieving this same [email protected] Prof Forbes and his students have won more than 40 awards for outstanding result, but inside a laser, so that contributions to science in the past five years, including several international awards. the diffractive optical elements An invention resonates with a local laser manufacturer

A breakthrough by CSIR chief scientist, Prof Andrew Forbes, led to the design and development of a new laser system with special optics inside, characterised by features on the micro-scale. The technology was licensed to a South African company in 2011.

“Quite something to resonators. Lasers are made of 25. It turned a commercially because good beams tend to see one’s idea and design go up of three parts, namely an nonviable process into a viable come at the expense of energy, all the way to inclusion in a energy source, a gain medium, process for a local laser exporter. while high-energy beams are commercial product,” says and mirrors that form an It surprised me how well it highly distorted and difficult to Forbes. “Not all research and optical ‘box’ resonator. worked and that it did so, on use in practical applications,” development results in uptake, the very first attempt.” Forbes explains. and because the time lapse “The technology worked well, “With lasers, one generally The new CSIR laser technology from the initial work to uptake with obvious commercial has to choose between having makes almost any laser by industry or society is often benefit, which led to us opting lots of energy, and having a operate in a ‘high brightness’ significant, inventors are not to license it to an industry ‘nice’ laser beam. A quality mode, which results in more always present to experience player,” he remarks. that incorporates both these efficient lasers for long-range | 46 | this thrill. I feel privileged to | 47 | Forbes explains what parameters is the so-called communication systems, have experienced this.” happened at the lab on the ‘brightness’ of a laser: high and in the military for target He says that the work that led day of the breakthrough, brightness means good laser designation. The technology to this technology started as “The beam jumped the single beam quality and high energy. has the potential to make lasers early-stage research on laser mode energy, up by a factor This is difficult to achieve smaller and less expensive, Optical components at one of Prof Forbes’s laser laboratories. The team behind Schreiber are, from left, senior technicians SUCCESSES Richard Rapoo and Johan Sachse, technical specialist Michael Sehlabana and senior technician Jonathan Manganye. Electronic sounding CSIR and Afrox device for mines in licensing deal commercialised

The CSIR licensed the manufacturing of rubber mouthpieces used in self-contained self-rescuers in underground mines to Afrox. A device invented by the CSIR and used in the detection of loose, overhead The CSIR has licensed (also CSIR-designed) to prevent Tackling it as a team The redesign of the mouthpiece rocks in underground mines has been licensed to a commercial partner. to Afrox its patented rubber the inhalation of harmful gases. follows the redesign of nose The new mouthpiece has been An electronic sounding device is a sensor that mimics the performance of mouthpiece used in self- clips for SCSRs in 1997, of which redesigned and re-engineered an experienced miner in determining whether loose rocks are present in the roof of contained, self-rescue (SCSR) Schreiber was the sole inventor. Why the redesign? by the CSIR and Hannover the excavation during the entry inspection. With rock falls responsible for more than breathing apparatus. The The redesigned nose clips are “Many of the mouthpieces that are Engineering, a South African 30% of fatalities in South African gold and platinum mines, the entry inspection that breathing apparatus produces now distributed globally with currently in use cause irritation company. “Although the new occurs before workers enter a newly blasted workplace is one of the most important oxygen for underground workers over half a million units sold and stimulation to the saliva mouthpiece has been co- and dangerous tasks in underground mining operations. during an emergency escape worldwide and have become the glands inside the mouth, leading developed, the ownership from irrespirable atmospheric de facto standard in South African to an over-production of saliva in of the Intellectual Property The current process used in ensuring that there are no conditions. mines. It is envisaged that the some cases, which in turn could vests in the CSIR,” says CSIR dangerously loose overhead rocks following blasting newly designed mouthpiece will block the flow of breathing air commercialisation manager underground, includes tapping the roof of the Underground workers breathe have a similar impact in the local to the wearer,” says the CSIR’s Brian Mphahlele. “Afrox has excavation with a pry bar. A hollow sound is into the apparatus via a and international market. Wilfried Schreiber, the co-inventor been granted a non-exclusive an indication of a loose rock. This sounding mouthpiece connected to a – Bandile Sikwane breathing tube. The exhaled of the new mouthpiece design. license to manufacture and process is an acquired and somewhat carbon dioxide is then converted distribute the mouthpieces,” subjective skill. The quality of sounding is “In addition, mouthpieces Enquiries: into oxygen through a chemical he says. The deal was related to the physical state of the miner available to date were very Wilfried Schreiber reaction. The system can provide concluded in July 2012. undertaking the sounding. Fatigue, noise- uncomfortable and restricted the [email protected] life-giving oxygen for up to induced hearing loss and illness often affect movement of the tongue, thereby 40 minutes during an escape the competence of individuals, even within making verbal communication or up to two hours when waiting a single shift. The electronic sounding device impossible,” he adds. to be rescued (depending on improves the sounding process by eliminating common human errors that could lead to breathing rate). The CSIR is the only injuries or loss of life. The CSIR has finalised a accredited testing licence agreement with Draxin Technology to authority for these How it works commercialise the device. self-rescuers in South The system comprises a protective Africa. Schreiber, who casing that is belt-worn. Inside the has extensive experience Enquiries: protective casing is the breathing in self-rescuer research, Van Zyl Brink apparatus which contains a and his team – who has [email protected] chemical with potassium super over 100 years of combined oxide (KO2). This chemical is experience working with activated when breathing into SCSR apparatus – have the unit and then produces garnered worldwide oxygen to the wearer (this same recognition for their work. chemical is used in emergency | 48 | oxygen supply systems for space | 49 | missions and submarines). This unit includes a CSIR-designed Wilfried Schreiber with his invention: mouthpiece, which is connected a mouthpiece for to the breathing apparatus via a self-contained self- The electronic sounding device seen here breathing tube; and a nose clip rescuers. fitted to a mining hard hat. Commercial ventures with CSIR roots

These included the design of a hot gas generator for Slagment Converting in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng; a biomass and coal co-fired boiler for a multinational food producer waste to energy in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal; a high-sulphur pitch thermal oxidiser for Sasol; and a coal- through fluidised fired fluidised bed deodorising and steam generation plant for bed processing African Products. In each of these cases, the CSIR was commissioned to design a customised fluidised bed combustion unit to meet the client’s specific and often multiple needs. The technology is licensed through South African engineering companies that manufacture the combustors according to the CSIR’s design specifications.

Fluidised bed technology is robust with unique Fluidised bed technology is not only used to burn low- quality coal, but various forms of industrial waste. characteristics, rendering it suitable to a host of different applications. This includes the recovery of precious metals through the incineration of Fluidised bed combustion has been used to burn coal for many years, but using the experience gained at the CSIR to convert carbon and wood chips, as well as chemical vapour deposition industrial waste to energy gives an important new slant to existing technology. CSIR research and development (R&D) activities onto valuable substrates. Utilising this technology not only in this area, span the past three decades. The earliest developments were in low-grade coal combustion, but fluidised bed has environmental benefits, technology has since been applied to designs for a hot gas generator, a biomass sludge boiler, a high-sulphur pitch incinerator but makes economic and business sense. It enables the and an industrial deodoriser. manufacturer to generate his own hot gas, steam or electricity, while enabling him to dispose This resulted in the development sulphur dioxide emissions in waste combustion, calcination Initial research: low-grade of waste matter easily and cost- of the National Fluidised Bed situ, as the high-ash discard coal and minerals treatment. effectively. coal combustion Combustion (NFBC) boiler for the generally also contained elevated In the mid 1970s, the CSIR former Department of Minerals levels of sulphur. Commissioned plants This innovative research in the commenced with investigations and Energy Affairs in 1984. field of clean energy certainly In 1990, the original small-scale into fluidised bed coal Experience gained through proves that there is no end This facility was primarily used fluidised bed combustor was combustion and gasification. R&D conducted on the NFBC to the application potential for thermal and combustion replaced by a larger one that For this purpose, an initial and the MPFBC has been of FBC technology, which efficiency trials, where the combined the functionality refractory-lined bubbling successfully applied for the leads to new opportunities effects of load, cyclone grit re- and freeboard (above-bed) fluidised bed test rig was benefit of South African for commercialisation and firing and bed temperature on height of the NFBC boiler with constructed. Research became industries. The CSIR was technology transfer. | 50 | more focused in the early 1980s the thermal and combustion the flexibility of the initial test commissioned to design | 51 | when an investigation was efficiencies of the waste coals facility. This was dubbed the fluidised bed combustors for initiated into the use of discard were investigated. Sulphur Multi-Purpose Fluidised Bed a number of plants in South The CSIR’s Brian North at the CSIR fluidised bed combustion stalwart which has been in coal, duff coal and coal slurries reduction trials were conducted Combustor (MPFBC). The MPFBC Africa, to deal with a variety use for many years and where pilot scale by means of fluidised bed to determine the ability of South was used extensively for process of environmental and industrial process development is undertaken prior to combustion technology. African sorbents to reduce development in the fields of challenges. application at an industrial scale. Commercial ventures with CSIR roots

Converting waste to energy through fluidised bed processingcontinued Brian North describes the upward blowing of air required for the About fluidised fluidised bed combustion process. Hot gas generator earns the CSIR a projects and systems Biomass and coal co-fired boiler receives bed combustion award from the South African Institution of Mechanical the Innovation Award of the South African Fluidised beds suspend solid fuels in upward- Engineers Institution of Chemical Engineers blowing jets of air The hot gas generator that was developed for Slagment in Vanderbijlpark A unique biomass and coal co-fired boiler was designed during the combustion was the first commercial fluidised bed combustor to be designed by the CSIR. for a multinational food producer based in Estcourt. process. The result is a The client had an existing coal-fired furnace, which was used to supply hot gas The purpose of this boiler was to develop a reliable turbulent mixing of gas to a slag dryer. High maintenance costs and the need to use a high-quality system of incineration to dispose of a stream of and solids that provides graded coal product in this furnace prompted the organisation to look for an 12 tons of coffee grounds per hour (comprising 85% more effective chemical alternative. The fluidised bed combustor that was designed by the CSIR could water), while raising 26 tons of process steam with reactions and heat utilise low-grade ‘duff’ coal, which was regarded as a waste product and the off-gases. A fluidised bed combustor that could burn transfer. It is ideal to burn was available at a low price. the coffee grounds in their wet state, rather than drying fuels that are difficult to and treating the press water, provided the best solution ignite, like low-quality fuel Experience gained in the research carried out on the NFBC was applied to this to the client’s problem at the lowest capital cost. such as coal mine waste. design, and features, such as a deep bed, a conservative fluidising velocity and a large freeboard (above-bed) area, were adopted to ensure a high combustion Again, past experience was applied. In particular, efficiency, and therefore low carbon carry-over into the dry slag product. An air a deep bed, which creates a ‘thermal flywheel’, allowed distribution system was designed to deliver fluidising/combustion air uniformly for swings in fuel quality and water content. Extensive Disposing of high-sulphur pitch while reducing sulphur emissions Deodorising of air using FBC technology process development was carried out in the MPFBC and to the base of the bed, yet allow the drainage of solids over the entire bed Sasol produces approximately two tons of high-sulphur pitch per hour in its coal-to- the NFBC to prove the practical application of calculated The 12 MW coal-fired fluidised bed deodorising area. This was necessary to avoid the build-up of inert ‘tramp’ material, which liquids process. This waste stream has a high calorific value (similar to heavy fuel design parameters. The boiler was designed in 1992, and steam-generation plant that was commissioned will inevitably be found in low-grade or waste fuels. oil), but contains a number of contaminants and sulphur that renders it unsuitable for and is still operating successfully. This project earned the by African Products, one of the largest maize- disposal in a landfill site. The best disposal option is to thermally oxidise the pitch, This highly successful 10 MW plant was awarded the South African Institution research team the Innovation Award of the South African processing plants in the southern hemisphere, while reducing the sulphur emissions in the flue gases. The high sulphur pitch (HSP) of Mechanical Engineers’ Projects and Systems Award in 1990. Institution of Chemical Engineers in 1994. is another one of the CSIR’s customised designs. thermal oxidiser, which was designed by the CSIR, is a fluidised bed combustor that The process air from the plant’s maize-drying circuits achieves exactly this. contained odorous organics, and the client wished The design team drew on past experience in the combustion of liquid fuels (coal to render this air odourless in order to conform to slurries and biomass sludge) to develop an HSP injection system that would ensure current world standards in the minimisation of that the pitch was delivered into and burnt in the fluidised bed rather than burning it environmental impact. above the bed. This ensured uniform, controlled temperatures in the bed and freeboard The CSIR’s fluidised bed thermal treatment was to enable sulphur to be captured in situ using a limestone addition to the bed. selected as the most appropriate technology for this The design of the air distribution system for the Slagment hot gas generator was purpose. The odorous air was used as the fluidising air employed to allow the sulphur to be continuously removed as solid calcium sulphate. for the fluidised bed combustor. Coal was burnt in the The gases leaving the fluidised bed combustor were used to generate 20 tons of fluidised bed to maintain it at 900°C, and the odours process steam per hour in a waste heat boiler. in the air were thereby destroyed. Process steam was generated using the off-gases to minimise the total

Environmental claims that can be made for this fluidised bed combustor include a CO2 emissions from the plant. reduction in sulphur oxides through in situ sulphur capture, a reduction in nitrogen | 52 | | 53 | oxides due to a relatively low combustion temperature, and a reduction in carbon dioxide since the steam produced displaces steam previously generated by burning Enquiries: Brian North coal in a boiler. [email protected] An industrial boiler used to generate steam from hot gases leaving a fluidised bed combustor. Commercial ventures with CSIR roots

In a paper published in 1993, Services. The service provided Rosemary McGillivray of dial-up connectivity and email From a research CSIR Information Services, functionality. noted the CSIR’s move from a research organisation to a In 1994, the name was changed tool for the few technology transfer enterprise to Worldnet Africa, which described by the then CSIR was billed as a portal to the president as fulfilling the services offered by the CSIR and to an everyday functions of a ‘funnel and a as a structured and indexed bridge’ – funnelling into the information platform that country, appropriate technology, focused on providing South commodity modifying it as required and African-centric information bridging it into companies and to the Internet community. communities in South Africa. “There was a big drive to assumed contract experts in their fields could be The CSIR and the Ford and her colleagues started to provide content and services obtained to investigate global information for the public for a fee and we freely early days of Internet technology trends with a view to established a content acquisition elsewhere on using the Internet and the World team,” says Ford. “One of our the web. Financial Mail, 13 June 1997 Wide Web as the platform for early suppliers was Sister Lillian, In addition, small payments commercialisation at a very services in SA online services from the CSIR, a radio personality well respected were not easy to make as The Worldnet Africa web page affordable price. The new owner rather than the bulletin board for her advice on pregnancy and services such as Paypal had not as it appeared in 1996. immediately injected R30 million system initially envisaged. They parenthood.” yet been invented. But again, in the business and rebranded created one of the first websites the CSIR was advanced in its In 1996, a legal hub was it M-WEB. The service was later Almost nine million South Africans have made in the country for the CSIR and thinking. A decade later, Internet introduced to provide relevant incorporated into Multichoice. showcased it to Robert Cailliau users are becoming used to information to the legal fraternity the Internet an integral part of their daily lives. when he visited the organisation paying for specialised digital and other interested parties. Although much of what the in 1993. Robert Cailliau, content, and e-commerce is big Very few of these Internet users know that the By this time, 200 000 South CSIR team worked on has now together with Sir Tim Berners- business, with the advent of Africans were using the Internet disappeared or morphed into Lee, invented the World Wide e-books, Kindles and the like. CSIR laid the foundation for the World Wide daily. other services under the M-WEB Web. Ford also remembers her banner, South Africa’s online Web’s evolution on the southern tip of Africa. husband (also one of the intrepid Being the CSIR, the focus By the mid 1990s, the CSIR connectivity almost certainly bands of Internet explorers) and remained academic, although acknowledged the need for would not have advanced as It all started in the early 1990s in a little herself attending one of the first the platform itself enabled many commercialisation of the service. rapidly without the pioneering office in Building 9 of the CSIR’s Pretoria site. There, Internet world conferences in innovative approaches to create Says Ford: “We had laid the work of Ford and her colleagues. a small team headed by Merryl Ford, currently London and realising that the new solutions for a new world foundation, but a commercial manager: ICT for education and mobile learning at trends being debated were old that was just starting to emerge. service would never have sat “I still consider this as my baby the CSIR Meraka Institute, delved into the bits and hat for the boffins at the CSIR. Ford remembers team member comfortably in the CSIR stable, and am very proud to have been bytes of the cyberworld in what she describes as They were both interviewed Abu Abrahams digitising South which was not set up – nor was part of a team that provided ‘exciting times’. They played with obtuse-sounding on British television talking Africa’s labour law books. “Abu ever intended – to run such a the early technical platform on services like Archie, Veronica, Cello, Mosaic and about the pioneering work that took every page of every book, venture.” which Multichoice could catapult UseNet. The exploration into this new frontier kept the CSIR was doing. “We were scanned it and converted it to M-WEB into the global Internet the information technology-wired brains of Building definitely ahead of our time,” HTML text. Scanned versions Thus, the academic brains of family,” she says. 9 occupied for a good few years, before the need for she says. were then legal for use in court the CSIR met the hard-nosed commercialisation became clear, resulting in M-Net as references during arguments business types of the corporate Today, Ford’s ‘baby’ has more buying the CSIR’s platform lock, stock and multi- When the manager of and HTML versions could be world across the boardroom than 320 000 subscribers and gigabyte barrel in 1997. CSIR Information Services’ easily and quickly searched for table, in what Ford remembers is well placed with innovative Compuserve Africa, Richard appropriate cases. The problem as a culture shock for all parties. products and competitively “Initially,” says Ford, “we saw the potential for Webb, recognised the was that laptops were not Discussions were conducted priced packages to take localising CompuServe, America’s first commercial significance of the work being the norm they are today – his with both IBM and M-Net, advantage of the projected online service, and launched CompuServe Africa, done, he took the team under solution was at least 10 years and the result was arguably growth in local Internet coverage | 54 | a fee-based, dial-up service. At the time, the Internet his wing and oversaw the before its time. one of the biggest business to 10 million users by 2015. | 55 | was in its infancy. No-one had a real grasp of it.” development of South Africa’s coups of recent decades. M-Net The initial plan was the development of a bulletin first Internet service provider, Ford acknowledges that the acquired a platform that would Enquiries: Today Merryl Ford is still active in information and communications technology (ICT). She currently works on a range of board system to enable the CSIR to provide online initially called Commercial fee-based model was flawed, as have taken it years and vast technology-intensive interventions in the rural education context. The CSIR has been enlisted by the Department of Science Merryl Ford and Technology to assist in directed ICT for improved educational outcomes. These activities are taking place in the Nciba access to subscribers to its various scientific Internet Services and people, naturally, were not keen expertise to establish, packaged [email protected] school circuit, part of the Comfimvaba School District in the Eastern Cape. information services. subsequently, CSIR Internet to pay for information that they for immediate expansion and ENTERPRISE CREATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

Fever-Tree candles are available at more than 200 South African stores.

Traditional health practitioners whose knowledge led to the discovery and From left, the CSIR’s Brian Maphalele, Drs Marthinus Horak and Vinesh Maharaj commercialisation of the mosquito and repellent candle celebrate the first royalty payment. with Gordon Muller, Zollhaus International (Pty) Ltd.

CSIR researchers worked with entering an area; expellency The project provides Based on its market findings, traditional healers to identify is the ability to drive or force employment for more than Zollhaus developed a range the chemo type of the plant mosquitoes from an area. 20 people in rural communities. of fragranced candles that species with superior mosquito effectively repel mosquitoes. repellency properties. Dr Vinesh Additional SABS tests indicate Maharaj, CSIR natural product Producing mosquito To market that the improved product has chemist, confirms the outcome repellent candles As its first step, the CSIR filed fly-repellent properties. of this collaboration, “A benefit- a South African patent on the According to Dr Marthinus www.fever-tree.co.za sharing agreement between use of extracts and chemical Zollhaus has taken some Horak, a key contributor to the CSIR and the owners of the substances derived from the additional steps to firm up the CSIR’s enterprise creation traditional knowledge resulted plant as mosquito repellents. marketing prospects. The for development activities, in the first benefit payment to Brian Mphahlele, CSIR registration of the mosquito- Facts about malaria the essential step to realising traditional healers during July commercialisation manager, repellent candle in terms of the economic benefit of Winning recipe for a • Malaria transmission is 2 012 .” confirms that this gives the Act 36 of 1947 allows the this discovery was the caused by the bite of a CSIR the right to stop anyone sales of candles to the public. establishment of a community- Zollhaus also successfully female Anopheles mosquito from making unauthorised use Coming up tops in efficacy based production process in of the intellectual property. negotiated sales with South ‘home-grown’ mosquito carrying the Plasmodium Limpopo with funding from African chains stores and the The efficacy (or effectiveness falciparum parasite. at producing a result) of the the Department of Science and He took the lead in negotiating product is currently available essential oil was evaluated Technology. This followed the commercial terms for a under the brand name ‘Fever- repellent candle • Worldwide, mosquitoes at the South African Bureau success of the trial plantation licence agreement with Tree’ in more than 200 South of the indigenous plant and the Zollhaus to formulate the transmit disease to more of Standards (SABS) using African stores. Studies by CSIR researchers and traditional healers on indigenous plants with mosquito olfactometer tests. An efficacy testing. patented extract into mosquito than 700 million people. olfactometer is a device used repellent/expellent products What lies at the heart of the repellent properties in the mid-1990s led to the discovery of a novel mosquito repellent. Annually, it leads to more to study insect behaviour in The production process for distribution and sale to success of South Africa’s ‘home- than 300 million acute the presence of an olfactory starts with cultivation of the local and export markets. All grown’ mosquito repellent is The essential oil of the indigenous plant, Lippia javanica, has more effective repellent stimulus. plant species on a 20 hectare royalties negotiated under a winning technology recipe illnesses and claims the cultivation site where the the licence will be paid in full in which several players at the properties than similar or comparable commercial products on the market. lives of at least one million Using a standard protocol with mosquito repellent crop is to the owners of traditional CSIR fulfilled key roles: natural people. the yellow fever mosquito grown. The crop is harvested knowledge. Through this product chemists working A licensing agreement from chronic forms of malaria during October to April. (yellow fever is an acute viral and distilled in an essential oil licence, the CSIR secured with owners of traditional with Zollhaus International have diminished quality of Because of their nocturnal • Ninety percent of deaths haemorrhagic disease), it distillation factory on the site. demand for the oil produced knowledge; enterprise creation experts giving guidance; and (Pty) Ltd has paved the way for life. Together with HIV and feeding habits, malaria due to malaria occur in was demonstrated that the by the local community and marketing of mosquito repellent tuberculosis, malaria is the transmission by the Anopheles CSIR-developed products are Workers at the factory of in the process helped generate technology transfer experts who 2 products, thereby realising the major public health challenge mosquito occurs primarily Africa, with the majority of significantly more efficient 650 m in Giyani (Limpopo) economic activity for the local recognise the market potential commercial benefit of this local undermining development in between dusk and dawn. its victims children under at repelling and expelling have acquired the production community. This falls squarely of this product. essential oil. the poorest countries of the the age of five. mosquitoes when compared technology and skills required within the CSIR’s mandate – – Biffy van Rooyen world. Local populations have to the current products on the to manufacture the mosquito bettering the lives of ordinary traditionally utilised Lippia repellent candles on-site. | 56 | Mosquito control market. South Africans through Enquiries: | 57 | In South Africa, malaria javanica as a mosquito The factory contains equipment research and development. Brian Mphahlele As the most widespread and is present in the three repellent. Cut branches are Both repellency and expellency to formulate the active Mphahlele explains, “Zollhaus’s [email protected] devastating of tropical diseases, northern provinces bordering wiped on the skin and at the are important qualities. ingredients of the candles, and expertise lies in developing and malaria kills one African child Mozambique and Swaziland, entrances to dwellings, or burnt Repellency is the ability to manufacture and package up to positioning products in key every 30 seconds. Sufferers with seasonal transmission on an open fire at night. prevent mosquitoes from 400 000 candles per year. market segments.” ENTERPRISE CREATION FOR DEVELOPMENT C-Mussels shareholder Cratton van Niekerk lifts a growing rope, covered in mussels. C-Mussels has a monthly harvest of 13 000 kg.

Clockwise from above: The mussel raft is 50 m long and 5 m wide, with 700 ropes. It is made of wood, with floats made of steel and plastic materials. The CSIR’s Wendy Long with C-Mussels Local mussels are ‘lekker’ shareholders Elizabeth Cloete, left and Joslin Cloete, right. The mussel raft is accessed by boat. A viable business Taking ownership Supporting production of South African seafood Long notes, “Since most of C-Mussels now seeds and South Africa’s consumption is harvests on a much larger imported mussels, this offers scale and has moved to its own Black mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Saldanha Bay on the South African west coast are arguably some of the best in a great opportunity for growth new, cleaner water space. the world; larger than their overseas counterparts and of excellent quality due to the high level of nutrients in the Atlantic. and expansion. The demand The company employs four for mussels is higher than the individuals currently. supply.” Shareholder Cratton van Thanks to a financial with a single metal mussel since 2010. Significantly, the Necessary administrative Niekerk shows great initiative injection from the provincial raft from which harvesting CSIR helped the company to procedures and templates were She explains the processes and determination to grow the government of the Western was possible only twice a year. make a successful application set up to facilitate business set in place to ensure that Cultivating Mytilus galloprovincialis business, “We are aiming to Cape through its Rural Economic The goal of the owners was to acquire valuable water systems. This included the C-Mussels realises the market have enough rafts to harvest • Mussels have been eaten by humans for thousands of years. Assistance Fund and with to expand the operation by rights. design of a fresh new logo potential of its product, monthly with the intention of A popular seafood, they can be smoked, boiled, steamed, enterprise creation assistance harvesting mussels more that was incorporated into the “To ensure food safety and making a meaningful impact from the CSIR, a small, wholly often from more rafts. The CSIR’s role also extended company documentation. quality, mussels are continually roasted, barbecued or fried in butter. on unemployment in the black-owned enterprise at to other necessary enterprise checked for biotoxins and heavy The CSIR’s Wendy Long Saldanha Bay area. We do not Saldanha Bay has expanded interventions to support metals by the CSIR’s consulting • Mytilus galloprovincialis is a marine mollusc that grows up to explains, “We assisted the just have an eye on improving its mussel farming operation to the expansion of this small and analytical services to meet 140 mm in length. It is the dominant low intertidal mussel company to purchase two our own circumstances; we are supply the South African seafood business. Long continues, quality regulations.” robust rafts designed and looking at the bigger picture of on the west coast of South Africa. market. “We arranged director/ | 58 | built to withstand inclement the community around us.” | 59 | share­holder and corporate C-Mussels has a secure contract weather and superior in every • Spanish cotton and baby mussels (‘seed’) are used governance training as well with an industry partner, a Enquiries: way to the old metal rafts.” on a growing rope for the aquaculture of these mussels. How it all began as legal support to secure wholesaler, who has also played Wendy Long African Olive Trading 232 (Pty) C-Mussels has been operating agreements that would protect its part in developing skills and [email protected] The cotton contains the seed until the mussels can attach Ltd, trading as C-Mussels, started successfully with the new rafts the company’s interests.” mentorship. to the rope. It disintegrates after a time. Johannesburg, 2004 SNIPPETS Other 10% All South African households Cape Town, 2004 Household Illegal dumping 7% 24% Green 5% Builders Builders Commercial in large centres to separate Household Rubble 13% 40% Rubble 15% 38% Industrial household waste by 2016 16% Commercial Green 26% 6% Mangaung A recent CSIR study revealed that only 3.3% Tshwane, 2004 Green of the country’s urban population regularly 17% Builders Household recycled household waste in 2010. This Green Household Rubble 10% 48% 32% 46% Commercial finding is underscored by another study, also 25% Builders conducted by the CSIR, which shows that, Rubble 14% of the estimated 19 million tons of municipal waste generated in South Africa in 2011, about Industrial 8% 25% were mainline recyclables such as glass, Municipal waste composition by source paper, tins and plastics. According to the 2010 survey more than 73% of Separating recyclables at household level South Africans living in urban areas reported no is a requirement in terms of the Waste Act. recycling at all and about 27% of urban South The National Waste Management Strategy Africans reported some recycling behaviour. requires that in four years’ time all metropolitan municipalities, secondary cities and large Enquiries: towns will have initiated programmes for Dr Suzan Oelofse waste separation at source. [email protected]

CSIR publishes guidelines snippets for social facility planning

The CSIR has published guidelines for the provision of social facilities in South African settlements. These are for use in the planning and development of social facilities locally in Digital towns, cities and provinces. Doorway The guidelines apply to a wide range of From left: Kim Gush, Ronel Smith, facilities across many sectors, including Grant Cambridge and Prof Marlien Herselman installed Down Under with the three Digital Doorway units destined for Australia. health, education, sports, recreation and the public service. The guidelines can be used for A local innovation that is promoting computer literacy in South more focussed and needs-based municipal Africa and Africa by providing rural communities with Information infrastructure spending and the development and Communications Technology (ICT) access is set to impact of adequately provisioned towns and suburbs. on the lives of indigenous communities of Australia. The Digital DoorwayTM, a joint initiative of the Department of Science and CSIR town planning specialist Chéri Technology (DST) and the CSIR Meraka Institute, is expanding Green says that guidelines for basic its influence beyond Africa’s borders to promote formal and services like water and electricity are informal learning in high-needs communities in Australia. well-established, but those for social facilities were either outdated, non- TM The installation of Digital Doorway systems in three existent or where available, had not rural indigenous Australian communities was the result of been sufficiently tested in the South collaboration between the CSIR and Monash University, and IAL African context. HE PROVISION OF SOC received funding from the Australian national government. CSIR GUIDELINES FOR T RICAN SETTLEMENTS FACILITIES IN SOUTH AF It forms part of a research project to compare the results of First Edition: August 2012 Available at http://www.csir.co.za/ the use of this system for social inclusion and community Built_environment/Guidelines_ development in Australia to those in South Africa. Standards.html | 60 |

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