News
Step into the world of Qfrency text-to-speech (TTS), a symphony of technology orchestrated by the CSIR Voice Computing Research Group. Qfrency TTS is the first commercial text-to-speech engine that can synthesise speech in all eleven officially spoken languages of South Africa, with South African Sign language being the twelfth.
In the halls of scientific innovation, South Africa’s heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) has carved out its place as a groundbreaking tool in road infrastructure. Developed by the CSIR, this huge machine has revolutionised the way roads are assessed and designed, offering a glimpse into the future wear and tear of roads under the relentless pressure of traffic.
The HVS is no ordinary tool – this is a machine that simulates traffic on a pavement for three months, round the clock, from which the likely performance of roads over several decades can be forecasted.
The tale of the CSIR-developed green cement goes beyond technological innovation; is an innovation that promises a future where sustainability and affordability coexist harmoniously.
CSIR Goafwarn is a groundbreaking solution that revolutionises safety in underground coal mining. It specifically addresses the risks associated with goafing, that is, the collapse of unsupported roof or overlying strata in a mined-out areas.
CSIR researcher at APC, Nomvuyo Nomadolo, spent two weeks at the University of Pisa for nanocellulose functionalisation experiments, which is a key part of the project, currently focused on the chemical functionalization and characterization of nanocellulose.
The CSIR also hosted Prof. Alessandra Operamolla, and Prof. Jeanette Lucejko from the University of Pisa from 20–24 November 2023. The visit revolved around project discussions on the characterization of chemically modified cellulose and the preparation of membranes.
From 2 to 4 December 2023, the Data-intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) hosted the Student Datathon Challenge (SDC) at the Kruger Grate Hotel.
DIRISA is a programme of the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS), a national initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation and is implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The theme of the 2023 SDC focused on addressing youth unemployment by using open data to create innovative and creative data-driven solutions. Themes are always geared towards addressing societal problems in South Africa while aligning with sustainable development goals.
Dr Nobubele Shozi, Data Stewardship Manager at DIRISA, says “Youth unemployment is a devasting challenge facing our country. The Datathon has shown the capabilities and innovation that the youth of South Africa have towards solving daily issues faced by the country through technology and creative thinking. We are thankful to our sponsors, Korbicom Education Trust, Spectralogic, and Momentum, for seeing the vision that we have through the Datathon and believing in the problems the students solve and the innovations that they create.”
The Collaborative Program in Additive Manufacturing (CPAM) invites companies to respond to a Call for Proposals (CFP) for an SMME support development program for access to additive manufacturing (AM) design and prototype production (printing) expertise support.
The first of three mobile robots developed by the CSIR intended for local universities were delivered to the University of Pretoria in December. The other two are heading for Stellenbosch and Cape Town respectively in the coming weeks.
Technology investment and innovation will be at the heart of Africa’s growth and technology development.
Dr Reevana Balmahoon, research group leader for Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was one of the speakers at the Africa Tech Festival, which took place in Cape Town from 13 to 16 November 2023.