News
The Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) programme at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the South African Weather Services (SAWS), will host the 37th Annual Conference of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Ports are catalysts for economic development critically needed in Africa, but they are also significant features of coastlines undergoing rapid urbanisation, where access to natural resources is increasingly contested. In the African context, coastal communities are deeply dependent on coastal resources for food, building materials and their livelihoods. Ports must account for this or face the consequences of losing their social licence to operate.
Gusting winds in Cape Town are not a new problem; however, they are a persistent problem at one of the busiest ports in South Africa where, anecdotally, the frequency and intensity of the wind, and associated environmental conditions, are an ongoing challenge. The CSIR, as part of a research consortium, will now examine the problem and seek solutions for wind disruptions in the Port of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).
Is the Port of Cape Town becoming windier? Answering this question is the task of Khangale Khuthadzo, a young PhD candidate who is dedicated to developing the climatology and providing future projections of the wind field over Cape Town, South Africa. He has transitioned from the northernmost parts of South Africa to the southern tip of the continent to collaborate with a team of CSIR researchers working on understanding the impact of extreme winds on the Port of Cape Town.
“There is no industrial development without innovation. Science and technology must ensure that the established parts of our economy continue to innovate in an increasingly competitive world so that we can derive the greatest benefits from our geographic advantages and resources,” said Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. Minister Nzimande was speaking at the launch of the CSIR commercialisation enterprise (speech), CSIR C3, which took place on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 in Sandton.
CSIR has officially launched a commercialisation enterprise, named CSIR C3 (pronounced as CSIR C-Cubed) to accelerate the pace and increase the scale of the commercialisation of its technologies and intellectual property (IP). Read more...
CSIR research helps to understand the behaviour of a new SA-designed artificial concrete armour unit
Coastal engineers worldwide continuously strive to develop better designs for more effective protection of coastal infrastructure. The CSIR was instrumental in testing a new South African-designed concrete armour unit shape, which may one day become as famous as one of its well-known counterparts, the dolos.
Ports authorities around the world can now benefit from a new vessel motion forecast tool
A new CSIR-developed tool can predict the motion of moored ships in a port, for both current wave conditions and forecasted wave events, contributing to operational efficiency and port safety. First tested in the Port of Ngqura in South Africa, the tool can be set up to be port specific and can be integrated into most existing infrastructure.
The CSIR’s Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials (CeNAM) has developed a graphene synthesis technology platform that is cost-effective and accessible to local businesses. This platform stands out in terms of affordability when compared to the typical international market prices.
Graphene, recognised as an advanced material, holds significant relevance across various industries, such as composites, electronics, biomedical and healthcare, batteries, as well as in advanced materials, due to its substantial impact and versatile applications.