News
Devastating wildfires are known to cause irreparable damage the world over. Studies conducted by CSIR earth observation experts revealed that determining the end of the growing season is important to be able to assess the risk of fire spread in the African savannas.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with Actom’s Metalplus, will market and provide laser-welding services to industry over a period of two years. The CSIR, through its laser-based manufacturing capability, will provide expertise in laser cladding and hardening, while Atcom’s Metalplus will bring forth its machining and grinding capability.
In a review paper last year in the high-ranking journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Benjamin Heard and colleagues presented their case against 100% renewable electricity systems. They doubted the feasibility of many of the recent scenarios for high shares of renewable energy, questioning everything from whether renewables-based systems can survive extreme weather events with low sun and low wind, to the ability to keep the grid stable with so much variable generation.
An innovative mining simulation centre based at the Mandela Mining Precinct, at the CSIR in Johannesburg, is set to fast-track South Africa’s mining sector to adopt Industry 4.0 principles as it activates minds for mines.
SiMINE – a first for South Africa – is aimed at senior executives in the sector, aspiring mining engineers and the youth. It is a purpose-built mining simulation centre that provides a true-to-life experience of the financial, physical and interpersonal dynamics in a complex commercial value chain.
CSIR scientists are part of a team of global researchers that will work on the next assessment of the science of climate change, starting in June 2018. The assessment, which is in its sixth edition, is commissioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and will inform policymakers, international climate negotiators and other stakeholders about the state of knowledge on all aspects of climate change.
The Department of Science and Technology will invest hundreds of millions of rands on programmes to boost the number of knowledge workers in South Africa, stimulate economic growth, proved energy security and promote the country as a research and development destination. The Department's Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, delivers her first Budget Vote debate in the portfolio today.
The Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) will host a National Research Data Workshop aimed at the academic and research community, but open to participants who would like to share their knowledge and experience in the data intensive research and research data management.
The world’s first comprehensive, evidence-based regional assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa compiled by over 100 leading experts, including CSIR biodiversity experts, across 45 countries was approved by the governments of 129 member nations. The Africa regional assessment was approved during the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in Colombia, in March 2018.
The DST-NRF Conference Fund is intended to support the hosting of international conferences focused on excellent scientific research that has potential for socio-economic impact. The funding platform makes provision for strategic, large events of an international nature, hosted in South Africa, or on behalf of South Africa abroad. The fund will typically support ‘global conferences’ of more than 500 participants. Read more...