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Scientific Infrastructure

The CSIR is equipped for world-class innovation. The organisation recognises that scientific infrastructure is key in scientific discovery and producing solutions for industry and society. Scientific infrastructure includes laboratories, testing facilities, scientific instruments and equipment, clean rooms and pilot plants needed for research and technological innovation.

Collaboration between the research sector, industry and government results in the shared use of the infrastructure and helps build bridges that benefit the country.

Advanced materials testing laboratories

To test road building materials for road engineers, road owners, construction groups and consultants.
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Agroprocessing pilot facility

To undertake research and development for the food and agroprocessing industries.
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Battery research centre

Developing materials-based technologies for energy storage systems.
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Biophotonics facility

To use photonics-based techniques for single molecule and/or cell studies.
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Biorefinery Industry Development Facility

The vision for the CSIR biorefinery research and development is to use the methods developed to ascertain causes or sources of problems in manufacturing.
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Biosafety level 3 research facilities

A controlled-access laboratory required for experiments involving hazard group 3 pathogens of high potential risk.
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Coastal and hydraulics laboratory

To physically model ports, harbours and other coastal engineering designs in fine detail.
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Computational fluid dynamics facility

Underpins integrated wind tunnel and experimental fluid dynamics studies in aerospace or industrial applications.
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CSIR-hosted National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure

For high-performance computing, high-speed network capacity and research data infrastructure.
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DSI-CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials: Characterisation facility

Growing our knowledge about the properties and behaviour of materials at nano-scale
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Electro-acoustic facility

To test acoustic sensitivity, acoustic beam-patterns and electrical properties of underwater sonar transmitters.
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Heavy vehicle simulator

To study how pavement structures and materials respond to wear and tear and for accelerated pavement testing.
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High-precision carbon dioxide instrumentation

The facility deploys cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) instruments for the measurement of atmospheric carbon CO2 concentrations.
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Hydrogen storage facility

Equipped for innovative hydrogen storage technologies.
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Laser-based manufacturing facility

To improve the efficiency and competitiveness of industry players using laser-based technologies.
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Microarray printing facility

To conduct hundreds of biological experiments in parallel.
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Microfluidic facility

To design and prototype microfluidic devices that cater for the flow of liquids in channels of micrometre size.
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Mobile intelligent autonomous systems laboratory

Features robotic platforms capable of autonomous navigation and manipulation, as well as an extensive range of sensors.
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Nano-pollutants laboratories

To investigate the behaviour and interaction of chemical contaminants in water resources with aquatic biota.
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National Centre for Nano-structured Materials

For the modelling, synthesis, characterisation and fabrication of novel nano-structured materials with specific properties.
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Novel solid-state laser facility

The laboratory is well equipped with a range of optical diagnostic equipment that supports the development, analysis and optimisation of novel laser systems across the optical spectrum.
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Optronics motion simulation facility

Provides the hardware-in-the-loop simulation capability for optronic sensor systems research at the CSIR.
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Ship motion simulator

To support the naval forces by developing optronics for improved maritime surveillance.
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Solar photovoltaic power plant

For research on technologies and policies to support the increased use of renewable energy in South Africa.
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Suite of wind tunnels

To test, measure and evaluate aerodynamic design.
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The combustion and gasification pilot plant

Studying and piloting cleaner energy alternatives for industry.
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The photonics prototyping facility

To help industrialise photonics-based technologies.
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The photovoltaic testing facility

The photovoltaic testing facility, with its outdoor test facility and its indoor reliability lab is the most advanced in the country.
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Water and health microbiology research facility

For tests on the presence of microorganisms in water.
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The Advanced Design and Manufacturing Innovation Centre

The Advanced Design and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (ADMIC) supports ongoing research into new manufacturing techniques, technologies and materials, as well as specialised design and manufacturing training.
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Detonics, ballistics and explosives laboratory

The facility is used to develop protective technologies, define optimal mobility solutions, evaluate products or systems to assist with procurement decision-making and, ultimately, ensure effective yet safe military operations.
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Manufacturing

Mechanical testing laboratory

The CSIR mechanical testing laboratory determines the mechanical properties of metallic and ceramic materials, and powder compacts.
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Metal injection moulding facility

This technology makes it possible to overcome the geometrical and productivity limitations of traditional production techniques.
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investment casting facility

Investment casting facility

The CSIR investment casting facility is the only foundry in South Africa with a production-level vacuum casting capability.
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powder characterisation

Powder characterisation facility

The CSIR powder characterisation facility offers unique and broad heat-treatment and metallographic capabilities to serve customers in diverse manufacturing operations, including the powder production, aerospace, defence, nuclear and medical industries.
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