by ttoadmin | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Every year, on the 26 April, the world celebrates World Intellectual Property (IP) Day as a way to recognise the innovation and creativity that shapes our society. This year, World IP Day is celebrating innovations, and associated intellectual property rights, leading to a green future. We all live together on this earth and need to take care of it, and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is playing its part to ensure a greener future for all. Apart from being declared Africa’s greenest campus in 2014, UWC is a role player in the development of green innovations, from hydrogen fuel cell technologies to hosting the multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Food Security. Here are some of the innovative technologies being developed at UWC: 1) Natural plant based biofertilizer and biopesticide – developed from a South African indigenous plant extract, this organic biofertilizer and biopesticide improves the health and growth of crops while minimising the use of chemical synthetic product.s 2) Hydrogen fuel cell Technologies - UWC hosts the HySA Systems Centre of Competence, part of South Africa’s Hydrogen South Africa Programme (HySA). HySA Systems is involved in the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for vehicles as well as power modules, as a renewable fuel source alternative 3) Green batteries - Alternative renewable energy sources are part of the solution, however this needs to be coupled with improved energy storage solutions. UWC hosts the Energy Storage Innovation Lab (ESIL) involved in the development of improved Li ion battery technologies. 4) Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage – a method for the treatment of polluted mine water utilising fly ash,...
by ttoadmin | Apr 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
The TTO is excited to announce a new recruit to the office, Mr Luan Africa, who joined us on the 1st April 2020 as a Technology Transfer Specialist: Commercialization. Luan is a goal orientated, driven individual with broad exposure to different areas of life science. He is a strong proponent of multi-disciplinary initiatives, and believes that collaboration between disciplines is the key to the success of any endeavour. He has built up a broad knowledge base which he continually strives to grow, and through his postgraduate training has acquired skills in molecular virology, biochemistry and physiology. Prior to joining the UWC TTO, he was part of the technology transfer team at Stellenbosch University. He is passionate about all things science, technology and innovation, and believes in adding additional value to the traditional academic process through technology transfer. We welcome Luan to the TTO and are excited to work with him to drive technologies to meet societal...
by ttoadmin | Apr 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
Read more about how University of the Western Cape (UWC) nanochemist Prof Leslie Petrik is working to minimise the environmental challenges face with mining waste using another waste product, coal fly ash...
by ttoadmin | Apr 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande visits the Mankosi community in rural Eastern Cape on the 5th March 2020 to see how Zenzeleni’s unique business model is making a difference to provide affordable communication. Read more here:...
by ttoadmin | Apr 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
“In times like these, access to information is more critical than ever”- Sol Luca de Tena For this reason, South Africa’s first community-owned Internet Service Provider, Zenzeleni Networks has responded to the Covid-19 Lockdown by providing zero-rated access to dozens of essential health and education sites, including all university and TVET college sites. Read more here: https://www.northernnews.co.za/news/free-data-to-help-students-46643743 Researchers from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and UWC’s South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) have sequenced the first SARS-COV-2 genome in South Africa, providing a genetic “fingerprint” that can help us understand - and contain - the spread of COVID-19. Read more here: https://www.uwc.ac.za/News/Pages/Decoding-Covid-19-SANBI-Scientists-Peek-Inside-First-South-African-SARS-CoV-2-Genome.aspx...
by ttoadmin | Mar 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
“An affordable and accessible mobile app suite to facilitate information and communication services, SignSupport was designed for - and with - Deaf people.” Read more about this amazing technology that facilitates communication between the Deaf and Hearing by clicking the link below...
