CPUT adds another patent to its list
INVENTOR: Dr Johan Wlikund explains to members of industry how the new system operates.
Thursday, 08 December 2011
CPUT has added another patent to its growing list thanks to innovative researchers from the Engineering Faculty.
The Material Science and Technology group together with the Swedish Institute for Food Technology patented a System for Flow Visualization and in-line Rheometry.
This group of researchers explore problems relating to the flow of complex fluids such as cosmetics, food stuffs, explosive emulsions and pharmaceuticals. These fluids are classified as complex as they all change their characteristics and behavior when flowing.
The researchers have expertise in making precise measurements of the viscous characteristics (called rheology) of complex fluids. However the measurement process using existing techniques has been complicated and time consuming.
But now thanks to Prof Rainer Haldenwang, Dr Johan Wiklund and Reinhardt Kotze, their unique system, which is based on ultrasound velocity profiling, will allow users to take real-time measurements of the characteristics of complex fluids while under dynamic process conditions.
PATENT: Prof Rainer Haldenwang, Dr Johan Wiklund and Reinhardt Kotze are CPUT’s latest inventors.
Prof Haldenwang said this system will positively impact on quality control operations in industry.
“This is a very unique way of measuring the properties of fluid in real-time. In a tube viscometer it can take up to half a day to measure the characteristics of a fluid,” he said.
MEASUREMENT: Prof Rainer Haldenwang gives CPUT staff and industry members a breakdown of the new system.
Prof Haldenwang said the development of this system took many years, but that they are excited about the outcome.
During the process of developing this unique system, the three co-inventors published 15 articles, 20 conference papers and received three awards.
In addition, Wiklund and Kotze received Doctoral degrees in this field.
The group plans to commercialise the device in the near future and continue research in this specialised research area.
BRAND NEW: Some of the equipment developed by the researchers.
By Candes Keating
Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za
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