An internship opportunity with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has secured three engineering students passage on the SA Agulhas research vessel.

The students, who hail from the Mechatronics and Electrical Engineering Departments, recently set sail on the SA Agulhas along with 30 other scientists, who will conduct research in the waters surrounding Antarctica.

SAIL: The trio boards the SA Agulhas research vessel at the Cape Town Harbour

The trio have been interning at the CSIR since last year and jumped at the opportunity to spend several weeks aboard the research vessel.

Electrical Engineering student JP Smith says they will provide researchers with technical support during the month-long research trip.

JP says several laboratories have been set up on the ship and each will run different experiments.

Mechatronics student Ashley Botes says they are well-prepared for the voyage, which will see them work with high-tech research equipment.

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” says Ashley.

Sinekhaya Dilana, who is studying Electrical Engineering, says he is looking forward to tackling the task ahead.

The vessel will return to South African shores in March.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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The Clothing and Textile Technology Station is gearing up to introduce new technology to the local industry after it acquired three hi-tech machines. These include a 3D body scanner, an ultrasonic welding machine and a jet pocket machine.

Of the machines, the body scanner is the most sought after in the local and international clothing industry.

Donated to CPUT by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the body scanner has the ability to gather the exact measurements of an individual in a couple of seconds.

This data can then be used to improve the sizing and develop more accurately fitting patterns of clothing.

Researcher Reena Pandarum, from the University of South Africa, who recently trained CPUT staff members on how to use the machine, said there are many problems in the industry with regards to sizing as each company is using their own research data to determine body sizes.

Pandarum, who has conducted extensive research using the body scanner, said with no specific sizing model in South Africa, companies are also using the American and British sizing models.

She said these models do not take in consideration the different shapes and body profiles of the diverse South Africa population.

Pandarum said the scanner will play a vital role in addressing this current problem.

In order to obtain measurements, an individual steps into a chamber, similar to a clothing cubicle that houses the scanner.

The scanner then projects white light on to the individual in order to obtain the exact measurements. It then puts together a computerised image of the individual.

Manager of the station, Shamil Isaacs, said with the scanner located in Cape Town, they are now in a position to assist the local clothing and textile industry with improving their sizing models.

Isaacs said the ultrasonic welding machine and jet pocket machine will be an extension of their technology platform and will play a vital role in the services offered to industry by the station, especially to SMMEs.

The ultrasonic welding machine, which was imported from the United States, is one of the latest developments in the industry.

Instead of utlising thread to sew garments, the welder generates heat from within the fabric, and makes use of a specialised wheel to weld the garments together.

Isaacs said it is ideal for the manufacturing of outdoor and medical wear.

The station is also working with the Engineering Department to develop different wheels for the machines. Several well-known clothing producers have also visited the station to test the machine.

The impressive jet pocket machine has also caught the attention of industry. Isaacs said to manufacture pockets manually takes 13 minutes, whereas the machine takes seven seconds.

He said all the machines will also be utilised for research purpose by CPUT staff members.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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As the Western Cape battles a critical water shortage the research conducted by Prof Vernon Somerset, a leading researcher in Environmental Chemistry, has become ever more urgent.

Somerset recently joined the Chemistry Department, and holding a NRF-C3 rating he joins the ranks of high profile researchers and innovators at CPUT who are using their skills to address the numerous challenges facing local communities, South Africa and the rest of the continent. Describing water as a fascinating field, Somerset says ultimately all his research work is aimed at ensuring South Africa’s water resources are adequately protected and that communities have access to safe drinking water.

“This research is important, because nationally we don’t have a lot of water and on the other hand we have a lot of mining and agriculture activities, which impacts on our water resources. The more we know about the impact of these anthropogenic activities, the better we can advise. There is also the area of emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceutical and personal care products, xenobiotics, antimicrobials, endocrine disruptors, etc. We are becoming much more aware of these components. It’s important for us to know more about it so that we can protect our water resources and safe guard people from being exposed to these pollutants," he says.

Hailing from the highly respected Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Somerset, who has a PhD in Electro-analytical Chemistry from UWC, will drive environmental related research that has an impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health at CPUT. While based at the CSIR he has also investigated the fate and transport of heavy metals in the freshwater ecosystems of South Africa, especially the global pollutant called mercury. He is currently involved with other researchers across the country, assisting the Department of Environmental Affairs with South Africa’s ratification of the Minimata Convention on mercury.

Somerset says he looks forward to training the next generation of researchers.
“I’m here because we need to make sure that students are trained adequately and are equipped to apply their knowledge of environmental chemistry to protect the environment for future generations.”

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Department of Defence (DoD) together with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently visited CPUT.

The visit was a fact-finding mission to assess the state of the African Space Innovation Centre’s capability and potential to provide satellite and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) short courses to the defence department.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, who welcomed the high-level delegation says the well-organised event “was very successful” and that CPUT is already a major player in space and the building of nanosatellites. “Therefore, CPUT will have an opportunity to contribute and exhibit her prowess to many stakeholders and a broader platform for the benefit of the Republic of South Africa,” Nhlapo boasts.

Prof Veruscha Fester: Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Dr Angus Brandt and Chief Engineer, Nyameko Royi provided an overview of activities in African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) and Royi later facilitated a tour of the space facilities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, who outlined CPUT’ sustainability plans for ASIC, was impressed by the interest shown by DoD brass to “our Research, Innovation” as well as training in the Space Science and Technology Initiatives. “The appreciation they showed to CPUT as an engaged university focusing on the needs of society is noted,” Phaho observes.

He continues: “We regard ASIC/F’Sati as a continental flagship programme hence management has committed resources (human resources, equipment) to ensure sustainability as well as overall transformation of the emerging space industry by training students who reflect the country’s demographics.”

In his observation, Humbulani Mudau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology, Department of Science and Innovation says the University shared their impressive achievements with the visitors. “The University produced seventy-four satellite engineers from all over the continent with 43% as South Africans over a period of twelve years and five satellites from 2009 to 2021, one launched in 2013, the other one in December 2018 and constellation of three launched in January 2022,” Mudau remarks. He adds that in the current cycle the University admitted 58 students with 81% being South Africans.

“We achieved the purpose of the visit, since Dr Phaho also shared the future plans to sustain the ASIC,” he says.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Lance Mathebula voiced his happiness with the CPUT visit and said their mission was to see how CPUT can assist his department in making sure “that we can have our people that are qualified in air and space”. “We prefer to start with short courses first to improve their skills before they start with long courses.”

Reflecting on the event, Phaho says: “It was a high-level delegation who are aware of our footprint in the space sector. They showed an interest in working with CPUT in advancing the sector in the greater national interest.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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