The industrial Flow-Viz system, an invention by CPUT and Swedish partner SP – Technical Research Institute of Sweden has been approved for a US patent, further paving the way for the formation of an international spin-off company.

This is another first for the university’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), which plays a key role in promoting innovation at CPUT.

The news comes just a few months after the real-time industrial Flow-Viz system was granted a European Patent Office (EPO) approval, giving CPUT and SP the official rights to file national phase filings in numerous European countries. Patents in other countries have also been applied for.

Obtaining US and EPO patent approvals is no mean feat as this involves defending intricate technical and legal intellectual property office actions. Such applications are fully examined by leading international patent examiners and success proves the novelty, non-obviousness and applicability to industry of the invention. 

Flow-Viz technology is a highly specialised industrial fluids characterization system that improves process and quality control within a fluid production line.

CPUT inventors, Dr Reinhardt Kotzé and Prof Rainer Haldenwang, who are based at the Flow Process and Rheology Centre, along with Swedish co-inventor, Dr Johan Wiklund worked tirelessly over many months with the TTO to achieve these approvals, and have welcomed the news.

Haldenwang says the patents will stand them in good stead as they will open doors for commercialisation in regions where they have identified possible business links.

Research work leading to this invention began 15 years ago, with CPUT coming aboard in 2007. The device was first demonstrated in South Africa in 2011 at CPUT. Since then pilot tests have been conducted on a wide-range of products such as food products and even wastewater. 

Two systems have already been set up in pilot plants in America and Europe.

“Flow-Viz is unique, there is no similar product that currently exists in the world for opaque non-Newtonian fluids,” says Kotzé.

“Its aim is to replace time-consuming off-line measurements in the quality control laboratory with continuous real-time and non-invasive process monitoring of industrial fluids that takes place directly in the production line.”

Kotzé says that currently operators take fluid samples and conduct time-consuming lab tests to monitor product quality.

Director of Technology Transfer and Industrial Linkages at CPUT, Prof Gary Atkinson - Hope, says this is a major achievement for the University.

“These achievements place our forthcoming Flow- Viz company on a very sound footing and we can now with confidence move into the commercialisation space,” says Atkinson - Hope.

Written by Candes Keating
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, has revealed that the University Management is “socialising” the need for a Third-Stream Income Strategy across the University, considering the decline in government funding for Higher Education through grants and subsidies.

Phaho said an important component of that is closer collaboration with Industry. He was speaking at the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) Interactive Session on New and Active projects. “Throughout its long and storied history, the THRIP programme has been a catalyst to bring universities and industry to pursue relevant research and drive innovation and competitiveness over and above human development outputs such as master’s and doctoral graduates.

“It also pivots university academics to do research and innovation which is relevant to industry,” Phaho remarked. The event was also attended by the representatives from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - who provided a thorough understanding of the THRIP programme, including its objectives and the KIPP programme for grassroots innovators.

This industry engagement workshop was organised by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to strengthen the relationship between CPUT and the DTIC, “specifically focusing on the THRIP”. “The primary objective was to showcase the THRIP programme to CPUT researchers and industry partners, illustrating the benefits and opportunities it offers, funding for collaborative research, access to advanced research facilities and expertise, skills development and human resource training, commercialisation of research outcomes,” said Jayde Barends, Senior Technology Transfer Officer.

The workshop also aimed to provide attendees with insights into successful projects funded by THRIP, highlight challenges and non-fundable aspects, and outline the application process. CPUT in collaboration with industry partners, presented four potential projects for THRIP funding, demonstrating the range of opportunities for collaboration. “The ultimate goal was to equip participants with an understanding of the THRIP program, encouraging more robust and higher-quality and relevant applications from industry partners seeking collaboration with universities such as CPUT,” Barends stated.

She added that the event was well-received, achieving its purpose of providing a comprehensive overview of the THRIP programme and the presentations and discussions effectively communicated the programme's objectives and the opportunities it presents for industry-academic collaboration. “The workshop successfully raised awareness about the THRIP programme and its benefits, likely leading to increased interest and participation in future applications.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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