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The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has successfully produced 316L stainless-steel powder using a recently commissioned ultrasonic atomiser machine, co-funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). This machine produces high-quality powders that have the required particle size, flowability and density for use in additive manufacturing (AM), specifically for powder bed fusion techniques. Currently, South Africa depends on imports to access powders of this quality.
The ultrasonic atomiser machine is designed to make various metal powders from both reactive and nonreactive materials. Utilising this capability, the CSIR is positioned to provide, at a pilot scale, 316L stainless-steel powder to the South African market. The powder production process involves meticulous characterisation using advanced analytical methods to ensure consistency in particle size distribution, flowability and packing density.
Media invite
Innovative technologies developed by the CSIR to improve safety and security in the country will be displayed at the technology demonstration day event taking place in Pretoria on 7 February 2019.
The purpose of the event is to showcase the latest defence and security related technologies that have reached advanced stages of technological maturity where further industrialisation can take place.
On 8th of March 2019, the CSIR launched a state-of-the-art online climate risk profiling and adaptation tool to assist municipalities across South Africa to assess climate risks and growth pressures, by implementing adaptation actions towards the development of climate resilient human settlements.
“The open access, online tool – named the Green Book – is intended to be an applied knowledge resource for municipalities to address climate change impacts and vulnerabilities in human settlements.
The CSIR has released the findings of a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of grocery carrier bags in South Africa. LCSA is a useful tool that unpacks the environmental, social and economic impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. The study shows that reusable plastic carrier bags are the best option in South Africa, as they have a subtantially lower environmental impact compared to single-use bags – provided that consumers do actually reuse them.
Media statement
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the CSIR are strengthening their partnership through formalised technical cooperation to accelerate technology development in Africa.
The renewed cooperation covers the conduct of applied research, development and innovation (RDI) with a strong focus on localised transformative technologies and accelerating their deployment for socioeconomic transformation.
Conventional reading is currently accessible only to the traditionally literate person. Many school learners face barriers to reading, and consequently learning, due to early literacy difficulties, visual impairment, dyslexia and other special educational needs. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is helping to change this with the development of a user-friendly application (app) that adds and synchronises human-narrated or computer-generated audio to text.
With the expertise and involvement of a team of port and coastal engineers from the CSIR, the website of the CLDSA now offers daily water temperature readings of the Atlantic water temperature enveloping Robben Island. This is set to benefit the iconic isle that continues to attract swimmers and athletes from across the world, notably, marathon swimmers who enjoy extreme endurance and adventure in the chilly waters off Cape Town.
Table Mountain authorities in the Western Cape may soon call on firefighter drones to detect and extinguish small fires in hard-to-reach places before they spread to the City of Cape Town.
CSIR researchers are producing mycotoxins that will support the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) to provide more affordable and easily accessible measurement standards for mycotoxin testing by laboratories locally and on the continent.
CSIR researchers in polymers and composites are making strides in the development of bioplastics that will be 100% biodegradable and suitable for recycling. This technology will contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution and could boost local job creation in manufacturing.