Media Releases
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), as well as the plastics and road industries, is working on a demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of using waste plastic in local road construction.
The National Cleaner Production South Africa (NCPC-SA) will facilitate and participate in the process of developing a Peer Recognition mechanism for resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) and other green economy professionals in South Africa.
The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) will host its fourth Industrial Efficiency Conference in September at the CSIR ICC in Pretoria.
Female researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are spearheading research to improve the country’s competitiveness in additive manufacturing and stem cell reprogramming.
Speaking to the media in Pretoria recently, the researchers commended the CSIR for providing a conducive environment for them to excel in all areas, including those that were previously dominated by their male counterparts.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will be showcasing its Biomanufacturing, Agroprocessing and Health Innovation technologies at the inaugural Bio Africa Convention, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre from 26 to 28 August 2019.
Female researchers working in additive manufacturing will brief the media of some of their research breakthroughs, made using the world’s largest 3D printer, which is housed at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Only a handful of people in South Africa have mastered Stem Cell reprogramming and Dimakatso Gumede (34) is one of them. As a CSIR candidate researcher of the bioengineering and integrated genomics research group, she works on creating disease models of the innate immune system to study unique African gene variants that lead to elite controllers that naturally control viral load levels without antiretroviral therapy.
Hundreds of learners who attend the CSIR annual career day have described it as an eye opener in learning more about various careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This year, the event was used to highlight the impact and effects of climate change in South Africa. Learners were exposed to various technologies developed by the CSIR to curb climate change. This is in line with the 2019 National Science Week (NSW) theme “Facing the harsh realities of climate change”.
The leakage of plastic waste into the environment, especially in the marine environment, is an issue of growing global concern. In South Africa, the need to find sustainable solutions is highlighted by the growing consumption of single-use plastic combined with weak waste collection, recycling and disposal systems. According to research conducted by Jambeck et al in 2015, the country ranked 11th in terms of the mass of mismanaged plastic waste by countries globally in 2010.