Digital Story Collection

Making sense of fuel sloshing

Local experts are collaborating to build a capability in the analysis and design of aircraft fuel tanks. The collaborators are the CSIR (through the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the dti), Denel Aerostructures and the University of Pretoria.

Microbes in biodiverse Cape soil may lead to promising molecular biology reagents

The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve in the Western Cape is one of the world's most recognised biodiversity hotspots. CSIR researchers have identified microbes from the reserve's soil that may be used to produce protein molecular biology reagents used in genome engineering.

Helping entrepreneurs with environmental impact assessments

The CSIR helps entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses but find themselves in unfamiliar environmental regulatory territory through the Special Needs and Development Programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Using biometrics to identify minors

The CSIR is investigating a suitable biometric­­ - using the ear, iris and fingerprint - for the automatic recognition of children's identities from birth till adulthood.

Refurbishing steam turbine components with laser technology

The CSIR and Eskom have developed a laser welding process to reconstruct tenons on turbine rotor blade tips which may lead to significant cost savings at power plants.

Equipping a next generation of young small-scale farming entrepreneurs

The CSIR is implementing an innovation and rural economic development programme that assists young rural participants to enter the farming industry as entrepreneurs.

Collaborating to advance quantum physics

The CSIR and Stellenbosch University are collaborating to boost local training of experts to do fundamental research in the field of quantum physics. CSIR physicist, Dr Herman Uys, is the research chair in quantum, optical and atomic physics at the university’s science faculty.

Cmore wildlife in action

The CSIR has developed an innovative shared awareness and integration platform, Cmore, using modern web and mobile technology. It addresses the need for situation awareness and collaboration amongst users through the consolidation of information from various sensors and external systems as well as real-time analytics.

The evidence of our warming continent and the impact on SA industrial sectors

Bio-degradable plastic bags

The CSIR is making fully bio-degradable plastic materials by using plant-based polymers to replace the currently used synthetic polymers. The technology will see plastic bags that end up in landfills bio-degrading within 90 days.

Towards smart water use in South African apple orchards

Understanding the water use of apple orchards in a dry country like South Africa is increasingly important. Zanele Ntshidi is part of a CSIR team of scientists that is studying the water use of apple orchards in the Western Cape.

CSIR develops chemical-free water purification solution for water in rural areas

The CSIR together with local and international partners has developed a low-cost purification system to help make water in rural and peri-urban areas safe to drink. The system uses no chemicals and less energy than conventional systems.

Discovery of a new coastal current off Madagascar

South African, Malagasy and French researchers have discovered the existence of a coastal current off Madagascar. The newly-described current, the South-west Madagascar Coastal Current, flows poleward off the south-west coast of Madagascar.

Laser-based Manufacturing Facility

New device monitors indoor airborne infection risk

The CSIR has developed an electronic device that monitors indoor carbon dioxide levels and generates an alarm when corrective action is needed.

The CSIR tests a novel turbine wing for its inventor

The CSIR has tested a novel new turbine wing for its South African inventor, using the organisation’s seven-metre wind tunnel. The wing, called BRAYFOIL, was assessed by researchers for its power output potential.