Smart Places

Studies say scientists and industrialists need to collaborate to find ways to reduce risks Some of the most common household products, including sunscreens, hair relaxers, lotions and cleaning detergents, contain engineered nanomaterial ingredients that, when released into the environment, have t...

A novel research study by the CSIR and Stellenbosch University to quantify water uses nationwide shows that, while South Africa’s largest water user is the agricultural sector, in Gauteng; industrial water use is the highest. “An ability to quantify water use is key to the planning, management an...

A team of CSIR researchers recently published a book titled Green Economy Implementation in the Agriculture Sector: Moving from Theory to Practice. The book addresses a distinct gap, as there are currently no guidelines available for planning and implementing green economy projects in the agricul...

The Department of Energy released its draft Integrated Resource Plan on 27th of August 2018 to allow 60 days for public inputs and comments. The submission deadline was 26 October 2018. The CSIR consulted with various key stakeholders in the energy ecosystem towards the finalisation of its submis...

Devastating wildfires are known to cause irreparable damage the world over. Studies conducted by CSIR earth observation experts revealed that determining the end of the growing season is important to be able to assess the risk of fire spread in the African savannas. The ability to manage the Afri...

Is there enough space for all the wind turbines and solar panels to provide all our energy needs? What happens when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow? Won’t renewables destabilise the grid and cause blackouts? In a review paper last year in the high-ranking journal Renewable and Sus...