Interviews
Prof Alexander Quandt – Winner of the 2019 Special Annual Theme Award: Materials for inclusive economic development
'For his pioneering work in computational materials science with applications to nano-materials, optics/photonics and renewable energy research'
24 June 2020
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Award
'The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (Expo) creates excitement for science through research-based projects and encourages more students to take up science-oriented subjects and careers'
6 May 2020
Innovation Award
'For an innovative new production method to provide hydrogen inexpensively and totally pollution free' Award Categories:
3 April 2020
The 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 for Innovation Award was won by Hydrox Holdings Ltd the Johannesburg based R&D (research and development) company in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) category. Their innovative production method to provide hydrogen inexpensively is also totally pollution free.
Hydrox specialises in membraneless water electrolysis and are the developers of the patented Divergent-Electrode-Flow-Through (DEFTTM) Technology. This technology provides a cost effective and robust solution by removing the need for costly and degradable membranes. The prize was accepted by the Chief Executive Office and team leader, Mr Cornelis de Jager. Read more.
Wits Communications Services
The Wits Communication Services team is committed to inspiring curiosity, creating new knowledge, making research accessible and impacting on society through innovative science communication'
2 April 2020
The 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 for Communication Award was won by Wits Communications Services thanks to their exceptional work in furthering awareness of science and research. Many of the campaigns undertaken by the team, such as the Homo Naledi fossil find and research, achieved global coverage and awareness.
“The Wits Communications team is committed to making research and science accessible through creative strategies and multiple platforms to reach different audiences,” says Ms Shirona Patel, head of communications at Wits.“This can only be successful through working with scientists and their extended teams around the world to make their work visible to various
publics, both locally and globally.” Read more.
Professor Tandi Matsha
The genomics of cardiometabolic diseases
5 March 2020
The 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 Data for Research Award was won by Professor Tandi Matsha, SARChi Chair in Cardiometabolic Health, for her work in the genomics of cardiometabolic diseases.
The Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing at the Central University for Technology
3D printing to rebuild deformed faces of South Africans from poor backgrounds pro bono
5 March 2020
The 2018/2019 Innovation: Corporate Organisation Award was won by The Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing at the Central University for Technology, Mr Gerrie Booysen, accepted the award, which was made to CRPM Unit, Central University of Technology for using 3D printing to rebuild deformed faces of South Africans from poor backgrounds pro bono.
Prof Martine Visser
Spearheading a project with the City of Cape Town, in which behavioural nudges were successfully used to conserve water during the water crisis
7 February 2020
The 2018/2019 NSTF-Water Research Commission Award was awarded to Prof Martine Visser of the University of Cape Town (UCT) 'for spearheading a project with the City of Cape Town in which behavioural nudges were successfully used to conserve water during the water crisis'.
Ms Nickey Janse van Rensburg
Connecting the worlds of academia and industry to grow the green economy
28 November 2019
The 2018/2019 NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award was won by the Process, Energy and Environmental Technology Station at the UJ-PEETS. Technology Station Manager, Ms Nickey Janse van Rensburg, accepted the award, which was made to UJ-PEETS for ‘Enabling technology transfer and interaction between academia and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to stimulate and support technology innovation in the green economy by providing subsidised engineering services to SMMEs in the green economy'.
Professor Elvis Fosso-Kankeu
Improving water quality
8 November 2019
Associate Professor: School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University received the award 'For monitoring environmental water to raise awareness among poor communities and nationally'. His research focuses on the prediction of the dispersion of inorganic and organic pollutants from industrial areas into surface water sources, the monitoring of water quality and the development of sustainable treatment methods.
