Top Ten Innovators
A recent innovation competition hosted by
Catalyst Innovation Incubator and Deloitte and Touche listed the following top ten innovations from
South African Universities. From remediation of valuable chemicals, to novel
biopesticides to biotechnology.
Acid Purification and Separation - First Prize
Petrochemical companies produce waste acid streams containing organic acids.
Currently these streams are disposed of by incineration. A simple and effective
process that recovers and purifies organic acids from petrochemical companies'
waste acid stream has been developed. These organic acids are fine chemicals
that are used in the production of plasticisers, flavourings, fragrances and
pharmaceuticals. These acids are presently being produced using expensive raw
materials and catalysts. The process developed by Reshan is simple, cost
effective, and offers waste generators globally a revenue-generating alternative
to disposal
by incineration. Enter here for more details.
Developed by Reshan Sewnarain, a MSc student in Chemical Engineering at
the University of Natal.
Development Tools for Ultra High-Speed Computers - Second Prize
A programmable gate array (PGA) and a computer-aided design (CAD) program
have been developed to help automate the design of computer processors made from
recently developed superconductor technologies. These superconductor
technologies potentially allow the design of processors that will operate at 100
times the speed of the present day systems, which will have enormous
repercussions for the global computing industry. However, engineers have not
been able to utilise this new technology, because the tools to effectively
design complex superconductor chips have not existed. Global patents for the PGA
and CAD tools are being taken out.
Peter Gross, Coenrad Fourie, Dept of Chemical engineering, University of
Stellenbosch.
Entomopathogenic Nematode-based Bioinsecticides - Third Prize
A number of indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes (natural organisms) which
function as bioinsecticides have been identified. These bioinsecticides will
provide commercially viable alternative to the chemical insecticides currently
used by crop farmers and golf course greens-keepers to control the majority of
insect pests. The advantage of using these natural organisms is two-fold. There
will be a reduction in the chemical load in the food chain and in groundwater,
and a reduction in the health risks farm workers are exposed to when applying
chemical insecticides.
Sarah Taylor, PhD student, Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wits.
In no particular order:
The biotransformation of phenolic industrial pollutants
A method of bioremediating (treatment using biological means) and adding value
to phenolic pollutants has been developed. These phenolic substances form a
major part of environmental pollutants that are produced in petroleum refining,
coking and coal conversion, chemical plants, foundries, and pulp and paper
plants. The presence of these compounds in drinking and irrigation water
represents a health and environmental hazard. The bioremediation method, which
uses environmentally friendly biological systems, transforms these toxic
chemicals into non-harmful chemicals, and in some cases into high-value fine
chemicals. This idea will have global applications.
Daniel Ryan and Aileen Boshoff (PhD students, Department of Biochemistry and
Microbiology, Rhodes University)
IQhilika Mead Production
A unique, low cost, method of producing iQhilika, a mead, has been developed and
patented. iQhilika is an ancient South African honey beverage traditionally
brewed from beehive components and the roots of the imoela plant or
Trichodiadema sp. succulents, by batch fermentation methods. Garth has designed
and developed a state-of-the-art continuous fermentation method and filtration
system to produce a clear, golden product. This commercially viable process
produces an authentic and marketable 13% alcohol iQhilika from honey and pollen.
The product is to be marketed globally, and initial orders have already been
received. Previously featured at Science in Africa: Enter
here for more details or visit www.iqhilika.co.za
Garth Cambray, M.Sc. student, Department of Biotechnology, Rhodes University.
Neural Software for Process Control
Process control methods used in many processing industries remain largely
linear, which result in costly inefficiencies when production processes exhibit
non-linear behaviour. A mathematical computing process, known as a symbiotic
adaptive neuro-evolution algorithm, was developed to reduce these
inefficiencies. The new non-linear system results in the implementation of a
system allowing for substantial increases in productivity and substantial cost
savings in many processing industries. This technology is aimed at buyers in
local and international processing industries. Enter here
for more information.
Alex Conradie, PhD student, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of
Stellenbosch
Caprirab Rabies and Lumpy Skin Vaccine
A novel two-in-one vaccine, Caprirab, has been developed for cows. Caprirab will
be used to vaccinate cows against both lumpy skin and rabies. Traditionally two
separate vaccines have had to be used. The Caprirab vaccine has a number of
other advantages: it is more stable (against temperature, light and oxidation),
it only needs to be administered once (whereas traditional rabies vaccines have
to be administered annually) and because of its stability, can be administered
orally (as opposed to injection). Caprirab, which has been patented, is likely
to also prove useful for other domestic animals, as well as wildlife, in Africa
and potentially South America.
Kate Aspden, PhD student, Department of Medical Virology, University of Cape
Town.
Electro-seismic Survey System
An enhanced Electro-seismic Survey System (ESS) has been developed that can more
accurately and reliably determine the presence of groundwater and provide
information about its depth. The ESS is based on the phenomenon of
electro-seismic signals that are generated through the relative movement of
water against the rock matrix. This movement of the ground water is established
through a seismic wave. By proper processing and interpretation of the
electro-seismic signal, the presence of groundwater and the estimated depth can
be determined more accurately and reliably than possible with current
technologies. This innovation will reduce the time and cost required for
identifying groundwater sources. Enter here for more
information.
Rainier Dennis, MSc, Geohydrology Department, University of the Orange Free
State
Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
A Gene-based drug for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
employing specifically designed multi-ribozymes has been developed. Chronic HBV
infection is a major global cause of mortality and annually accounts for 1.2
million deaths. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, the control and
treatment of HBV is largely ineffective. Existing therapies and emerging
approaches all suffer from complications that are addressed by Marc's multi-ribozyme-based
technology. Moreover, the drug, once on the market, will be cheaper to
manufacture and the treatment regime easier to manage than existing therapies.
Marc Weinberg, PhD student, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology,
University of the Witwatersrand.
Immune Monitoring Kit for HIV/Aids
A method for monitoring the progression of HIV infected patients to AIDS in the
primary Health Care setting is being developed. The immune status of an HIV
infected patient is monitored by the number of CD4 T-cell lymphocytes. This is
of value when instituting anti-retroviral as well as prophylactic therapy for
opportunistic infections in HIV, and can improve the quality of life of infected
individuals. Current methods of CD4 monitoring rely on first world technology
which is expensive and requires technical skill. This technology is not
available in the primary Health Care setting. Lesley's kit is aimed at providing
affordable point-of-care semi-quantitative CD4 testing.
Lesley Scott, PhD student, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology,
University of the Witwatersrand.
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