The Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) is divided into two focus areas of Research (Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability). Further to these two focus areas of research, iNanoWS undertakes research on five thematic areas and flagship projects under which various strategic projects relating to nanotechnology and water sustainability are developed. See staff profiles for specific projects.
Development and innovation leading to prototypes and treatment protocols are carried out in collaboration with industry and utility partners.
Research, Development and Innovation Leaders are scientists who have expertise and experience in the field of nanotechnology and water sustainability.
The Focus Area encompasses three thematic areas, Applied Electrochemistry (AEC), Membrane Science and Technology (MST) and Nanostructured Materials (NSM). Research activities cover the development and application of materials for water treatment, sensing and energy storage devices. The purpose of the Focus Area is to enhance governance through coordinated thematic plans, strategies and interactions between the thematic areas. The goal is to improve research output, student completion rates, human capacity development and the visibility of iNanoWS and Unisa both locally and internationally.
Focus Area Leader: Prof R Moutloali (moutlrm@unisa.ac.za)
1. Applied Electrochemistry (AEC) Thematic Area
The Applied Electrochemistry Thematic Area aims at exploiting the electrochemical properties of nanomaterials in providing solutions to challenges associated with water pollution, sensing of pollutants and clean energy production. The emphasis includes solving societal water-related problems using research and innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Ultimate applications of the nanomaterials include bio/sensors, capacitive deionization, photoelectrochemical reactors, supercapacitors and batteries. This thematic area is further divided into three main focus research areas: Environmental Water Sensors and ElectroCatalysts, Electrochemical Energy Materials and Electrochemical Water Desalination that address the need for smart and miniaturized devices for rapid real-time determination and removal of target pollutants (organic, inorganic and pathogens), development of fully integrated next-generation rechargeable hybrid battery-supercapacitor (supercapbattery) electrical energy storage devices and the development of materials that can be applied in the construction of a flow-through desalination system as anode and cathode capacitive deionization (CDI) electrodes respectively.
Thematic Area Leader: Prof U Feleni (felenu@unisa.ac.za)
2. Membrane Science and Technology (MST) Thematic Area
The Membrane Science and Technology Thematic Area integrates separation science and nanotechnology to develop advanced membranes with superior properties such as high-water transport, good solute rejection and reduced membrane fouling propensity. Emphasis is directed on investigating the fundamental principles of asymmetric membrane preparation using basic polymers and their blends with nanoparticles. In addition, the group focuses on the characterization of novel and new generation membranes using various probing techniques to generate knowledge on surface properties, structural configuration, mass transfer and pollutant removal. These membranes are evaluated using various processes (UF, NF, RO, FO) for an array of purposes such as surface and wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, and gas separation. Most importantly, a particular focus is directed towards optimising promising laboratory scale technologies for demonstration/pilot scale evaluation and eventual commercialization.
Thematic Area leader: Dr MM Motsa (motsamm@unisa.za)
3. Nanostructured Materials (NSM) Thematic Area
Nanostructured Materials Thematic Area is an interdisciplinary research thematic area focused on the synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured materials for environmental and energy applications. Particular focus is centred on the understanding of the synthesis methods, characterization techniques, nanostructure evolution and fundamental knowledge of nanostructured material properties for specific target applications. A wide range of nanoscale characterization tools (transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman etc.) are used to probe the nanostructured materials across all dimension scales. Current projects include Nanomaterial synthesis and characterisation, Photocatalysis for pollutant degradation, AOPs for environmental remediation, AMD treatment and spinel ferrite-based AOPs, Nano-Electronics and environmental prototypes, Polymer supported nanoparticles and resource recovery, Nanoconjugates as photocatalysts for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and photo-oxidation of pollutants, Nanocomposites for pollutant removal and hydrogen production, Semiconductor and metal nanomaterials and fabrication of polymer fibres. By tying together chemical engineering principles, surface chemistry and materials science, the thematic area aims to design and fabricate nanostructured materials-based devices for the maintenance of a clean environment and healthy ecosystems hence contributing to improvements in human health, productivity and sustainable economic development.
Thematic Area Leader: Prof AT Kuvarega (kuvarat@unisa.ac.za)
The Water Sustainability (WS) Focus Area comprises two thematic areas, namely Analytical and Environmental Research (AER) and Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies (UWC&WTT).
Focus Area Leader: Prof TAM Msagati (msagatam@unisa.ac.za)
1. Analytical and Environmental Research (AER) Thematic Area
In the Analytical and Environmental Research Thematic Area, the main activities are centred on the development of analytical methods and procedures that are sensitive and selective enough to detect pollutants (organic, inorganic and pathogens) in the aquatic environments to the levels below the guidelines. The development of analytical procedures includes sampling protocols, sample preparation techniques including passive sampling technologies for both chemical and pathogenic species. In addition, other activities include risk assessment, the establishment of toxicological data and patterns of all pollutants in the aquatic environments and the development of models to predict their bioavailability under changing environmental and climatic conditions. AER is also involved in the preparation of kits for analytical procedures and also the development of models that can be used for the establishment of guidelines. This thematic area also is tasked to come up with bioremediation technologies to mitigate the environment where technologies that fall under wetlands bioremediation, microbial leaching and biodegradation of pollutants are being developed and optimized to suite for the target pollutants in selected environments. The development of environmental surveillance schemes for pollutants is part of the activities done under AER.
Thematic Area Leader: Prof LM Madikizela (madiklm@unisa.ac.za)
2. Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies (UWC&WTT) Thematic Area
The Urban Water Cycle and Water Treatment Technologies Thematic Area focuses on understanding the key elements of the urban water cycle, the global drivers for urban water management, and developing new and innovative water treatment technologies. UWC&WTT consists of three research streams, namely: (1) Natural Organic Matter (NOM) Research and De Facto Reuse Modelling, (2) Development of Water Quality Assessment Technologies, and (3) Wastewater-based Epidemiology and Sustainable Urban Wastewater Sludge and Resource Reuse. NOM research involves characterization, measurement, and monitoring of NOM to enable the development of novel methods for degrading/removing NOM from South African water resources. The de facto reuse project is aimed at quantifying and modelling water bodies polluted by de facto reuse in SA. The second research stream adopts the combined strategy of passive sampling (i.e., routine monitoring of emerging pollutants in aquatic environments) and bioassay measurements (i.e., implementation of effect-based methods (EBM) in the evaluation of the performance of treatment technologies as part of water safety planning as well as determining potential impacts of wastewater discharges to surface waters). The last research stream covers; (i) the chemical analysis of specific human metabolic excretion products (biomarkers) in wastewater for public health monitoring (i.e., wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)), and (ii) characterization of pollutant fate across different sludge treatment units and an investigation of costs resulting from sludge transport and treatment.
Thematic Area Leader: Dr TJ Malefetse (maleftj@unisa.ac.za)
1. Marine Science Research (MSR)
Marine Science Research encompasses research activities that make use of the marine environment, coastal areas and estuaries. For instance,
2. Environmental Biotechnology Flagship (EBT)
Environmental Biotechnology Flagship focuses on projects that utilize terrestrial biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products. Examples of Research Activities:
3. Africa-nuanced Sustainable Development Goals Research Support Programme (ASDG-RSP)
Africa-nuanced Sustainable Development Goals Research Support Programme involves research activities that address certain SDGs mainly 3, 6 and 11:
Flagship Leader: Prof. TAM Msagati (msagatam@unisa.ac.za)
Last modified: Mon Oct 02 06:01:40 SAST 2023