Dr Odireleng Martin Ntwaeaborwa, senior lecturer in the department of physics at the University of the Free State, is the recipient of this year’s award for his contribution to the understanding and harnessing of light emitting nanomaterials for practical applications.
He is engaged in leading research on the synthesis and characterisation of luminescent nanomaterials —- known as nanophosphors -— using a sol-gel process. The aim of his research is to produce efficient nanophosphors and to evaluate them for use in light emitting devices.
Born and raised in Mokasa 2, near Taung in the North West, Ntwaeaborwa has conducted most of his research in the United States.
“In days of old our phosphors were imported from overseas,” says Ntwaeaborwa.
“I then went to the US to learn how to synthesise the phosphor materials and although it’s not commercialised yet, these materials can now be produced in South Africa.”
He says his research interest in nanophosphors has been stimulated by the fact that their optical properties can differ drastically from those of traditional bulk phosphors.
Ntwaeaborwa obtained his PhD in physics in 2006 from the University of the Free State. He obtained his BSc Ed, BSc Honours (physics) and MSc (physics) degrees from the Mafikeng campus of the North West University in 1997, 1998 and 2000 respectively and has also worked as a physics lecturer at the University of the North-West (Mafikeng Campus) and the University of the North (Qwa-Qwa Campus) before joining the UFS.
He has published 19 research articles including an invited book chapter in the past five years and has given more than 20 talks at local and international conferences.