It's been a little more than a year since Stellenbosch University's postgraduate programme in renewable and sustainable energy studies opened its doors and welcomed its first students. In the department of electrical and electronic engineering, novel electrical machines are studied to be used in wind and hydro-energy applications.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, not exactly a country synonymous with state-of-the-art scientific facilities, is about to get a new multimillion-rand laboratory, which, when completed, will be the envy of the mining world. When completed at the end of this year, the facility will have the capacity to produce 100 000 tonnes annually of copper cathode and 12 000 tonnes annually of cobalt cathode.
Some of South Africa's leading scientists, science fundis and environmental experts are working on solutions to arrest global warming and help alleviate its effects. Electrical engineer Professor Pragasen Pillay is one of them. He specialises in using science and technology to reduce household waste and is adamant that environmental charity begins at home.