2011-NMMU-Research-Report - Research Management - Nelson ...

Re-evaluations:
Prof AJ Christopher: B2
Prof Anthony (AJ) Christopher is working in the related fields of
political and historical geography. His focus area has been upon the
organisation and workings of the population census in Commonwealth
countries, especially South Africa. There has been a shift towards
complexity - in terms of data gathering during census. Whereas
previously the census questionnaire would have questions on a few
items of census data, information sought of late is often a multi-page
per individual requiring a hundred or more pieces of information .
Prof Christopher has done ongoing research in the meticulous
analysis of census data and land records located in a wide range
of cities and countries. His research has been firmly rooted in place
and space, and has varied in scale from the global, to the individual
cities. He has produced several papers devoted to the analyses of
data from the population censuses of South Africa.
Prof Christopher’s published works have contributed to the
understanding of political geography, particularly the significance
of the census as a source of information - especially the ordering of
information in a form intelligible to the state bureaucracy. In future,
he will continue the comparative analysis of the Commonwealth
census with regard to questions of identity (nationality, race, ethnic
group, language and religion).
Prof Ernest van Dyk: C2
Prof Ernest van Dyk’s research is focused on photovoltaic (PV)cell,
module and systems characterisation and development. In addition
to standard PV characterisation his work has included the use
of specialised characterisation tools such as light beam induced
current measurements (LBIC), electroluminescence (EL) and infrared
thermography. Various LBIC systems have been developed that enable
the detection and identification of performance limiting defects in
regular and concentrator solar cells, and PV modules. These systems use
focused laser light or focused sunlight as a beam probe. An important
aspect of PV characterisation is the extraction of device parameters.
Advanced parameter extraction algorithms employing particle swarm
optimisation or differential evolution are employed and have also been
used to analyse point-by-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics
obtained from LBIC measurements. Research on PV systems includes
small solar home systems appropriate for use in rural communities and
larger grid-connected systems. The latter includes kW-scale systems for
embedded generation and large power plant scale systems.
The development of concentrator PV (CPV) technology is a large part
of his research. CPV technology has the potential to substantially
reduce the cost of electricity generated from PV and the aim of this
research is to develop a suitable high concentrator PV (HCPV) and
low concentrator PV (LCPV) modules for manufacture in South Africa.
Prof Andrew Leitch: C2
Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Andrew Leitch has had an
NRF rating for more than 20 years. His recent C2 rating from the
NRF is evidence of his ability to maintain a strong research activity
in spite of the administrative pressures linked to being Dean of the
Faculty. “To lead a Faculty that has such an international research
profile, it is important for me as Dean to maintain my research
standing - and with it the NRF rating,” says Prof Leitch.
Over the past few years, his research has focused on optical fibre
technologies for the next generation telecommunications network
in Africa. He leads the Optical Fibre Research Unit, which he
established in the Department of Physics in 2001.
Since 2004, when the first postgraduate students graduated, ten
MSc and six PhD graduates have received their degrees following
research projects carried out in the Unit, and a number of papers
in relevant international scientific journals are published each year.
The Unit continues to receive funding from relevant industrial
stakeholders, as well as from the NRF, THRIP and the National Laser
Centre in South Africa.
Prof Leitch has also been able to develop strong research ties with
other African countries including Kenya, Tunisia and Uganda. These
are funded by the African Laser Centre, of which Prof Leitch was
a founding member. In Europe, the collaborative linkages have
been with the Danish Technical University and the University of
Padova (Italy). These linkages have resulted in numerous student
exchanges, all of which have been of great value to the students.
Prof Danie Hattingh: C1
Prof Danie Hattingh is a C1 rated researcher, NRF grant holder
and niche area leader within Engineering Manufacturing. He has
been extensively involved in research capacity and infrastructure
development and a founding member of the Friction Processing
Research Institute (FPRI) and is currently the Director of both
FPRI and eNtsa, a research and technology transfer centre at the
NMMU. He introduced the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology
to South Africa and started an active research programme during
2001 with the aim of creating an internationally-recognised facility
that would contribute knowledge and expertise to develop the FSW
technology for the manufacturing industry.
Prof Hattingh is now internationally-recognised and his research
group recently developed a platform and process, trademarked as
WeldCore TM , a novel online, in-situ core removal and repair procedure.
The unique process has two international patents associated with it
and won the National Innovation Fund Competition.
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