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

Her work, including the first regional study on the use of private
protected areas and the lack of justification of high densities of
elephants for ecotourism, has important policy implications.
PhD student, Ms Zengeni, and Prof Vincent Kakembo measuring CO2
flux from intact thicket vegetation at Amakhala Game Reserve.
Technology Stations
NMMU has two Technology Stations funded by the Technology
Innovation Agency: eNtsa, headed by Prof Danie Hattingh; and
the Downstream Chemicals Technology Station, headed by Dr Gary
Dugmore. The aim of the Technology Station Programme is to
assist SMME's to improve their competitiveness and innovation in a
selected technical area. The two NMMU Technology Stations assist
many SMME's in the Port Elizabeth area.
eNtsa - Technology Station
Team Leader: Prof Danie Hattingh
eNtsa is a Technology Station of the Technology Innovation Agency
(TIA). The NMMU-based eNtsa unit is recognised as a prominent
research, design and technology support unit for the advanced
manufacturing sector in South Africa. The initial focus of eNtsa
was the automotive sector with a very strong emphasis on supplier
development of component manufacturers. As the expertise of the
group grew, the project scope broadened and became more reflective
of the wider engineering and manufacturing sector. The expansion in
scope created new opportunities enabling the transfer of innovative
technologies and applications, proudly developed within the NMMU.
eNtsa’s funding is predominantly obtained from two categories
of sources. The first stream is from the TIA Grant. Currently, eNtsa
has a three-year grant from TIA, which is primarily provided for
operational expenses and the establishment of infrastructure to
perform technology transfer services. The second stream of income
is from paying clients, this could be private business, public funds
(SPII), incentive schemes, NGOs or international donors.
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Currently, eNtsa consists of 24 members, which include researchers,
engineers, academics and office professionals, with contract
research projects in excess of R20 million. The operational culture
of eNtsa is best summarised by the groups’ slogan "innovation
through engineering" and eNtsa’s Vision: "engineering innovative
solutions for a sustainable future". The terms "innovation" and
"engineering" are broadly used in today’s society. Within eNtsa’s
context, innovation refers to the creation of better or more effective
products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by
markets. On the other hand, engineering refers to the discipline
of acquiring and applying scientific and practical knowledge in
order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems,
materials and processes that safely realises the improvements to
the lives of people.
Apart from academic publications, postgraduate student development,
patents and artefacts the most rewarding and tangible output relates to
the technology developed and transferred to industry. This encourages
an environment in which industry can be presented with unique
engineering solutions. Two examples that had the most impact is the
development of a nine metre long Friction Stir Welding (FSW) platform
for GRW Engineering (GRW) and the collaboration with Eskom using
Friction Taper Stud Welding to repair engineering structures.
Firstly, the GRW project allows the company to explore the use of
FSW as an alternative manufacturing technique for building road
tankers. This technology will provide GRW a global competitive
advantage and is envisaged to result in the reduction in production
time and cost. Additionally, the added benefit of using FSW will
ensure a superior joint quality as opposed to current conventional
techniques.
Secondly, the Eskom project relates to the development of the
WeldCore TM process. NMMU researchers in collaboration with
Eskom have developed and patented this exciting new technique,
now trademarked as WeldCore TM . WeldCore TM is the result of
almost a decade’s research based on developing an innovative
alternative solution to do in-situ material sampling and reparation
of high pressure steam lines for the worldwide power generation
sector. This technology is known for its value proposition as a
process developed with the aim of assisting with decision-making
around remnant life prediction of current engineering structures.
Furthermore, the process relates to reducing the risk of unexpected
catastrophic failure and reduction of plant downtime, which
contributes to substantial cost savings.
A meeting held on 13 May 2011 between eNtsa and an engineering
team from Eskom, finalised the details for implementation of an
R11 million research contract. This contract, one of the largest
research contracts awarded to the NMMU, is in support of
late stage research and development for the finalisation and
commercialisation of the coring and friction process repair
technique, trademarked by the NMMU as WeldCore TM .