CSIR annual report 2009/2010 A solid overall...

CSIR annual report 2009/2010A solid overall performance

Presentation to the

Parliamentary Committee on

Science and Technology

Presented by CSIR Chairman of the Board, Prof Francis Petersen and

CSIR Executive

27 October 2010

© CSIR 2010 Slide 2

Presentation outline

• Performance against priorities: A summary

• Building and transforming human capital

• Strengthening the SET base and

transferring technology

• Maintaining financial sustainability and

good governance

• A selection of research undertaken

• Other contributions: Contributing to an

information society; enterprise creation for

development

• Looking forward: Focus strategies for

research impact areas


Performance against organisational priorities: A summary

• Building and transforming human capital:

continue with the development of significant

numbers of highly skilled people

• Strengthening the science,

engineering and technology base and

performing relevant R&D

• Transferring technology and

skilled human capital

• Safeguarding financial sustainability and

our good corporate governance record

•Sustained progress towards

achieving objectives

• Exceeded publishing target

• Participated in rewarding

collaborations

• Conducted world-class research

• Strengthened our platforms

to increase the impact on

economy and society

• Achieved a solid financial

performance in a tough

economic climate

• Unqualified audit

Building and transforming

human capital


05/06

05/06

31.7%

757

65%

1550

64.8%

1547

59%

1232

30.7%

732

26,3%

550

Actual

09/10

% of staff with Master’s

and PhD degrees

% of staff in SET base

Target

09/10

Actual

09/10

A stable staff base with improved skills profile

Dr Suretha Potgieter,

microfluidics

Dr Eunice

Ubomba-Jaswa,

microbiology

Target

09/10


06/07

48.8

32.3

53.5

32 32.9

52.2

06/07

A diverse staff base

% of SET base who are black % of SET base who are female

Target

09/10

Actual

09/10

Target

09/10Actual

09/10

Dr Inga Jacobs,

water governance

Dr Njabulo Siyakatshana,

chemical engineering,

mathematical modelling


26

66 59

116

175

102

192

232

141

05/06

05/0606/07

Investment in the human capital development pipeline

Studentships

supported

Interns supportedBursars appointed

Palesa Molukanele

Studentship: Master’s in environmental

sciences, research on deactivation of

viruses using lasers

Target

09/10

Actual

09/10 Target

09/10

Actual

09/10

Actual

09/10

Target

09/10

Slide 8 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 8

Strengthening the SET base

and transferring

technology


• Rigorous peer review in science journals:

a good proxy for research quality

• Articles published in ISI journals with an

impact factor > 2, increased to 38.1%

Sterling results in quantity, quality of publication in science journals

• Publication equivalent per researcher 0.72, up

from 0.63 in 2008/09

• Total number up by 11.2% from 2008/09

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Pu

bli

ca

tio

n e

qu

iva

len

t


• 13 new international national patents granted

• 38 inventions disclosed

Steady growth of cumulative patents granted in international territories

0

50

100

150

200

250

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Suite of patents for

treatment of acid

mine drainage

Pilot plant and

ongoing research

Safe eggs

Pasteurised eggs

Licensed

Compounds active

against malaria

parasite

Ongoing research

Maintaining financial

sustainability and good

governance


CSIR income

-

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

SA Private Sector SA Public Sector International Parliamentary Grant Royalty Income

Once again received

unqualified audit report

from the Auditor General

Baseline PG income:

up by 6,9%

Contract income:

up by 21,9%

Total operating income

up by 14,1% to R1 680m

• Net profit was R52,4 million

• Balance sheet remains strong to support future investments in scientific

infrastructure

A selection of research

undertaken in

CSIR research impact areas:

Built environment

Industry

Defence and security

Health

Natural environment

Energy


Hospital wards designed

and constructed to limit

the spread of tuberculosis


The challenge

• Insufficient infrastructure for growing TB epidemic, burden of M(X)DR-TB

• Often requires long-term treatment

• Some buildings not appropriately designed to reduce cross-infection

The research: low-cost, optimal TB units

• International guidelines reviewed, adapted for local requirements, conditions

• Computational fluid dynamics to model best natural ventilation

• International donor funding: The Global Fund R92m (plus R115m redirected

funding from SA Provinces)

Outcome

• Seven provincial departments of health will have improved TB infrastructure:

460 new beds each at 9 hospitals in 7 provinces

• Construction at first hospital site started in ’09: Manguzi in KZN completed

Hospital wards designed and constructed to limit the spread of tuberculosis


Video clip

Hospital wards designed and constructed to limit the spread of tuberculosis

(video)


Scale modelling of

harbours, ports

for improved safety

Coastal engineering and

port infrastructure research:

The journey to

being in demand

Slide 18 of 31

• Durban: Physical model of entrance

channel and sand bypass structure

• Cape Town: container design of

approach channels, mooring studies for

container vessels, terminal expansion

• East London: breakwater stability

• Saldanha: design of approach channels,

mooring studies for bulk carriers, ship

manoeuvring simulations, relocation of

oil terminal, conceptual design

• Table Bay: waves and currents

numerical modelling

• Richards Bay: dredge project, currents

and turbidity for numerical modelling

• Coega: EIA, physical modelling of the

port, testing of dolos breakwater, ship

motion

Richards bay

Port of Cape Town

Port of Saldanha

Port of Durban

East LondonTable Bay

Coastal engineering and port infrastructure research:

Local track record

• 30 yrs of engineering solutions, decision support for port

development and operation, partnering with the National

Ports Authority

Coega


The challenge

• Harbour and port construction, operation are complex: eg precise planning

needed for loading of 300 000 ton bulk carriers

• Irregular, ‘long’ waves dangerous for ship motion; wave protection structures;

passing distances

The research

• Design of major ports, wharfs around the world: Australia: Port Dampier,

Barrow Island, Hedland

United Arab Emirates: Khalifa

Qatar: Work has begun on Doha Harbour

Outcome

• Top coastal engineering and port infrastructure expertise for local and

international markets

• World-class facilities: one of few labs worldwide that can measure wave and

ship motion with <1mm accuracy

• CSIR developed unique high-accuracy wave measurement

system, keofloats

International demand for world-class techniques in scale-modelling of harbours


Laser technology:

- industrial diamonds

- repair of cracks in leaking

water coolers


The challenge

• Stress-induced damage in industrial diamonds used as tips e.g. in rock drilling

• Element 6 contracted CSIR for method to determine diamond’s heat

The research and development

• Use light to both heat and measure the heat – no physical contact with diamond

• Use ‘grey’ emissions from diamond to determine the temperature gradient

Outcome

• Laser-heating system for diamond demonstrated

• Element 6 can now use it to improve tool performance

Other highlights in laser technology for industry

• Laser welding that can seal and repair crack in leaking water coolers without

draining water coolers

• Produced a record-breaking high-energy laser pulse in mid infra-red of 200mJ

per pulse that may in future have wide variety of applications

Laser technology to study temperature-driven defects in

industrial diamonds


Turning titanium deposits

into metal for aerospace

and automotive parts


The challenge

• SA has world’s 2nd largest deposits of Ti, but country produces no Ti metal

• Aircraft and automobile industries expected to significantly increase the use of Ti

for lighter, stronger frames and engines

• Difficult to cast and form as it reacts to oxygen when heated above 600ºC,

causing it to become brittle

The research

• Making metal from the Ti deposits

• Investment casting and powder metallurgy technologies to create near net-

shaped titanium parts for aerospace and automotive applications

Outcome

• Developed and documented a mould-making process that allows the casting of

titanium parts

• Optimisation of the titanium investment casting process chain

• Establishment of a Titanium Centre of Competence, in partnership

with various role players

Turning titanium deposits into metal for aerospace and automotive parts


Sense-and-deploy

technology becomes

sought-after internationally


The challenge

• Protection of assets when transported eg in cash-in-transit vehicles

• Prevention of loss of life during heists

The research and development

• Sense-and-deploy technology used in polyurethane dispensing units

• Consists of foam dispenser, trigger unit and power pack

Outcome

• 600 units sold in South Africa, Nigeria, Brasil, Spain, Portugal for asset

protection purposes

• No successful attacks reported from users since implementation

Sense-and-deploy technology becomes sought-after internationally


Supporting the SA Air Force

in making the most

of its Gripens


The challenge

• Becoming a smart user of the most sophisticated SAAF combat aircraft ever

• Radar: Without local radar knowledge, can’t develop tactics and protection

against jamming

• Handling: Complex to fly – many subsystems, information-overload

• Cost of tactics development: Expensive without desktop simulation

The research and development:

• Radar: Expert support during design reviews, acceptance; used in simulation

• Handling: Understand and support fly-by-wire, identify shortcomings

• Tactics development: Desktop mission simulator developed

Outcome

• Radar: Local knowledge of the Gripen’s radar used in development of tactics

• Handling: Optimised for local flying weather and turbulence conditions

• Desktop simulation tool: Tactics developed for use with Denel’s 5th generation

A-Darter air-to-air missile; SAAF used Gripen tactics simulation capability

during World Cup to determine sensor coverage and to

develop flight paths for the Gripens

Supporting the SA Air Force in making the most of its Gripens


Supporting a safe

FIFA World Cup

through

interoperable

emergency

response systems


Challenge

• Overall situation control for all World Cup matches

• Requirement for emergency response capability during matches

• Need for relevant agencies to work together in coordinated and time-critical

manner: SAPS, SANDF, ambulance services, medical facilities, fire brigades

Research and development

• Aimed at improved situation awareness as part of emergency response

• Integration of communications systems: networks, air, land, sea

• Systems requirements definition support; interoperability problem identification;

specialist software development; software integration

• Participation in exercises before the event, experimentation with different

coordination and response approaches

Outcome

• Contributed to improved operational processes and tactics

• Contributed to SAPS/SANDF security readiness

• Lessons learnt to be used in border protection applications

Supporting a safe FIFA World Cup through interoperable emergency

response systems

In pursuit of a malaria

point-of-care device:

Improving the sensitivity

of technology in

diagnostic test strips


Challenge

• Malaria: One million deaths a year from a curable disease

• Microscopy is laborious and requires skills, but currently best diagnosis

• Rapid diagnosis, early treatment can reduce mortality and save cost

Research

• CSIR has developed a particle with a loosely linked polymer matrix

• When using this particle as the detection reagent, it allows for superior dye-

binding and multipoint attachment, and ultimately improved sensitivity and

stability of diagnostic strip

• Currently lab work includes adopting particle’s flow properties

Intended outcome

• Point-of-care diagnostic with improved sensitivity

In pursuit of a malaria point-of-care device: Improving the sensitivity

of technology in diagnostic test strips

Assessment of pollution:

The Upper Olifants River

catchment


Assessment of pollution: The Upper Olifants River catchment

The challenge

• Pollutants identified by the research: acidic mine water from abandoned coal

mines; atmospheric deposition from coal-fired power stations in area, resulting in

acid rain; run-off from agricultural land (fertilizers); untreated run-off and effluent

from feedlots; clearing of natural vegetation for land-use; untreated or partially

treated sewage

• Eutrophication – excessive growth of green algae due to untreated sewage – has

overtaken the impact of all other pollutants in area

• An increase in the incidence of fish kills in Loskopdam due to pansteatitis with the

onset of spring. Exact cause still unknown

The research

• 26 sampling sites monitored in Upper Olifants River catchment; 5 Loskopdam

• Water quality and ecosystem processes measured for full hydrological cycle

• River in worst state since start of project: river eutrophic; dilution capacity at lowest

Natu

ral

en

vir

on

men

t


Assessment of pollution: The Upper Olifants River catchment

Outcome to date

• Recommendations for remedial action to be included in 1st year research report

-Buffer zone between industrial/mining activities and river to filter effluent

-Establishment of artificial wetlands in most impacted sites

• Funding for the 2nd year of the study has been secured from the Colliery Board

via the Olifants River Forum

Also:

• Development of an algae index to indicate levels of pollution in rivers

• Presented at the international conference for the Society of Limnology in Aug

Understanding the most important

carbon-climate system on Earth:

The Southern Oceans Carbon-

Climate Observatory programme


The challenge

• Healthy oceans bind carbon; at least half of the oxygen we breathe comes

from the photosynthesis of marine plants¹

• Uncertain evolution of the Southern Oceans CO2 sink in response to climate

change. Up to now, stored nearly 40% of all CO₂ emitted by human activities²

• Understanding and predicting the direction and rate of changes in the Southern

Ocean carbon-cycle key to effective global CO2 mitigation

The research

• Use our geographical comparative advantage to strengthen our research and

development capacity in climate-centred oceanography research

Intended outcomes

• Annual global state of the carbon-sink in the Southern Ocean

• Improved indicators to support regional and global climate governance

• Graduates with advanced skills in numerical analysis in modelling

¹NASA

² Khatiwala et al 2009

Understanding the most important carbon-climate system on Earth:

The Southern Oceans Carbon-Climate Observatory programme


Contributing to an

information society:

Digital Doorway

product innovations

over time


Digital Doorway design innovation over time

• Microsoft

Original single-seater DD

Cwili, ECape Mamelodi, Gauteng

• Modified to accommodate

physically disabled users

DD for disabled

2005

Soshanguve, Gauteng

• Four-seater

• Mandrake Linux

Multi-seater DD

2005

Mapela, Limpopo

2002



• Smaller footprint

• Remote management

Three-seater

Ntshongweni,

KZN

Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia

2007

• Wall or desk-mounted

• Ubuntu Linux

Desk-mounted DD

United Nations,

Uganda

Casteel, Limpopo

Syngenta

2008



DD-in-a-suitcase

UNICEF HQ, New York

• Carry onto airliner when

travelling to disaster areas

• Use of Blackberries or

i-pods to communicate

2008

• Self-contained

• Three terminals

• Solar-powered

Vumbu, KwaZulu-NatalSiyabuswa, Mpumalanga

Container, solar-powered DD

2009


Digital Doorway deployments

• 200+ country-wide; close to 50 elsewhere

• Interactive map on internet shows exact locations countrywide

Making connectivity part of

a community: Connecting

the unconnected with

wireless mesh networking


The challenge

• Rural lack of connectivity: Cost and availability

• Approx 26 000 schools, 17 000 rural*

The research

• A three-year project (2009 – 2011) for large-scale technology demonstrator to

research and validate model with wireless mesh network technology and

alternative business model

• People with limited technical knowledge create their own wireless networks,

receive training to operate locally

• Three districts: Sekhukhune District Municipality (Limpopo), John Taolo Gaetsewe

District Municipality (N Cape), Nkangala District Municipality (Mpumalanga)

• 450 schools/facilities; training of 45 local Village Operators

• Components: Backbone; wireless mesh network clusters; community operators

The outcome

• Local entrepreneurs building and operate large-area wireless networks

• Towards broadband for all

* Department of Education, EMIS 2010

Connecting the unconnected with wireless mesh networking

Enterprise creation

development:

A rural rock lobster

enterprise


The challenge

• Small subsistence fishermen from Doornbaai & Ebenaeser, Western Cape,

derive income from catching rock lobster

• No facilities to keep their catch for longer than 24 hours

• Great difficulty in accessing a substantial market; low prices for their catch

The research

• Technology choices: Design and implement a modern lobster holding facility to

operate from a disused fish factory

• Plastic tanks proved to be most suitable – easy to clean and repair, more

durable and can be easily moved to accommodate reconfiguration

• Establish packing room of international standard

• Develop link to formal market

Outcome

• In partnership with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape:

- Ten co-ops comprising 105 fishermen now own a company to

process and pack products before marketing to retail sector.

- Fishermen income increased from R7.5k to +/- R30k p.a.

Technology, enterprise creation assistance for rural rock lobster company

Concluding remarks


HealthImprove healthcare and life expectancy among all

South Africans

Defence & securityBuild a safer country

IndustrySupport an efficient, competitive and responsive

economic infrastructure network

Energy, health, built environ-

ment, natural environment

Develop vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural

communities that contribute to adequate food supply

Natural environmentProtect our environment and natural resources

Built environmentCreate sustainable human settlements and

improved quality of household life

CSIR researchimpact areas

Targeted national outcome

CSIR research impact areas in support of government’s

strategic priority areas

Health

Natural

environment

Energy

Industry

Defence

&

security

Focus: CSIR research impact areas

Built

environment

CSIR Mandate

49

(Scientific Research Council Act 46 of 1988, amended by Act 71 of 1990)

directed

multidisciplinary research

technological innovation

industrial and scientific

development

quality of life

'The objects of the CSIR are, through directedand particularly multidisciplinary researchand technological innovation, to foster, in the national interest and in the fields which in its opinion should receive preference, industrial and scientific development,either by itself or in co-operation with principals from private or public sectors, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the Republic...'

The CSIR mandate

Slide 50 of 31

Thank you

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