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Welcome to ResearchSpace, the institutional repository of the CSIR. ResearchSpace is an open access electronic archive collecting, preserving and distributing scholarly digital materials created by the CSIR.

Recent Submissions

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An Investigation into secure, remote, firmware updating mechanisms for peer-to-peer transactive microgrids

(2025-07) Smith, Andrew C; Ledwaba, Lehlogonolo P

Renewable energy-based microgrid deployments are being identified as potential solutions for faster electrification in developing countries. IoT-enabled microgrids solve the physical infrastructure limitations of connecting communities that are geographically distant from main grid energy supply networks and reduce the added demand placed on the already grid. However, with the deployment of long-term, long-lived IoT technologies, a need for appropriate maintenance and updating strategies is introduced to ensure that the network’s security, integrity, and availability is maintained. Hardware would need to access up-to-date features and patches deployed within newer f irmware iterations without significant interaction and effort from the end user. This work aims to identify, evaluate, and recommend appropriate strategies and solutions for remote IoT firmware updating to be used within transactive microgrid deployments. The solutions considered should be able to maintain the security and integrity of the firmware file during distribution and be able to tolerate the unpredictability of transmission utilizing various communications networks and differing levels of network coverage. The investigation compares and analyses various firmware updating methodologies for lightweight operation, capability of minimising the monetary cost of firmware updating to the end user, and coverage of firmware updating attack vectors As part of future work, the identified firmware mechanisms shall be implemented within a demonstrable microgrid network simulation to assess the performance and latency impacts introduced on microgrid transactions and IoT network processes.

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Librarians to the Rescue! An LIS-Associated Workflow Model for the Rescue of Research Data at Risk

(2025) Patterton, Louise H; Bothma, Theo JD; Van Deventer, Martie J

This study presents a data rescue workflow model and explores the potential roles and responsibilities of the library and information services (LIS) sector in rescuing at-risk data. The methodology was multifaceted, consisting of three distinct phases of data collection and analysis. First, content analysis was conducted on 15 purposively selected data rescue publications to identify key activities that are integral to the data rescue process. This phase resulted in the creation of an initial data rescue workflow model. Second, feedback was obtained from six experienced researchers at a South African research institute, chosen from a sample of criterion-based researchers, after they reviewed the initial model. This feedback was used to revise the model. Third, additional feedback on both the initial and revised models was gathered during a mini focus group session with three purposively selected LIS experts at the same research institute. This feedback was used to refine the model and develop a final recommended data rescue workflow model, which is presented in this study. The recommended model outlines the crucial stages, activities, and outputs of data rescue in a chronological sequence. The study’s outcomes provide new insights into data rescue and the involvement of LIS professionals, highlighting how various LIS experts can contribute to data rescue projects.

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Identifying the optimal dose of cannabidiol by intrabuccal administration in Kramnik (C3HeB/FeJ) mice

(2025-06) Omotayo, OP; Bhengu, S; Venter, K; Lemmer, Yolandy , OP Bhengu; Mason, S

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) has numerous therapeutic properties, and is used to treat neurological conditions, such as neuroinflammation. However, the optimal dose of CBD to penetrate the brain requires further investigation. The primary aim of this study was to use a mouse model and the intrabuccal route for CBD administration to determine the optimal dose at which CBD can penetrate the brain. The secondary aim was to determine whether sex is a confounding factor. Methods: Thirty adult Kramnik mice, divided equally into three groups, were administered CBD oil intrabuccally at three doses-10, 20, and 30 mg/kg, euthanized 6 h later, and whole brain, urine, and blood samples were collected. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the collected samples. Results: CBD and its three metabolites-7-carboxy cannabidiol (7-COOH-CBD), 7-hydroxy cannabidiol (7-OH-CBD) and 6-hydroxy cannabidiol (6-OH-CBD), were identified and quantified in all samples. The 10 and 20 mg/kg doses of CBD produced similar results in the brain, but the group given the 10 mg/kg dose had the least variation. The 30 mg/kg dose yielded the highest abundance of CBD and its metabolites in all samples, but also the greatest variation. Sex only became a confounding factor at 30 mg/kg. Conclusions: This study shows that the intrabuccal route of CBD administration is reliable and the 10 mg/kg dose of CBD is recommended in mice because there were good CBD metabolite concentrations in all samples, with the least variation among the doses, and sex was not a confounder at 10 mg/kg.

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The efficacy of alkaline hydrolysis on selective degradation and recovery of high-purity terephthalic acid and cotton cellulose from postconsumer polyester/cotton waste

(2025-05) Baloyi, Rivalani B; Sithole, BS , Rivalani B Sithole; Moyo, M

Textile waste is one of the biggest global waste problems requiring innovative and sustainable solutions. This study focused on developing a potential sustainable solution to textile waste by recycling of blended polyester/cotton fabric waste. The blends were pretreated prior to selective alkaline degradation and then vacuum filtered into constituent materials. Terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG), and cotton were the constituent materials. The effects of the processing conditions and determination of optimum conditions were ascertained by analysis of the constituent materials’ properties. Electron microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV–VIS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA-DSC) and viscometer were utilized in characterizing the recovered materials. The optimum processing conditions were found to be 15 % (w/v) NaOH in the presence of 1 mol BTBAC: 1 mol per repeating unit of polyester phase transfer catalyst and processing temperature and time of 80 °C and 270 mins, respectively. These conditions resulted in complete hydrolysis of the polyester in polyester/cotton blended fabrics waste achieving a TPA recovery rate of 80 % and recovery rate of 97 % for cotton fibres. The recovered cellulose had viscosities between 340 and 520 ml/g which is within the range of pulp utilized in the production of regenerated fibres. The successful separation of TPA and cotton fibres implies that the recycling of blended textiles can be accomplished contributing to sustainable textile waste management and circular economy. The research indicates significant potential for scalable textile waste solution to confront the increasing crisis of textile waste globally.

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Valorisation of insect infested sweet sorghum reeds towards production of a fermented beverage

(2025-05) Makopa, TP; Semumu, T; Gaaipone, MT; Masemola, Thato; Ramchuran, Santosh; Vrhovsek, U; Zhou, N

Sweet sorghum variety (Sorghum bicolour (L)) commonly known as sweet reeds, Ntšhe, in Setswana, is a valuable cash crop mostly for small scale farmers in Botswana and other southern African countries. These reeds are widely consumed as a delicacy and contribute significantly to food security, employment, and rural incomes. However, infestations by the larval stages of Chilo partellus (stem borer moths) lead to substantial economic losses, as consumers reject worm-infested reeds. To mitigate these losses, valorisation of condemned sweet reeds is attractive. Here, we took advantage of our understanding of yeast-insect interactions to isolate yeasts associated with larval stages of the stem borer moths and investigated their potential for use in the production of an alcoholic sweet sorghum beverage. We report the isolation of thirty-two yeast strains from the larvae and assessed their ability to ferment the simplest sugar, glucose, a constituent of the sweet sorghum juice. Out of the selected yeasts, a subset of fourteen strains belonging to Hanseniaspora and Candida genera were further characterised based on their capacity to ferment more sugars found in sweet sorghum juice. We further assessed the isolates for the ability to tolerate brewing/fermentation-associated stresses and production of complex aroma profiles towards the use of sweet sorghum juice as a sole feedstock to produce a commercial beverage. Our findings suggest that yeastinsect interactions offer a promising approach for converting rejected sweet sorghum stalks into a novel alcoholic beverage, adding economic value to an otherwise discarded resource.