Browse
Recent Submissions
Item The economic impacts of marine plastic debris in South Africa: A preliminary estimate(2024-12) Nahman, Anton; Oelofse, Suzanna H; Haywood, Lorren KMarine plastic debris can affect the delivery of ecosystem services and cause direct damage to affected industries; with resulting impacts on the economy. This paper applies a version of the benefits transfer method to provide a preliminary estimate of the economic impacts of marine plastic in South Africa, in terms of impacts on ecosystem services, direct damage to industry, and clean-up costs. The total economic impact associated with the plastic reaching South Africa's marine environment each year ranges between R3.5 billion and R34.9 billion per year (0.05 to 0.5 % of annual GDP), with a mid-range estimate of R14.1 billion per year (0.2 % of GDP). The cost per tonne of plastic (per year) ranges between R70 635 and R698 186 (mid-range estimate of R282 028 per tonne). The lifetime cost per tonne of marine plastic, in terms of its impacts on ecosystem services over its lifetime, ranges between R3.4 million and R33.8 million per tonne (mid-range estimate = R13.5 million per tonne). The plastic entering South Africa's marine environment each year imposes a total cost of between R169 billion and R1.69 trillion (mid-range estimate = R677 billion) in terms of impacts on ecosystem services over its lifetime. However, there is a need for further research to assess the full set of environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of plastics, of alternatives to plastic, and of various types of intervention strategies; to inform the most suitable strategies for reducing the leakage of plastic waste to the environment.Item Comparative investigation and optimization of cutting tools performance during milling machining of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) using response surface methodology(2024-02) Phokobye, SN; Desai, DA; Tlhabadira, I; Sadiku, ER; Mutombo, KalendaThe purpose of this paper is to study the optimization of the cutting performance of three different cutting inserts, during the machining operation of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) by making use of the response surface methodology (RSM) on a computer numerical control (CNC) milling. The cutting tools employed for the optimisation of the cutting performance during machining operation are silicon, aluminium, oxygen, nitrogen (SiAlON), cubic-boron nitride and carbide cutting inserts. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the determination of the tool wear for the cutting inserts being compared during machining of Ti6Al4V, and the cutting parameters, which are cutting speed (Vc), feed per tooth (fz) and depth-of-cut that were evaluated from the cutting tools as per the manufacturer’s design specifications. The determination of the tool wear on the cutting inserts was achieved by using the SEM, while the machining operation for the experimental trails was performed from the CNC milling machine, where face milling operation was executed. The optimization process showed that carbide cutting inserts yielded the best performing results and were considered the most significant choice of cutting insert in machining Ti6Al4V when compared to SiAlON and CBN cutting inserts. This choice was from the cutting tool life obtained where a cutting tool life of 29 min was obtained from a use of carbide cutting inserts; 28 min resulted from a use SiAlON cutting inserts and 26 min from a use of CBN cutting inserts. This work finds appropriate value in assisting the machinists in the selection of the best most performing and cost-effective cutting tool.Item Photoresponse properties of green-assisted Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported activated carbon(2024-11) Idisi, DO; Aigbe, UO; Chilukusha, D; Mwakikunga, Bonex W; Asante, JKOThe photoresponse properties of green synthesized Fe3O4 (gFe3O4) supported-activated carbon (AC/g-Fe3O4) were studied using a photocurrent characterization approach. Preliminary UV–Vis analysis suggested a reduction in the band gap energy when activated carbon is incorporated into gFe3O4 nanoparticles (2.61 → 1.57 eV). The current-voltage characteristics indicate semiconductor features for both gFe3O4 and AC/gFe3O4 nanoparticles. The photodetector measurements indicate a significantly enhanced response for AC/gFe3O4 and can be attributed to increased rectification and photogenerated carriers emanating from the activated carbon incorporation. The study proposes AC/gFe3O4 nanocomposite as a novel material that can be used for the fabrication of photodetectors and other related optoelectronic devices.Item Nature positive engineering in West Indian Ocean Ports: Perspectives on marine and estuarine ecology(2024-11) Weerts, Steven PThis presentation on nature-positive engineering in West Indian Ocean Ports includes the following discussions: Ecological processes in marine and estuarine systems lend resilience; They can be “created” (not necessarily restored); They can be “designed” (for function, but not predicted with certainty and multidisciplinary approaches increase degree of confidence.Item Assessing potential drug-drug interactions between clofazimine and other frequently used agents to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis(2024-04) Kengo, A; Nabeemeeah, F; Denti, P; Sabet, R; Okyere-Manu, G; Abraham, P; Weisner, L; Mosala, MH; Tshabalala, Sibongile; Scholefield, JanineClofazimine is included in drug regimens to treat rifampicin/drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), but there is little information about its interaction with other drugs in DR-TB regimens. We evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction between clofazimine and isoniazid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and cycloserine, dosed as terizidone. Newly diagnosed adults with DR-TB at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital, South Africa, were started on the then-standard treatment with clofazimine temporarily excluded for the initial 2 weeks. Pharmacokinetic sampling was done immediately before and 3 weeks after starting clofazimine, and drug concentrations were determined using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays. The data were interpreted with population pharmacokinetics in NONMEM v7.5.1 to explore the impact of clofazimine co-administration and other relevant covariates on the pharmacokinetics of isoniazid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and cycloserine. Clofazimine, isoniazid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and cycloserine data were available for 16, 27, 21, 21, and 6 participants, respectively. The median age and weight for the full cohort were 39 years and 52 kg, respectively. Clofazimine exposures were in the expected range, and its addition to the regimen did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of the other drugs except levofloxacin, for which it caused a 15% reduction in clearance. A posteriori power size calculations predicted that our sample sizes had 97%, 90%, and 87% power at P < 0.05 to detect a 30% change in clearance of isoniazid, linezolid, and cycloserine, respectively. Although clofazimine increased the area under the curve of levofloxacin by 19%, this is unlikely to be of great clinical significance, and the lack of interaction with other drugs tested is reassuring.Item Dry sliding wear behavior of experimental lowcost titanium alloys(2024-06) Rundora, NR; Klenam, DEP; Polat, S; Mathabathe, Maria N; Van der Merwe, J; Bodunrin, MOThe high cost and potential toxicity associated with the common commercial Ti-6Al-4V alloy are major concerns against its continued use in the biomedical industry. Low-cost, less toxic titanium alloys have been developed as a possible alternative to Ti-6Al-4V. Because of the various wear processes that take place in the human body, it is imperative to have a good understanding of the wear properties and wear resistance of these alloys. This study, therefore, investigated the resistance to wear of the low-cost Ti-3Fe, Ti-4.5Al-1V-3Fe, and Ti-4.5Al-1V-3Fe alloys under dry sliding conditions in contrast to the common commercial alloy, Ti-6Al-4V. The findings revealed that among the tested alloys, Ti-3Fe exhibited the lowest resistance to wear as it displayed the highest coefficient of friction (0.55) and wear rate (5.55E-06mm3/Nm). The Ti-4.5Al-1V-3Fe alloy demonstrated superior wear resistance compared to the rest of the alloys, including Ti-6Al-4V, as it had the lowest wear rate (4.27E-06mm3/Nm) and wear volume (0.0026mm3). Overall, the experimental alloys displayed very similar wear resistance to Ti-6Al-4V, making them promising commercial alloys that can replace Ti-6Al-4V in bioimplant applications.Item NASA Bioreach field campaign for assessing the capabilities of remote sensing blue Africa(2024-10) Van Deventer, Heidi; Campbell, A; Naidoo, Laven; Stovall, A; Smith, K; Thakali, P; Adam, E; Jensen, D; Barenblitt, A; Fatoyinbo, LEstuaries, together with inland wetlands, are considered the most threatened ecosystem in South Africa (Skowno et al., 2019). Less than 43% of habitat maps out of the 290 estuarine functional zones (EFZs) and less than 10 of the 42 microestuaries have been digitised by various ecologists in the country to date (Van Deventer et al., in review). The images of several space-borne, remote sensing instruments, including RapidEye, Sentinel-1 and -2, and WorldView has proven useful to distinguish some wetland vegetation communities in the country, however, the use of different Light Detection and Radar (LiDAR) and hyperspectral images at higher spatial resolutions, remains to be assessed.Item Performance of laser deposited Inconel 625 coating during heat treatment and carbonisation(2024-02) Tlotleng, Monnamme; Lekoadi, Paul M; Kgoahla, Reneilwe M; Kgomo, Matshela TH; Mokomele, Kgothatso; Skhosane, Besabakhe S; Masina, Bathusile N; Pityana, Sisa LLaser cladding system available at the CSIR South Africa was used to laser clad Inconel 625 on 304L SS substrate. The produced clad was studied for effects of heat treatment and carbonisation on the microstructural and hardness properties. The microstructural changes were summarized as: Laves/Eutectic-rich to primary dendritic to MC carbide rich to anisotropic Laves-rich to isotropic grain then finally precipitated and large MC carbides microstructure. The As-built sample had higher hardness value followed by the water quenched and carbonized samples which had similar hardness value. Aging and stress relieve conditions softened the sample. The obtained hardness values support the observed microstructures.Item A review on thermally induced phase separation technology in the fabrication of microporous polymer membrane devices for sustained-repellent delivery: Crystallization and morphological studies(2024-08) Tewo, RK; Mapossa, AB; Ray, Suprakas S; Mhike, W; Sundararaj, UThis article reports recent advances in thermally induced phase separation technology in fabricating microporous scaffold polymeric membranes as devices suitable for the controlled release of insect repellent. The key aspects, such as the crystallization behavior and morphological study of the polymeric membrane-based repellent, were reported and discussed. Studies demonstrated that trapping of such repellents into microporous polymeric materials can be achieved by spinodal decomposition of the polymer/liquid repellent system. Usually, solubility is enhanced at elevated temperatures. Rapid cooling of such solution below the UCST leads to the formation of cocontinuous phase structures by decomposition. The polymer then forms an open-cell structure with the repellent trapped inside. Approaches to forming such an open-cell polymer structure containing mosquito repellent were successfully performed and confirmed with the SEM and POM techniques. It showed the structure of a polymer and liquid repellent prepared by spinodal decomposition, providing proof that thermally induced spinodal decomposition is a route to trap liquid mosquito repellent into a microporous polymer matrix. Additionally, the effects of polymer type, repellent nature, cooling conditions, and fillers on the morphology and performance of TIPS membranes are also discussed. Finally, challenges in developing microporous polymeric membrane-based repellent using TIPS technology are addressed.Item Forecasting of standardized precipitation index using hybrid models: A case study of Cape Town, South Africa(2024-08) Sibiya, S; Mbatha, Nkanyiso B; Ramroop, S; Melesse, S; Silwimba, FDroughts have negative impacts on agricultural productivity and economic growth. Effective monitoring and accurate forecasting of drought occurrences and trends are crucial for minimizing drought losses and mitigating their spatial and temporal effects. In this study, trend dynamics in monthly total rainfall time series measured at Cape Town International Airport were analyzed using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) test and innovative trend analysis (ITA). Additionally, we utilized a hybrid prediction method that combined the model with the complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) technique, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, and the long short-term memory (LSTM) network (i.e., CEEMDAN-ARIMA-LSTM) to forecast SPI values of 6-, 9-, and 12-months using rainfall data between 1995 and 2020 from Cape Town International Airport meteorological rainfall stations. In terms of trend analysis of the monthly total rainfall, the MK and MMK tests detected a significant decreasing trend with negative z-scores of −3.7541 and −4.0773, respectively. The ITA also indicated a significant downward trend of total monthly rainfall, especially for values between 10 and 110 mm/month. The SPI forecasting results show that the hybrid model (CEEMDAN-ARIMA-LSTM) had the highest prediction accuracy of the models at all SPI timescales. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of the CEEMDAN-ARIMA-LSTM hybrid model are 0.121, 0.044, and 0.042 for SPI-6, SPI-9, and SPI-12, respectively. The directional symmetry for this hybrid model is 0.950, 0.917, and 0.950, for SPI-6, SPI-9, and SPI-12, respectively. This indicates that this is the most suitable model for forecasting long-term drought conditions in Cape Town. Additionally, models that use a decomposition step and those that are built by combining independent models seem to produce improved SPI prediction accuracy.Item Evaluating the Enhanced Bathtub Model for Coastal Flood Risk Assessment in Table Bay, South Africa(2024-10) Lück-Vogel, Melanie; Van Coller, J; Williams, LLCoastal zones are susceptible to increasing pressures from urban development and natural hazards, such as storm events, climate change, and rising sea levels. The GIS-based enhanced bathtub model (eBTM) enables the identification of areas at risk of flooding as a baseline for disaster management and coastal adaptation. This study aims to establish the methodological robustness of the eBTM for coastal flood modeling, by analyzing eight sites flooded during a recent storm event in Table Bay, Cape Town by comparing eBTM outputs with observed flood extent data collected after the storm. The validation showed that for 74% of the 332 validation points the spatial modeling error was <6m and for 56% below 3m. The root mean square error for the model was 4.88m, indicating an acceptable level of accuracy of the eBTM outputs for coastal risk assessments where more sophisticated models are unavailable.Item Comparative sensory data monitoring model based on multiple algorithms between server and client PI within a smart manufacturing setup(2024-08) Kukuni, T; Markus, E; Kotze, B; Abu-Mahfouz, Adnan MIThe optimal use of data in decision-making for instituting effective and efficient processes within the manufacturing sector is increasing rapidly. As a result, this digital transition poses high risk of cyber-attacks for various reasons such as financial gain etc. This research paper therefore aims at investigation the feasibility of a modelled system with the ability to correlate data between simulation model and physical model and the ability of such a model to cipher and decipher data without any losses. The presentation of such a model seeks to answer the research question looking at the impact of the encryption speed and its contributing to the data security quality and its influence in the implementation of security measures within a Smart Manufacturing Plant. The model setup was developed by creating two identical models based on the two PI4s and the application of the investigated algorithms on both PI4s with the same secret key that is used for both encryption (server-side) and decryption (client-side). Furthermore, the model setup was developed by implementing the shift rows and the mix column and inverse mix column on the 16X16 array based on the 128-bit-length. The results demonstrate that the developed model is secure and accurate without any loss of data. Furthermore, DES, Salsa29, RSA and DSA were tested and compared against each other utilising the same data file comprising of sensory data and the results demonstrate that all the five algorithms can cipher and decipher data without experiencing any data losses. However, the RSA and DSA execution times were 17ms and 21ms respectively, while the other AES executed at 4ns, DES at 3ns and Salsa29 2ns respectively. Therefore, this paper concludes that the investigated algorithms does provide high-level data-security, however, it is empirical to further investigate the optimization of RSA and DSA algorithms to ensure efficiency.Item Effects of reaction pH on regular nanorods and hierarchically structured β-Ga2O3 and their isopropanol sensing capabilities(2024-05) Gatsi, NC; Mhlongo, Gugu H; Moloto, N; Erasmus, RM; Ntwaeaborwa, OMReal-time detection of isopropanol is important for indoor air quality monitoring to improve human health. In this study, regular and hierarchical nanorod-based β Ga2O3 morphological features were prepared using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method following the variation of the reaction pH levels. A systematic study on their gas sensing performances was conducted to evaluate their potential as isopropanol gas sensing platforms. The sensor response and response times were directly controlled by morphology of β Ga2O3. The randomly oriented β Ga2O3 nanorods presented the highest response of 6.7 towards 90 ppm isopropanol while the β Ga2O3 nanodandelions showed the fastest response/recovery times of 47/25 s. The observed variation in the gas sensing performances of the different β Ga2O3 structures can be attributed to changes in morphological, textural, and compositional properties induced by the controlled reaction pH levels.Item How South Africa can move on from power cuts(2024-08) Simiyu, Dorah SThe country can tackle its energy crisis by diversifying its energy sources, using storage systems and continually optimizing its grid.Item Study of microstructure, magnetic and gas sensing properties of porous Ni0.4+xZn0.6-xCeyFe2-yO4 magnetic nanoparticles(2024-06) Dlamini, ST; Moyo, T; Nhlapo, A; Wamwangi, D; Akande, Amos; Mwakikunga, Bonex WThe spinel ferrite systemsNi0.4+xZn0.6 xCeyFe2 yO4 (0≤x+y≤0.3) were synthesized by a modified glycol- thermal technique. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) confirmed formation of single phase cubic spinel structure with average crystallite sizes 8–21 nm. The crystallite sizes were found to be in agreement with the particle sizes obtained from the high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) indicating formation of single domain nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a homogeneous spread of semi-spherical nanoparticles. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) revealed specific surface area ranging between 64 and 108 m2/ g, while Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) showed the pore sizes varying between 48 and 126 nm. Cation distribution obtained from Rietveld refinement revealed all Ce3+occupied B- sites whilst Ni2+, Zn2+, Fe3+occupied both A and B sites. Magnetization measurements were performed using the vibration samples magnetometer (VSM). The saturation magnetization varied between 51 and 60 emu/g, while the coercivity dropped from 114 to 89Oe. The remnant magnetization varied between 3 and 12 emu/g. A correlation was observed between the saturation magnetization and the effective magnetic moments confirming cation distribution to be reliable. A strong correlation between initial susceptibility and unit cell volume was found. The crystallite sizes varied inversely with initial magnetic susceptibility. The magnetic characteristics of presented materials make them useful in high frequency device applications and has potential use as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 57Fe M¨ossbauer spectroscopy revealed the strengthening of ferromagnetic coupling. Gas sensing tests revealed a decrease in sensing response with the transition from paramagnetic state to ferromagnetic state. The Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 sample showed the best sensing response to SO2 at 100 ◦C compared to CO gas. However, at 150 ◦C the sample was more sensitive to CO gas than SO2 gas.Item Comparison between machine learning techniques for early air-pollution detection: A case of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality (BPDM), South Africa(2024-06) Koyana, N; Markus, ED; Sibaya, M; Abu-Mahfouz, Adnan MIAir pollution has been one of the major threats to modern livelihoods. It is affecting, health, economies, and social well-being and has even resulted in fatalities in certain instances. As part of the fourth industrial revolution in South Africa, there has been a recent focus on smart cities. Hence, exploring new ways of combating the menace of air pollution has become pertinent. Machine learning techniques have been applied to solving many modern problems. However, in South Africa, these technological solutions are still at their inception. This paper proposes an early air pollution detection technique for a city in South Africa. This city has experienced air pollution problems in the past owing to the presence of many mining and industrial activities. Past data collected in the city shows a pattern of air pollution threatening the city’s fabric. If left unchecked, the result on health and livelihoods would be disastrous. Deep learning neural networks, multiple linear regression, and random forest trees for regression are used to model the pollution patterns, and a short-term prediction strategy was designed to warn residents ahead of impending catastrophes that could be damaging to their health. Based on the results, the random forest regressor model provided better predictions and is recommended for deployment. The results therefore show that the early air pollution detection strategy provides good outcomes and could effectively monitor and warn residents and authorities.Item Enhancing fairness in credit assessment: Mitigation strategies and implementation(2024-09) Kisten, Melvin; Khosa, Marshal VCredit assessment remains crucial in determining an individual’s creditworthiness, significantly influencing their financial opportunities. However, traditional credit assessment models have raised concerns about fairness and potential biases, which requires a rigorous evaluation and implementation of fairness in these models. This paper explores the assessment and integration of fairness in credit assessment. It explores various bias mitigation techniques applied across three critical stages: 1) pre-processing; 2) in-processing; and 3) post-processing. By systematically evaluating these techniques, the study demonstrates their effectiveness in reducing disparities and enhancing fairness to varying degrees. The findings underscore the importance of addressing age-based bias in credit assessment predictions through multiple techniques. However, a nuanced analysis is imperative to understand the trade-offs between predictive accuracy and fairness. This critical analysis not only contributes to advancing the theoretical foundations of credit assessment, but also provides practical insights for policymakers and financial institutions striving to adopt more equitable credit evaluation frameworks. Therefore, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on enhancing the fairness of credit assessment models, offering actionable recommendations to improve both accuracy and fairness in decision-making processes. By exploring and evaluating a spectrum of bias mitigation strategies, this paper fosters a more inclusive financial landscape where credit decisions are both transparent and accountable.Item Blockchain for securing electronic voting systems: a survey of architectures, trends, solutions, and challenges(2024-09) Ohize, HO; Onumanyi, Adeiza J; Umar, BU; Ajao, LA; Isah,RO; Dogo, EM; Nuhu, BK; Olaniyi, OM; Ambafi, JG; Sheidu, VB; Ibrahim, MMElectronic voting (e-voting) systems are gaining increasing attention as a means to modernize electoral processes, enhance transparency, and boost voters’ participation. In recent years, significant developments have occurred in the study of e-voting and blockchain technology systems, hence reshaping many electoral systems globally. For example, real-world implementations of blockchain-based e-voting have been explored in various countries, such as Estonia and Switzerland, which demonstrates the potential of blockchain to enhance the security and transparency of elections. Thus, in this paper, we present a survey of the latest trends in the development of e-voting systems, focusing on the integration of blockchain technology as a promising solution to address various concerns in e-voting, including security, transparency, auditability, and voting integrity. This survey is important because existing survey articles do not cover the latest advancements in blockchain technology for e-voting, particularly as it relates to architecture, global trends, and current concerns in the developmental process. Thus, we address this gap by providing an encompassing overview of architectures, developments, concerns, and solutions in e-voting systems based on the use of blockchain technology. Specifically, a concise summary of the information necessary for implementing blockchain-based e-voting solutions is provided. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances in blockchain systems, which aim to enhance scalability and performance in large-scale voting scenarios. We also highlight the fact that the implementation of blockchain-based e-voting systems faces challenges, including cybersecurity risks, resource intensity, and the need for robust infrastructure, which must be addressed to ensure the scalability and reliability of these systems. This survey also points to the ongoing development in the field, highlighting future research directions such as improving the efficiency of blockchain algorithms and integrating advanced cryptographic techniques to further enhance security and trust in e-voting systems. Hence, by analyzing the current state of e-voting systems and blockchain technology, insights have been provided into the opportunities and challenges in the field with opportunities for future research and development efforts aimed at creating more secure, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes.Item B-CAVE: A robust online time series change point detection algorithm based on the between-class average and variance evaluation approach(2024) Gupta, A; Onumanyi, Adeiza J; Ahlawat, S; Prasad, Y; Singh, VChange point detection (CPD) is a valuable technique in time series (TS) analysis, which allows for the automatic detection of abrupt variations within the TS. It is often useful in applications such as fault, anomaly, and intrusion detection systems. However, the inherent unpredictability and fluctuations in many real-time data sources pose a challenge for existing contemporary CPD techniques, leading to inconsistent performance across diverse real-time TS with varying characteristics. To address this challenge, we have developed a novel and robust online CPD algorithm constructed from the principle of discriminant analysis and based upon a newly proposed between-class average and variance evaluation approach, termed B-CAVE. Our B-CAVE algorithm features a unique change point measure, which has only one tunable parameter (i.e. the window size) in its computational process. We have also proposed a new evaluation metric that integrates time delay and the false alarm error towards effectively comparing the performance of different CPD methods in the literature. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we conducted experiments using both synthetic and real datasets, demonstrating the superior performance of the B-CAVE algorithm over other prominent existing techniques.Item Mechanical and tribological performance of AlCrFeCuNi-(Vx) HEAs synthesized via Arc melting technique(2024-03) Mpofu, P; Malatji, N; Shongwe, MB; Lekoadi, Paul M; Tlotleng, Monnamme; Kanyane, LRAlCrFeCuNi-(Vx) High Entropy Alloy (HEA) was fabricated by means of arc-melting and casting process. The effect of Vanadium (V) on the microstructural evolution, Nano-mechanical behaviour and Tribological performance of the synthesized HEAs was investigated. Notable improvements to the Nano hardness of the HEAs were evident with an increase in V content from 1at% to 5at%. The addition of V altered the frictional behaviour of the HEA with an increased coefficient of friction as V is increased. The addition of V also greatly affected the microstructural orientation of the HEA, exhibiting signs of homogenization as V content increased.