ResearchSpace

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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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Green Synthesis and Application of Biochar Derived from Alien Vegetation Wood for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

(2025-04) Sobekwa, AG; Mojapelo, NA; Visser, ED; Seroka, Ntalane S; Khotseng, L

Invasive alien vegetation brought about by various human activities has grown to be a significant threat to the ecosystem and its diversity; therefore, control strategies to combat this threat are being explored. This review aims to investigate the prospect of using biochar specifically from alien vegetation as a support material for the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell electrocatalyst, highlighting the need to move to green energy and invest in Eco conservation. The use of biochar derived from alien vegetation as carbon support for the platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst for PEM fuel cells is an interesting field that is slowly gaining momentum. Biochar has the potential to be used as a carbon support due to its high specific surface, area, and intrinsic property needed for an electrocatalyst support. The current widely used electrocatalyst, which is Pt supported on carbon black, has shown to suffer from corrosion which weakens the bond between the support and the Pt nanoparticles, leading to instability and resistance; therefore, alternative supports are needed also to decrease the Pt loading as it is expensive. The focus of this review is on the benefits and prospects of these cheap green resources in increasing efforts to conserve the environment.

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Tailoring the properties of 2D nanomaterial-polymer composites for electromagnetic interference shielding and energy storage by 3D printing—A review

(2025-04) Gebrekrstos, A; Muzata, TS; Elias, A; Ray, Suprakas S

3D-printed 2D nanomaterials-based polymer composites, with their exceptional electrical conductivity and structural functionalities, have become leading-edge engineering materials for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, sensors, and energy storage applications. This review begins with a brief introduction to various types of 2D nanomaterials and their fabrication techniques, specifically different types of 3D printing. The subsequent sections highlight key factors such as rheological properties, surface tension, additives, and binders that influence the printability of 2D nanomaterials-based polymer composites. The advancements in 2D nanomaterials-based polymers, including MXene, graphene, and graphene derivatives, are then presented. The interaction, dispersion, and/oMr network formation of 2D nanomaterials in the polymer matrix is a crucial factor in determining the electrical performance of the composites. This review also discusses surface modification strategies for 2D nanomaterials to enhance their sensing, EMI shielding, and energy storage capabilities. Finally, the impact of various 3D-printed polymer composite geometries, such as rectangular, cylinder, and circular, on shielding performance is thoroughly examined, engaging the reader in the exploration of these materials.

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Measurement of phase transition, density and viscosity of supercritical carbon dioxide-Fischer-Tropsch wax mixtures2025

(2025-06) Swanepoel, Andri; Labuschagne, Philip W; Schwarz, CE

Melting temperature, phase behaviour and densities of binary mixtures of CO 2 and three Fischer-Tropsch waxes with varying molecular weights were experimentally determined. The melting temperatures of the lower molecular weight waxes increased with CO 2 pressure, and pressure induced crystallisation of the lowest molecular weight wax occurred above 20 MPa. CO 2 solubility in the waxes decreased with increasing wax molecular weight. Trends in mixture densities with changes in temperature and pressure mimicked that of pure CO viscosity of the lowest molecular weight wax decreased with increased CO 2 2 . The concentration, and decreased with increases in temperature and pressure, with the impact of pressure minimised above the temperature inversion point. Solubility data were correlated with a modified Chrastil and the Mendez-Santiago & Teja models. The Chrastil model accurately predicted solubility of CO 2 in all three waxes to within 1 % of the measured values.

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Effect of Cowpea Lignocellulosic Fibers as a Low-Value Reinforcing Filler on the Properties of Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) Bio-Composite Foams

(2025-03) Masanabo, MA; Keränen, JT; Ray, Suprakas S; Emmambux, MN

Herein, fully bio-based and biodegradable bio-composite foams are produced from poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), reinforced with low-value , and azodicarbonamide as a chemical blowing agent. These are produced by melt extrusion followed by compression molding. Fiber addition increases the melt viscosity and melt strength, this restricts uncontrolled bubble growth during foaming to decrease the bubble size. The bio-composite foam containing 15% fibers has the largest decrease in bubble size from 209 μm in the unfilled PBSA foam to 95 μm in the foam containing 15% fibers. Fiber addition significantly increases the bubble density, from ≈1.05 × 109 cells cm−3 in the unfilled PBSA foam to 5.13 × 109 cells cm−3 in bio-composite foam containing 15% fibers, due to heterogeneous bubble nucleation induced by the fibers. The stiffness of the bio-composite foams increases with fiber addition, with the bio-composite foam containing 15% showing the largest increase relative to the unfilled PBSA foam as revealed by dynamic mechanical analysis. In conclusion, the f ibers not only induce heterogeneous bubble nucleation to increase bubble density and decrease bubble size during the foaming of PBSA, but also act as reinforcement to increase the stiffness of the bio-composite foams. These bio-composite foams have potential applications in packaging and agriculture.

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Sustained gamification in medication adherence: Strategies and conceptual framework

(2025-03) Adetunji, RO; Botha, Adele; Herselman, Martha E

This paper examines the current body of literature on medication adherence using sustained gaming strategies and approaches. The objective is to investigate the concepts of sustained gaming, gaming strategies, and gaming approaches in relation to medication adherence. The goal is to identify the elements that contribute to a conceptual framework for understanding medication adherence behavior in patients, as part of a broader study. A comprehensive literature review was performed on four scholarly databases: MEDLINE, BMC, Global health, and Embase. The study examined the strategies and methodologies employed by the Pokémon Go game as a location-based game (LBG), and its impact on patients' adherence to medication. The study has identified several components, namely physical activities, social connections, exploration, enhanced emotional expression, and Marlien Herselman Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria South Africa Technology for Development (ICT4D) viewpoints should encompass various aspects, including economic, ecological, educational in nature, political, cultural, and technological dimensions [10-12]. The concept of sustainability has gained significant attention in the field of Information Systems [8, 13] while the concept of long-term gaming strategies and approaches is seldom addressed and has yet to be thoroughly examined in scholarly literature. Furthermore, there is a lack of theoretical research that specifically examines the use of strategies and approaches for sustained gaming in relation to medication adherence. This article aims to identify the strategies, approaches, and gaming experiences that promote sustained gaming in order to develop a conceptual framework for medication adherence in patients focusing on Pokémon Go as a game. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge in the field of digital health, gaming and medication adherence. individual/self-treatment. The study conducted a qualitative examination on Pokemon Go players to understand their experiences and what kept them playing the games for a longer period. Therefore, the findings from the study and data analysis helped in the development of conceptual framework for promoting medication adherence using sustained gaming strategies and approaches is hereby presented. The results of this study have the potential to contribute to a shared comprehension among practitioners, professionals, and academics in the field of digital health and serious games. Additionally, these findings can serve as a foundation for future research on the long-term viability of digital health through gaming.