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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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Starches-blended ionotropically cross-linked biopolymeric matrices for sustained drug release

(Elsevier, 2024) Mokhena , TC; Mochane , MJ; Matabola, KP; Ray, Suprakas S; Mtibe, Asanda; Bambo, MF; Modise, SA; Motsoeneng, TE

Starches drew more attention to drug delivery systems. This results from their distinctive characteristics, which include inexpressiveness, abundant availability, renewability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. For some time now, many sources have been investigated to isolate starch to formulate sustained drug-release systems. In this respect, starch is blended with other ionic polymeric materials with or without a cross-linking agent through the ionotropic gelation method. This chapter discusses the use of starch-based formulations prepared via the ionotropic gelation technique as sustained and prolonged drug delivery systems.

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Analysis of land use and land cover change dynamics and its impacts on WEF Nexus Resources over a 30-Year Period (1990–2020) in Mpumalanga, South Africa

(Springer, 2024-10) Ramoelo, A; Tsele, P; Mantlana, Khanyisa B; Mokotedi, Mompe EO

Developing countries face a difficult challenge in ensuring secure and sustainable water, energy, and food (WEF), which is further exacerbated by the rapidly land use and land cover changes (LULCC). This study used Land use and Land cover (LULC) derived from the South African National Land Cover Data repository for 1990 and 2020 datasets in deepening an understanding of the impact of LULCC on WEF nexus resources. Between 1990 and 2020, mines&quarries and built-up areas increased by 30.19% and 40.89%, respectively. The transition matrix based on post-classification comparisons shows that 12.42% of grasslands in 1990 were converted into agriculture in 2020. The observed LULCC dynamics were attributed to socio-economic growth and extreme climate events. This approach had various advantages (e.g., understanding WEF nexus change dynamics in a spatial-explicit manner), and providing a novel methodology that enables collaborative assessment of nexus resources with respect to the environment.

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Introduction to hybrid piezoelectric materials

(John Wiley & Sons, 2024-04) Dhlamini, Khanyisile S; Orasugh, Jonathan T; Ray, Suprakas S; Chattopadhyay, D

In response to the global energy crisis and pollution resulting primarily from nonrenewable energy sources, researchers are exploring alternative energy machinery capable of harvesting energy under ambient environmental conditions. Piezoelectric energy harvesting is rapidly becoming a preferred technique for powering devices on a mesoscale to microscale. Piezoelectric materials can produce electricity as a result of mechanical stress; these materials can also exhibit the inverse piezoelectric effect, known as the converse effect. Certain materials possess piezoelectric properties, such as bone, proteins, crystals (quartz), and ceramics (lead zirconate titanate). The combination of piezoelectric materials with two or more other materials leads to the development of hybrid materials that have improved properties and can be applied to novel applications. With hybrid piezoelectric materials, existing technologies can be enhanced, and new devices and systems can be developed, ranging from healthcare, ultrasonic transducers, energy storage, smart fabrics, sensors and actuators, energy-harvesting systems, and robotics.

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Advances in β-titanium Alloys for Applications in the Biomedical Fields

(Springer, 2025-01) Bolokang, Amogelang S; Mathabathe, Maria N

The advances in biocompatibility, structural properties, application and processing techniques of beta (β)-titanium alloys are presented. These alloys are promising future biomedical alloys due to their low modulus of elasticity (MOE), and non-toxic elements. The biocompatibility of these alloys exhibits a low modulus of elastic (MOE) closer to that of human bone ~ 30 GPa. On one hand, the best mechanical properties and performance of the alloys is found in porous materials. Particularly, porous Ti-24Nb, Ti-35Nb and Ti-42Nb alloys exhibit reduced hardness with elastic modulus values of 11, 18.0 and 11.2 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, advanced processes such as additive manufacturing including selective laser manufacturing (SLM) and directed energy deposition (DED) are gaining traction in the manufacturing industry.

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Advanced of Starch-Based Bioplastics

(Elsevier, 2024) Mtibe, Asanda; Nomadolo, Elizabeth N; Hlekelele, Lerato; Mokhena, TC; Ofosu, Osei; John, Maya J; Ojijo, Vincent O

The potential of starch-based plastics is well-known and well-researched. In recent years, starch-based materials have been used in both commercial and industrial applications to develop biodegradable and sustainable products and address the negative impacts caused by synthetic plastic products. Synthetic plastics are derived from petroleum-based resources and are non-biodegradable, causing plastic waste pollution. Starch-based bioplastics are selected as an alternative to synthetic plastics due to their availability, renewability, sustainability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The conversion of starch into thermoplastic starch (TPS) will be discussed in this study. In addition, the development of starch-based bioplastics using different processing techniques such as melt extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, blown film extruder as well as 3D and 4Dprinting will be also discussed. The market analysis of starch and starch-based materials, their properties, and applications, as well as prospects to determine if starch-based bioplastics are economically and practically feasible, will be thoroughly discussed.