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Item Advancing cancer research in resource-limited settings: Perspectives from emerging voices across continents(2026-07) Sanchis, P; Aguilar-Cortes, DC; Kannan, B; Malik, R; Sabater, A; Alragheb, BA; Blessing, OO; Leal, LF; Fusco, M; Takundwa, MutsaCancer is a global disease, yet a paradox persists: The most advanced research ecosystems are concentrated in countries with lower disease burden, whereas low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)—carrying 70% of the global cancer burden—face major constraints in research capacity. Closing this gap is essential for equitable progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Researchers in LMICs are creatively adapting established technologies, research pipelines, and collaborative models from higher-resource settings to local solutions. In this study, 25 American Association for Cancer Research Global Scholar-in-Training Award recipients from LMICs share how cancer research is advancing within resource-limited settings, focused on (i) infrastructure and resources, (ii) training and talent retention, (iii) funding and sustainability, and (iv) cultural and social barriers. We identified shared challenges and cross-cutting solutions, discussed gaps, and suggested steps to further advancing cancer research. We emphasized locally led innovation, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. These perspectives offer a framework for inclusive, synergistic approaches to strengthening cancer research and accelerating impact where it is needed most.Item Exploring the antimicrobial potential of a novel phage-derived lytic protein against pseudomonas aeruginosa(2026-03) Mtimka, Sibongile; Malatji, Kanyane B; Sakyi, PO; Nogbou, ND; Musyoki, AM; Mamputha, Sipho; Kwezi, Lusisizwe; Kwofie, SK; Pooe, OJ; Tsekoa, Tsepo LThe escalation of bacterial resistance to existing antibiotics represents a growing global health challenge, exacerbated by the widespread misuse of antimicrobial agents. As a result, alternative antibacterial strategies are increasingly being explored, including phage-derived lytic proteins. In this study, we report a preliminary characterisation of a novel phagederived lytic protein identified through computational screening of bacteriophage genome sequences. A putative open reading frame, designated SM07 (1383 bp), was selected from bacteriophage sequences contributed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal to a global phage repository. The gene was synthesised, sub-cloned into the pET-30b(+) vector with an N-terminal histidine tag, and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21(AI) cells. The protein was purified using affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. Purified SM07 exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 µg/mL, while no significant cytotoxic effects were observed in Vero kidney cells at concentrations substantially above the effective dose. Together, these findings provide initial evidence supporting the antimicrobial potential of SM07 and highlight phage-derived lytic proteins as candidates for further investigation as alternative agents against P. aeruginosa-associated infections.Item Blockchain forensics and regulatory technology for crypto tax compliance: A state-of-the-art review and emerging directions in the South African Context(2026-01) Ramazhamba, Pardon T; Venter, HThe rise in Blockchain-based digital assets has transformed the financial ecosystems, which has also created complex governance and taxation challenges. The pseudonymous and cross-border nature of crypto transactions undermines traditional tax enforcement, leaving regulators such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reliant on voluntary disclosures with limited verification mechanisms, while existing Blockchain forensic tools and regulatory technologies (RegTechs) have advanced in anti-money laundering and institutional compliance, their integration into issues related to taxpayer compliance and locally adapted solutions remains underdeveloped. Therefore, this study conducts a state-of-the-art review of Blockchain forensics, RegTech innovations, and crypto tax frameworks to identify gaps in the crypto tax compliance space. Then, this study builds on these insights and proposes a conceptual model that integrates digital forensics, cost basis automation aligned with SARS rules, wallet interaction mapping, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as verifiable audit anchors. The contributions of this study are threefold: theoretically, which reconceptualise the adoption of Blockchain forensics as a proactive compliance mechanism; practically, it conceptualises a locally adapted proof-of-concept for diverse transaction types, including DeFi and NFTs; and lastly, innovatively, which introduces NFTs to enhance auditability, trust, and transparency in digital tax compliance.Item The impact of team dynamics on software quality and productivity: Evidence from South Africa(2026-03) Vhahangwele, T; Isong, B; Abu Mahfouz, Adnan MISoftware quality and productivity are influenced not only by technical practices but also by the social dynamics within development teams. This study investigates the combined effect of team dynamics, including trust, communication, collaboration, diversity, and conflict resolution, and software development practices on project outcomes. A mixed-methods design combined regression, Spearman’s Rho, and thematic analysis of survey data from 124 South African software professionals. The findings indicate that trust is the strongest positive predictor of software quality and productivity, while communication effectiveness and the use of collaboration tools also improve software outcomes. Equally, unstructured collaboration, excessive planning meetings, and poorly managed communication channels negatively affect performance. Diversity and effective conflict resolution were positively associated with productivity and efficiency. Thematic analysis corroborated these findings, illustrating how unclear communication, low trust, and dysfunctional collaboration lead to delays, rework, and lower quality. The study confirms that successful software outcomes emerge from the alignment of social and technical subsystems, highlighting the critical role of team dynamics in realising the full potential of software development practices. It contributes empirical evidence from an understudied developing-country context and proposes a socio-technical framework to enhance software quality and productivity.Item Determining the sensitivity of Sentinel-2 bands to optically and non-optically active water quality parameters under high- and low-flow conditions in the cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa(2026-04) Ngamile, S; Kganyago, M; Madonsela, Sabelo; Mvandaba, VuyelwaAccess to clean water is a global challenge, particularly in the Global South, where scarcity and pollution threaten human and ecosystem health. Traditional water quality monitoring is limited in spatial and temporal coverage, while satellite remote sensing provides an alternative for assessing optically and non-optically active water quality parameters (WQPs). This study evaluated the sensitivity of Sentinel-2 MSI bands to WQPs in the Cradle of the Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa, an area impacted by acid mine drainage. In situ measurements of DO, EC, pH, temperature, chlorophyll-a, and suspended solids were collected from 40 sites under high- and low-flow conditions. The Sentinel-2 images were atmospherically corrected, resampled to 10 m, and the values were extracted to the sampling points. Using multiple linear regression, random forest, and partial dependence plots methods, results showed that DO strongly influenced most bands, while suspended solids dominated the optically active band responses.Item RBBP6 and cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical implications(2026-05) Ubanako, PN; Nweke, EE; Nsingwane, Z; Monchusi, Bernice A; Penny, CRetinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) is a 200 kDa E3 ubiquitin ligase that performs several biological functions and plays a role in tumorigenesis. RBBP6 is overexpressed in several types of tumors, including lung, colorectal, breast, cervical, hepatocellular, and esophageal cancers, suggesting its association with malignant progression. Moreover, this increased expression has been associated with clinicopathological parameters in lung, colorectal, cervical, and ovarian cancers. This review captures the molecular functions of RBBP6 and the mechanisms by which aberrant RBBP6 expression and function influence cancer development and therapeutic response. These mechanisms include its ability to interact with E3 ligase substrates, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), noncoding RNAs, and DNA damage-associated proteins to promote cell proliferation, stemness, cell cycle progression, and metastasis. Wealso evaluated the prognostic and predictive significance of RBBP6 as a potential cancer biomarker and its suitability as a molecular target in cancer. This is the first review that comprehensively explores the multifaceted molecular mechanisms by which RBBP6 influences cancer progression in several cancer types.Item Localized brightness–shape–moisture soil parameterization for improved PROSAIL-5 canopy simulation(2026-03) Bonnet, Wessel J; Cho, Moses A; Chirwa, PW; Masemola, CThe mapping and modeling of canopies is important for the understanding, monitoring, and management of vegetation systems. To effectively model or simulate canopy spectra at the hyperspectral level, background soil spectra must first be simulated accurately. Spectrometer data simulation such as this will become increasingly relevant as newer imaging spectroscopy missions such as PRISMA and AVIRIS-NG start to produce more data sets. In this study, the brightness–shape–moisture (BSM) radiative transfer model (RTM) with localized parameter distributions was used in conjunction with the PROSAIL-5 RTM to simulate canopy spectra for different biomes in the semiarid regions of Southern Africa as captured with PRISMA or AVIRIS-NG sensors. It is hypothesized that a PROSAIL-5 RTM with biome-specific BSM parameters can more accurately simulate PRISMA and AVIRIS-NG spectra than a PROSAIL-5 model simulated with the default soil spectrum, as represented by lower relative root mean square error (RRMSE) values against actual spectra. It is demonstrated that the PRISMA and AVIRIS-NG canopy spectra are more effectively simulated using their respective biome-specific BSM parameter regimes, with RRMSE improvements from 14.56% to 13.91% and from 13.64% to 10.71% for two tested images captured with these sensors.Item Evaluating scenario based performance of DSSAT response to soil depth, initial soil water content and choice of Zea mays L. cultivar selection in semi-arid North West Province in South Africa(2026-03) Rankin, Christopher J; Lumsden, Trevor G; Nangombe, SS; Landman, W; Beraki, A; Mateyisi, Mohau JProcess-based crop models are widely used to assess crop responses to climate variability, yet their performance is highly sensitive to assumptions regarding soil properties, initial soil water content and cultivar selection, particularly in spatially heterogeneous, rainfed systems. This study evaluates the performance of the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model across the North West Province of South Africa using a fine-scale, quinary catchment-based framework. Four scenario simulations were developed to examine the influence of soil depth, pre-season soil moisture and cultivar choice on simulated maize yields. Model outputs were evaluated against district-level reported yields for the 1981–1999 period using a comprehensive multi-criteria assessment framework incorporating distributional tests, correlation analysis, weighted regression and multiple performance metrics. Results indicate that DSSAT effectively reproduces inter-annual yield variability across spatial scales, with stronger agreement at the district level than at the provincial scale. Scenario performance was highly sensitive to soil depth and initial soil water assumptions, with the scenario incorporating deeper effective rooting depth and intermediate pre-season soil moisture consistently achieving superior agreement across most evaluation criteria. Cultivar selection influenced yield variability, highlighting the importance of representative genetic parameterisation in regional applications. While simulated and reported yield medians did not differ significantly at the district scale, error magnitudes and efficiency metrics varied spatially, reflecting the dominant influence of climate variability under rainfed conditions. These findings demonstrate that spatially explicit, scenario-based evaluation enhances confidence in crop model applications and provides valuable insights for agrometeorological assessments, climate adaptation planning and decision support in semi-arid, water-limited agricultural systems.Item Assessing the influence of solid waste knowledge and concern on pro-environmental action in South Africa: Implications for waste management and circular economy strategies(2026-10) Haywood, Lorren K; Dunn, S; Oelofse, Suzanna HH; Roberts, BJThis study investigates public awareness, concern, personal pro-environmental norms, and household recycling behaviour in South Africa using data from the 2022 and 2024 rounds of the South African Social Attitudes Survey. The findings indicate that recycling behaviour remains limited, with approximately 30% reporting that they “always” or “often” recycle. Regression analyses show that environmental knowledge and waste-specific concern are positively associated with recycling behaviour, although these relationships explain only a modest proportion of the variation in behaviour. Environmental knowledge shows a relatively stronger association, while concern plays a more limited role once knowledge is accounted for, suggesting that awareness of recycling is an important, but not sufficient, influence on action. The association between personal pro-environmental norms and recycling behaviour is weak and inconsistent across survey years, indicating a context-dependent role. The results highlight a persistent gap between environmental awareness and consistent pro-environmental behaviour. In the South African context, this gap is shaped not only by behavioural factors but also by structural constraints, including uneven access to waste collection services, variability in municipal infrastructure, and differences in service delivery capacity across municipalities. The findings provide support for the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Value-Belief-Norm frameworks, while also showing that psychological drivers such as knowledge, concern, and norms are mediated by real-world conditions that influence perceived behavioural control and the translation of environmental values into action. Improving recycling outcomes in South Africa requires an integrated approach that combines behavioural interventions, such as strengthening environmental literacy and reinforcing pro-environmental norms, with systemic improvements in waste management infrastructure and service delivery.Item Mechanical property comparison of AISI 5120 steel produced by LENS and DMD systems(2026-06) Sibisi, TH; Mathoho, Ipfi; Shongwe, BS; Tshabalala, Lerato C; Skhosane, Besabakhe S; Motau, R; Mndebele, N; Vithi, NThis study presents a comparative investigation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 5120 low-alloy steel fabricated using two Directed Energy Deposition (DED) systems: Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) and robotic Direct Metal Deposition (DMD). The objective was to evaluate process–structure–property relationships under optimized operating conditions representative of each system. Microstructural characterization was performed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while tensile strength, microhardness, and Charpy impact toughness were evaluated according to ASTM standards. The LENS-fabricated samples exhibited a predominantly ferrite–pearlite microstructure and demonstrated higher surface hardness (217 HV) and superior impact energy (137 J). In contrast, the DMD specimens displayed refined microstructural features with bainitic-like characteristics inferred from SEM morphology and achieved significantly higher tensile properties, including an ultimate tensile strength of 754.3 MPa, yield strength of 675.97 MPa, and elongation of 17.63%. Fractographic analysis indicated ductile failure modes in both systems; however, LENS samples showed a higher qualitative presence of porosity. The improved tensile performance of the DMD system is attributed primarily to reduced porosity and enhanced interlayer bonding resulting from higher energy input and improved melt pool stability. While LENS provided enhanced surface hardness and impact resistance, DMD demonstrated superior overall mechanical integrity. The findings highlight the importance of system-level process optimization when selecting DED platforms for load-bearing or wear-critical industrial applications. Further investigation including fatigue testing, quantitative porosity analysis, and phase confirmation using diffraction techniques is recommended.Item Lasers in health care - How light is revolutionising medicine(2026) Thwala, Nomcebo L; Ramokolo, Lesiba ROnce confined to science fiction movies and high-tech laboratories, lasers are now playing an increasingly important role in healthcare. From precise surgeries to advanced diagnostic tools, laser technology is reshaping how we diagnose, treat and even prevent diseases.Item Workforce skills gaps and human-AI collaboration in adaptive factories(2026-05) Nelufule, Nthatheni; Siphambili, Nokuthaba; Shadung, Lesiba D; Senamela, Pertunia MThe transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 has repositioned humans at the center of adaptive, resilient, and sustainable manufacturing systems. It has been projected that by then end of November 2025, over 68 % of global manufacturers will report lack of critical workforce skills that also impede full adoption of AI-enabled adaptive factories. In this article, a survey results on the nature, magnitude, and evolution of the lack of critical workforce skills, and the emerging paradigms of human-AI collaboration are presented. A PRISMA framework was used to synthesize peerreviewed articles between 2020 to 2026 to examine the existing dominant themes, ranging from technical deficiencies in AI literacy and data science to socio-emotional and creative skills required for effective robot interaction. The main research contribution in this article is the Human-AI Synergy Competency Framework, which is a multilevel, dynamic model that maps required competencies, assesses maturity, and prescribes personalized reskilling pathways using generative AI tutors and digital twins. This research has also revealed that current AI tutoring technologies have demonstrated faster upskilling of about 57 % and 28–54 % of productivity gains based on the simulated data. This article has also recommended the adoption of regulatory mandates particularly for the lifelong learning credits and enterprise adoption of Human-AI Synergy Competency Framework frameworks to reduce the projected global manufacturing talent shortfall of 8.5 million workers, by 2030.Item Removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in conventional and advanced wastewater treatment processes(2026-10) Kaium, A; Nocanda, Xolani W; Fick, JBWater scarcity and contamination of surface waters with chemicals and pathogens pose significant challenges to global public health. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to safeguard water quality for reuse and to protect the environment. Here, we analyzed influent and effluent samples from seven wastewater treatment plants in Durban, South Africa, employing conventional and tertiary treatment processes. Using advanced analytical methods, we quantified concentrations of 140 pharmaceuticals and personal care products, detecting 75 compounds in influents at elevated levels, including antibiotics and antivirals linked to regional health burdens. Average measured concentrations in the influents ranged from 19,000 ng l-1 to 6100 ng l-1, caffeine had the highest measured value (1,600,000 ng l-1). Removal efficiencies varied widely, between >95% to 30%, with tertiary treatments such as membrane filtration and advanced oxidation achieving superior reductions compared to conventional methods. These findings underscore the importance of advanced treatment technologies in mitigating pharmaceutical and personal care products pollution in wastewater effluents, informing strategies to enhance water reuse safety and addressing emerging contaminants in water-scarce regions.Item Zero trust for NHIs based on robust identity and access management for a resilient IoT future(2026-04) Mthethwa, S; Dlamini, Thandokuhle M; Jembere, EThe pervasive adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has profoundly reshaped digital connectivity by enabling real-time data exchange and autonomous interactions on a global scale. While this transformation presents substantial operational benefits, it simultaneously introduces significant security challenges, especially in terms of Identity and Access Management (IAM) for non-human entities, such as sensors, devices, machine agents, and service accounts. Historically, traditional perimeter-based security models, which depend on static trust boundaries and implicit trust for internal actors, have been applied to human identities. However, these models prove inadequate for managing non-human identities. This inadequacy has spurred interest in Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), an advanced security paradigm based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This paper examines the application of ZTA in safeguarding IoT ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on managing non-human identities. The study delves into ZTA’s fundamental principles, such as least privilege, micro-segmentation, continuous monitoring, and identity-centric access control, and evaluates their effective implementation in resource-constrained IoT settings. The research identifies critical implementation challenges and considerations for applying identity-based ZTA within IoT contexts. The findings of this paper underscore that ZTA, when meticulously implemented, provides a robust framework for mitigating the cyber risks inherent in IoT ecosystems. Furthermore, the paper delineates prospective research avenues aimed at integrating ZTA into IoT environments. Ultimately, this study contributes to the expanding body of scholarly knowledge by endorsing Zero Trust as a foundational strategy for contemporary IoT security.Item Nutritional composition, Β-carotene and vitamin a contribution of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) products from selected South African cultivars and beauregar(2026-05) Shikwambana, K; Mashitoa, FM; Melane, Pumeza P; Dlamini, Nomusa; Bairu, M; Chakauya, E; Laurie, SMVitamin A deficiency (VAD) is widely recognised as a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), rich in β-carotene, offers a sustainable food-based intervention strategy to address VAD. However, the nutritional contribution of OFSP products depends on cultivar characteristics, formulation and processing methods, which influence proximate composition and carotenoid retention. This study evaluated the nutrient content of various OFSP-products developed from South African sweet potato (SP) cultivars (Khumo, Bophelo) and USA cultivar Beauregard. Four OFSP products, including flakes, instant porridge, crisps and pasta, were developed, and proximate composition, β-carotene content and retinol activity (RAE) were determined. The contribution of each product to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A was calculated across different age groups. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed among OFSP-products. Moisture content ranged from 5.15 ± 0.03% to 9.68 ± 0.17%, protein from 2.18 ± 0.01% to 15.37% and fat from 0.74 ± 0.12% to 29.14 ± 0.29%. Carbohydrate was the major macronutrient, with energy values between 1527 ± 2.0 and 2113.3 ± 0.57 kJ/100 g. Furthermore, β-carotene ranged from 7.52 ± 0.09 to 22.56 ± 0.65 mg/100 g, equivalent to RAE values of 626.94 ± 7.87 to 1880.0 ± 54.16 µg/100 g. OFSP crisps retained the highest provitamin A, while instant porridge and pasta provided a balanced macronutrient profile due to composite formulation. This study demonstrated that 100 g of serving of OFSP flour or puree-based products could supply 100% of the vitamin A of RDA for children between 1–3, 4–8 and 9–13 years and pregnant women. These findings demonstrated that properly formulated OFSP products can serve as an effective, culturally adaptable vehicle for improving vitamin A intake and enhancing nutritional security.Item Can Sentinel-2-derived spectral indices improve the accuracy of retrieving optically active water quality parameters using machine learning algorithms?(2026-06) Rathupetsane, EM; Kganyago, M; Madonsela, Sabelo; Mvandaba, VuyelwaStudy region: This study was conducted in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWHS), South Africa, an area characterised by interconnected surface waters and sensitive dolomitic aquifers. The region is subject to increasing pressure from land use change, tourism, and nutrient enrichment, making reliable and spatially explicit water quality monitoring essential for protecting its ecological, cultural, and hydrological integrity. Study focus: The study aimed to assess whether Sentinel-2-derived spectral indices improve the retrieval accuracy of optically active water quality parameters, namely Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Three input configurations were tested: traditional Landsat-like bands, Sentinel-2 bands, and Sentinel-2 bands combined with spectral indices. These inputs were used within Random Forest and Gaussian Process Regression models to evaluate model performance across wet (summer) and dry (winter) seasons. New hydrological insights for the region: The results show that integrating Sentinel-2 spectral indices substantially improves Chl-a estimation during wet conditions, while TSS retrieval benefits mainly from Sentinel-2 red, red-edge, and SWIR bands. Model performance was strongly seasonal, with reduced accuracy during dry periods due to lower optical variability. The findings provide new insight into how seasonal hydrological conditions and spectral sensitivity influence water quality retrievals in optically complex inland waters of the COHWHS. This approach supports improved regional water quality monitoring and contributes to the protection of connected surface water-groundwater systems in this vulnerable heritage landscape.Item Spatial and temporal resolution effects on object-based mapping of termite mounds(2026-05) Maponya, MG; Mashimbye, ZE; Clarke, CE; Cho, Moses ABiogenic mounds play a crucial role in shaping soil salinity patterns, carbon storage, nutrient redistribution, and rangeland functioning, making accurate information on their spatial distribution essential for effective ecosystem management. This study investigates the impact of spatial and temporal resolution on the mapping accuracy of termite mounds using remote sensing imagery. Mapping performance was evaluated using object-based image analysis combined with machine learning across multi-resolution datasets, including GeoEye-1, aerial imagery, and Sentinel-2. Two experimental designs were implemented to quantify resolution-driven differences in detection accuracy. The first set of experiments evaluated the effect of temporal resolution with 1) a seasonal Sentinel-2 image composite (June to August 2019), 2) a monthly Sentinel-2 image composite (June 2019), and 3) a single date Sentinel-2 image (June 2019). The second set of experiments assessed the impact of spatial resolution using 1) Geoeye-1 imagery, 2) aerial imagery, and 3) Sentinel-2 imagery. Classification results were analysed by comparing overall accuracies (OA) and kappa coefficients, with McNemar’s test used to assess the statistical significance of accuracy differences among experiments. Results indicated that very high spatial resolution images (Geoeye-1 and aerial) based on GEOBIA and SVM allow for the classification of termite mounds with accuracies exceeding 95%. Although lower spatial resolution evidently decreased classification accuracy, increasing temporal resolution can minimise these limitations. This is demonstrated by the 10.4% and 10.8% improvements in overall accuracy (OA) using seasonal (91.1%) and monthly (90.7%) Sentinel-2 composites compared to a single-date Sentinel-2 image (80.3%).Item Not all CO2 is equal: Source-specific constraints and viability trade-offs in methanol synthesis from industrial emissions(2026-05) Macheli, L; Mukeru, BM; Duma, Zama G; Patel, B; Jewell, LLMethanol synthesis from captured CO2 is widely regarded as a promising pathway for carbon utilization, yet its feasibility depends heavily on the characteristics and constraints of the CO2 source. This review evaluates four industrial point sources—biogas, steel plants, cement kilns, and waste-to-energy facilities—highlighting key differences in CO2 purity, contaminant load, hydrogen integration, and catalyst stability. We propose a five-axis viability framework, developed through a synthesis of current literature, to structure source-specific comparison and guide system-level evaluation. The framework includes CO2 usability, hydrogen vulnerability, contaminant burden, integration potential, and policy exposure. By applying this structured lens, the review identifies key performance-limiting trade-offs, techno-economic constraints, and integration barriers across point sources. Results show that biogas and steel off-gases offer favourable trade-offs (scores of 15–18/25), while cement and waste-to-energy streams face major integration and degradation challenges (≤9/25). Reforming pathways, gas conditioning requirements and modular deployment considerations are also discussed. This review concludes that effective CO2-to-methanol deployment requires source-specific process design, improved ontaminant-tolerant catalysts, and better alignment of infrastructure and policy to the heterogeneous nature of industrial CO2 sources.Item Microstructure, phase stability, and mechanical properties of binary Ti-Mo and ternary Ti-Mo-Fe alloys for biomedical applications(2026-03) Moshokoa, NA; Makhatha, ME; Raganya, Mampai L; Makoana, Nkutwane W; Phasha, M; Moema, JMetastable β-Ti alloys with non-toxic and low-cost alloying elements, with high biocompatibility and improved mechanical properties, are being developed globally for biomedical applications. Howerver, there is still limited published work on Ti-Mo and Ti-Mo-Fe alloys with high Mo content and low cost alloying element with high strength designed for biomedical applications such as vascular stents. Thus, the current study uniquely investigates the combined influence of Fe addition and theoretical methods on β stability and mechanical performance of Ti-Mo alloys with high Mo content vascular stents. Two metastable β-Ti alloys, namely, binary Ti-20Mo wt% (referred to as Alloy 1) and ternary Ti-16.5Mo-1.1Fe wt% (referred to as Alloy 2), were designed using the theoretical predictive methods such as the molybdenum equivalence (Moeq), the average Bo-Md method, and the electron-to-atom ratio (e/a). Microstructural characterization and tensile properties of the alloys after solution treatment at 1100 °C and quenched in ice-brine were analysed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and optical micrographs showed stability of the β phase in both alloys due to similarity in e/a ratio value and a slight difference in Moeq. Alloy 1 showed a high ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 920 MPa and yield strength (YS) of 906 MPa, whereas a much lower UTS of 540 MPa was observed in Alloy 2. The elastic modulus decreased from 85 GPa in Alloy 1 to 74 GPa in Alloy 2, while micro-Vickers hardness increased significantly from 353 Hv0.5 in Alloy 1 to 428 Hv0.5 in Alloy 2. The high strength and modulus in Alloy 1 illustrated that the alloy could be considered as a potential alloy for biomedical applications such as those in vascular stents.Item Additively manufactured carbide and nitride doped Co22.2Cr22.2Ni22.2Cu22.2Nb11.2 high-entropy alloy for surface engineering application(2026-06) Alabi, AS; Popoola, API; Popoola, OM; Mathe, Ntombizodwa RMetal-matrix composites have gained wide recognition owing to their superior tailorability, which surpasses that of traditional alloys. The development of multicomponent metal-based high-entropy alloy (HEA) systems has increased the potential for fabricating tunable composites for surface engineering applications. It has been established that the intrinsic properties of the composites are determined by the phases present in their base alloys, reinforcement types, and volumes. Herein, 5 wt% of vanadium carbide, titanium nitride, and a combination of both ceramics were added to Co22.2Cr22.2Ni22.2Cu22.2Nb11.2 HEA and fabricated via directed-energy deposition. The investigation highlights the first-time use of both ceramics and their synergistic utilisation as hybrid reinforcement in the directed-energy-deposited HEA. The candidate with the best hardness, tribological properties, and corrosion resistance was identified after various characterisations. It was found that the composite reinforced with a combination of both ceramics had the best microhardness value of 736 ± 30.79 HV. The titanium nitride-reinforced composite exhibited the highest wear resistance with 6.69 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ /Nm at 20 N applied load. However, the synergy of both reinforcements offers enhanced lubricity, resulting in the lowest coefficient of friction of 0.071. A worn track analysis revealed that the samples were characterised by a transition from severe adhesive wear to cold-welded tribo-layer formation. The unreinforced HEA demonstrated the highest corrosion resistance with 567.79 Ω polarisation resistance and a corrosion rate of 0.6909 mm/year. It was concluded that the developed HEA and its composites are promising candidates for surface engineering application.