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Item Quantifying the extent and rates of change in wetland ecosystem functional groups in the Maputaland Coastal Plain of South Africa(2026-05) Van Deventer, Heidi; Apleni, P; Naidoo, L; Tsele, PDespite global concerns highlighting the threats to wetlands, monitoring and quantifying changes in palustrine wetland ecosystem extent remains inadequate. The feasibility of mapping the extent and rates of change of wetland Ecosystem Functional Groups (EFGs) in the Maputaland Coastal Plain, South Africa, using Earth Observation (EO) was evaluated. Seven wetland EFGs were mapped, including two estuarine (Coastal saltmarshes, and Intertidal forests and shrublands (mangroves)) and five freshwater EFGs (Lacustrine wetlands and palustrine wetlands: Large macrophytes, Permanent marshes, Seasonal marshes, and Subtropical-temperate forested wetlands). Changes in their extent were quantified across seven epochs across a 32-year period (1990–2022), including three above-average rainfall years (2000, 2006, and 2022), and four years that corresponded with the South African National Land Cover datasets (SANLCs: 1990, 2014, 2018, and 2020). Landsat images between 1990 and 2014 and a combination of Sentinel-1 and -2 images between 2018 and 2022 were modelled with a Random Forest classifier using EFG reference spectra informed by fieldwork. The classifications achieved overall accuracies between 78% and 87%, with user accuracies of the EFGs ≥ 73% for all years. Over the last 32 years, 53% of the extent of wetland EFGs remained unchanged, whereas 35% experienced interclass transformation and 8% were converted to anthropogenic pressures (5% speckle ignored). Four of the wetland EFGs showed an annual decline of 1% to 3%. Projections indicate that, under current conditions, four EFGs could face total collapse by 2050, with Intertidal forests and shrublands at the highest risk. The findings highlight the need for enhanced EO-based monitoring and protective measures to preserve wetland biodiversity and its ecosystem services.Item A review of feedstock diversification for methanol production: From fossil fuels to renewable resources(2026-03) Reddy, Trishen; Seodigeng, TMethanol is a critical platform chemical and an increasingly important energy carrier. While global production is currently dominated by fossil-based pathways primarily natural gas (average 65%) and coal (average 35%), there is however an urgent industrial mandate to decarbonize the supply chain. This review provides a rigorous quantitative evaluation of conventional and emerging carbonaceous feedstocks, including biomass, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and captured carbon dioxide (CO2). Quantitative analysis reveals that while traditional biogas offers methane concentrations averaging 50–80%, emerging substrates can also provide superior methane yields. A significant contribution of this work is the integration of the latest 2025 findings on semolina processing waste, which demonstrates a high-hydrogen (H2) potential (average 23.0% H2) for biomethanol synthesis. Furthermore, the paper delves into the relevance of process intensification, identifying membrane reactor technology as a primary solution to thermodynamic equilibrium constraints. By addressing critical technical hurdles such as membrane fouling often cited as a major barrier to the 0.2% renewable share in global supply. This review serves as a vital roadmap for industries aiming to transition toward carbon-negative methanol production and enhanced energy resilience.Item Development of defect-free thin film nanocomposite membranes for desalination using recycled PET and 2D nanomaterials(2026-04) Zamisa, MK; Ray, Suprakas S; Ojijo, Vincent O; Seadira,T; Sadiku, R; Kumar, Neeraj; Madirisha, MThis study investigates the development and properties of the thin film nanocomposite (TFNC) desalination membranes based on electrospun recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) substrate layers. However, achieving a defect-free thin film active layer onto the highly porous electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) remains challenging. The ENM was thus modified with graphene oxide/molybdenum disulfide (GO/MoS2) to develop the defect-free TFNC membrane. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were intercalated with MoS2 and crosslinked polymer connectors. These as-prepared laminate layers were deposited onto the rPET nanofibers to function as an interlayer or transition layer between the electrospun substrate and the thin film active layer. The resultant rPET-GO/MoS2 membrane was assessed in terms of physicochemical properties and performance. The hydrophilicity was greatly enhanced by the GO/MoS2 interlayer, from 120° to 67°. The XRD supplied the evidence of successful intercalation of MoS2 within the GO sheets, thus resulting in the tightening of the interlayer space within the sheets of the GO-MoS2 membranes, from 0.86 nm for GO to 0.79 nm for GO/MoS2. The nanochannel spacing of the GO-MoS2 membranes was thus capable of retaining the salt ions during desalination. The properties of the tailored membrane, therefore, highlight the potential of electrospun membranes and 2D nanomaterials in offering sustainable materials towards ensuring continuous and economical water supply in emerging water supply alternatives such as desalination.Item Assessment of seasonal variations in teal carbon of the palustrine wetland in the Grassland Biome of South Africa using remote sensing(2026-04) Ngebe, S; Naidoo, L; Van Deventer, Heidi; Tsele, P; Qabaqaba, MQuantifying carbon stocks from the above-ground biomass (AGB) of wetland vegetation across seasons is crucial for assessing ecosystem resilience to anthropogenic and climate pressures. This study aimed to assess differences between summer and winter in aboveground carbon (AGC) of palustrine wetland vegetation using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data. The Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were implemented with variable importance selection to develop an optimal model from remote sensing derived modelling scenario combinations. Modelling scenarios included field measured Leaf Area index and different combinations of (i) Sentinel-2 derived variables namely vegetation indices (VIs) and reflectance bands, and (ii) Sentinel-1 grey-level co-occurrence matrices, backscatter band ratios, and backscatter channels. Results indicated significant seasonal variation (p < 0.05) with higher total teal carbon in summer (155.1 g C/m2) than winter (115.8 g C/m2). Large macrophytes particularly Phragmites australis stored the highest carbon (93.04 g C/m2 in summer; 78.37 g C/m2 in winter). Sentinel-1-derived models outperformed Sentinel-2-based models for both seasons, achieving R2 of 0.7–0.8, RMSE of 39.9–69.6 g·m-2, and relative RMSE of 17.3%–21.3%. RF consistently performed better than SVR. Thus, seasonal monitoring of teal carbon provide valuable insights of wetlands vegetation contribution in carbon accounting and sequestration.Item Obstacles and opportunities: An investigation of the acceptance of insect-based foods among young South Africans(2026-06) Hansell, M; Johansson Melker, M; Olsson, V; Wendin, K; Pohl, M; Ayodeji Adebo, OA; Dlamini, Nomusa REntomophagy, the practice of eating insects, has long provided essential nutrition in many cultures and offers potential benefits for food security, health, and sustainability. However, in parts of Africa this tradition is declining, and in South Africa, younger generations are often unfamiliar with insect consumption. Western dietary influences and urbanization contribute to the abandonment of traditional food practices, leading to a loss of knowledge surrounding insect consumption. This study aimed to investigate young South Africans’ acceptance of eating insects, and to understand main obstacles and opportunities with potential implementation of insect-based food products. Data were collected through an Entomophagy Attitude Questionnaire (n = 119), a focus group discussion (n = 13) and semi-structured interviews (n = 4). The results show gender differences in attitudes toward insects, with females being more reluctant toward entomophagy than men and, for example, scoring significantly higher in disgust when confronted with a statement that a dish contained insects (p = 0.07). However, the Entomophagy Attitude Questionnaire revealed no significant attitudinal differences between young people originating from the provinces Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Qualitative findings reveal that younger participants avoid insects due to feelings of disgust and perceptions of them as unclean or unsafe. Yet opportunities exist to reframe insects as appealing food choices. Participants indicated that presenting insect-based products as modern, tasty, fashionable, and aligned with sustainability and nutrition could improve acceptance. This study provides insights into the cultural and psychological barriers deterring entomophagy among young South Africans and highlights the importance of presenting insects and insect-based foods as desirable in contemporary diets.Item Dual-phytocompound-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles: Formulation, characterization, in vitro antioxidant and antitumor evaluation(2026-02) Selepe, Cyril T; Dhlamini, Khanyisile S; Tshweu, Lesego L; Nxumalo, Precious Z; Mongalo, NI; Raletsena, MV; Kwezi, Lusisizwe; Ramalapa, Bathabile E; Ray, Suprakas SBetulinic acid (BA) and taraxerol (TA) have gained attention for their potent pharmacological antioxidant and antitumor properties. However, their poor water solubility limits clinical use. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocarriers were prepared via a single emulsion–solvent evaporation method to co-encapsulate BA and TA, thereby improving their solubility, stability, and bioavailability. The resulting particles had an average size of 261 ± 7.70 nm and a zeta potential of −18.00 ± 0.21 mV. Encapsulation efficiency was 82.77% for BA and 69.84% for TA, with drug loadings of 6.57 ± 0.45% and 5.54 ± 0.23%, respectively. XRD study confirmed the formulation's amorphous state, which favors drug dissolution, and TEM showed a spherical shape. In vitro release tests revealed a biphasic pattern: an initial burst followed by sustained release. The co-encapsulated nanocarriers exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity compared to free and individually encapsulated compounds, as shown by improved free radical scavenging. Additionally, the nanoformulation demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects against HepG2 and HeLa cell lines, indicating strong antitumor potential. These results suggest that PCL nanocarriers co-loaded with BA and TA provide a versatile and effective platform to enhance the therapeutic effects of natural triterpenoids, with promising applications for managing oxidative stress–related conditions and cancer.Item Gunnera perpensa L. - mediated gold nanoparticles with enhanced anti-gonococcal activity(2026-03) De Canha, MN; Dembetembe, TT; Twilley, D; Maphutha, J; Thipe, VC; Mandiwana, Vusani; Kalombo, Michel L; Rikhotso, Rirhandzu S; Ray, Suprakas S; Lall, N; Kritzinger, QGonorrhoea is the second most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD) worldwide, with its treatment increasingly compromised by antibiotic resistance to available treatments. This has led to the investigation of bioactive plants as sources for novel drug development, with plant-based nanoparticles showing promise in treating STDs. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-gonococcal activity and cytotoxicity of the ethanolic root extract of Gunnera perpensa L. (GP) and to determine whether synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from GP showed enhanced biological activity. Characterization of the nanoparticles was performed using ultraviolet–visible spectrometry (UV–Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Lastly, the anti-gonococcal activity and cytotoxicity of GP and GP-AuNPs were evaluated. The AuNPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance at 536 nm, confirming the successful synthesis of nanoparticles, with a hydrodynamic size of 127.20 nm and a core size of 39.51 nm. The GP-AuNPs showed enhanced anti-gonococcal activity compared to GP with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10.40 and 46.70 μg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on human keratinocytes (HaCaT), human monocytes (THP-1), and STD-related human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), with GP-AuNPs exhibiting fifty percent inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 22.12 ± 0.52, 27.53 ± 6.02, and >38.96 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, GP showed IC50 values > 400 μg/mL against all tested cell lines. These findings indicate that GP-AuNPs exhibit significant anti-gonococcal activity with greater selectivity for Neisseria gonorrhoeae over non-cancerous (HaCaT and THP-1) cells, as evidenced by selectivity indices (SIs) > 2. These findings suggest that both GP and GP-AuNP possess potential as lead candidates for the treatment of gonorrhoea. Their limited antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells (SI < 0.7) indicates they are unsuitable for treating STD-associated cervical cancers. To the best of our knowledge, no published studies have investigated the effect of plant-synthesized nanoparticles on their activity against N. gonorrhoeae; therefore, this is the first use of GP-AuNPs against N. gonorrhoeae, advancing plant-based nanomedicine for STDs.Item Theoretical study on the structural, mechanical, thermodynamic, and vibrational properties of Ti8Ni8–xFex (X = 0–8) shape memory alloys for biomedical applications(2025-04) Mathews, T; Sithole, E; Modiba, Rosinah; Madigoe, Mandy NShape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are metal alloys that can return to their original shape after deforming. In this study, Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been employed to study the structural, mechanical, thermodynamic, and vibrational properties of Ti8Ni8–xFex SMAs, with Fe content varying from x = 0 to 8. Calculated lattice parameters agreed well with the theoretical and experimental data, confirming the validity of this study. The structural analysis revealed a decrease in formation energy with increasing Fe content. These indicated the enhancement of the thermodynamic stability of the alloys. The calculated mechanical property showed a decrease in Poisson’s ratio as the Fe content increased, suggesting that the SMAs transit toward brittle behavior. Similarly, the G/B ratio was found to increase, confirming an improvement in the resistance to plastic deformation. The addition of Fe enhances C′ values and decreases the anisotropy of the alloys. Phonon dispersion calculations were conducted to evaluate the vibrational stability of the alloys. The results indicated that Fe doping modifies the elastic properties and influences the alloy’s mechanical performance. Fe contents changed the phonon frequencies due to bonding characteristics between Ni and Fe. Vibrational instability has been observed for Ti8Ni8–xFex (x = 0–2), while (x = 3–7) demonstrated the vibrational stability of the alloys. The Ti8Ni1Fe7 alloy is the most thermodynamically stable and is a promising candidate for biomedical applications.Item Exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: An integrated computational and experimental study(2026-02) Josiah, Jideani C; Govender, KK; Govender, PP; Cordier, W; Nell, MCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) poses a significant therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and recurrence rates. The current treatment 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is associated with adverse skin reactions. This study investigates cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential alternative therapy for cSCC through an integrated computational and experimental approach. Density functional theory (DFT) using the M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) basis set revealed that CBD's smaller HOMO–LUMO gap (0.282 eV) compared to 5-FU (0.288 eV) indicates a higher reactivity and potential biological interactions. Cannabidiol exhibits a higher binding affinity toward the CB1 receptor (−9.986 kcal/mol) than 5-FU (−3.760 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the CBD–CB1 complex remains stable through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Binding free energy calculations (MM-GBSA) further confirmed CBD's enhanced affinity (−69.696 kcal/mol) over 5-FU (−28.241 kcal/mol). Experimentally, CBD exhibited greater cytotoxicity against A431 cSCC cells with an IC50 of 2.76 μM compared to 5-FU's IC50 of 5.61 μM. These integrated findings suggest that CBD is a promising alternative therapeutic candidate for cSCC, offering superior cytotoxicity and stable molecular interactions compared to 5-FU.Item Response surface modelling and optimization of oleic acid yield from Sclerocarya birrea kernel oil in supercritical carbon dioxide extraction(2026-03) Reddy, Trishen; Seodigeng, TThis study investigated the potential for maximizing oleic acid (C18:1) yield from Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) kernel oil using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction. The investigation utilised a unique dataset comprising nine experimental runs derived from existing literature on Marula oil. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the influence of the two primary independent variables viz. extraction pressure (varied between 250 bar and 450 bar) and extraction temperature (varied between 40 °C and 75 °C). During all runs, the CO2 flow rate, extraction time, and particle size were held constant. A significant second-order polynomial model was developed to predict the yield of oleic acid. To achieve a practical and economically viable outcome, the Optimal (Custom) option within Design-Expert Version 13 software was specifically utilised to optimise the combined effects of temperature and pressure. This customized approach identified the most desirable set of operating conditions viz. temperature of 60 °C and pressure of 250 bar for achieving maximal oleic acid recovery, thus providing a foundational model for sustainable industrial applications.Item Ferrocene-based hybrid drugs as potential anticancer and antibacterial therapeutic agents for incorporation into nanocarriers: In silico, in vitro, molecular docking evaluations(2025-05) Peter, S; Morifi, E; Nwamadi, M; Oselusi, SO; Tantoh, Asongwe LA; Fonkui, TY; Ndinteh, DT; Aderibigbe, BABackground/Objectives: Cancer and bacterial cases are increasing. Hence, new drugs to treat these diseases are paramount. Ferrocene-based hybrid compounds were synthesizedas potential cancer and bacteria therapeutics. Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized via FTIR, NMR, and LC-MS and evaluated against different cancer cells and bacterial strains. Moreover, computational studies of these compounds were conducted using several silico tools. Results: Among the synthesized compounds, hybrid 10 was the most promising compound, displaying promising anticancer activity with IC50 values between 42.42 and 45.37 and 50.64 and 73.37 µg/mL against HeLa and CHO cancer cells, respectively, with a selective index greater than one on HeLa cancer cells. Compounds 22–26 displayed promising antibacterial activity with a MIC value of 7.8125 µg/mL against most bacterial strains in vitro. The in silico results revealed that this compound has strong binding affinities for 4qtb, 3eqm, and 2w3l cervical cancer proteins, exhibiting binding energies of −7.3, −8.7, and 7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, hybrid 10 showed promising pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties, including high GI absorption, moderate water solubility, favoring the oral administration route, nontoxicity, and is a P-gp substrate. Conclusions: The findings obtained in this study illustrate that hybrid compounds are potential therapeutics that need to be explored. The compounds also contained functionalities relevant for incorporating into nanocarriers to improve their biological activities further. Therefore, further studies are recommended for the most effective compounds to reinforce these findings.Item Cell damage, toxicity and bacterial diversity shifts of microcystis and oscillatoria cultures treated with bacterial isolates(2026-02) Ndlela, Luyanda L; Wesley-Smith, J; Oberholster, PJ; Smit, MThe mitigation of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is a much-researched and ongoing challenge. Seasonal influences, microbial diversity, and the wide range of cyanotoxins known to be associated with cyanobacterial blooms add layers of complexity to these environmental threats. Strategies to remediate blooms must avoid inducing widespread cell lysis and the release of cyanotoxins, which would compound rather than address the problem. Bacterial isolates have been found to be effective in bloom mitigation and can impact the diversity associated with the bloom. The present study reports on the exposure of non-axenic cultures of colonial Microcystis sp. and filamentous Oscillatoria sp. isolated from dams in South Africa to low ratios of four antagonistic bacterial isolates for 4 days. TEM was used to assess ultrastructural changes, HPLC to determine the relative concentrations of microcystin-LR and RR, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to explore possible shifts in diversity from control samples as a result of exposure to the biological control bacterial isolates used. Ultrastructurally, Microcystis showed greater signs of stress than cells of Oscillatoria, with isolate 1 (Aeromonas lacus) having the least effect overall, whilst Isolate B (Lysinibacillus) and 3Y (Pseudomonas sp.) induced cell lysis in Microcystis. All isolates reduced the concentration of the toxic microcystin-LR, while the -RR variant often increased after 4 days. Minimal diversity shifts were noted in Microcystis-treated cultures, whilst those of Oscillatoria showed a greater diversity shift, indicating an increase in families containing isolates linked to bloom decline.Item Computational thermal analysis of FeCrV15+TiB2 coatings on EN48 baseplate by using the COMSOL Multiphysics(2025-07) Aramide, BP; Jamiru, T; Adegbola, TA; Popoola, API; Adeoti, MO; Sadiku, R; Pityana, Sisa LThis study seeks to elucidate the thermal effects of including TiB2 powder on the geometric evolution of FeCrV15 coating using a 3D simulation of the laser cladding process. The process entails applying a coating of FeCrV15 powder onto the EN48 substrate and incorporating TiB2 powder into the coating to evaluate the feasibility of IPG laser-applied coating layers. In order to modify the laser cladding process, the conservation equations of energy, momentum, and mass are linked via the temperature variable and resolved. Intricate hypotheses are employed in mathematical modeling to address the boundary conditions arising from the laser melting of several materials, thereby simplifying issues associated with varying material properties. Moving mesh is employed to ascertain the deformation of a free surface by utilizing the Arbitrary Lagrangian and Eulerian (ALE) methodology. The simulation disregards thermo-capillary forces and their influence on fluid dynamics within the liquefied pool to achieve process optimization. The developed procedure simulation also assesses the thermal dispersion associated with the procedure. The results provide approximate information regarding the influence of TiB2 on the development of clad geometry and the thermal gradient.Item Surface plasmon resonance-based biosensing towards the detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(2026) Chauke, Sipho H; Hlekelele, Lerato; Maphanga, Charles; Tjale, Mabotse; Dube, FS; Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin; Mthunzi-Kufa, PCurrent diagnostic tools for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are molecular assay-based and have challenges associated with labor-intensive workflows, complex laboratory infrastructures, and limited mutation coverage. This highlights the need for alternative techniques that can be used as diagnostic tools for MDR-TB. In this study, we demonstrated the use of an surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensor chip for the detection of selected genes (InhA, KatG, and RpoB) within the MDR-TB genome using single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acids (ssDNA) targets and thiolated probes. The probes were successfully functionalized to AuNPs and confirmed using UV–vis and DLS. On SPR-based detection, the hybridization of the selected probes to complementary and non-complementary targets induced changes in the resonance angles. The hybridization of the selected probes to the targets was observed at resonance angles of 46.85, 46.77, 45.84, and 46.91° for the IS6110, InhA, KatG, and RpoB genes, respectively. In contrast, the unhybridized probe and the non-complementary targets exhibited resonance angles of 46.33, 46.05, 45.53, and 45.85° for the IS6110, InhA, KatG, and RpoB genes, respectively. The data showed that SPR-based biosensing can be refined and considered as an alternative approach to detect and differentiate between different ssDNA targets using thiolated probes as biorecognition elements for MDR-TB detection.Item Assessing tools for detecting AI-generated content in higher education(2025-01) Baloyi, Errol; Siphambili, Nokuthaba; Mahlasela, Oyena NArtificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed the world, particularly following the introduction of Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) on November 30, 2022. This innovation has sparked a surge of interest in AI, leading to significant investments and attention in both the private and public sectors. AI applications are now widespread, ranging from smart farming to automated cyber threat detection. In higher education, AI has emerged as a potential game changer, enhancing learning experiences and expanding educational access to diverse communities. For example, some institutions have utilized AI to reduce dropout rates, while others have employed AI for student assistance. Research has also shown that students primarily use AI tools like ChatGPT for academic tasks, such as writing assignments and conducting research projects. In South Africa, a recent survey of educational leaders highlighted a growing push to integrate new AI tools, like ChatGPT, into the educational system. However, the use of AI has raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding plagiarism. For instance, some students at the University of South Africa (UNISA) faced disciplinary action after it was discovered that they had used AI tools inappropriately. A gap exists in the ethical use of AI in higher education, although some universities, such as the University of Cape Town (UCT), are making progress. UCT has published student guidelines on the ethical use of AI tools, which include ensuring that any final product is the student’s own work and not simply copied from an AI generator. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to evaluate free AI detection tools that can help students check their work and ensure they are not unknowingly submitting AI-generated content. This will also ensure that, if students do use AI, they properly acknowledge it, as another key clause in the UCT guidelines and similar policies requires individuals to acknowledge any use of AI in their work. Each tool was assessed based on its features, performance, usability, and support.Item A model-based systems engineering framework for technology roadmaps (MBSE-TRM): Application to electronic warfare systems(2026-02) Reddy, Reeshen; Sinha, STechnology-intensive industries face accelerating change driven by disruptive innovations, geopolitical shifts, and the dynamics of Industry 4.0. In this environment, managers require strategic tools that can align markets, products, and technologies over time while retaining adaptability. Technology roadmaps (TRMs) are widely used for this purpose; however, current practice remains largely qualitative, workshop-led, and reliant on subject matter expertise. This constrains their utility in dynamic environments. This paper develops a Model-Based Systems Engineering framework for Technology Roadmaps (MBSE-TRM) to address these limitations. The research advances theory by introducing a conceptual metamodel that captures the ontology of TRM, formalizing its structure and lifecycle using SysML, and demonstrating how tacit practitioner logic can be represented explicitly. Validation is undertaken in the domain of Electronic Warfare (EW) against radar, a technology-intensive field characterized by rapid innovation cycles and strategic importance. The findings show that MBSE-TRM enables improved transparency, traceability, and adaptability, supporting managers and engineers in steering innovation strategies under conditions of volatility. By bridging systems engineering principles with technology strategy, MBSE-TRM provides a structured yet flexible framework for aligning strategic intent with evolving technology options in Industry 4.0 and beyond.Item Resource recovery and water reclamation from acid mine drainage: Market analysis, industry trends, and future research directions(2026-01) Mahlohla, MB; Masindi, Vhahangwele; Muedi, KL; Tekere, M; Baloyi, Siwela J; Foteini, SAcid mine drainage (AMD) is a highly recalcitrant wastewater that is typically generated from coal and metal mining activities and contains elevated levels of (heavy) metals and sulphates, along with rare earth elements (REEs) and radionuclides in some instances. This review seeks to elucidate AMD’s physicochemical characteristics and resource recovery avenues that can underpin circularity and introduce the waste-to-resource paradigm. Opportunities for major metals (e.g., iron (Fe) aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn)) and critical minerals, such as v cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and notably rare earth elements (REEs), recovery, along with other minor constituents such as radionuclides were explored. Other valorization avenues such as sulfates transformation to sulfuric acid and recovery and water reclamation were further explored. The techniques for resource recovery from AMD, such as precipitation, adsorption, solvent extraction and ion exchange, were discussed, as well as possible industrial uses of the recovered materials (e.g., coagulants, adsorbents, pigments and catalysts). AMD beneficiation and valorization can minimize the ecological footprint of AMD and reduce virgin resource extraction, such as REEs, while water reclamation can provide water security in water-scarce countries. The recovered resources can provide an important revenue stream, via offsetting treatment costs and even making the process self-sustainable due to the high value of certain products. For example, the REEs global market in 2023 was USD$5.9 billion and is expected to reach USD$14.2 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%, thus denoting that recovering REEs from AMD could be profitable, while it also reduces mining requirements and associated environmental impacts. Finally, knowledge gaps in terms of recoverability, along with their challenges and prospects and avenues for further research, were also distilled.Item Deconstructing the complexity of measuring food security in South Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2000–2024)(2026-03) Masamha, B; Gwanzura, O; Mutanga, Shingirirai SMeasuring the non-observable nature of food security has remained complex mainly because of the construct’s complexity and its continuously evolving nature. The main challenges in measuring food security involve determining what is to be measured and how it is measured. In South Africa, various approaches and indicators have led to divergent food security measurement outcomes, leading to inaccurate assessment, monitoring, and targeting of context-specific food security interventions. This study analyses food access, availability, and stability measurement metrics and proposes a clear food security measurement approach for South Africa. Comprehensive reviews of food security indices with a national scope and subsequent meta-analysis to determine these indicators’ effect size, publication bias, and heterogeneity have not been adequately explored.Item Atomised NiTiTa from elemental powders for additive manufacturing of biomedical components(2026-04) Motibane, Londiwe P; Mkhonto, D; Tshabalala, Lerato C; Becker, THReadily available feedstock for Additive Manufacturing (AM) is in high demand as the technology advances and finds more applications worldwide. As such, the field of designing advanced alloys tailored for AM requires powder feedstocks engineered for both printability and application-specific performance. Nitinol (NiTi) is a shape-memory alloy that is biocompatible, super-elasticity, and exhibits the shape-memory effect; however, its functional window remains narrow for next-generation implants. Here we refine NiTi through ternary alloying with tantalum to create NiTiTa powder using ultrasonic atomisation under a highly controlled inert atmosphere on an Amazemet rePowder platform. To accommodate the disparate melting points and suppress elemental evaporation, two alloying strategies are considered and discussed: Ni, Ti and Ta mix, and Ti and Ta mix with the addition of Ni in the second phase of casting. Cast-rod microstructures, powder morphology, NiTi (D₅₀ ≈ 51 µm), and chemical composition (Ni 51.78, Ti 46.24 and Ta 1.98 wt.%) were characterised by SEM-EDS and XRD. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed a tailored martensitic transformation range (As ≈ 28 °C) suitable for physiological conditions. XRD confirmed predominant B2 and B19′ phases with minor Ta peaks. The findings confirm the feasibility of producing homogeneous, AM-ready NiTiTa powders, providing the foundation for forthcoming laser powder bed fusion trials aimed at patient-specific biomedical devices.Item The utilization of satellite imagery and machine learning to detect paved pavements from unpaved pavements in Gauteng, South Africa(2026-01) Singano, AfikaSatellite imagery analysis has become increasingly important for various applications, including urban planning, infrastructure development, transport asset management and disaster response. One critical task in satellite image analysis involves the detection and classification of roads. In this study, an approach utilizing the YOLO (You Only Look Once) Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) object detection model is proposed to distinguish between paved and unpaved roads from satellite imagery. Leveraging a custom dataset curated for this purpose, a YOLO object detection model was trained on Google Colab Pro's infrastructure, achieving promising results. Our methodology offers a robust and efficient solution for road type detection, with potential applications in urban development, transport planning, and environmental monitoring.