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31 December 2019 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Anja Aucamp
Patents
Dr Mariana Erasmus, SAENSE Platform Manager, says water remediation is vital for both the ecosystem and industries.

KovsieInnovation at the UFS supports innovative research outputs in various ways – one of which is to protect the intellectual property and to register patents where viable. This is in line with KovsieInnovation’s broader aim to create third-stream income for the university. Patent registration is a complex process and the UFS is proud to have the needed expertise to properly facilitate such an endeavour.

The SAENSE Platform

South Africa is a water-scarce country, with many water hungry industries (such as agriculture and mining). “Industrial processes often contaminate water with heavy metals, harmful chemicals, radioactive waste, and even organic sludge,” Dr Mariana Erasmus, SAENSE Platform Manager, explains.

Hence, water remediation is vital for both the ecosystem and industries. One of the key functions of the SAENSE Platform is to offer water-remedial solutions for the (bio)remediation of nitrates, heavy metals, and salts, among others. The platform’s activities and services are supported by undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers, using Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) funding. TIA is a national public entity that serves as key institutional intervention to bridge the innovation chasm between research and development.

From waste to water

Through the joint effort of two mining companies and the UFS/TIA SAENSE Research Platform, a new treatment for mine drainage (MD) has been developed. This patented B-DAS (Barium – Dispersed Alkaline Substrate) technology effectively treats the major contaminants found in acid, alkaline, or neutral mining wastewater. The aim of the B-DAS system is to provide a passive water-treatment solution with minimum waste production; it can also be a potential pre-treatment for reverse osmosis (RO) to lower the requirements of the membranes and therefore potentially reduce the RO cost.

The success of the patent is that it turns unusable water into water that is fit for agricultural purposes at a reduced cost and increased efficiency.

News Archive

Bloemfontein Campus SRC announced
2017-09-01

Description: Asive speak  Tags: Bloemfontein Campus SRC, Student Representative Council, Asive Dlanjwa 

Asive Dlanjwa, Student Representative Council President for the
2017/2018 term addressing the crowed at the Steve Biko Building
on the Bloemfontein Campus. 
Photo: Johan Roux


The 2017/2018 Student Representative Council (SRC) for the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State was announced yesterday, 31 August 2017. 

The election process on both the Bloemfontein Campus and the Qwaqwa Campus was overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa.  “My greatest responsibility is to ensure that we improve access and that we deal with all forms of exclusion,” said Asive Dlanjwa, President-elect for the 2017/2018 SRC term. 
 
Bloemfontein Campus elective portfolios:

President:   Asive Dlanjwa
Vice-President:  Letlhogonolo Boikanyo
Secretary:  Siphokhazi Tyida
Treasurer:  Ntombi Nhlapo
Arts & Culture:  Lwanda Jack
Sport:  Yanelisa Nyalambisa
Transformation:  Kamohelo Maphike 
Student Accessibility and Support:  Sibongile Mpama
Media and Marketing:  Kgotatso Nonyane 
First-generation students:  Lorraine Chauke 
Legal and Constitutional Affairs:  Athenkosi Koti
Student Development and Environment: Lefa Makara

Bloemfontein Campus ex officio portfolios:

International Affairs:  A Kwenda
Dialogue and Associations: Y Xatasi
Student Media: T Fray
Postgraduate Council: M Makhetha
On-campus Residences: S Dwaba
Day Residences: B McPherson
Civil and Social Responsibility:  E du Toit 

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