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31 December 2019
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Story Dr Cindé Greyling
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Photo Anja Aucamp
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.
Gateway Parent Orientation
2012-11-16
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Photo: Supplied
16 November 2012
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Information session for parents and guardians of prospective students on the Bloemfontein Campus on 1 December 2012.
Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to obtain more information on what awaits their children when they arrive at the UFS in 2013.
From 9:00 to 10:00, there will be a welcoming session. After this, from 10:00 to 12:00, parents will have the opportunity to attend sessions by the various faculties in the lecture halls. Parents can also visit the different information points to have their questions answered.
The following sections form part of the information points:
- NBT
- Students’ Representative Council
- Residence and Housing Affairs
- City Residences
- Student Affairs
- Unit for Students with Disabilities
- Unit for Prospective Students and many others.
Venue: Auditorium, Economic and Management Sciences Building, Bloemfontein Campus (directions will be clearly indicated on Campus).
For more information contact Cornelia Faasen at faasenc@ufs.ac.za or +27(0)51 401 9102.