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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.
Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences introduces a new undergraduate programme in Biokinetics
2016-06-10
The Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences
launched the B Biokenetics programme,
which will be offered at the UFS from 2017.
Photo: Supplied
Bio + Kinetics = Life + Movement = life through movement
The Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, now within the Faculty of Health Sciences School of Allied Health Professions, launched their new undergraduate programme in Biokinetics. The Bachelor of Biokinetics programme will be presented in its new format at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus from 2017.
Biokinetics is the Science of Movement and the application of exercise in the rehabilitative treatment of performance, while its primary function is to improve physical functioning and health care through exercise as modality. The profession is concerned with health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities, and final-phase rehabilitation by means of scientifically-based physical activity programme prescription.
The department has an exceptional multi-disciplinary team of lecturers and support staff with years of experience in Biokinetics, Sport Science, Kinderkinetics, as well as Sport and Recreation Management.
Admission to the programme is subject to selection and is based on academic potential and the extent and level of activity, in addition to that prescribed by academic curricula.
The closing date for applications is 30 August 2016.
For full details regarding selection criteria and applications, visit the Faculty of Health Sciences Facebook page or visit the faculty webpage.