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23 February 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo SUPPLIED
Tebogo Motsei
Tebogo Motsei, a PhD student in Physics at the UFS, has been awarded the prestigious CV Raman International Fellowship for African Researchers.

Imagine a supercapacitor/battery made right here in South Africa that could change the way we store energy for the better. A product that can store energy in real time, thus solving energy problems as they happen, which makes a huge difference especially during power outages. A product that is not just good for the environment – transitioning away from lithium-ion batteries – but that can also create jobs and boost the local economy.

What we are talking about is a type of technology known as a sodium-ion supercapacitor/battery, which is the focus of Tebogo Motsei’s research. This technology serves as a power source for lighting, power plants, cars, and phones. Motsei, a PhD student in the Department of Physics on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), explains that – unlike lithium batteries, which have undergone extensive research and are expensive to produce – they are conducting experimental work and characterisations to determine if sodium-ion supercapacitor/batteries can perform as well or even better, using more affordable and eco-friendly materials.

“Our results, inspired by the urgent need for improved energy storage solutions in South Africa amid its energy challenges, have been very promising. We have successfully developed a sodium-ion supercapacitor/battery that stores as much energy as a lithium-ion battery. Moreover, it was crafted from recycled materials, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option,” states Motsei, adding that their battery is unique, as no one else in the world has created anything quite like it, despite numerous attempts.

She is also pleased with this supercapacitor/battery’s ability to repair itself. Motsei explains, “Imagine if your toy could fix itself whenever it got broken – that's kind of what our sodium-ion supercapacitor/battery does!”

Motsei is part of a group of scientists in the Department of Physics at the UFS who are working on this research and who have published a scientific article on their work, titled Composite super-capacitor/Na-ion battery with self-healing Fe–Cr alloy electrodes. 

“We're proud of what we have accomplished,” she remarks.

Fellowship: a dream come true

Being part of this impactful research contributed to Motsei receiving the prestigious CV Raman International Fellowship for African Researchers (2023). The fellowship is for African researchers engaged in research at an African institution, providing opportunities for research collaboration in India. Motsei will be the only candidate from South Africa.

This award is merit-based. Motsei attributes her selection to factors such as her strong academic record, research accomplishments, and innovative approach to solving complex problems. She also believes her experience in research, collaboration, and publication reflects her potential to make meaningful contributions to the field during the fellowship period. 

Another key factor contributing to her selection for this fellowship is her skill in fabricating actual devices/prototypes. “The hands-on nature of this research, allowing me to create devices from scratch, has always been my passion. Making my first device – the ‘Magnetron Sputtering Unit’ – during my master’s studies, was a turning point. It made me realise that I had made the best decision ever by choosing this research field. I'm truly passionate about my work,” says Motsei. 

For her PhD studies, she is supervised by Prof Richard Ocaya, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, and co-supervised by Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics. Prof Ocaya, proud of Motsei’s achievements, believes that this fellowship not only serves as a great motivation for students – especially on the Qwaqwa Campus – but also highlights the global relevance of the UFS, particularly the Department of Physics.

Motsei says receiving this fellowship is a dream come true and a profound, life-changing moment for her. “I feel deeply honoured to be concluding this programme at the CSIR-Electrochemical Research Institute, the host institution in India, under the guidance of Prof Arul Manuel Stephan, whose invaluable assistance has been instrumental in my preparations.” Motsei also expressed her gratitude towards everyone who has supported her during this process, including Sudhir Kumar from the Indian Embassy in Pretoria.

“I am excited about how I can use this opportunity to make a difference. Whether it’s tackling significant global energy issues or finding new ways to solve everyday problems, I know this fellowship will give me the tools and support needed to make a real impact. Overall, I see this fellowship as a stepping stone to exciting new opportunities and adventures in the world of research,” she comments.

Making a meaningful impact

Motsei will be leaving for India on 23 February for a period of six months. She is excited about this new chapter in her research journey. “This fellowship will enhance my abilities as a scientist and leader in physics, providing me with essential skills, connections, and experience to make a meaningful impact in science and energy. I'm genuinely happy about this opportunity, which I thank God for.”

  • Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, after whom the fellowship is named, was a renowned Indian physicist who made great contributions to physics, winning many prizes and awards, including the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics. He was known for his work in the field of light scattering and was the first Asian and non-European to receive a Nobel prize in any branch of science. 

News Archive

Construction at Qwaqwa Campus creates jobs for local community
2010-05-28

At the construction site hand-over ceremony are, from the left: Dr
Elias Malete, Dr Dipane Hlalele, Prof. WF van Zyl and Mr Derek Canavan
(Freelance Construction)
Photo: Thabo Kessah


Local labour is set to benefit from at least 20 job opportunities that will be created during the building of new facilities valued at R13,5 million for the Faculty of Education on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

This was announced by Mr Derek Canavan, an architect from Freelance Construction, during the sod-turning ceremony held on the construction site recently.

The soon to be built facilities will include a 100-seater lecture hall, two 50-seater classrooms, an office block, ablution facilities, two separate laboratories for biology and science, as well as an IT laboratory with 70 work stations. All these facilities will be user-friendly to the disabled students.

Addressing a contingent of brains behind the project that included Mr Nico Janse van Rensburg, Manager of Physical Planning at the UFS, Dr Elias Malete, the Qwaqwa Campus Principal, said that this addition to the existing infrastructure would enable the campus to meet its enrolment and output challenges.

“These new facilities will no doubt increase the university’s academic and research capacity and will certainly help us respond positively to Minister Blade Nzimande’s call to institutions of higher learning to improve on scientific research. We are therefore pleased with this multi-million rand investment from the National Department of Education and the UFS,” he concluded.

Also attending was Dr Dipane Hlalele, Programme Head in the faculty, who was also pleased with the new facilities. “These facilities will help us to answer to our community’s needs of pre-school and foundation-phase teacher training which will be added to our study programme in January 2011. We will be introducing a new B.Ed. degree in Pre-school and Foundation phases and these facilities will help in the production of quality teachers for the benefit of our community,” he said.

The new building is expected to be ready for usage in June 2011.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (acting)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za  
27 May 2010
 

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