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UFS makes groundbreaking advance in temperature measurement technology, fulfilling Vision 130

10 June 2024 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

Prof Richard Ocaya from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus has achieved a significant milestone with a newly patented invention. This patent, developed in collaboration with researchers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, is the result of work that began in 2017, focusing on a special material known as graphitic carbon nitride.

This breakthrough in temperature measurement technology aligns perfectly with the university's Vision 130 commitment to innovation and addressing global challenges. The new device offers a unique solution to a longstanding issue in the field, providing accurate temperature measurements across an extremely wide range. Existing solutions often require multiple devices, leading to increased costs and reduced accuracy, but this invention simplifies the process.

The device, based on a combination of graphitic carbon nitride and silicon, can measure temperatures from -250°C to 250°C with exceptional consistency and linearity. This range and accuracy set it apart from current technologies, making it suitable for various applications, from standard temperature measurement to specialized settings involving extreme temperatures. It could be especially valuable in deep-space exploration, where equipment faces drastic temperature fluctuations.

The patent underscores the university's commitment to fostering collaborative research, a key aspect of Vision 130. Prof Ocaya attributes the success of the invention to the robust nature of the team, established in 2015. The team is now seeking to commercialize the technology by licensing it to a suitable partner, with organizations like NASA expected to show significant interest.

Prof Ocaya advises other academics considering patenting their inventions to ensure the patent solves a real problem uniquely and is based on sound principles. This makes the invention reproducible and protects it from being copied, assigning exclusive rights to the patent holder. Patenting allows for either manufacturing the devices or licensing them to third parties for royalties and profit. He notes that the main consideration is that the innovation must be practical and solve a specific problem in a novel and commercially viable way. He also acknowledges the challenge many academics face, as the "publish or perish" mentality often leads to choosing scientific articles over patents.

Despite securing the patent, Prof Ocaya and his team continue their research efforts, exploring new possibilities while balancing practical research with academic pursuits. He believes the invention will significantly impact the field of temperature measurement, being integrated into many new designs requiring such measurements.

The university proudly supports this innovative research and anticipates its real-world impact, furthering Vision 130's commitment to increasing UFS's research capacity and capability.

News Archive

B. Iur. programme in Occupational Risk Law first of its kind in the country

2010-11-26

The University of the Free State (UFS) will offer a B.Iur. degree programme in Occupational Risk Law from 2011.

This programme of the Faculty of Law is the first of its kind to be offered in South Africa and positions the UFS in the forefront of this field of study.

The programme is designed to develop and qualify professionals, knowledgeable in the field of occupational risk law as prescribed by South African legislation and international best practices. It further offers a qualification based on a well-researched basis of applicable legal principles, combined with safety, health, environmental and quality risk management principles applicable to employers and employees in a specialised industry.

The B.Iur. (Occupational Risk Law) has been developed by experts within the parameters of international comparability, according to research-based identification of career demands and requirements in the fields mentioned.

By introducing this programmesignificant progress will be made towards achieving the nationally stated objective of legal safety, health and environmental quality assurance in the workplace and within the broader community. The programme will also encompass the values and standards prescribed by the Institute of Safety Managers. This will provide them with a further step towards the regulation of the professional en ethical standards in the field of legal safety, health and environmental quality assurance.

With the programme, the UFS not only creates a unique opportunity for stakeholders and learners to add meaningful value to their careers, but also exerts a meaningful influence on the industry and society in terms of the acquisition of a most appropriate type of qualification. The B.Iur. (Occupational Risk Law)degree therefore offers a meaningful contribution towards the industry through addressing the increasing demand for career opportunities in the field of legal safety, health and environmental quality compliance.

The new programme is the result of an agreement between the faculty and its partner, IRCA Global. The university officially launched its partnership with IRCA Global, an international supplier of risk management solutions pertaining to safety, health, the environment and quality in 2008. As part of the agreement, the UFS will offer short learning programme, a diploma and a degree in Risk Management.

IRCA Global is a South African company in the international risk control and SHEQ environments with filials in Africa, Australia, India, Eastern Europe, and South America.

In the interim IRCA Global has continued with the marketing of the programme, with the result that hundreds of potential students are waiting for the launching of the programme. The faculty is geared towards offering the programme in e-learning. New modules will also be offered with the help of IRCA’s trained and skilled facilitators. The faculty also utilises the partnerships entered into with IRCA to appoint practising specialists as part-time lecturers for the occupational risk law component of the programme as well as to develop a new specialist component amongst the permanent staff.

The programme is already active and students can register for the first semester 2011 (study code 3324, programme code M3000). Direct your enquiries to Cora-Mari de Vos at 051 401 3532 or devosc@ufs.ac.za.

The programme consists of fundamental modules of the LL.B. and B.Iur., as well as short learning programmes in the Faculty of Law and specially developed core modules in occupational risk law. The B.Iur.in Occupational Risk Law enables successful candidates to enrol for applicable Post Graduate Diplomas or a cognate Honours Degree. Obtaining one of these qualifications provides the platform to articulate to Magister degrees. Horizontal articulation possibilities exist with the accredited Baccalaureus of Law (LL.B.) which is presented by several institutions in the country.

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

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