csir annual report 2009/2010 a solid overall...
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CSIR annual report 2009/2010A solid overall performance
Presentation to the
Parliamentary Committee on
Science and Technology
Presented by CSIR Chairman of the Board, Prof Francis Petersen and
CSIR Executive
27 October 2010
© CSIR 2010 Slide 2
Presentation outline
• Performance against priorities: A summary
• Building and transforming human capital
• Strengthening the SET base and
transferring technology
• Maintaining financial sustainability and
good governance
• A selection of research undertaken
• Other contributions: Contributing to an
information society; enterprise creation for
development
• Looking forward: Focus strategies for
research impact areas
© CSIR 2010 Slide 3
Performance against organisational priorities: A summary
• Building and transforming human capital:
continue with the development of significant
numbers of highly skilled people
• Strengthening the science,
engineering and technology base and
performing relevant R&D
• Transferring technology and
skilled human capital
• Safeguarding financial sustainability and
our good corporate governance record
•Sustained progress towards
achieving objectives
• Exceeded publishing target
• Participated in rewarding
collaborations
• Conducted world-class research
• Strengthened our platforms
to increase the impact on
economy and society
• Achieved a solid financial
performance in a tough
economic climate
• Unqualified audit
Building and transforming
human capital
© CSIR 2010 Slide 5
05/06
05/06
31.7%
757
65%
1550
64.8%
1547
59%
1232
30.7%
732
26,3%
550
Actual
09/10
% of staff with Master’s
and PhD degrees
% of staff in SET base
Target
09/10
Actual
09/10
A stable staff base with improved skills profile
Dr Suretha Potgieter,
microfluidics
Dr Eunice
Ubomba-Jaswa,
microbiology
Target
09/10
© CSIR 2010 Slide 6
06/07
48.8
32.3
53.5
32 32.9
52.2
06/07
A diverse staff base
% of SET base who are black % of SET base who are female
Target
09/10
Actual
09/10
Target
09/10Actual
09/10
Dr Inga Jacobs,
water governance
Dr Njabulo Siyakatshana,
chemical engineering,
mathematical modelling
© CSIR 2010 Slide 7
26
66 59
116
175
102
192
232
141
05/06
05/0606/07
Investment in the human capital development pipeline
Studentships
supported
Interns supportedBursars appointed
Palesa Molukanele
Studentship: Master’s in environmental
sciences, research on deactivation of
viruses using lasers
Target
09/10
Actual
09/10 Target
09/10
Actual
09/10
Actual
09/10
Target
09/10
Slide 8 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 8
Strengthening the SET base
and transferring
technology
© CSIR 2010 Slide 9
• Rigorous peer review in science journals:
a good proxy for research quality
• Articles published in ISI journals with an
impact factor > 2, increased to 38.1%
Sterling results in quantity, quality of publication in science journals
• Publication equivalent per researcher 0.72, up
from 0.63 in 2008/09
• Total number up by 11.2% from 2008/09
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Pu
bli
ca
tio
n e
qu
iva
len
t
© CSIR 2010 Slide 10
• 13 new international national patents granted
• 38 inventions disclosed
Steady growth of cumulative patents granted in international territories
0
50
100
150
200
250
2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Suite of patents for
treatment of acid
mine drainage
Pilot plant and
ongoing research
Safe eggs
Pasteurised eggs
Licensed
Compounds active
against malaria
parasite
Ongoing research
Maintaining financial
sustainability and good
governance
© CSIR 2010 Slide 12
CSIR income
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
SA Private Sector SA Public Sector International Parliamentary Grant Royalty Income
Once again received
unqualified audit report
from the Auditor General
Baseline PG income:
up by 6,9%
Contract income:
up by 21,9%
Total operating income
up by 14,1% to R1 680m
• Net profit was R52,4 million
• Balance sheet remains strong to support future investments in scientific
infrastructure
A selection of research
undertaken in
CSIR research impact areas:
Built environment
Industry
Defence and security
Health
Natural environment
Energy
Slide 14 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 14
Hospital wards designed
and constructed to limit
the spread of tuberculosis
Slide 15 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 15
The challenge
• Insufficient infrastructure for growing TB epidemic, burden of M(X)DR-TB
• Often requires long-term treatment
• Some buildings not appropriately designed to reduce cross-infection
The research: low-cost, optimal TB units
• International guidelines reviewed, adapted for local requirements, conditions
• Computational fluid dynamics to model best natural ventilation
• International donor funding: The Global Fund R92m (plus R115m redirected
funding from SA Provinces)
Outcome
• Seven provincial departments of health will have improved TB infrastructure:
460 new beds each at 9 hospitals in 7 provinces
• Construction at first hospital site started in ’09: Manguzi in KZN completed
Hospital wards designed and constructed to limit the spread of tuberculosis
© CSIR 2010 Slide 16
Video clip
Hospital wards designed and constructed to limit the spread of tuberculosis
(video)
Slide 17 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 17
Scale modelling of
harbours, ports
for improved safety
Coastal engineering and
port infrastructure research:
The journey to
being in demand
Slide 18 of 31
• Durban: Physical model of entrance
channel and sand bypass structure
• Cape Town: container design of
approach channels, mooring studies for
container vessels, terminal expansion
• East London: breakwater stability
• Saldanha: design of approach channels,
mooring studies for bulk carriers, ship
manoeuvring simulations, relocation of
oil terminal, conceptual design
• Table Bay: waves and currents
numerical modelling
• Richards Bay: dredge project, currents
and turbidity for numerical modelling
• Coega: EIA, physical modelling of the
port, testing of dolos breakwater, ship
motion
Richards bay
Port of Cape Town
Port of Saldanha
Port of Durban
East LondonTable Bay
Coastal engineering and port infrastructure research:
Local track record
• 30 yrs of engineering solutions, decision support for port
development and operation, partnering with the National
Ports Authority
Coega
Slide 19 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 19
The challenge
• Harbour and port construction, operation are complex: eg precise planning
needed for loading of 300 000 ton bulk carriers
• Irregular, ‘long’ waves dangerous for ship motion; wave protection structures;
passing distances
The research
• Design of major ports, wharfs around the world: Australia: Port Dampier,
Barrow Island, Hedland
United Arab Emirates: Khalifa
Qatar: Work has begun on Doha Harbour
Outcome
• Top coastal engineering and port infrastructure expertise for local and
international markets
• World-class facilities: one of few labs worldwide that can measure wave and
ship motion with <1mm accuracy
• CSIR developed unique high-accuracy wave measurement
system, keofloats
International demand for world-class techniques in scale-modelling of harbours
Slide 20 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 20
Laser technology:
- industrial diamonds
- repair of cracks in leaking
water coolers
Slide 21 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 21
The challenge
• Stress-induced damage in industrial diamonds used as tips e.g. in rock drilling
• Element 6 contracted CSIR for method to determine diamond’s heat
The research and development
• Use light to both heat and measure the heat – no physical contact with diamond
• Use ‘grey’ emissions from diamond to determine the temperature gradient
Outcome
• Laser-heating system for diamond demonstrated
• Element 6 can now use it to improve tool performance
Other highlights in laser technology for industry
• Laser welding that can seal and repair crack in leaking water coolers without
draining water coolers
• Produced a record-breaking high-energy laser pulse in mid infra-red of 200mJ
per pulse that may in future have wide variety of applications
Laser technology to study temperature-driven defects in
industrial diamonds
Slide 22 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 22
Turning titanium deposits
into metal for aerospace
and automotive parts
Slide 23 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 23
The challenge
• SA has world’s 2nd largest deposits of Ti, but country produces no Ti metal
• Aircraft and automobile industries expected to significantly increase the use of Ti
for lighter, stronger frames and engines
• Difficult to cast and form as it reacts to oxygen when heated above 600ºC,
causing it to become brittle
The research
• Making metal from the Ti deposits
• Investment casting and powder metallurgy technologies to create near net-
shaped titanium parts for aerospace and automotive applications
Outcome
• Developed and documented a mould-making process that allows the casting of
titanium parts
• Optimisation of the titanium investment casting process chain
• Establishment of a Titanium Centre of Competence, in partnership
with various role players
Turning titanium deposits into metal for aerospace and automotive parts
Slide 24 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 24
Sense-and-deploy
technology becomes
sought-after internationally
Slide 25 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 25
The challenge
• Protection of assets when transported eg in cash-in-transit vehicles
• Prevention of loss of life during heists
The research and development
• Sense-and-deploy technology used in polyurethane dispensing units
• Consists of foam dispenser, trigger unit and power pack
Outcome
• 600 units sold in South Africa, Nigeria, Brasil, Spain, Portugal for asset
protection purposes
• No successful attacks reported from users since implementation
Sense-and-deploy technology becomes sought-after internationally
Slide 26 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 26
Supporting the SA Air Force
in making the most
of its Gripens
Slide 27 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 27
The challenge
• Becoming a smart user of the most sophisticated SAAF combat aircraft ever
• Radar: Without local radar knowledge, can’t develop tactics and protection
against jamming
• Handling: Complex to fly – many subsystems, information-overload
• Cost of tactics development: Expensive without desktop simulation
The research and development:
• Radar: Expert support during design reviews, acceptance; used in simulation
• Handling: Understand and support fly-by-wire, identify shortcomings
• Tactics development: Desktop mission simulator developed
Outcome
• Radar: Local knowledge of the Gripen’s radar used in development of tactics
• Handling: Optimised for local flying weather and turbulence conditions
• Desktop simulation tool: Tactics developed for use with Denel’s 5th generation
A-Darter air-to-air missile; SAAF used Gripen tactics simulation capability
during World Cup to determine sensor coverage and to
develop flight paths for the Gripens
Supporting the SA Air Force in making the most of its Gripens
Slide 28 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 28
Supporting a safe
FIFA World Cup
through
interoperable
emergency
response systems
Slide 29 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 29
Challenge
• Overall situation control for all World Cup matches
• Requirement for emergency response capability during matches
• Need for relevant agencies to work together in coordinated and time-critical
manner: SAPS, SANDF, ambulance services, medical facilities, fire brigades
Research and development
• Aimed at improved situation awareness as part of emergency response
• Integration of communications systems: networks, air, land, sea
• Systems requirements definition support; interoperability problem identification;
specialist software development; software integration
• Participation in exercises before the event, experimentation with different
coordination and response approaches
Outcome
• Contributed to improved operational processes and tactics
• Contributed to SAPS/SANDF security readiness
• Lessons learnt to be used in border protection applications
Supporting a safe FIFA World Cup through interoperable emergency
response systems
In pursuit of a malaria
point-of-care device:
Improving the sensitivity
of technology in
diagnostic test strips
© CSIR 2010 Slide 31
Challenge
• Malaria: One million deaths a year from a curable disease
• Microscopy is laborious and requires skills, but currently best diagnosis
• Rapid diagnosis, early treatment can reduce mortality and save cost
Research
• CSIR has developed a particle with a loosely linked polymer matrix
• When using this particle as the detection reagent, it allows for superior dye-
binding and multipoint attachment, and ultimately improved sensitivity and
stability of diagnostic strip
• Currently lab work includes adopting particle’s flow properties
Intended outcome
• Point-of-care diagnostic with improved sensitivity
In pursuit of a malaria point-of-care device: Improving the sensitivity
of technology in diagnostic test strips
Assessment of pollution:
The Upper Olifants River
catchment
Slide 33 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 33
Assessment of pollution: The Upper Olifants River catchment
The challenge
• Pollutants identified by the research: acidic mine water from abandoned coal
mines; atmospheric deposition from coal-fired power stations in area, resulting in
acid rain; run-off from agricultural land (fertilizers); untreated run-off and effluent
from feedlots; clearing of natural vegetation for land-use; untreated or partially
treated sewage
• Eutrophication – excessive growth of green algae due to untreated sewage – has
overtaken the impact of all other pollutants in area
• An increase in the incidence of fish kills in Loskopdam due to pansteatitis with the
onset of spring. Exact cause still unknown
The research
• 26 sampling sites monitored in Upper Olifants River catchment; 5 Loskopdam
• Water quality and ecosystem processes measured for full hydrological cycle
• River in worst state since start of project: river eutrophic; dilution capacity at lowest
Natu
ral
en
vir
on
men
t
Slide 34 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 34
Assessment of pollution: The Upper Olifants River catchment
Outcome to date
• Recommendations for remedial action to be included in 1st year research report
-Buffer zone between industrial/mining activities and river to filter effluent
-Establishment of artificial wetlands in most impacted sites
• Funding for the 2nd year of the study has been secured from the Colliery Board
via the Olifants River Forum
Also:
• Development of an algae index to indicate levels of pollution in rivers
• Presented at the international conference for the Society of Limnology in Aug
Understanding the most important
carbon-climate system on Earth:
The Southern Oceans Carbon-
Climate Observatory programme
© CSIR 2010 Slide 36
The challenge
• Healthy oceans bind carbon; at least half of the oxygen we breathe comes
from the photosynthesis of marine plants¹
• Uncertain evolution of the Southern Oceans CO2 sink in response to climate
change. Up to now, stored nearly 40% of all CO₂ emitted by human activities²
• Understanding and predicting the direction and rate of changes in the Southern
Ocean carbon-cycle key to effective global CO2 mitigation
The research
• Use our geographical comparative advantage to strengthen our research and
development capacity in climate-centred oceanography research
Intended outcomes
• Annual global state of the carbon-sink in the Southern Ocean
• Improved indicators to support regional and global climate governance
• Graduates with advanced skills in numerical analysis in modelling
¹NASA
² Khatiwala et al 2009
Understanding the most important carbon-climate system on Earth:
The Southern Oceans Carbon-Climate Observatory programme
Slide 37 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 37
Contributing to an
information society:
Digital Doorway
product innovations
over time
Slide 38 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 38
Digital Doorway design innovation over time
• Microsoft
Original single-seater DD
Cwili, ECape Mamelodi, Gauteng
• Modified to accommodate
physically disabled users
DD for disabled
2005
Soshanguve, Gauteng
• Four-seater
• Mandrake Linux
Multi-seater DD
2005
Mapela, Limpopo
2002
Slide 39 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 39
Digital Doorway design innovation over time
• Smaller footprint
• Remote management
Three-seater
Ntshongweni,
KZN
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
2007
• Wall or desk-mounted
• Ubuntu Linux
Desk-mounted DD
United Nations,
Uganda
Casteel, Limpopo
Syngenta
2008
Slide 40 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 40
Digital Doorway design innovation over time
DD-in-a-suitcase
UNICEF HQ, New York
• Carry onto airliner when
travelling to disaster areas
• Use of Blackberries or
i-pods to communicate
2008
• Self-contained
• Three terminals
• Solar-powered
Vumbu, KwaZulu-NatalSiyabuswa, Mpumalanga
Container, solar-powered DD
2009
© CSIR 2010 Slide 41
Digital Doorway deployments
• 200+ country-wide; close to 50 elsewhere
• Interactive map on internet shows exact locations countrywide
Making connectivity part of
a community: Connecting
the unconnected with
wireless mesh networking
Slide 43 of 31© CSIR 2010 Slide 43
The challenge
• Rural lack of connectivity: Cost and availability
• Approx 26 000 schools, 17 000 rural*
The research
• A three-year project (2009 – 2011) for large-scale technology demonstrator to
research and validate model with wireless mesh network technology and
alternative business model
• People with limited technical knowledge create their own wireless networks,
receive training to operate locally
• Three districts: Sekhukhune District Municipality (Limpopo), John Taolo Gaetsewe
District Municipality (N Cape), Nkangala District Municipality (Mpumalanga)
• 450 schools/facilities; training of 45 local Village Operators
• Components: Backbone; wireless mesh network clusters; community operators
The outcome
• Local entrepreneurs building and operate large-area wireless networks
• Towards broadband for all
* Department of Education, EMIS 2010
Connecting the unconnected with wireless mesh networking
Enterprise creation
development:
A rural rock lobster
enterprise
© CSIR 2010 Slide 45
The challenge
• Small subsistence fishermen from Doornbaai & Ebenaeser, Western Cape,
derive income from catching rock lobster
• No facilities to keep their catch for longer than 24 hours
• Great difficulty in accessing a substantial market; low prices for their catch
The research
• Technology choices: Design and implement a modern lobster holding facility to
operate from a disused fish factory
• Plastic tanks proved to be most suitable – easy to clean and repair, more
durable and can be easily moved to accommodate reconfiguration
• Establish packing room of international standard
• Develop link to formal market
Outcome
• In partnership with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape:
- Ten co-ops comprising 105 fishermen now own a company to
process and pack products before marketing to retail sector.
- Fishermen income increased from R7.5k to +/- R30k p.a.
Technology, enterprise creation assistance for rural rock lobster company
Concluding remarks
© CSIR 2010 Slide 47
HealthImprove healthcare and life expectancy among all
South Africans
Defence & securityBuild a safer country
IndustrySupport an efficient, competitive and responsive
economic infrastructure network
Energy, health, built environ-
ment, natural environment
Develop vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural
communities that contribute to adequate food supply
Natural environmentProtect our environment and natural resources
Built environmentCreate sustainable human settlements and
improved quality of household life
CSIR researchimpact areas
Targeted national outcome
CSIR research impact areas in support of government’s
strategic priority areas
Health
Natural
environment
Energy
Industry
Defence
&
security
Focus: CSIR research impact areas
Built
environment
CSIR Mandate
49
(Scientific Research Council Act 46 of 1988, amended by Act 71 of 1990)
directed
multidisciplinary research
technological innovation
industrial and scientific
development
quality of life
'The objects of the CSIR are, through directedand particularly multidisciplinary researchand technological innovation, to foster, in the national interest and in the fields which in its opinion should receive preference, industrial and scientific development,either by itself or in co-operation with principals from private or public sectors, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the Republic...'
The CSIR mandate
Slide 50 of 31
Thank you