Internationally renowned scientists, Professors Leon Dicks and Willie Perold, have joined forces to create a proof-of-concept nanowire biological sensor (or nanochip) that can identify any pathogen or bacteria, for example, e. coli, Salmonella or cholera in 10 to 15 minutes after being swallowed. The significance of this research is that it can ultimately be utilised to accurately diagnose patients during an epidemic or outbreak using a combination of nanotechnology and microbiology. It also means that “instead of prescribing a broad-based antibiotic, or waiting 48 hours for the lab tests to come back, a doctor will be able to immediately prescribe the correct antibiotic to target the pathogen, and by doing so, put less stress on the body’s immune system.”[1]
The rhinoceros has few natural predators. Yet, as a result of active poaching, the African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) are nearing extinction.[1] South Africa is home to approximately 80% of the world’s rhinos and as a result, has been hardest hit. Recent poaching statistics released by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs indicated that the period 2007 to 2014 saw an increase of 9 000% in the number of rhinos killed for their horns, with more than half of these poaching incidents occurring in the Kruger National Park.[2]
Well done to our local celebrity, Dr. Herman Kamper, who discussed some of the main aspects about the group maties, Maties Machine Learning, our local Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) interest group. This group will also be hosting the biggest AI conference in Africa in 2018 here in Stellenbosch the Deep Learning Indaba. Also learn more about the group from this SU post Watch the video here:
The 2018 edition of the biennial conference of the South African IEEE, Joint Chapter on Antennas and Propagation (AP), Microwave Theory and Techniques (MTT) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), will be held in Stellenbosch on August 30 and 31, at the Stias Conference Centre. This conference brings together engineers and researchers from industry and academia who work in fields related to AP, MTT, and EMC in South Africa. All conference contributions will be by invited presenters, including a few international, plenary speakers. The conference is organized by the South African IEEE Joint AP/MTT/EMC Chapter. See the conference website for further details.
The Deep Learning Indaba was formed as part of an insentive to strengthen state-of-the-art machine learning research and application in South Africa. We are very proud to announce that this year the Indaba is coming to Stellenbosch from 9-14 September. Applications are closing the 30th of April and can be made online. Hope to see you there!
On 15 November, 2017 the final year EE students showcased their final year Skripsie projects. The innovation that was illustrated by these young Engineers was absolutely breathtaking. Here are some pictures of the day. We would also like to congratulate our representative, Ryan Eloff that represented us on 6 December at the annual Jac van der Merwe Competition for Innovation, sponsored by MultiChoice. His final year project was entitled, Teaching a robot to interpret natural language navigation instructions.
As from 2018, the Department of E & E Eng is offering a new Structured M.Eng programme in Smart Grid Technology. This is a new course offering in response to worldwide evolutional processes in the electrical energy domain. These are seen to be technologically very exciting, but will also have considerable impact on conventional networks, in the near to medium future.
CapeTalk and Shoprite have partnered in a special campaign aimed at saving water at schools across Cape Town. The campaign involves the installation of a special water monitoring device called the Dropula, at schools. This device is designed by Prof Thinus Booysen, a lecturer at Stellenbosch University. The Dropula monitors water usage and flow. It is a smart meter that attaches to the municipal meters that supply the school. The information is disseminated and sent to the teachers, head masters and the children for them to see their consumption level. The school will also have access to a dashboard which alerts them to a sudden changes or problem with water usage or flow. Once there’s an alert a maintenance team is dispatched to the site (school, business etc) to pinpoint the fault. The device has been installed in 6 schools to date. You can read more about the water saving initiative for the schools at www.schoolswater.co.za. Have a look at the interview on Cape Talk. You can also read more about Prof. Booysen’s company behind the Dropula at www.bridgiot.co.za.
The 2016 edition of the biennial conference of the South African IEEE, Joint Chapter on Antennas and Propagation (AP), Microwave Theory and Techniques (MTT) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), will be held in Stellenbosch, on 28 and 29 July 2016 at the Stias Conference Centre. This conference brings together engineers and researchers from industry and academia who work in fields related to AP, MTT, and EMC in South Africa. All conference contributions will be by invited presenters, including a few international, plenary speakers. Topics covered will include, but are not limited to research and development work in the areas of antennas, radar and remote sensing, the SKA radio-astronomy project, active and passive microwave devices, electromagnetic wave propagation and spectrum management, computational electromagnetic modeling, and electromagnetic compatibility. The conference is organized by the South African IEEE Joint AP/MTT/EMC Chapter and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University. See the conference website for further details: http://www.ee.sun.ac.za/saieee2016/.
