In our previous post, we discussed the history of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project which commenced during September 1993 and is being constructed in South Africa and Australia.  However, the complete vision for SKA encompasses a second phase that will see the SKA telescope become one of the most visionary science projects of the twenty-first century. The SKA will ultimately use thousands of dishes and nearly a million low-frequency antennas that will allow astronomers to observe the sky in unparalleled detail and survey the entire sky much faster than any current system. About SKA2 SKA2 aims for a significant increase in capabilities and to expand the project to other African countries ultimately seeing approximately 2 000 dishes distributed across Africa with an expanded frequency range of up to 25GHz.  It will build on the work of SKA1, namely, to pursue Science Driver in greater depth and to follow up on new discoveries emerging from the SKA1 programme. For SKA2, large, electronically steerable phased arrays or “aperture arrays” are being developed for the mid-frequency band (450 – 1450 MHz). The Mid-Frequency Aperture Array (MFAA) Consortium is tasked with developing these large systems and Stellenbosch University, as a member of the MFAA, is closely involved with the project.

“I always thought something was fundamentally wrong with the universe” – Arthur Dent   The Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) is the world’s largest single-dish steerable millimetre wave telescope. The Mexican government, under the leadership of Prof Laurent Lionard of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, funded a project to investigate the feasibility of adding a K-band receiver to the telescope cabin. Prof De Villiers, of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, in close collaboration with William Cerfonteyn, a PhD student, form part of the team who was tasked with developing an optical design of the required reflectors for this project.   We have compiled a handy table of contents to help you navigate: What is the LMT? What is its objective? Progress made

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project was born out of an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope. The name derives from the fact that the telescope has over a square kilometer of collecting area. The SKA telescope is one of the largest scientific endeavours in history operating over sites in South Africa and Western Australia and as such draws the world’s finest scientists, engineers, and policymakers. MeerKAT, the South African radio telescope, is the SKA’s forerunner and will integrate into the mid-frequency component of SKA. Prof Dirk de Villiers of the Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering currently has a large research programme in this field. The history of the SKA project The SKA project commenced during September 1993 with the International Union of Radio Science’s (URSI) establishment of the Large Telescope Working Group. This heralded a worldwide effort to develop scientific goals and technical specifications for a next-generation radio observatory. After various meetings of the working group and the ratification of various memoranda pertaining to the SKA project, it is now led by the SKA Organisation, a not-for-profit company established in December 2011 to formalise relationships between the international partners.

Merriam-Webster defines “novel” as “new and not resembling something formerly known or used” and “original or striking especially in conception …”. There is no better description for the 3D printed horn antenna final year student, Kobus Kotzé, recently designed under the supervision of Dr Jacki Gilmore at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University.   What is a waveguide? Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D-printing Project motivation and goal Conclusion   3D printing has been around for a number of years, yet it has only very recently been applied to the printing of waveguides and antennas. This breakthrough research has laid the foundation for a whole new field of design possibilities as in the past, waveguides were only available in limited sizes (that is, widths and heights).

Previously we wrote about the ground-breaking bio-sensors being developed to diagnose certain medical conditions. The proof-of-concept nanowire biological sensor (or nanochip) can identify any pathogen or bacteria such as e. coli, Salmonella or cholera in 10 to 15 minutes after being swallowed. This sensor can ultimately be used to accurately diagnose patients during an epidemic or outbreak using a combination of nanotechnology and microbiology. In layman’s terms, it means soon you will be able to swallow a nanochip that can diagnose a bacterial infection faster and more cost-efficient than traditional tests such as bloodwork and endoscopies and put less stress on the body’s immune system. You will be able to isolate specific bacteria to test for. For example, if your concern is water quality, you can set up the sensor to only look for e. coli.

In our previous article, we highlighted the impact of illegal poaching on the African black rhinoceros and the African white rhinoceros as well as the importance of anti-poaching initiatives as a means of curbing poaching and protecting the rhino population from extinction. Although anti-poaching initiatives resulted in a slight reduction in this illegal activity, nature conservationists and other stakeholders still lack real-time data about rhino behaviour that could provide vital information about imminent poaching activities.

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, specialises in the control and automation of space satellites, aircraft, and ground vehicles for many different applications. The Electronic Systems Laboratory (ESL) was founded in 1992 and developed, amongst others, SUNSAT, the first South African satellite launched and commissioned in 1999. Since 2004, the ESL department has cultivated a strong research focus on robotics and autonomous vehicles aiming to solve real-life problems. This resulted in the creation of a number of private companies.

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]