Engineering News | Science Technology

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Follow @EngNewsZA

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Science Engineering Technology

Moon metals discovery aids development of lunar formation theories

By: Rebecca Campbell Updated 5 hours ago Scientists using data from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa’s) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft have discovered evidence that the Moon might, underneath its surface, be richer in metals (such as iron and titanium) than had previously been believed. Nasa is... →

Greater drone deployability in Africa requires regulatory allowances, supply chain integration

By: Donna Slater 3rd July 2020 Drones are being successfully deployed to support medical and humanitarian projects across Africa, but for a greater, more sustainable impact, they will need to be fully integrated into supply chains within an enabling regulatory environment, according to panellists who spoke during a webinar on... →

Structural testing completed for first flight of America’s latest spacecraft

By: Rebecca Campbell 3rd July 2020 The US space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has announced that structural testing of its Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission had been successfully concluded. The Orion will carry astronauts deeper into space than any previous human spacecraft. This... →

Photo by Nasa
The full stack fo the Orion STA, including adaptors and the jettisonable fairing, in Lockheed Martin’s reverberant acoustic test chamber

All parts of Nasa’s new heavy space rocket are now qualified for flight

By: Rebecca Campbell 30th June 2020 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) – the US space agency – has announced that the structural testing campaign for its new Space Launch System (SLS) was completed on June 24. The SLS is Nasa’s new heavy rocket, which will launch into space its upcoming Artemis crewed Moon... →

Photo by Nasa
The moment the SLS liquid oxygen tank failed during its final, destructive, test

Sled dogs are much older than previously thought

By: Rebecca Campbell 26th June 2020 Scientists at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, the University of Greenland and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, Spain, have determined that sled (or sledge) dogs (for example, Huskies, Malamutes and Greenland Sledge Dogs) are much older than previously believed. This was... →

New astronomical discovery raises questions about theory of creation of early black holes

By: Rebecca Campbell 26th June 2020 Astronomers, using three telescopes based in the US State of Hawaii, have discovered the second-oldest, or second most distant, quasar so far found in the universe. Quasars are the most energetic objects known in the universe and are powered by supermassive black holes in their centres. And the... →

Aeroswift 3D printer project still ‘a key focus’, assures CSIR

By: Rebecca Campbell 26th June 2020 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has confirmed to Engineering News & Mining Weekly that the Aeroswift additive manufacturing project remains “a key focus” for it. Additive manufacturing is popularly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing. Additive manufacturing involves... →

US research group says quantum computing at least a decade away for most businesses

By: Rebecca Campbell 25th June 2020 US research and data company Lux Research has, in its most recent report, “Preparing for Quantum Computing”, cautioned that quantum computing is still at least a decade away from being a useful, reliable technology for most businesses. While quantum computing promises to be able to solve complex... →

B4SA receives R13m worth of PPE donations from public, private sector

By: Marleny Arnoldi 23rd June 2020 In heeding Business for South Africa’s (B4SA’s) call for help, individuals and companies have donated more than 1.4-million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), valued at R13.2-million. B4SA in March launched a national donations drive called “Business Mzansi, we need you” that called... →

Rolls-Royce commits to United Nations’ climate goals for 2030 and 2050

By: Rebecca Campbell 19th June 2020 UK-based industrial technology group Rolls-Royce has announced that it has joined the United Nations’ (UN’s) ‘Race to Zero’ campaign, as a consequence of which the company has committed itself to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2030. In its statement, the company... →

CSIR gives assurance that its Aeroswift 3D Printer project is still alive

By: Rebecca Campbell 12th June 2020 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has confirmed to Engineering News that the Aeroswift additive manufacturing project remains “a key focus” for it. The project was originally established in 2011 in cooperation with the then Aerosud group. The Aeroswift machine, based on the... →

US space agency awards major commercial lunar lander contract

By: Rebecca Campbell 12th June 2020 The US space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), has awarded a $199.5-million contract to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, based space robotics company Astrobotic Technology, to land Nasa’s Viper lunar rover at the Moon’s south pole in late 2023. The Viper will be carried... →

Photo by Astrobotic Technology
An artist’s impression of the Viper lander deploying off the Griffin lander on the Moon

Invicta helps manufacture health equipment in global philanthropist initiative

By: Marleny Arnoldi 12th June 2020 JSE-listed hardware company Invicta Holdings has been appointed to help produce bridge ventilators and oxygen helmets, which will be distributed to other African countries in the battle against Covid-19. African and global philanthropists have teamed up to help African nations secure urgently... →

Virgin Orbit ventilator

Ethiopian company awarded grant to support its anti-Covid-19 UVC Room Steriliser

By: Rebecca Campbell 12th June 2020 Private-sector Ethiopian healthcare research and development company Simbona Africa has been awarded a $15 000 Covid-19 response grant from Kenyan health innovation impact investor Villgro Kenya. This was in support of an UVC Room Steriliser developed by the Ethiopian company. Simbona Africa is... →

Photo by Villgro Kenya
The UVC Room Steriliser being demonstrated at Jimma University

Africa still viable for business

By: Tracy Hancock 12th June 2020 It is possible to work in most African countries, provided there is an investor-friendly fiscal regime, the correct asset, a diverse management team and a flexible execution strategy, says mining consultancy Madini’s Andries Cilliers. Madini has supported African mining projects for the past 20... →

Photo by Credit: Alufer Mining
GUINEA-FOCUSED Madini is focused on Guinea, where it has been involved from first drill hole through to production at Alufer Mining’s Bel Air Mining bauxite project

Future trends report points to rapidly changing business environment

By: Donna Slater 11th June 2020 Progressing from Covid-19 will require a realignment of business fundamentals, with increased demand for products and services consumers find meaningful and socially and environmentally responsible, says professional services firm Accenture Interactive’s design and innovation practice Fjord.... →

Local scientists isolate Covid-19 RNA from sewage

By: Schalk Burger 11th June 2020 A commercial South African laboratory says it has extracted Covid-19 ribonucleic acid (RNA) from various sewage samples in the country as a proof of concept, after the Netherlands research agency KWR entered into an agreement with the South Africa Business Water Chamber in April. It was KWR that... →

CSIR and DBSA sign cooperative framework agreement

By: Rebecca Campbell 10th June 2020 South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have signed a framework agreement to cooperate to support socioeconomic development in South Africa and Southern Africa through the development of technology and infrastructure.... →

Solidarity Fund prioritises grants to increase Covid-19 testing

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th June 2020 The national Solidarity Fund has focused on granting funds for testing, in light of the rapid spread of Covid-19 infections as lockdown measures have eased in South Africa. The fund has supported the National Health Laboratory Service with a grant of R250-million, which will assist in the... →

Huge appoints commercial director

By: Natasha Odendaal 9th June 2020 JSE-listed Huge Group has appointed Stephen Morony as subsidiary Huge Telecom commercial director, effective June 8. Morony, who joins Huge from Cell C, where he headed up the end-to-end management of Cell C’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) business, has over 20 years of experience in the... →

Airbus reports on progress by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft

By: Rebecca Campbell 8th June 2020 Airbus Defence and Space, a division of the giant aerospace group Airbus, reported on June 8 that the Solar Orbiter (SolO) spacecraft is now some 105-million kilometres from Earth, heading for the Sun. (The distance between the Earth and the Sun is nearly 152-million kilometres.) Airbus designed... →

Photo by Airbus
An artist’s impression of the SolO spacecraft approaching the Sun

Nasa awards key contract for Moon-orbiting Gateway spacecraft

By: Rebecca Campbell 8th June 2020 The US space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), has announced another major step in the implementation of its Artemis crewed deep space exploration programme. It has finalised the design contract for crew module for the Gateway “outpost” that will orbit the Moon.... →

Photo by Nasa
An artist’s impression of the Lunar Gateway, composed of the Halo and the PPE

Rolls-Royce commits to United Nations’ zero carbon emissions goals for 2030 and 2050

By: Rebecca Campbell 5th June 2020 UK-based industrial technology group Rolls-Royce has announced that it has joined the United Nations’ (UN’s) ‘Race to Zero’ campaign, as a consequence of which the company has committed itself to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2030. In its statement, the company... →

Covid-19 hampers Wits platinum recycling laboratory

By: Donna Slater 3rd June 2020 The prevailing Covid-19 pandemic has brought research and innovations into recycling platinum-group metals (PGMs) from disused catalytic converts, led by two University of Witwatersrand (Wits) MSc graduates Collins Saguru and Muofhe Singo, to a near standstill. The duo have ventured into the... →

Collins Saguru

Ramaphosa congratulates Musk on success of CrewDragon space flight

By: Rebecca Campbell 1st June 2020 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 1 sent warm congratulations to South African-born engineer and entrepreneur Elon Musk on the success of the first crewed commercial space flight in history. Musk is the founder and chief engineer of US enterprise SpaceX. “In the midst of our... →

Photo by Nasa
The CrewDragon space capsule about to dock with the International Space Station, with its nose cone open, revealing docking attachment points and the crew transfer hatch

Astronauts carried into space by commercial spacecraft from SpaceX

By: Rebecca Campbell 1st June 2020 Space history was made on May 30 when two American astronauts (Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley) were carried into space by a commercial spacecraft. This was the Crew Dragon space capsule, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket, the entire system being the product of the SpaceX company, founded by South... →

Photo by Nasa
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from KSC on May 30.

Telenor, Sony and Ericsson team to develop smart IoT devices

By: Natasha Odendaal 1st June 2020 Ericsson, Sony Network Communications Europe and Telenor Connexion are collaborating to enhance intelligent real-time location, tracking and monitoring solutions for different sectors using the Internet of Things (IoT). The trio are leveraging Telenor's network, Ericsson’s IoT Accelerator for... →

New Sansa/Nasa project hopefully to start operations in late 2024

By: Rebecca Campbell 29th May 2020 The project for a new deep space network ground station in South Africa, which is a collaborative venture between the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) and its American counterpart, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), is still in its study phase, Sansa Space... →

Photo by SANSA
The rising sun silhouettes three of the dish antennas at SANSA Space Operations Hartebeesthoek complex

Huawei unveils P40 Pro in South Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 29th May 2020 Information and communication technology giant Huawei has launched its new Huawei P40 series in South Africa. The new generation mobile phone series, powered by Kirin 990 fifth-generation (5G) and supporting high-speed 5G and WiFi 6 Plus, represents Huawei’s vision of the future of mobile imaging... →

Absa donates R5m to Universities South Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 29th May 2020 Banking group Absa has sponsored learning devices and mobile data valued at R5-million to Universities South Africa (USAf). USAf and Absa plan to distribute the devices to six identified universities to enable online or remote learning for students. →

Cabinet approves new partnership between South African and US space agencies

By: Rebecca Campbell 29th May 2020 During its latest meeting (on May 27) the South African Cabinet approved a partnership between the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) and its US counterpart, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa). This partnership will see South Africa hosting one of the ground... →

Small businesses urged to continuously upskill IT personnel

By: Schalk Burger 29th May 2020 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must define the scope of information technology (IT) work and skills they require, and should continuously invest in the upskilling of these individuals through courses and exams, ensuring they have all necessary qualifications to support the SME's... →

Expedited change in stainless steel industry expected

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic will have long-term ramifications, including permanent change in the South African stainless steel industry, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michel Basson tells Engineering News. “The stainless steel industry could... →

ADDED STRESS The national lockdown has compounded the challenges faced by the already stressed stainless steel industry

NWU comes up with creative solution to screen pupils for Covid-19 using cellphones

By: News24Wire 27th May 2020 In the times in which we currently find ourselves, adequate healthcare and accompanying screening are of the utmost importance to limit the spread of the coronavirus. As the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, announced that Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils will be able to return to schools... →

Australian-led international astronomy team finds ring-of-fire galaxy in early universe

By: Rebecca Campbell 26th May 2020 An Australian-led international team of astronomers has reported the discovery of an extremely rare type of galaxy, early in the history of the universe. The galaxy, designated R5519, was discovered using spectroscopic data collected by the WM Keck Observatory in Hawaii and images taken by the... →

Photo by James Josephides/Swinburne Astronomy Productions
Composite image of galaxy R5519

International initiative to fund African Covid-19 research unveiled

By: Rebecca Campbell 22nd May 2020 South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) has announced the launch of a $4.75-million (about R90-million) international Covid-19 Africa Rapid Fund Grant. The purpose of the fund is to support the creation and translation of knowledge to help with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of... →

Local company brings mass-screening device to the South African market

By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st May 2020 Local company Granule Holdings has started distributing smart helmets to monitor people for high temperatures in the fight again Covid-19. The KC N901 smart helmet is able to scan the temperatures of up to 200 people every minute and has been well received by authorities in China, Italy, the... →

Topics In These Articles

Africa Financial Technology Business Safety SECURITY Service Systems Solutions ... more

RSS Feed

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe