The Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) cordially invites you to a seminar on:
The Development and Demise of South Africa’s Nuclear Industry
By
Mr Mojalefa Murphy
Profile
Mojalefa Murphy is a scientist currently engaged in a research and development attachment at Areva’s CANBERRA Company in Toronto, Canada. He has postgraduate education from Canada (in physics and in nuclear engineering and science) and UK (in medical radiation physics) and has occupied senior management and scientist positions at the former Atomic Energy Corporation and iThemba LABS. He has briefly worked as an independent consultant providing science and technology management services before he relocated to Canada, where he also taught at University of Toronto.
Abstract
From the Nubian through the Roman to the British and lately the US empires, the development and maintenance of a sound technology edge to enable the sustainable provision of energy, national security (military defence) and food security for growing populations have been key governmental activities of the ruling elite. The rise of the Afrikaner ruling elite coincided with a rapid acquisition of energy, military and agricultural technological edge. Within a period of 17 years of assuming power in 1948, the then Nationalist Party government had commissioned the production of liquid fuels from coal in 1955, and developed a nuclear science and technology platform to support the development of a full nuclear fuel cycle for dual purposes of energy and advanced weaponry provision. In this consideration, a timeline account of the development and decommissioning of South Africa’s nuclear technology capability is discussed. The key driving forces of these developments are also explained as are the dire consequences of any failure to curb the post#8208;1990 lack of a sound nuclear vision.
Date: 16 February 2010
09:30 for 10:00 – 12:00
Africa Institute of South Africa
One Embassy House
Cnr Bailey Lane & Edmond Street, Tshwane
For more info:
Tel.: 012 304 9753
Cell: 073 334 3104
Fax: 086 510 0408
email: slekala@ai.org.za
A public-private partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and private investors is working on a plant to commercialise thin-film technology in South Africa that will offer consumers a cheaper and highly efficient alternative to standard solar panels.
The breakthrough technology is the result of over 13 years of research by a team of scientists led by UJ’s Professor Vivian Alberts.
Following the discovery, Prof Ablerts and the UJ formed the company Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property. The company has since entered into agreements with a solar energy investor in Germany known as Johanna Solar Technology. Currently work is underway on the establishment of a purpose-built plant, in the Western Cape, to produce the thin film solar modules.
Unlike standard solar panels that contain a 350 micron thick silicon layer, these solar panels make use of copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium. The result is a revolutionary thin panel, approximately five microns thick – a human hair is 20 microns thick – that converts light into energy at a fraction of the cost.
The elements used in the panels are all semiconductors making this technology far more effective in attracting heat.
Shareholders in the project include petrochemicals giant Sasol, the Central Energy Fund, the National Empowerment Fund and the University.
Herman Esterhuizen
Coordinator: Media Relations
Division of Institutional Advancement
University of Johannesburg
Tel: +27 11 559-6653
Cell: + 27 72 129 0777
Email: hermane@uj.ac.za
