Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM)

Director CRPM Research: Dr JG van der Walt, jgvdwalt@cut.ac.za | Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Research focus areas

• Additive Manufacturing of Medical Implants and Devices, using titanium alloy powders and polymers powders
• Additive Manufacturing of Aerospace Components
• Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Tooling
• Additive Manufacturing for Direct End-use
• Design for Additive Manufacturing as enabling competence

Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB)

Professor and Centre Director: Prof. JFR Lues, rlues@cut.ac.za | Department of Life Sciences

The CAFSaB offers high-quality research outputs that culminate into postgraduate qualifications, publications in high-quality journals, patentable and commersialisable innovations and skills addition to members in the field of Food Safety and Biotechnology in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences.

The aim are

1. To produce and increase authoritative research outputs and qualifications in the mentioned fields;
2. To foster an equitable, competent and motivated staff, student and adjust cohort;
3. To respond to, and collaborate with business and society via applied projects, outcomes and solutions;
4. To develop and expand critical mass and infrastructure;
5. To promote national and international collaboration, mobilisation and exchange; and
6. To establish selected foci as national and international leaders.

Niche-areas

• Food Safety Culture and Sustainability – Prof JFR Lues
• Functional Fermentations - Dr O de Smidt
• Vulnerable Food Environments – Dr J Nkhebenyane
• Antimicrobial Resistance and Tolerance - Dr C Manyi- Loh
• Ethno-Neutraceuticals - Dr I Nwafor
• Rural and Agricultural Water Quality – Dr L Esterhuizen
• Food and Waste Management – Dr H Roberts
• Geophagia and Health - Ms M Raphuthing
• Essential and Bioactive Oils – Prof N Malebo
• Phytopharmacology and IKS – Dr I Manduna
• Food safety Risk, Regulations and Systems – Prof L Anelich

Centre For Sustainable Smart City (CSSC)

Director: Prof. N J Luwes nluwes@cut.ac.za |  Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering

Sustainable smart cities use technology and data to improve the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure and services. It aims to meet needs, while minimizing impact on the environment and using resources in a responsible and efficient way. A sustainable smart city uses a range of technologies and solutions to address challenges.

The objective of the centre is to focus on research that will be able to produce new technology, products, devices, structures, and methodology that will contribute towards the development of a Sustainable City of the Future. Through research and development, the centre aims to address United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contribute to technology, enforce skills, and generate new knowledge with publications, patents, and products.

The CSSC operates by focusing on the following Grand Challenges.

Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus

Resilient and Adaptive Urban Environment

Education/Skills for the Future Work