BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Barium Titanate Ferroelectric Thin Films for Electro-Optic Applic ations DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9841@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Collieus Lebudi (Botswana International University o f Science and Technology)\nBarium titanate (BaTiO3) has great prospects in integrated and high-performance electro-optic (EO) devices due to its lar ge EO coefficient and its ability to fabricated as thin films on commercia lly substrates using conventional deposition techniques. However\, when gr own as films\, the EO performance of BaTiO3 considerably degrades with min imal improvement upon adjusting deposition parameters. The aim of this res earch was to therefore investigate strategies for improving the EO perform ance of BaTiO3 thin films through manipulation of mechanical and electrica l boundary conditions. Films were deposited on LSAT substrates by pulsed l aser deposition and laser molecular beam epitaxy. Atomic force microscopy\ , X-ray diffraction techniques\, second-harmonic generation and piezoelect ric force microscopy were used for characterization. Mechanical boundary c onditions were manipulated by inserting PrScO3 buffer layers of varying th icknesses to modulate epitaxial strains delivered by LSAT to the BaTiO3 ep ilayer. The films were smooth and single crystalline with a tetragonal pha se having a predominantly in-plane domain structure. An effective EO coeff icient of 249 pm/V was attained\, which is significantly higher compared t o films deposited on unbuffered LSAT.\n\nKeywords: ferroelectric\; barium titanate\; electro-optic effect\; pulsed laser deposition\, laser molecula r beam epitaxy\, optical second-harmonic generation\n\nDUE TO CONFIDENTIAL ITY\, slides are not uploaded.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/con tributions/9841/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9841/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Klein-Gordon energy states of SCP under Plasma medium DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9909@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: fatma zohra khaled (Laboratory of Radiation Physics and their Interactions with Matter)\nThis study investigates the influence of plasma screening on the relativistic behavior of a hydrogen-like atomi c system through the application of a screened Coulomb potential. By accur ately solving the Klein-Gordon equation in spherical coordinates\, under t he assumption that the scalar and vector potentials are equivalent\, we ge t the self-energy spectrum of our system along with its corresponded wave functions.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9909/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9909/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The African Light Source DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T074000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9829@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Simon Connell (University of Johannesburg)\nThe Afri can Light Source (AfLS) project powers the vision for a large scale resear ch infrastructure\, known as a light source\, in Africa. This super micros cope is capable of addressing all the UN SDGs\, including Africa specific challenges. It is a premier instrument which can support massive human cap acity building and globally competitive research across many disciplines. It also supports innovation\, and competitive industry. This contribution reflects on progress over the past year\, including the imminent release o f the Conceptual Design Report (CDR)\, and the near final form of the repo rts from the three Statistic Task Forces (STFs). We will also hear of new partnerships and developing networks at the global level. Notable scientif ic projects\, and major scientific training will be reported on by others. This promises to be a watershed conference\, as we reflect on the tremend ous progress and achievements. The future holds a developing schedule towa rds the African Light Source\, with professionalisation of the AfLS expect ed in 2025. We look forward to an excellent conference.\n\nhttps://events. saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9829/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9829/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Modelling the infectiousness of Influenza virus\, mycobacteriu m tuberculosis and Covid-sars. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9908@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emmanuel Igumbor (University of Johannesburg)\nhttps ://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9908/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9908/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Defect levels induced by defect-complexes in Ge for enhanced Ge-ba sed device performance DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T141500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9907@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emmanuel Igumbor (University of Johannesburg)\nDefec t complexes have a significant impact on the structural\, electronic\, opt ical and electrical properties of semiconductors. Several defect complexes formed by n-type and p-type atoms in Ge have been implemented for the d evelopment of improved modern microelectronic devices. However\, there is no reported study on the substitutional-interstitial defect complexes form ed by trivalent atoms in Ge. This study presents a hybrid density function al theory study of the structural\, electronic\, formation and defect leve ls induced by defect complexes in Ge. A crucial understanding of the elect rically active defect levels induced by defect complexes in Ge\, which cou ld be courted for application in improved Germanium-based microelectronic devices is provided.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions /9907/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9907/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Crystal packing and lattice theory of N\, N’-bis(4-chlorophenyl) thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9906@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ayodele Temidayo Odularu (University of Fort Hare\, Alice 5700\, South Africa.)\n15m\nAbstract\n\nAccording to Corpinot and Bu čar\, any reasonable improvement of the physics and chemistry of the soli d state requires a theory of molecular packing [1]. In line with this\, au thors of this study report how lattice theory explains the crystal packing of N\, N’-bis(4-chlorophenyl)thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide [2]. Her e\, we explore the type of crystal packing of the resulting lattice and th eir contributions to the general stability of the packing arrangement. The significance of this study gives important insights into the relationship between lattice theory and the crystallographic properties of N\, N’-bi s(4-chlorophenyl)thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide\, to improve the unders tanding of their physical characteristics and potential applications in ma terials science\, medicine\, and pharmaceuticals.\n\nReferences\n\n[1] M. K. Corpinot and D-K. Bučar. Cryst. Growth Des. 19(2019)\,1426.\n[2] A. T. Odularu\, P. A. Ajibade\, J. Z. Mbese\, Opeopuwa O. Oyedeji and H. Puschm ann. Open. Chem. 19 (2021) 511.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/co ntributions/9906/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9906/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Confined Hydrogen-like Atoms in Plasma Environment DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T141500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9905@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mustafa Moumni (University of Batna1)\nWe study the non relativistic case of a Hydrogen-like atoms in a plasma environment. We use the screened Coulomb potential to model the phenomenon and we write a n almost analytical formula for the energies for large wave lengths. We gi ve also a method to compute the critical value of the wave numbers that io nize the atoms.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9905 / LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9905/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Studying real materials in action: Time resolved measurements of l ocal structure in materials at synchrotrons and XFELs DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T123000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T130000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9896@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Simon Billinge (Columbia University)\nAt the heart o f materials science studies for next generation materials is an idea that we want to be studying real materials doing real things\, often in real de vices. In practice\, this presents a number of key data analysis and inte rpretation challenges because it implies we are studying ever more complic ated samples\, often in complex heterogeneous environments and in time-res olved operando setups\, and we are interrogating our data for more and mor e subtle effects such as microstructures and evolving defects and local st ructures. Of particular interest is the study of nanomaterials and materia ls structure on different length-scales. In this talk I will describe var ious developments that leverage the latest data acquisition and analysis t echniques\, sometimes powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)\, that reveal how materials behave on ultra-fast (picosecond ) time-scales after being hit with a laser. The material studied is a quan tum material with a charge-density wave transition\, but is a model system that demonstrates an approach that could be used to study chemical reacti on coordinates for real processes in sustainable energy\, environmental re mediation\, and health.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributi ons/9896/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9896/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:IAEA Activities in support of research and applications using sync hrotron-light facilities and increasing their transnational cooperation. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9900@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sotirios Charisopoulos (IAEA)\n**Sotirios Charisopou los**\, Danas Ridikas\, Alessandro Migliori\n\n*Physics Section\, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences\nDepartment of Nuclear Sciences and App lications\, International Atomic Energy Agency \nVienna International Cent re\, PO Box 100\, A-1400 Vienna\, Austria*\n\n\nPromotion of nuclear appli cations for peaceful purposes and related capacity building is among the m issions of the IAEA. Hereby\, accelerator applications is one of the thema tic areas\, where the IAEA supports its Member States in strengthening the ir capabilities to adopt and benefit from the usage of accelerators\, incl uding synchrotron light sources. For this purpose\, the IAEA Physics Secti on implements various activities to enhance utilization of light sources b y enabling facility access for scientists from developing countries throug h bilateral as well as Collaborating Centre agreements with a number of li ght sources and through technical support granted through the Technical Co operation Program. \nIn this context\, the IAEA has recently approved the five-year Interregional TC project INT0104 "Increasing Transnational Coope ration between Light Sources and Diversifying the User Base." This project aims to broaden geographical access to synchrotron light sources and enha nce technical expertise among Member States. By fostering collaboration an d knowledge exchange\, it seeks to empower developing Member States to add ress industrial and technological challenges\, thereby strengthening educa tional institutions\, economies\, social structures\, and global competiti veness. \nA report on IAEA’s activities in support of research and appli cations using synchrotron-light facilities and increasing their transnatio nal cooperation will be presented.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249 /contributions/9900/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9900/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A message from iThemba LABS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T074000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T075000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9904@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Victor Tshivhase (iThemba LABS)\nA message from the Director of iThemba LABS\, Prof Victor Tshivhase.\n\nhttps://events.saip.o rg.za/event/249/contributions/9904/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9904/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pb-doped Bismuth Oxide Electrolyte Materials for Intermediate Temp erature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9903@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emileo Naicker (Student at The University of the Wit watersrand)\nEmileo Naicker1\, Caren Billing1\,2\, David G. Billing1\,2\n1 Molecular Science Institute\, School of Chemistry\,University of the Witw atersrand\, Johannesburg\, South Africa\n2 DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials\, University of the Witwatersrand\, Private Bag X3\, Joh annesburg\, 2050\, South Africa\nemileo.naicker1@students.wits.ac.za\n\nFu el cells provide a way to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrolyte used is one of the components that can be optimized to enh ance the operation of the fuel cell. There are different types of electrol ytes with the most common electrolyte used being yttrium stabilized zircon ia. This work focuses on using doped bismuth oxide as an electrolyte due t o its extremely high conductivity in its face centered cubic(fcc) structur e while using specific dopants in a triple doped system(Y3+\, Ce4+ and Pb2 +) to promote certain characteristics with particular focus on Pb2+ for in creasing conductivity. Variable Temperature electrochemical impedance spec troscopy (EIS) and Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) were both used to deter mine the conductivity performance and structural stability. It was reveale d that increasing the Pb2+ concentration of the system\, while fixing the concentration of the other dopants\, resulted in increased conductivity. T he linearity of both samples on the Arrhenius plots showed that there was not any major phase change. However\, it seems that at higher temperatures \, lead migrates away from the cubic structure which was revealed with VT- PXRD as the diffraction pattern showed a degradation of the cubic structur e and discolouration of sample.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/co ntributions/9903/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9903/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:iThemba LABS: A multidisciplinary facility for fundamental and app lied research using accelerated particle beams DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9901@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Morgan Madhuku (iThemba LABS)\nMorgan Madhuku1\, Rud olph Nchodusup>1\, Gillian Arendsesup>1\n\n 1 NRF-iThemba LABS\, P O Box 7 22 Somerset West 7129\, South Africa\n\nCorresponding author e-mail addres s: m.madhuku@ilabs.nrf.ac.za\n\nSince its establishment\, iThemba Laborato ries for Accelerator-based Sciences (iThemba LABS) has advanced knowledge\ , research\, and development in the domains of particle therapy\, isotope manufacturing\, subatomic physics\, and material and environmental science s. With up to six particle accelerators\, it is the only facility of its k ind in the southern hemisphere and the premier ion and particle accelerato r laboratory on the African continent. iThemba LABS is renowned both domes tically and abroad for being a pioneer in the development of isotopes for scientific and medical applications. iThemba LABS serves as a source of in spiration\, a career route\, and a learning and sharing tool for both high schools and students. In the business community\, iThemba LABS is well-kn own for producing medicinal isotopes and using cutting-edge accelerator te chnologies. In academia\, iThemba LABS is known as the regional hub for So uth African university researchers in material\, particle and nuclear phys ics.\n\nA quick overview of iThemba LABS\, along with the current opportun ities that align with its status as an IAEA Collaborating Centre\, will be provided.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9901/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9901/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:XRD analysis of Fibre Optic Sensors at ESRF post-Irradiation at th e SAFARI-1 reactor in South Africa DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9813@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bongani Maqabuka (University of Johannesburg)\nFibre optic sensing (FOS) is being developed for in-core\, online\, real-time s ensing of state parameters for a nuclear reactor at full power. This study focusses on assessing the damage incurred by optical fibres when exposed to a mixed radiation field in a nuclear reactor. Both the high neutron flu x and the ionizing radiation in a nuclear reactor can cause physical damag e to optical fibres by introducing optical defects through ionization or a tomic displacement mechanisms. Such radiation-induced defects can signific antly alter the material properties and performance of optical devices. To investigate these effects\, different samples of optical fibres were irra diated in the SAFARI-1 Material Test Reactor at the Nuclear Energy Corpora tion of South Africa (NECSA)\, with a differential dose up to the cumulati ve radiation dose (fluence) reaching up to 1 GGy. The SAFARI-1 reactor has a characteristic neutron flux of about 1x1014 n/cm2-s of fast energy neut rons. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is an organic material extensively used in se miconductor circuits to electrically isolate different conducting regions. Due to its unique properties\, SiO2 plays a critical role in wide range o f applications\, including optical fibres for real-time\, online\, in-core monitoring of various nuclear reactor parameters\, such as temperature\, radiation dose\, pressure\, etc.\n\nIrradiation tests have also been carri ed out at the IRRAD facility at CERN\, up to 1.85 MGy\, in in-operando con ditions for dose\, temperature and humidity sensors\, in both radiation ha rd and radiation soft fibres. This research aims to contribute to the unde rstanding of radiation-induced defects in optical fibres and to support th e development of more radiation-resistant materials for FOS nuclear applic ations. This talk reviews previous x-ray-based studies of radiation damage in fibres\, summarizes what is known about the radiation damage effects\, and discusses what could be gained from synchrotron-based studies.\n\nhtt ps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9813/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9813/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Benefits of synchrotron imaging techniques for material characteri zation and product testing DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9902@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrea Francesco Ciuffini (Novitom)\nBenefits of syn chrotron imaging techniques for material characterization and product test ing\n\nAndrea Francesco Ciuffini1\, Barbara Fayard1\, Jean Doucet1\, Carol ine Boudou1\n\n1 Novitom\, 3 Avenue Doyen Louis Weil F-38000 Grenoble\, Fr ance\nCorresponding author e-mail address: andrea.ciuffini@novitom.com\n\n 1. Introduction\n\nNovitom is an independent company\, specialized in 3D m aterial characterization\, NDT and analysis based on advanced imaging tech niques including synchrotron technology. As a pioneering service provider\ , Novitom uses cutting-edge\, non-destructive 3D tools\, such as 3D micro- imaging and micro-analysis based on state-of-the-art synchrotron technolog ies\, and develops specific measurements and protocols to meet the needs o f its customers in terms of material characterization and product/process control.\n\n2. Case studies\n\nAs service provider specialized in 3D micro -imaging\, Novitom was involved\, ensuring a flexible-service from one-tim e to multi-year partnership\, in projects that always ensure high value bu siness outcomes. Furthermore\, end-to-end innovative solution development for 2D/3D image analysis/treatment\, optimization of X ray CT acquisition\ , in situ testing are topics in which Novitom has been involved in these y ears.\n\nThe services that can be achieved through state-of-the-art synchr otron technologies may be: the use of enhanced phase contrast\, local high resolution tomography scans on large samples\, the possibility to add ins trumentation around the sample\, the visualization of highly and poorly ab sorbent materials\, extremely fast acquisitions enabling systematic analys es to control the repeatability or the variability\, the use of AI based i maging artefacts correction and the following image analysis.\nAll these p ossible improvements with respect to standard techniques allow infinite po ssibilities which could be exploited by industry. Materials\, parts and ev en biological tissues may be characterized in detail through failure analy sis of parts in-service\, mimic processes leading to their optimization\, describe mechanical behavior of materials.\nIn these contexts synchrotron tomographic imaging may be used to provide crucial information non-destruc tively\, such as:\n• detect the presence on surface or embedded of crack s\, their geometrical characteristics\, 3D distribution\, density\, connec tivity and their propagation under external stress\;\n• geometry of the filter particles\, statistics on the number of clogged channel\, channel f ill rate\, geometry of an unclogged channel and its walls\, validate simul ations\, describe the mechanisms and nature of clogging\;\n• volume frac tion\, orientation\, size distribution\, distance to closest neighbour of fibres\, charges and porosities.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/c ontributions/9902/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9902/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Mexican Experience: The Mexican Society of Synchrotron Light. A sh ort glance for the future of compact XFEL Facilities DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T144000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9899@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Abel Moreno (Institute of Chemistry\, UNAM\, Avenid a Universidad)\nMayra Cuellar-Cruz1\, Abel Moreno2 \n\n 1 Department of B iology Division of Natural and Exact Sciences\, University of Guanajuato\, Noria alta s/n\, Guanajuato 36050\, Guanajuato Guanajuato. México.\n2 In stitute of Chemistry\, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México\, Av. Uni versidad 3000. Mexico City 04510. Mexico. \nCorresponding author e-mail a ddress: carcamo@unam.mx\n\n**Introduction**\n\nThis contribution basically deals with the status of the Synchrotron Radiation Facilities in Latin Am erica\, and at the same time the importance of the users for applications and development of technology in developing countries. It is described how the Mexican Society of Synchrotron Light (SMLS) was created. The aim of this society was to reinforce the project for the construction of a Mexica n Synchrotron Facility in any of the 32 states that form the United States of Mexico.\n\nFinally\, an overview of new technologies for the compact s ources will be part of the solutions for developing countries that cannot afford the construction of a big facility.\n\n**Acknowledgements**\n\nOne of the authors (AM) acknowledges DGAPA-UNAM project No. PAPIIT IN207922 fo r the financial support for a recent visit to the compact XFEL facilities inaugurated at the State University of Arizona (USA) to get academic infor mation and based on this talk for the African Conference to face the futur e of compact sources.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribution s/9899/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9899/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The ESRF-EBS: Highlights and notes from the ESRF DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9886@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jean Daillant (ESRF)\nIn this talk I will briefly p resent the ESRF which has just celebrated 30 years of user operation. At t he ESRF\, 20 partner countries\, amongst which is South-Africa\, join forc es to exploit 46 cutting edge beamlines at the forefront of synchrotron te chnology. I will\, in particular\, show how the ESRF-EBS (Extremely Brilli ant Source)\, a major upgrade of the facility increasing the brilliance an d coherence of the source by two orders of magnitude\, is a game changer f or the exploration of matter and life from their most intimate mechanisms to entire organs or functioning devices. The talk will be illustrated with recent examples of research carried by South African researchers at the E SRF.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9886/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9886/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ESTABLISHMENT OF OXYGEN VARIATION IN VAT LEACHING TANKS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T161500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T163000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9870@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Princess R Nyoni ()\, Phillip O. Oladijo ()\nThe est ablishment of oxygen variation in vat leaching tanks will be investigated. Experiments will be conducted by setting up leaching tanks with ore sampl es typical of artisanal and small-scale mining. Oxygen concentration and c onsumption rate will be measured using oxygen meters in different ores. Ox ygen is essential during the oxidation of gold and its dissolution in the cyanide solution (Nicol\, 2020).\n\n4Au(s)+8CN−(aq) + O2(g)+2H2O(l) → 4Au(CN)2−(aq)+4OH− (aq) (Nourmohamadi & Rezaei\, 2023)\n\nAdditional ly\, oxygen is also consumed by competing reactions like cyanocides ( e.g copper). During vat leaching\, the process is static and replenishing of u sed up oxygen is difficult\, therefore oxygen is high likely to be insuffi cient at the bottom of the tank therefore experiments to investigate the c oncentration of oxygen will be conducted.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev ent/249/contributions/9870/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9870/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Modelling of gold-cyanidation reaction in percolation leaching DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T160000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T161500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9842@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Velaphi Moyo ()\, O.Philip Oladijo ()\nModelling of gold-cyanidation reaction in Percolation Leaching\n\nV. Moyo\, L. Robert a nd O.P. Oladijo* \n\nDepartment of Chemical\, Materials and Metalurgical E ngineering\, Botswana International University of Science and Technology ( BIUST)\, Palapye\nCorresponding author: oladijop@biust.ac.bw\n\nAbstract\n At a global scale\, depletion of large ore reserves and relative limited o peration period of mines has made large investment to be tough to implemen t. This has prompted the implementation of new sustainability strategies t o fulfill the world’s metal demand. Percolation leaching is one of the n ew sustainability strategies and normally applied as vat leaching in gold extraction process.\n\nThe effects of gold leaching parameters namely cyan ide concentration\, pH and permeability of the fixed ore bed is studied in this work in order to optimize the percolation leaching process. A numeri cal modelling method is applied to predict the amount of gold remaining in the fixed ore bed after a known time has elapsed. The surface reaction be tween gold grains and free cyanide ions and aqueous oxygen is modeled base d on the framework of the shrinking core model\, the internal diffusion of the oxygen through the ash layer is accounted for using the pseudo-steady state mass balance. Other factors incorporated into the model include con vective transport of cyanide from the top of the column through the fixed ore bed to the bottom of the column and the amount of unreacted gold parti cles in the fixed bed ore. The results of the simulation model are then us ed to analyze\, control and optimize the percolation leaching process. Thi s reduces the number of experiments required to achieve the same results.\ n\nThe model can simulate the overall gold oxidation level as well as the oxidation profile of the gold grains i.e the oxidation depth of gold grain s of different sizes and at different locations within the rock particles. The experimental data from laboratory leaching column is used to estimate the model parameters. \n\nThe amount of slimes and clays in a specific or e that can reduce the permeability of the ore is also established through column leaching experimental work. This value is an essential input requir ed for efficient permeability of the fixed ore bed. Under these conditions \, the fixed bed of ore has a narrow size range which favors efficient per colation of the leaching solution.\n\nKeywords: Percolation leaching\, shr inking core model\, Parameter estimation\,\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/e vent/249/contributions/9842/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9842/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A high capacity carbon prepared from sweet sorghum stalk for super capacitor applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T154500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T160000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9837@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gorata Pearl Morake ()\nIntroduction\nDue to over re liance of fossil resources for fuel and chemicals\, the resultant global w arming and pollution has led to research being conducted on other alternat ives for renewable energy and storage systems that can be produced using m ore sustainable methods. This involves the development of storage systems that have a high energy density and a long-life span (Batteries\, supercap acitors and solar cells). Batteries have high energy capacity\, but they a re limited by their low power density and low cycle life. A supercapacitor possesses unique qualities of high-power density\, high cycle stability\, and rapid charge-discharge performance but a low energy density.\nSuperca pacitors can be evaluated based on their electrode material and electrolyte performance. The energy density is largely determined by the electrode materials. As such\, studies on improving the performance o f electrodes via the development of new electrode materials are increasing . Biomass has been sought as a substrate for carbon electrode materials. T his study therefore explores porous carbon derived from Sweet Sorghum Stal k to make supercapacitor electrodes that exhibit long cycling life\, high specific capacitance when implored in a two-electrode system.\n\n2. Result s\n\n![enter image description here][1]\nFig 1. Galvanostati Charge-Discha rge \n![enter image description here][2]\nFig 2. XRD graphs\n\n\n\n\n\n3. References \nZ. Li\, J. Wang\, S. Liu\, X. Liu and S. Yang\, "Synthesis of hydrothuermally reduced graphene/MnO2 composites and their electrochemica l properties as supercapacitors\," Journal of Power Sources\, vol. 196\, n o. 19\, pp. 8160-8165\, 2011.\n2. J. Park\, Y.-E. Yoo\, L. Mai and W. Kim\ , "Rational Design of a Redox-Active Nonaqueous Electrolyte for a High-Ene rgy-Density Supercapacitor Based on Carbon Nanotubes\," Sustainable Chemis try and Engineering\, vol. 7\, no. 8\, p. 7728–7735\, 2019. \n3. M. S. L al\, A. Arjunan\, V. Balasubramanian and R. Sundara\, "Redox-active polyme r hydrogel electrolyte in biowaste-derived microporous carbon-based high c apacitance and energy density ultracapacitors\," Journal of Electroanalyti cal Chemistry\, vol. 870\, p. 114236\, 2020\n\n\n [1]: https://events.sai p.org.za/event/249/attachments/3616/5319/Morake%20Fig%201.png\n [2]: http s://events.saip.org.za/event/249/attachments/3616/5317/Morake%20Fig%202%20 copy.jpg\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9837/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9837/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Formic acid dehydrogenation catalyzed using ruthenium(II) complexe s bearing carboxamide ligands: Structural diversity\, and mechanistic insi ghts DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T153000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T154500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9835@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Pamela Suzzana Moyo (Wits University of Johannesburg )\nFormic acid dehydrogenation catalyzed using ruthenium(II) complexes bea ring carboxamide ligands: Structural diversity\, and mechanistic insights\ nPamela. S. Moyo\, and Andrew .J Swart\nSchool of Chemistry\, University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg\, Jorissen St\, Braamfontein\, Johannesburg\ , 2017\, South Africa\n Email: suzzanamoyo@gmail.com\, pamela.moyo@wits.ac .za.\nKeywords: Homogenous\, ruthenium\, hydrogen storage\, formic acid de hydrogenation\n\n \nOne of the most important societal concerns in light o f the growing global population is the search for sustainable energy sourc es to meet our energy needs.1–2 Fossil fuels like oil\, gas and coal are depleting. The direct use of sunlight\, wind energy\, water power and non -food related biomass is most attractive. The light and wind are not const antly available\, and need to be converted into better storable energy vec tors.3–4 Most popular hydrogen storage materials are organic compounds\, so-called liquid hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). Formic acid (FA) is one of th e organic compounds and has recently attracted significant attention as a chemical hydrogen storage medium in which hydrogen is established as a new energy carrier that can be used as a clean energy source because of its f avourable properties. Formic acid contains 4.4 wt% of hydrogen\, and it is liquid under ambient conditions\, allowing it to be handled\, stored\, an d transported easily and safely.5 In this work\, ruthenium(II) complexes h ave been synthesised and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance sp ectroscopy 1H NMR\, and 13C{1H} NMR infrared spectroscopy\, high resolutio n electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry as well as elemental analysis. These complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors in the dehydrogenat ion of formic acid. All the complexes were found to be effective catalyst for the formic acid dehydrogenation under mild conditions. \n\nReferences\ n\n[1] J. Skea\, Energy Environ. Sci.\, 2014\, 7\, 21–24.\n\n[2] N. Arm aroli and V. Balzani\, ChemSusChem\, 2011\, 4\, 21–36 \n\n[2] P. Moriar ty and D. Honnery\, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy\, 2010\, 35\, 12374–12380. \ n\n[4] S. Koumi Ngoh and D. Njomo\, Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev.\, 2 012\, 16\, 6782–679.\n\n[5] Mellmann\, D.\; Sponholz\, P.\; Junge\, H.\ ; Beller\, M. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2016\, 45\, 3954-3988. \n\n[6] H. Zhang and P. K. Shen\, Chem. Rev.\, 2012\, 112\, 2780–2832.\n\nhttps://events.sai p.org.za/event/249/contributions/9835/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9835/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Taphonomy and palaeoecology of a monospecific microvertebrate bone bed: behavioural implications for the late Permian parareptile Owenetta re vealed synchrotron X-ray microcomputed tomography DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9898@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lutendo Mukwevho (University of Witwatersrand)\nSoci ality in the vertebrate fossil record is a dynamic and fast-expanding area of research. Natural history observations of living animals are crucial f or understanding and categorising sociality\, but these observations are n ot feasible for extinct species. Some monotaxic bonebeds may provide uniqu e opportunities to conceptualise the social behaviours of these extinct an imals. An unusual bonebed (SAM-PK-K11289) discovered in the uppermost Perm ian strata of the Balfour Formation\, Karoo Supergroup\, in the Eastern Ca pe presents a window into the sociality of a Late Permian parareptile. The entire bonebed SAM-PKK11289 is dish-shaped\, 160 mm long\, 85 mm wide and 55 mm thick with an elliptical planimetric shape. We used propagation ph ase-contrast synchrotron X-ray micro- computed tomography to three-dimensi onally reconstruct skeletal elements in SAM-PK-K11289\, allowing the taxon omic identification of the individuals in the bonebed as most likely belon ging to Owenetta rubidgei. This is the largest aggregation of Owenetta ind ividuals known to date\, with a minimum number of 31\, based on 314 limb b ones. The ontogenetic profile of SAM-PK-K11289 was interpreted by analysin g the size distribution of duplicate elements and by making comparisons wi th other Owenetta and procolophonid specimens. The specimens in the bonebe d are all similar in body size and osteologically immature\, indicating th at they are juveniles. The bonebed occurs in a pedogenically modified ripp le cross-laminated siltstone deposited by overbank flooding on a fluvial f loodplain that likely contributed to the modification\, disturbance and di sarticulation of many but not all elements before the bonebed was buried a t or very close to the death site. This bonebed provides novel information that directly challenges the popular belief that reptiles and their ances tors are non-social or asocial. Considering the overall circumstances of t he bonebed\, we hypothesize that Owenetta rubidgei juveniles were socially gregarious and this behaviour may have been induced or influenced by envi ronmental changes during the early extinction phase of the end- Permian ma ss extinction in the Karoo Basin.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/ contributions/9898/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9898/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Preferred isomerism of hydroxy-N\,N’-diarylformamidine derivativ es in the solid-state DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T081500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9845@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David Juma ( University of KwaZulu Natal)\nIntroduct ion\nThe flexibility of diarylformamidine ligands to coordinate either as monodentate or as chelating ligands render their respective complexes very promising for application in catalysis [1]. N-hydroxy-N\,N’-diarylforma midine complexes have been reported by our research group to be significan t initiators in ring opening polymerization [2]. In this work\, we explore the synthesis and characterization of hydroxy-N\,N’-diarylformamidine d erivatives with particular interest in their preferred isomerism in the so lid-state.\n\nResults\nSymmetrical and Unsymmetrical N-hydroxyformamidines were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques . The crystals of the compounds obtained underwent X-ray diffraction analy sis\, revealing that symmetrical formamidines can adopt both zwitterionic and neutral hydroxy forms\, whereas unsymmetrical compounds exclusively ad opt the zwitterionic form in solid state. The zwitterions exhibit Zanti is omerism\, while the neutral hydroxy forms exhibit Eanti isomerism. Symmetr ical and unsymmetrical compounds with smaller substituents tend to form di meric molecular units\, described by an R_2^2 (10) graph set descriptor. I n contrast\, unsymmetrical compounds with bulkier substituents form chain- like structures. Classical hydrogen bonds (N–H…O\, N—H…N\, N—H …O\, and O–H…N) stabilize the crystal packing in dimeric units\, whi le C–H…O interactions promote packing in chain-forming molecules. Pair wise interaction energy calculations reveal that electrostatic energy (Eel e) predominates in the stability of the dimeric pairs\, whereas dispersion energy (Edis) is more dominates in chain-like structures.\n \n\nReference s\n[1] Akpan ED\, Ojwach SO\, Omondi B\, Nyamori VO.\, New J. Chem. **40** (2016) 3499-3510. \n[2] Munzeiwa WA\, Omondi B\, Nyamori VO\, Polyhedron. **138** (2017) 295-305.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribut ions/9845/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9845/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation of Biomimetic Coatings on Glassy Carbon and Ti-6Al-4 V Substrates: Impact of Varying Surface Preparation Methods DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9893@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Unaisa Dockrat (University of Pretoria)\n**Investiga tion of Biomimetic Coatings on Glassy Carbon and Ti-6Al-4V Substrates: Imp act of Varying Surface Preparation Methods**\n\nUnaisa Dockrat1\, Johan.B. Malherbe 1\, Tshepo.P. Ntsoane2\, Thabsile.T. Thabethe1\n\n1Physics Depar tment\, University of Pretoria\, Hatfield\, South Africa. \n2Physics Depar tment\, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation\, Pretoria\, South Africa .\n\nCorresponding author: unaisa.dockrat@tuks.co.za\n\n 1. Introduction \ nBiomimetic coatings\, an innovative advancement in biomedical engineering \, replicate the intricate mechanisms and superior properties observed in biological systems to enhance the performance\, durability\, reliability\, and biocompatibility of biomedical implants [1-2]. These coatings aim to improve implant integration with the human body\, addressing the challenge s of traditional coatings like thermally sprayed hydroxyapatite (HAp)\, wh ich can suffer from inherent residual stress\, undesirable thermal product s\, poor biocompatibility\, infection risk\, and inadequate tissue integra tion [2]. By imitating natural biochemical processes\, biomimetic coatings with better cellular adhesion\, proliferation\, and differentiation [3] c an be produced. This study explores biomimetic deposition on Ti-6Al-4V (Ti 64) and glassy carbon (GC) substrates\, pretreated with sandblasting\, pla sma etching\, and polishing\, and then immersed in simulated bodily fluid (SBF) for 56 days. The resulting coatings were analyzed using scanning ele ctron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology\, energy-dispersive X-ray sp ectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis\, atomic force microscopy (AFM)\, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate their structural and compositional properties.\n\n 2. Results\n\nEDS analysis revealed higher Ca and P on co atings deposited on plasma-etched and polished GC substrates\, while sandb lasted Ti64 substrates showed higher O\, Ca\, and P. Plasma-etched GC and sandblasted Ti64 apatite coatings resembled thermally sprayed HAp layers o n Ti64\, indicating similar elemental compositions. Ti64 substrates subjec ted to polishing and plasma etching had lower element percentages due to p re-treatment. SEM images showed distinct surface morphologies: GC substrat es had tightly packed spherical particles creating a rough texture\, while sandblasted Ti64 substrates exhibited densely packed spherical clusters a nd plasma-etched Ti64 samples had small\, uneven clusters forming a porous texture. XRD confirmed coatings on polished and plasma-etched GC and the sandblasted and plasma-etched Ti64 as hydroxyapatite with fine grain size. XRD analysis confirmed all patterns to display distinct peaks correspondi ng to apatite\, confirming successful biomimetic apatite coating formation . The AFM measured the Young's modulus of the coatings and observed values within the range comparable to that of human cortical bone (17–25 GPa) [4]. These findings highlight the success of biomimetic coatings\, which i ndeed produce the apatite coating needed for biomaterial implants. Synchro tron radiation studies will also be carried out to investigate the relatio nships between coating microstructure\, elemental composition\, and overal l coating stability. \n\n\n\nReferences\n\n[1] Smith\, A. M.\, & Callow\, J. A. (2016). Biomimetic Coatings for Biomedical Applications: Advances in Synthesis and Applications. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A\, 104(6)\, 1457-1472. doi:10.1002/jbm.a.35781.\n[2] Zhao\, L.\, Wang\, H.\, Huo\, K.\, Cui\, L.\, Zhang\, W.\, Ni\, H.\, ... & Chu\, P. K. (2011) . Antibacterial nano-structured titanium for biomedical applications. Nano medicine: Nanotechnology\, Biology and Medicine\, 7(2)\, 177-185. doi:10.1 016/j.nano.2010.10.004.\n[3] Wang\, X.\, Li\, Y.\, Wei\, J.\, & de Groot\, K. (2002). Development of biomimetic nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(hexamethyle ne adipamide) composites. Biomaterials\, 23(24)\, 4787-4791. doi:10.1016/S 0142-9612(02)00207-0.\n[4] D. T. Reilly and A. H. Burstein\, "The elastic and ultimate properties of compact bone tissue\," Journal of Biomechanics\ , vol. 8\, no. 6\, pp. 393-405\, 1975.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event /249/contributions/9893/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9893/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A Tantalising\, Faster Oxide Ion Conducting Electrolyte (La2Mo2-xT axO9) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T094500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9884@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ethan Porter (University of the Witwatersrand)\nHuma nity needs alternative energy solutions as fossil fuels deplete and climat e change threatens our world. Solid Oxide Fuel and electrolyzer cells (SOF Cs and SOECs) may not solve the problem but provide diversity to the world ’s energy sources portfolio\, these electrochemical converters improve t he efficiency at which we utilise our dwindling resources. SOECs could pro ve particularly useful in the emerging hydrogen economy. Looking at Lantha num Molybdate (La2Mo2O9 or LM9) as a more conductive electrolyte than the current industry standard Yttria Stabilised Zirconia in SOFCs could improv e this technology. LM9 undergoes an unwanted phase change (from monoclinic to cubic at ~850K) when heating up to operating temperatures (1000K – 1 120K). This work aims to stabilise the high-temperature phase of LM9 at ro om temperature via doping and confirm the structure of the resultant syste m with high-resolution ambient PXRD from the ESRF ID-31 beamline.\n\nhttps ://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9884/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9884/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structure of a novel S8 keratinase DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T094500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9853@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michail Kruger (University of the Freestate)\n1. Int roduction \n\nKeratin is a hardy fibrous protein found in all vertebrates with many varying types\, and α and β keratin are the most abundant. α- Keratin is found in all vertebrates and consists of α-helix secondary str uctural elements. In contrast\, β-keratin is found only in sauropsids suc h as reptiles and birds\, and is formed out of β-sheet secondary structur al elements [1]. Because of their resilient nature\, many industries (such as the poultry industry) produce keratin waste\, with very few methods to be upcycled.\n\nThermal degradation methods utilize heat and pressure to break down keratin into nutrient-rich products. These methods are expensiv e\, destroy valued amino acids\, and produce toxic gases [2\, 3]. Chemical methods are very effective and utilize strong acids and bases to degrade keratin. These methods\, however\, have a high risk factor for the environ ment\, while only producing low-nutrient products. The last method is enzy matic degradation\, in which proteases with the capability to target pepti de bonds in keratin are used to degrade keratin into smaller peptides and single amino acids. This method produces nutrient-rich products\, includin g essential amino acids\, with minimal risk to the environment. The larges t drawback of this method is that very few keratinolytic organisms are kno wn and even fewer stable keratinolytic enzymes identified\, with only five known keratinase structures having been solved [1\, 2].\n \n2. Results\n\ nThe current project is part of the ThermoK consortium and focuses on iden tifying novel keratinases from the keratinolytic thermophilic organism Fer vidobacterium pennivorans\, as well as solving their tertiary structures b y X-ray crystallography [4]. A novel protease from the S8 family has been isolated and heterologously expressed in E. coli. This protease has shown high levels of keratinolytic activity using both milled feather and kerati n azure assays. The tertiary structure of this S8 protease has been solved at a resolution 0f 1.63 Å and possibly matured in the crystallization dr oplet\, as the structure contained the cleaved pro-domain still attached t o the catalytic domain. This S8 structure can be used to further elucidate the substrate specificity of keratinases. Understanding the structure-fun ction relationship of this enzyme could aid in the identification of addit ional keratinases for the upcycling of keratin-laden waste.\n\n3. Referenc es\n\n[1] J. De Oliveira Martinez\, G. Cai\, M. Nachtschatt et al. Catalys ts 10(2) (2020) 184.\n[2] T. Kumar Kumawat\, A. Sharma\, V. Sharma\, et al . Keratin (2018).\n[3] M. Brebu\, I. Spiridon. Journal of Analytical and A pplied Pyrolysis\, 91(2) (2011) 288.\n[4] R. Javier-Lopez\, E. Mandolini\, M. Dzhuraeva\, K. Bobodzhanova\, et al. Microorganisms 11 (2023) 22.\n\n https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9853/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9853/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The influence of chromium and molybdenum elements on the microstru cture of the high manganese steel grade. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9850@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mainford Toga (Manicaland State University of Applie d Sciences)\nManganese steel is a high-carbon alloy known for its exceptio nal toughness\, ductility\, and wear resistance. A high manganese grades c omprising approximately 22-44% manganese and 1% carbon\, exhibits remarkab le work-hardening properties\, making it ideal for high-impact application s. While the metal grade specification does not indicate any chromium and molybdenum elements\, these were found in some melts due to the scrap mate rial used. When in moderate concentrations not to cause significant carbid e formation\, they influenced the material microstructure\, with sub-grain s formed within some grains. These carbide formers were also found to be a ssociated with smaller grain structure\, which improves the mechanical pro perties of the material according the Hall-Petch equation. This unique mic rostructure of manganese steel contributes to its ability to withstand hea vy stress and abrasive conditions\, commonly found in mining\, constructio n\, and rail industries.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribut ions/9850/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9850/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:First Optimization of Plasma-Wakefield Acceleration in Virtual FLA SHForward DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9820@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alfred Haavaan Mishi (Paris-Saclay University)\n**In troduction**\n\nRecent developments in plasma wakefield technology have en hanced the potential of compact particle accelerators with high energy eff iciency and minimal energy spread. At the FLASHForward facility at Deutsch es Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)\, researchers have experimentally validat ed optimal beam loading in a nonlinear plasma wakefield\, achieving excell ent energy-transfer efficiency and minimal energy spreads [1]. Locating mo re optimal plasma wakefield acceleration working points virtually is impor tant to increase the efficacy of plasma wakefield acceleration research an d consequently to enhance the results of these experiments. By doing this\ , we can increase the depth of our experimental discoveries and shorten th e duration of our investigations.\n\nThis study focuses on optimizing thre e key parameters in virtual FLASHForward: notch width\, notch position\, a nd plasma density\, crucial for analyzing the witness electron bunch and e nhancing the effectiveness of plasma wakefield acceleration. Virtual FLASH Forward aims to replicate actual experiments through computational tools O celot for beamline tracking and Wake-T for plasma simulations. \n\n**Optim ization Parameter**\n\nThe analysis of the witness electron bunch was carr ied out using an optimization parameter $P$. This parameter $P$ was aimed at making the witness bunch have a very high energy gain\, high witness ch arge\, and a low energy spread [1].\n\n\\begin{equation}\nP = \\frac{\\Del ta E_{\\text{acc}}^2 \\cdot Q_{\\text{acc}}}{\\sigma_E}\n\\end{equation}\n \nwhere $\\Delta E_{\\text{acc}}$\, $Q_{\\text{acc}}$\, and $\\sigma_E$ re present the energy gain\, charge\, and energy spread of the witness bunch. \n\n\n**Results**\n\nWe present the results of the first optimization of p lasma wakefield acceleration in virtual FLASHForward\, achieving the ideal acceleration regime using a trailing bunch and 500 simulations of a 3D pa rameter scan varying plasma density\, notch position\, and width. Points 1 and 2 on the scan show low values for the optimization parameter $P$\, in dicating insufficient beam loading. At point 3\, high plasma densities res ult in strong acceleration and field flattening with the highest $P$ value . This point represents optimal beam loading with a charge of 59.75 pC\, a n energy gain of 100 MeV\, and an energy spread of 13.44 MeV. This point c an be further investigated for more experimental working points at higher plasma density profiles.\n\n![Description of the image](https://www.dropbo x.com/scl/fi/bxxqzew2dmoufayinqz55/screen.png?rlkey=qumgzpx6584jvnrzs8fcdb jds&st=jmoq6yfb&raw=1)\n\n\n`\n\n**References**\n\n[1] Lindstrøm\, C. A.\ , Garland\, J. M.\, Schröder\, S.\, Boulton\, L.\, Boyle\, G.\, Chappell\ , J.\, ... & Osterhoff\, J. (2021). Phys. Rev. Lett. 126\, 014801. https:/ /doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.014801\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/even t/249/contributions/9820/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9820/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Simulated X-ray Radiography for Synthetic TB Data Generation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T124500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T130000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9823@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Preveshin Maduray (University of Johannesburg)\n1. I ntroduction \n\nThe project focuses on training Machine Learning (ML) algo rithms to detect pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) infections in clinical imagin g. We have identified 5 publicly available datasets of TB infected lung ra diographs in medical literature. These datasets have been used repeatedly to train ML algorithms to detect TB.1 The main reason for improvements in accuracy of TB detection has been the use of increasingly sophisticated al gorithms.1234 To introduce a high volume of new data with known TB indicat ors\, we propose to generate synthetic data from high-resolution digital t win lungs. The study will leverage Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT) scans which are produced at the European Synchrotron Research Fac ility (ESRF) beamline BM18. These are high-resolution 3D scans (~20 µm) o f whole organs\, with regions of sub 2.5 µm resolution. Scans will be tak en of ex-vivo healthy and TB-infected lungs. The data will be processed in to a large number of 3D models that include a known set of TB indicators. These models will be reprojected into simulated Chest X-rays (CXR) with so ftware using the Geant4 toolkit which simulates the passage of particles t hrough matter. These simulated radiographs with their labelled pathologies will then be used to train classification algorithms for the detection of TB in the lung. This method could be extended to various other organs in future\, and as such can assist us in improving the diversity of datasets utilized by the ML community.\n\n2. Results\n\nFigure 1 is a CXR of a pati ent infected with TB. The dark region on the left side is a pulmonary cavi tation. This occurs when normal lung tissue dies from the infection\, thus becoming gas filled. Figure 2 is a demonstration of simulating a CXR usin g a low-resolution 2D model. The X-rays passing from source to detector in teract with several tissue classes and scatter realistically. The detector element can record the X-ray dose absorbed to build a 2D radiograph like in figure 1. We intend to use high resolution HiP-CT data which\, due to t he non-linear progression of TB\, can provide a detailed understanding of the evolution of pathologies down to a cellular level. We aim to combine s cans into many digital organs which will exhibit differing presentations o f the infection and include truth data allowing optimised training of ML a lgorithms.\n\n \n\n\n\n3. References\n\ n[1] T. Rahman et al.\, "Reliable Tuberculosis Detection Using Chest X-Ray With Deep Learning\, Segmentation and Visualization\," 2020\, doi: 10.110 9/ACCESS.2020.3031384\n[2] Showkatian E\, Salehi M\, Ghaffari H\, Reiazi R \, Sadighi N. Deep learning-based automatic detection of tuberculosis dise ase in chest X-ray images. Pol J Radiol. 2022\, doi: 10.5114/pjr.2022.1134 35. PMID: 35280947\; PMCID: PMC8906182\n[3] Rajesh\, T. Babu\, R. R. Nair and P. Pechetti\, "Detection of Tuberculosis using a Multi-model Classific ation Approach on CXR Images\," 2022\, doi: 10.1109/AIDE57180.2022.1006067 5\n[4] D. Capellán-Martín\, J. J. Gómez-Valverde\, D. Bermejo-Peláez a nd M. J. Ledesma-Carbayo\, "A Lightweight\, Rapid and Efficient Deep Convo lutional Network for Chest X-Ray Tuberculosis Detection\," 2023\, doi: 10. 1109/ISBI53787.2023.10230500\n[5] Ravimohan\, S.\, Kornfeld\, H.\, Weissma n\, D.\, & Bisson\, G. P. (2018). Tuberculosis and lung damage: from epide miology to pathophysiology. https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0077-2017\n\n https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9823/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9823/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synthesis and characterization of Iron tungstate Nanoparticles as a Photocatalyst and Nano-adsorbent DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T131500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T133000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9824@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Oluwaseun Ajala (Federal University of Technology Mi nna\, Nigeria)\nSynthesis and characterization of Iron tungstate Nanoparti cles as a Photocatalyst and Nano-adsorbent \nO.J. Ajala1\,3\, J.O. Tijani1 \,3\, R.B Salau1\, A.S. Abdulkareem1\,2 \n1 Department of Chemistry\, Fede ral University of Technology\, P. M. B. 65\, Bosso Campus\, Minna\, Niger state\, Nigeria.\n2 Department of Chemical Engineering\, Federal Universit y of Technology\, P. M. B. 65\, Gidan Kwano Campus\, Minna\, Niger State\, Nigeria.\n3 Nanotechnology Research group\, Africa Center of Excellence f or Mycotoxin and Food Safety\, Federal University of Technology\, Minna\, P. M. B. 65\, Niger State\, Nigeria.\nAbstract\nIron tungstate (FeWO4) nan oparticles were synthesized using a simple sol-gel method\, employing sodi um tungstate dihydrate and iron(II) sulfate as precursors\, with distilled water serving as the solvent. The synthesized nanoparticles underwent a t horough characterization process utilizing various techniques\, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy\, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM)\, high-resolution transmission electron micros copy (HRTEM)\, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)\, X-ray diffract ion (XRD)\, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption-desorptio n analysis.\nFTIR spectroscopy revealed key vibrational modes: peaks at 77 1 cm−1 and 948 cm−1 were attributed to O–W–O vibrations and W–O bond stretching\, respectively. Additionally\, a peak at 567 cm−1 corres ponded to Fe–O bending vibrations\, while peaks at 3423 cm−1 and 1620 cm−1 were assigned to H–O–H stretching modes and bending vibrations\ , indicating the presence of free or adsorbed water. HRSEM and HRTEM analy ses confirmed that the nanoparticles had an aggregated\, spherical morphol ogy. Furthermore\, XRD analysis demonstrated the formation of a highly cry stalline monoclinic phase of FeWO4 under optimal synthesis conditions: a s olution pH of 7\, a reaction temperature of 30°C\, and a stirring speed o f 500 rpm. This comprehensive characterization underscores the successful synthesis of FeWO4 nanoparticles and highlights their potential for variou s applications across multiple fields.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event /249/contributions/9824/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9824/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High-Pressure dependence of structure evolution and adsorption beh avior in Nano-Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs): impact for their uses in C ements DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9862@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Maximiliano Fastelli (Department of Physics and Geol ogy\, University of Perugia)\n1.Introduction\n\nEnsuring the sustainabilit y of cement production is crucial in the construction sector. One effectiv e approach to achieve this goal is by integrating suitable additives into traditional cement formulations. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) offer pr omising potential as additives\, as they can capture CO$_2$\, enhance the carbonation resistance of cement\, and remove CO$_2$\, SO$_4$$^{2-}$\, and Cl⁻ ions that may compromise the durability of cement paste. Classified as ionic solids with a layered structure\, LDHs are known as anionic clay s with controllable supramolecular structures and unique physicochemical p roperties\, such as anion exchange\, which make them particularly attracti ve in the field of cementitious materials [1\,2]. In nature\, these minera ls are found in ultramafic rocks and form through high-temperature carbona tion of spinel-type minerals or low-temperature carbonation of brucite (Mg (OH)$_2$). Investigating the structural evolution\, phase transitions\, an d amorphization conditions of both natural and synthesized LDHs under high pressure using synchrotron light is of significant interest. Pressure-ind uced irreversible phase transition in hydrotalcite-like minerals comes tog ether with a decrease in electrical resistivity and a progressive amorphiz ation of the crystal structure [3]. Different microstructural characterist ics of LDHs evolve as a function of pressure and temperature and influence the interlayer space\, which is reflected in an increase in CO$_2$ adsorp tion [4]. \n\n2.Results and discussions\n\nNano Mg-Al-NO$_3$ LDHs were syn thesized using both direct and ultrasound co-precipitation methods. The na nometric size and purity of the LDHs were confirmed through X-ray powder d iffraction (XRPD)\, transmission electron microscopy (TEM)\, scanning elec tron microscopy (SEM)\, dynamic light scattering (DLS)\, and Fourier-trans form infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ultrasound co-precipitation methods provide nanometric 2D size crystals and high purity of the LDHs species. The initial findings presented here contribute to understanding the precis e role of selected nanomaterials in cement paste\, particularly regarding how pressure influences their shape memory and the stability of trapped CO $_2$ and other anions responsible for the chemical attack of cement\, such as Cl$^-$ and SO$_4$$^{2-}$. At high pressure\, the anion absorption incr eases exponentially [4] and to understand this behaviour\, the knowledge o f the evolution in interlayer distance and dehydration and dihydroxylation processes of the brucite-type layers is essential. The ongoing HP single- crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) data will be collected at the ID15B bea mline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF\, Grenoble\, Fr ance) using diamond anvil cell (DAC) and\, given the high-resolution and v ery small size of the beam spot\, is being essential to characterize the n anomaterial structure of the synthesized LDHs. These results could also re veal potential adverse effects and aid in refining the procedures for inco rporating LDHs additives into cement pastes. This abstract is one of the c ontributions from Commission of Physics of Minerals (CPM)\, International Mineralogical Association (IMA).\n\n3.Acknowledgements\n\nThis work is fun ded by the European Union – Next Generation EU under the Italian Ministr y of University and Research (MUR) National Innovation Ecosystem grant ECS 00000041 - VITALITY - CUP J97G22000170005.\n\n4.References\n[1] M.A. Yazdi \, E. Gruyaert\, K. Van Tittelboom\, and N. De Belie. New findings on the contribution of Mg-Al-NO$_3$ layered double hydroxides to the hydration a nd chloride binding capacity of cement pastes. *Cem. Concr. Res.*(2023) 16 3\, 107037.\n[2] G. Mishr\, B. Dash and S. Pandey 2018. Layered double hyd roxides: A brief review from fundamentals to application as evolving bioma terials. *Appl. Clay Sci.*\, (2018) 153\, 172-186.\n[3] G. Parthasarathy\, M. L. Kantam\, B. M. Choudary\, and C. V. Reddy. Pressure-induced phase t ransitions of hydrotalcite by electrical resistivity\, structural and ther mal studies. *Microporous Mesoporous Mater.* (2002) 56(2)\, 147-152.\n[4] M. J. Ramírez-Moreno\, I. C. Romero-Ibarra\,M. A. Hernández-Pérez and P feiffer\, H. CO$_2$ adsorption at elevated pressure and temperature on Mg –Al layered double hydroxide. *Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.*\, 53(19)\, (2024) 8 087-8094.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9862/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9862/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Exploration of the Earth’s inner core using synchrotron x-ray ra diation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9830@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Eiji Ohtani (Tohoku University)\n1.　Introduction \ n\nThe seismic model\, the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM) [1]\, provides the profiles of sound velocity and density as a function of depth . Comparing the model with laboratory high-pressure experiments\, pure iro n cannot explain the sound velocity and density of the PREM core [e.g.\, 2 ]. Therefore\, the density deficit of the core suggests some light element s may be dissolved in the Earth’s core. Although the density is the prop erty often used for discussing the constituent of the core\, we need addit ional properties such as sound velocities\, which are more reliable proper ties of the core derived from seismology. It is not possible to specify th e light elements in the core without information of the sound velocities o f iron-light element alloys. However\, there are limited measurements of t he sound velocity under the core conditions because of the experimental di fficulties.\n \n2.　Results\n\nWe developed techniques to measure the sou nd velocity at high pressure and temperature by using Inelastic X-ray scat tering (IXS) and performed the sound velocity measurements in diamond anvi l cell combined with the double-heated laser heating system. The Inelastic X-ray scattering at high-pressure and high-temperature was made at the RI KEN beamline BL43LXU of SPring-8. We doubled the static pressure condition s for IXS and successfully measured the sound velocity of metallic iron at a pressure equivalent to ICB (~330 GPa) and room temperature [3]\, and ir on-nickel-silicon alloys up to the conditions of 130 GPa and 2300 K. These measurements revealed that the vp and vs of the Preliminary reference Ear th model (PREM) inner core are 4(±2) % and 36(±17) % slower than those o f the pure iron at the center of the core assuming the inner core temperat ure to be 6000 K. We also estimated the silicon and sulfur contents of the inner core by using the present and previous results on sound velocity me asurements of the pure Fe\, Fe-Ni-Si alloy\, and Fe3S compound at high pre ssure and temperature. The inner core with the density and sound velocity of the PREM inner core can be explained by addition of 3(±1) wt.% silico n and 3(±2) wt% sulfur to iron‒4~5 wt.% nickel alloy.\nThis abstract is one of the contributions from Commission of Physics of Minerals (CPM)\, I nternational Mineralogical Association (IMA).\n\n3. References\n\n[1] Dzie wonski\, A. M. & Anderson\, D. L. (1981) Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 25\, 2 97‒356\n[2] Dewaele\, A.\, Loubeyre\, P.\, Occelli\, F.\, Mezouar\, M.\, Dorogokupets\, P. I.\, & Torrent\, M. (2006) Physical Review Letters\, 97 (21)\, 29–32.\n[3] Ikuta D\, Ohtani E\, Fukui H\, Sakai T\, Ishikawa D\, Baron AQR (2022) Nature Comm. 13:7211\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event /249/contributions/9830/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9830/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:CLS\, PALSA\, Plant Science DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T130000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T133000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9897@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lucia Zuin (Canadian Light Source)\nThe value of lig ht source science for agricultural research\, and encouraging potential us ers to increase the use of advanced imaging synchrotron tools\, by showcas ing leading research in the field.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249 /contributions/9897/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9897/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Super-resolution imaging of transcription in living cells DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T123000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9894@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ibrahim Cissé (Max Planck Institute of Immunobiolog y and Epigenetics)\nWe will discuss the latest efforts in our laboratory t o develop highly sensitive methods of microscopy\, to go directly inside l iving cells and uncover the behavior of single biomolecules as they effect their function in transcription. Transcription is the first step in gene expression regulation\, during which genetic information on DNA is decoded into RNA transcripts. Methodologically\, the so-called live cell single m olecule and super-resolution techniques – that break the optical diffrac tion limit – are revealing with unprecedented spatial and temporal resol utions\, novel emergent phenomena inside the living cells. We will discuss our recent discoveries on highly dynamic biomolecular clustering\, and ph ase transitions in vivo. These discoveries are challenging the ‘textbook view’ on how our genome (DNA) is decoded in living cells.\n\nhttps://ev ents.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9894/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9894/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation of Microstructural Changes and Mechanical Behavior i n Silicon Carbide under 158 MeV Xenon Ion DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9821@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: TSHEGOFATSO MASHABELA (UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA)\n1. I ntroduction \n\nIn nuclear reactors\, the release of gases from fission pr oducts and the accumulation of light and heavy atoms\, such as helium\, hy drogen and xenon\, during operation can significantly alter the structural integrity of reactor materials [1]. These gases may migrate and cluster\, forming gas bubbles and inducing stress\, which leads to defects within p rotective layers like silicon carbide (SiC) [2]. SiC\, is used in nuclear applications due to its excellent thermal conductivity\, mechanical streng th\, and radiation resistance. However\, under extreme irradiation conditi ons\, SiC's structural\, chemical\, and mechanical properties can degrade [3]\, reducing its effectiveness as a protective barrier. Understanding Si C’s response to irradiation is crucial for enhancing its performance in high-radiation environments. Hence\, this study investigates the effects o f room temperature swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation\, using 158 MeV Xe² ⁶⁺ ions at fluences of 1×10¹⁰ cm⁻²\, 1×10¹¹ cm⁻²\, and 1 ×10¹³ cm⁻² on polycrystalline 3C-SiC. The primary aim of this resear ch is to evaluate changes in microstructural characteristics and mechanica l properties resulting from SHI irradiation.\n \n2. Results\n\nIn this stu dy\, Raman spectroscopy\, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)\, and Vickers hard ness indentation were employed to study the microstructural changes and me chanical properties of the samples. Figure 1 shows Raman spectra before an d after irradiation to different fluences. Raman spectroscopy revealed def ect production at all irradiation fluence levels\, with higher fluences in ducing greater damage compared to lower ones. Specifically\, irradiation a t the highest fluence of 1×10¹³ cm⁻² led to significant defect devel opment\, indicating considerable structural disturbance. The longitudinal optical (LO) peak at 965 cm-1 of SiC shifted noticeably towards higher wav enumbers as the fluence increased\, signifying the introduction of compres sive stress due to ion-induced lattice distortion that alters the atomic a rrangement of the SiC crystal structure. Additionally\, the transverse opt ical (TO) to longitudinal optical (LO) intensity ratio increased with high er fluence levels\, indicating progressive degradation of the crystal stru cture and a growing degree of lattice disorder\, with defects such as vaca ncies and interstitials contributing to this disruption. \n \n\n\n\nHardne ss measurements showed an initial increase from 29.72 GPa to 37.28 GPa at intermediate fluences\, suggesting defect-induced strengthening\; however\ , at the highest fluence\, hardness decreased to 30.17 GPa\, reflecting th e effects of reduced surface roughness from irradiation-induced wear. This interaction between defect accumulation and hardness highlights the effec ts of ion irradiation on the mechanical properties of SiC\, leading to bot h strengthening and softening behaviors that vary with fluence.\n \n3. References\n\n[1]Pratama\, A.L. and D. Irwanto. Study on the ef fects of enrichment and fraction of coated fuel particles on fissile utili zation of 100 MWt prismatic-type of high temperature gas reactor. in Journ al of Physics: Conference Series. 2020. IOP Publishing.\n[2]Guo\, J.\, et al.\, Extended Development of a Fission Gas Release Behavior Model Inside Spherical Fuel Grains for LWR Reactors. Applied Sciences\, 2023. 13(18): p . 10421.\n[3]Huang\, J.\, et al.\, Helium-hydrogen synergistic effects in structural materials under fusion neutron irradiation. Frontiers in Materi als\, 2022. 9: p. 849115\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribut ions/9821/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9821/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Crystal packing and lattice theory of N\, N’-bis(4-chlorophenyl) thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9860@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ayodele Temidayo Odularu (University of Fort Hare\, Alice 5700\, South Africa.)\nAbstract\n\nAccording to Corpinot and Bučar\ , any reasonable improvement of the physics and chemistry of the solid sta te requires a theory of molecular packing [1]. In line with this\, authors of this study report how lattice theory explains the crystal packing of N\, N’-bis(4-chlorophenyl)thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide [2]. Here\, we explore the type of crystal packing of the resulting lattice and their contributions to the general stability of the packing arrangement. The sig nificance of this study gives important insights into the relationship bet ween lattice theory and the crystallographic properties of N\, N’-bis(4- chlorophenyl)thiourea N\, N- dimethylformamide\, to improve the understand ing of their physical characteristics and potential applications in materi als science\, medicine\, and pharmaceuticals.\n\nReferences\n\n[1] M. K. C orpinot and D-K. Bučar. Cryst. Growth Des. 19(2019)\,1426.\n[2] A. T. Odu laru\, P. A. Ajibade\, J. Z. Mbese\, Opeopuwa O. Oyedeji and H. Puschmann. Open. Chem. 19 (2021) 511.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contri butions/9860/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9860/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Supramolecular synthesis of cis-1-amino-2-indanol derivatives: An in vitro and in silico analysis of drug efficacy against HIV-1 South Afric an Wild-type C protease DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9822@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lorato Mokoto (Protein Structure-Function Research U nit\, School of Molecular and Cell Biology\, University of the Witwatersra nd\, Johannesburg\, Gauteng\, South Africa )\nHIV-1 protease (HIV PR) is a n aspartic protease which is considered vital in the cleaving of new viral polyprotein into functional units [1]. These polyproteins are needed in t he maturation stage of the viral replication cycle to infect other host ce lls\, this makes the HIV PR a significant drug target for possible therape utic agents [2]. Due to the distinctive patterns of pharmaceutical drug re sistance observed in HIV protease inhibitors\, South African HIV-1 subtype C presents its own unique challenges in its management due to lowered dru g efficacy [3]. Designing and synthesizing drugs which can adapt to these ever-changing macromolecules has become increasingly important for the man agement and treatment of patients living with HIV/AIDS. The constituent ci s-1-amino-2-indanol has been used as a blueprint for many types of inhibit ors including HIV-1 protease and malaria [4].\n\nCis-1-amino-2-indanol der ivatives were synthesized using ketones and aldehydes to produce Schiff ba se imines to which a series of six compounds were synthesized using one po t synthesis as well as elucidated and characterized by SC-XRD\, FTIR and R aman spectroscopy. Using in silico techniques such as molecular docking an d dynamics studies the molecules were predicted to behave as dynamic coval ent inhibitors which have a high binding affinity for the South African HI V-1 Wild-type C protease\, binding to various allosteric sites. The effect iveness of these molecules on the South African HIV-1 Wild-type C protease was evaluated using empirical studies by assessing various kinetic and th ermodynamic parameters which can be considered to inhibit proteolytic acti vity. Additionally\, the compounds were also assessed for their cytotoxic effects on Green African monkey kidney cells (Vero cells) to evaluate thei r respective cytotoxic profiles.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/c ontributions/9822/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9822/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A new heterometallic heptanuclear [K4ICr3III] hybrid material: Syn thesis\, characterization and magnetic properties DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9819@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: André Ghislain NGUIFO ()\nNowadays\, one of the mos t intensive investigation subject in field of materials science is organic -inorganic salts(OIHSs) of owing to their intriguing aesthetic structures and their numerous potential applications as polyfunctional materials [1]. With respect to the very large number of homometallic oxalatometalate(III ) salts\, the heterometal oxalato-bridged complexes have been much less ex plored\, given the difficulty in controlling the resulting heterometallic arrays[2]. Well-known examples are the 2-D MOFs formulated as (A)[MII/I MI II(ox)3]2-/1- that have been extensively investigated as molecular magnets [3]. Therefore\, our interest in this field is a fundamental requirement f or gaining some insight into the structural features and the magnetic tren d associated with heteropolynuclear oxalato-bridged complexes containing p yridinium derivatives as counter cations. A new heteroheptanuclear oxalato -bridged [K4ICr3III] hybrid salt\, (C6H9N2)3[K4Cr3(C2O4)8(H2O)2\,5] (1) (C 6H9N2+ = 2-amino-3-methylpyridinium cation) has been synthesized using met hatesis reaction strategy. It has been characterized by elemental and ther mal analyses\, IR spectroscopy\, single-crystal X-ray diffraction\, EPR an d variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements.\n\nhttps://ev ents.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9819/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9819/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:X-ray phase contrast imaging: An alternative approach to laborator y-based sources DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9818@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gideon Chinamatira (University of the Witwatersrand) \nX-ray phase contrast imaging: An alternative approach to laboratory-base d sources\n\n\nGideon Chinamatira1\, Kudakwashe Jakata2\, Hillary Masenda1 \, Josephine Gutekunst3\, Anton Du Plessis4\,5\n\n 1University of the Wit watersrand\, 1 Jan Smuts Ave\, Braamfontein\, Johannesburg\, 2000\, South Africa \n2Diamond Light Source\, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus\, F ermi Ave\, Didcot OX11 0DE\, United Kingdom \n3Microworks GmbH\, Schnetzle rstr. 9\, 76137 Karlsruhe\, Germany\n4Stellenbosch University\, 41 Merrima n Street\, Stellenbosch\, Western Cape\, South Africa\, \n5Comet Technolog ies Canada Inc\, Montreal\, Canada\nCorresponding author e-mail address: g ideonchinamatira@gmail.com\n\n1. Introduction \n\nConventional X-ray imagi ng\, based on the absorption of X-rays by various materials\, is the stand ard technique for non-destructive inspection of internal structures. This method is effective for high X-ray attenuation scenarios but encounters li mitations when applied to specimens which often exhibit weak absorption co ntrast due to similar densities among their components [1]. To address thi s challenge\, methods generating radiographic contrast from X-ray phase sh ifts and scattering have been explored. Among these\, grating-based interf erometric techniques\, specifically the Talbot-Lau interferometer\, show s ignificant promise for laboratory-based phase contrast X-ray imaging. This technique employs a series of gratings to create an interference pattern that encodes phase information\, enabling the visualization of structures with low absorption contrast [2]. This type of interferometer is particula rly suited for use with polychromatic X-ray sources commonly found in labo ratory settings due to the introduction of an additional source grating wh ich introduces spatial coherence to the X-ray beam. The spatial coherence is essential for creating well-defined interference patterns downstream in the system setup [3]. In this work\, we make use of the Talint-EDU system \, a ready to use Talbot-Lau-Interferometer\, for implementation to our al ready existing X-ray computed tomography imaging setup. We conducted a ser ies of characterization experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of our s ystem. These experiments included angular X-ray transmission measurements\ , system visibility measurements\, phase stepping and stability tests\, an d an assessment of the system's sensitivity as a function of distance from the phase grating. Through these experiments\, we were able to optimize t he performance of the Talbot-Lau interferometer and ensure reliable imagin g results\n \n2. Results\n\nTo demonstrate the capabilities of the system\ , we obtained preliminary images of a pencil and a circuit board. These im ages showcase the system's ability to obtain phase contrast\, absorption\, and dark-field imaging and highlight the potential of the Talbot-Lau inte rferometer system to overcome the limitations of conventional X-ray imagin g offering a powerful tool for applications in various research and indust rial environments.\n\n \n\n\n3. References\n\n[1] T. Weitk amp\, A. Diaz\, C. David\, F. Pfeiffer\, M. Stampanoni\, P. Cloetens\, and E. Ziegler. X-ray phase imaging with a grating interferometer. Optics Exp ress\, 13 (2005) 6296-6304.\n[2] H. Wen. Biomedical X-Ray Phase-Contrast I maging and Tomography. In: P.W. Hawkes\, J.C.H. Spence (eds) Springer Hand book of Microscopy. Springer Handbooks. Springer\, Cham (2019). \n[3] S.A. McDonald\, F. Marone\, C. Hintermüller\, G. Mikuljan\, C. David\, F. Pfe iffer\, and M. Stampanoni. Advanced phase-contrast imaging using a grating interferometer. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation\, 16 (2009) 562-572.\n\n https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9818/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9818/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The synthesis of pyrroles using enaminone precursors DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9871@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kwanele Hlongwane ()\n1. Introduction\n\nPyrrole is a 5-membered aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle that is present in m any natural products\, biologically active compounds\, and several drugs. Pyrrole derivates have various applications in pharmaceutically active com pounds\, and they are used as inhibitors for enzymes like reverse transcri ptase and cellular DNA polymerase protein kinases. Therefore\, Considerabl e interest has been paid to synthesizing and modifying pyrroles. This stud y will highlight a newly improved route using synthesized enaminones.1-3\n \nThe chemistry of enaminones typically contains the delocalized nucleophi licity of enamines with the delocalized electrophilicity of enones\; their versatility as synthetic intermediates provides an excellent scaffold for organic synthesis. Through electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution re actions\, enaminones are effective as building blocks in the organic synth esis of acyclic\, aromatic\, and heterocyclic compounds.4\n\n 2. Results\n \nCompounds were synthesized from refluxing a mixture of acetophenones and DMF-DMA. The reactivity of enaminone towards primary anilines was investi gated under acidic conditions. The compounds were confirmed by Nuclear Mag netic Resonance (NMR) and High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS).\n\n 3. References\n\n[1] S. C. Philkhana\, F. O. Badmus\, I. C. Dos Reis and R. Kartika\, Synthesis\, 2021\, 53\, 1531-1555.\n[2] I. Siddiqui\, D. Kumar a nd S. Shamim\, Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry\, 2013\, 50\, E111-E115.\ n[3] D. K. Singh and R. Kumar\, Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry\, 2 023\, 19\, 928-955.\n[4] I. J. Amaye\, R. D. Haywood\, E. M. Mandzo\, J. J . Wirick and P. L. Jackson-Ayotunde\, Tetrahedron\, 2021\, 83\, 131984.\n\ nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9871/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9871/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Harnessing Metal Organic Frameworks for CO2 Conversion: Unlocking New Pathways for Formate Synthesis DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9817@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Piwai Tshuma (Midlands State University)\nCarbon dio xide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to cli mate change\, highlighting the urgent need for effective capture and conve rsion technologies ¹. This research explores the development of palladium -immobilized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts for transforming CO2 into formate\, a valuable chemical for various industrial application s ². By utilizing the unique properties of MOFs\, such as their high surf ace area and tunable pore structures\, we achieved remarkable CO2 conversi on rates at low temperatures ³. The synthesis of palladium@MOF composites was optimized to enhance active site accessibility and improve catalytic efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that these materials facilita te significant CO2 reduction under mild reaction conditions\, showcasing t heir potential for sustainable CO2 valorisation. The results further indic ate that the catalytic activity of homogeneous systems can be improved by incorporating them into MOFs as organic linkers bearing catalytic sites.\n \nReferences\nJ. Wang\, X. Chen and Y. Zhang\, RSC Adv.\, 2023\, 13\, 4567 -4575.\nK. Patel\, M. Li and R. Kumar\, RSC Adv.\, 2023\, 13\, 7890-7898.\ nL. Yang\, S. Gupta and T. Smith\, RSC Adv.\, 2022\, 12\, 2345-2353.\nH. K im\, N. Lee and D. Choi\, RSC Adv.\, 2023\, 13\, 1122-1130.\n\nhttps://eve nts.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9817/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9817/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Minerals\, Metals and Materials: Understanding the World around Us DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T092000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9872@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jeffrey Cutler (Sylter Science Inc.)\nThe growth of science and technology is accelerating\, with new products and processes b eing developed in fields such as nanoscience and biotechnology. With this growth\, industry is facing increasing pressure to innovate and is discove ring that traditional analytical techniques are not answering all of their questions. For example\, new materials are being developed daily that may have significantly different properties but are chemically indistinguisha ble using current analysis techniques. It is crucial for industry to under stand these differences and develop these unique properties into new produ cts. Today\, industry is turning to new tools to shed light on old\, and n ew\, questions.\n\nIndustry has discovered the power of synchrotron light source facilities and the vast array of experimental facilities they house . Every year\, thousands of researchers from around the world make discove ries that lead to viable products\, patents\, and technology transfer in a reas including:\n\n - Health: Research\, including diagnosis and drug deve lopment related to many diseases such as cancers\, heart disease\, cystic fibrosis\, and antibiotic-resistant infections.\n - Agriculture: New insig hts on improved crop and plant development\, fertilizers\, drought and tem perature resistance\, and soil management.\n - Environmental science (incl udes climate change): Advancements in mine remediation techniques\, heavy oil extraction efficiencies\, high-efficiency catalysts\, renewable resour ces\, and energy storage.\n - Advanced materials: New insights and applica tions in high-temperature superconductors\, fuel cells\, eco-composite mat erials\, solar power\, catalysts\, microdevices\, nanotubes\, and new mate rials.\n\nThis presentation will highlight how synchrotron light source fa cilities engage with and bring value to the private sector\, showcasing so me of the exciting new science emerging.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve nt/249/contributions/9872/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9872/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Computational study of environmentally friendly CsSnBr3 perovskite solar cells has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 31.62%. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9847@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vincent Kheswa (University of Johannesburg)\nIn this study\, we conducted a computational optimization of four designs for CsS nBr3 perovskite solar cells using the SCAPS-1D simulation tool. We explore d how variations in the thicknesses of the electron transport layer (ETL)\ , hole transport layer (HTL)\, and perovskite layer\, as well as changes i n temperature\, series and shunt resistances\, and the acceptor doping den sity of the HTL\, influenced key performance metrics such as short-circuit current (Jsc)\, open-circuit voltage (Voc)\, fill factor (FF)\, and power conversion efficiency (PCE). The highest optimized PCE achieved was 31.62 %. Moreover\, our findings indicated that the PCE values of all CsSnBr3-ba sed solar cell designs developed in this research exceeded those of the pr eviously reported ITO/WS2/CsSnBr3/Cu2O/Au cell\, which had the highest rec orded PCE for similar devices. Our best-performing structure demonstrated a 9.19% increase in efficiency over the previous record.\n\nhttps://events .saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9847/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9847/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Confined Hydrogen-like Atoms in Plasma Environment DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9864@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mustafa Moumni (University of Batna1)\nWe study the non relativistic case of a Hydrogen-like atoms in a plasma environment. We use the screened Coulomb potential to model the phenomenon and we write a n almost analytical formula for the energies for large wave lengths. We gi ve also a method to compute the critical value of the wave numbers that io nize the atoms.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9864 / LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9864/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Klein-Gordon energy states of SCP under Plasma medium DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T101500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9863@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: fatma zohra khaled (Laboratory of Radiation Physics and their Interactions with Matter)\nThis study investigates the influence of plasma screening on the relativistic behavior of a hydrogen-like atomi c system through the application of a screened Coulomb potential. By accur ately solving the Klein-Gordon equation in spherical coordinates\, under t he assumption that the scalar and vector potentials are equivalent\, we ge t the self-energy spectrum of our system along with its corresponded wave functions.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9863/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9863/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Particle-in-cell simulation of a Laser-Wakefield based High gradie nt accelerator DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T151500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T153000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9861@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Radhakanta Dash (MPC Autonomous College\, Baripada\, Odisha\, India)\nWe present Fourier–Bessel particle-in-cell (FBPIC) sim ulation results from a laser wakefield electron accelerator driven by Gaus sian (G) and Bessel-Gauss (BG) laser beam. The particle-in-cell simulation s show that electron bunch energies of tens of MeV can be obtained\, withi n cm distances to obtain a high-quality beam with low energy spread and lo w slice emittance.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9 861/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9861/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Simulation of Direct and Indirect X-ray Detectors Using Geant4: Ad vantages of Monte Carlo Methods DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9859@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Charaf Eddine BENKABDI (Radiations and Nuclear Syste ms Laboratory)\nX-ray detectors play a crucial role in various fields\, fr om medical imaging to high-energy physics. This study focuses on the simul ation of both direct and indirect X-ray detectors using the Geant4 toolkit \, a Monte Carlo-based software widely used for particle-matter interactio ns. The direct detector simulation models the immediate conversion of X-ra ys into electrical signals\, while the indirect detector simulates the con version of X-rays to visible light\, followed by an electronic signal gene ration.\n\nIn this work\, we present a detailed comparison between direct and indirect X-ray detectors in terms of detection efficiency\, spatial re solution\, and signal-to-noise ratio\, emphasizing the strengths of Monte Carlo simulations for modeling complex detector geometries and interaction s. By leveraging the power of Monte Carlo techniques\, we are able to prec isely simulate photon interactions\, charge transport\, and the effects of detector materials and structures on performance.\n\nThe results demonstr ate how Monte Carlo simulations can help optimize detector designs and enh ance their performance for specific applications. Furthermore\, the adapta bility of Geant4 allows for custom detector configurations\, making it an invaluable tool for advancing X-ray detection technologies.\n\nhttps://eve nts.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9859/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9859/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation into the geological radiation levels and evaluation of hazard parameters in soil and rock specimens taken from mining sites ac ross North-Eastern Nigeria. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9858@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Musa Nafiu ()\, Shiv Kumar Singh ()\, John Simon ()\ nInvestigation into the geological radiation levels and evaluation of haza rd parameters in soil and rock specimens taken from mining sites across No rth-Eastern Nigeria.\n\nMichael C. Ohakwere-Eze1\, Musa Nafiu2\, Shiv Kuma r Singh3\, Momoh Kabiru1\, and John Simon1\n\n 1Department of Physics\, Fa culty of Science\, National Open University of Nigeria.\n2Department of Ph ysics\, Federal University of Kashere\, Gombe State.\n3Department of Physi cs\, Federal University of Transportation Daura\, Katsina State.\nCorrespo nding author e-mail address: michael.ohakwereze@gmail.com\n\n1. Introducti on\n\nThis research quantitatively evaluates the natural radioactivity lev els and geological radiation hazard parameters of soil and rock specimens obtained from mining locations in North-Eastern Nigeria\, by means of gram mar-ray spectroscopy. There have been potential public health risks associ ated with the use of soil and rock from mining locations in North-Eastern Nigeria\, specifically the study areas. A total of twenty-eight samples we re systematically gathered from Nahuta and Kashere locations. Through gamm a spectrometry employing a NaI (TI) detector\, the natural radioactivity l evels of 238U\, 232Th and 40K were determined for each and every sample. T he findings indicated that the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra\, 232 Th\, and 40K in Nahuta are 46.13±4.78 Bq/Kg\, 34.10±3.02 Bq/Kg and 473.9 4±5.41 Bq/Kg for the soil samples respectively\, and 32.91±0.49 Bq/Kg\, 40.70±0.41 Bq/Kg\, and 578.18±4.28 Bq/Kg for the rock samples respective ly. The corresponding mean activity concentrations of 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K in kashere are 17.99±4.18 Bq/Kg\, 23.73±1.78Bq/Kg\, and 191.65±3.15 Bq/Kg\, for the soil samples\, and 20.24±3.72 Bq/Kg\, 29.09±1.78 Bq/Kg\ , and 148.36±3.15 Bq/Kg\, for the rock samples respectively. An analysis of radiation risk parameters (D\, AEDE\, Raeq\, Hex\, Hin\, AGDE and ELCR) has been conducted and findings explored. While the samples from the kash ere region fall within the international recommended levels\, elevated rea dings of certain radiation health parameters are observed in the Nahuta re gion\, posing serious public health risk due to utilization of the soil an d rock from this area in construction activities.\n \n2. Results\n\nLarger activity concentration values for both soil and rock samples are is found in Nahuta when compared with same for Kashere (Figure 1). In Nahuta\, the ranges of radionuclide concentration for 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K are 16.2 0±4.26 to 53.94±4.72 Bq/Kg with an average 46.13±4.78 Bq/Kg\, 13.02±3. 32 to 62.71±4.37 with an average 34.10±3.02 Bq/Kg and 76.4±8.44 to 1126 .53±8.90 Bq/Kg with an average 473.94±5.41 Bq/Kg\, respectively. Convers ely\, the radionuclide concentration of 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K in Kashere ranges from 17.99±4.18 to 29.56±8.91 Bq/Kg with an average 17.99±4.18 Bq/Kg\, 14.60±0.47 to 34.60±0.71 Bq/Kg with an average 23.73±1.78Bq/Kg\ , and 85.74±6.03 to 316.00±2.99 Bq/Kg with an average 191.65±3.15 Bq/Kg \, respectively.\nThe activity concentration in rock samples is higher in Nahuta\, with values for 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K ranging from 9.74±1.26 t o 92.78±0.28 Bq/Kg with an average 32.91±0.49 Bq/Kg\, 14.33±0.26 to 71. 04±0.10 Bq/Kg with an average 40.70±0.41\, and 36.67±6.05 to 1136.50±5 .54 Bq/Kg with an average 578.18±4.28\, respectively. In Kashere\, the ra nges are 11.07±8.91 to 38.06±0.17 with an average 20.24±3.72 Bq/Kg for 226Ra\, 13.47±6.23 to 42.43±0.36 Bq/Kg with an average 29.09±1.78 Bq/Kg for 232Th\, and 13.77±2.99 to 326.89±2.33 Bq/Kg with an average 148.36 ±3.15 Bq/Kg for 40K.\nThe concentrations of radionuclides 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K in soil and rock samples\, as reported by [1]\, average at 32\, 4 5\, and 420 Bq/kg\, respectively\, worldwide. Analysis indicates that the average radionuclide concentration of 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K in soil and rock samples from kashere region are lower than the global averages\, sugg esting no imminent radiological threat to the local population. Conversely \, the average activity concentration of 226Ra and 40K in soil and rock sa mples from Nahuta exceeds worldwide averages. These elevated levels are at tributed to mining activities in the study area\, which is abundant in nat ural radionuclides.\nThe calculated mean activity concentration of 226Ra i s higher in the soil sample collected from Nahuta compared to Kashere. Nev ertheless\, compared to Nahuta\, Kashere has slightly elevated levels in s amples derived from rocks. This implies that the geological formation and mining exploration in Nahuta may have resulted in higher concentrations of radium than in Kashere where the rocks may contain higher concentrations of radium. The mean activity concentrations of 232Th in the soil and rock samples collected from Nahuta are higher than those obtained for Kashere. The higher thorium levels in Nahuta could be explained by the kind of rock s that compose the formations present in the area. The mean activity conce ntrations of 40K are higher in the soil and rock samples collected from Na huta as compared to Kashere. Potassium-40 being present in many rocks occu rs at higher concentrations in Nahuta\, signifying a higher concentration of potassium bearing minerals in the area. \nAs observed in Figure 1\, the re are higher concentrations of 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K\, particularly in the soil samples obtained from Nahuta\, which may pose a radiological heal th hazard to the inhabitants of the area. This is a health issue because p rolonged exposure to these radionuclides contributes to cancer risk and ot her illnesses. Also\, the sampled higher concentrations of these radionucl ides suggest the need for environment management and monitoring systems\, which should mitigate the impacts of mining and other agricultural activit ies. The results emphasize the necessity to follow the legal requirements concerning the radiation safety in the region with anthropogenic activitie s.\n\n \nFig. 1. Variation of the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra\, 232Th\, and 40K given in Bq/Kg for Soil and Rock samples in the study loca tions.\n \n\n3. References\n[1] United Nations Scientific C ommittee on Effects of Atomic Radiation. Exposure from Natural Radiation S ources. UNSCEAR Report\, New York\; 2000.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ev ent/249/contributions/9858/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9858/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synthesis\, Opto-structural and Electrical Characterisations of Nd 2O3-coated Silicon Nanoparticles DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9815@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Amine Mefoued (Centre de Recherche en Technologie de s Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE))\nSilicon nanoparticles of 2-10 nm size (Si-np) embedded into silicon nitride (Si3N4) thin films (70 nm thick) were synthesized and deposited on polycrystalline silicon w afers through plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) technique using ammonia (NH3) and silane (SiH4) as precursor reacting gases. A seco nd layer (50 nm) consisting of rare-earth neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) was adde d onto the Si-np by thermal evaporation. The resulting samples consisting of bilayered coating on Si substrate were assumed to possess photoluminesc ent properties where Nd2O3 and Si-np elements “cooperate” to emit a st ronger signal. The occurrence on the wafer’s surface of Si-np differing in size and the formation of the Nd2O3 layer were supported by atomic forc e microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical compos ition characterisation was done by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The devices were finalised by screen-printing the contacts (Ag-Al) on the front face and Al on the r ear. Electrical measurements by Hall effect and spectral response were car ried out to determine carrier concentrations\, mobility of the charge carr iers and efficiency of the obtained solar cells.\n\nhttps://events.saip.or g.za/event/249/contributions/9815/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9815/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quantum teleportation in a two-qubit quantum system in the presenc e of intrinsic decoherence DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T131500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T133000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9857@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: FADWA BENABDALLAH (Mohammed V University in Rabat)\n In order to implement the process of quantum teleportation\, we evaluate q uantum information resources through local quantum uncertainty\, local qua ntum Fisher information\, and quantum entanglement\, as measured by the co ncurrence of the teleported output state. One of the main challenges of th is work lies in the ability to create and analyze local non-classical corr elations between the proposed open system and its surrounding environment. Moreover\, the considered quantum state will be used as a maximally entan gled mixed state as the quantum channel in the process of quantum teleport ation. In light of this\, we will investigate the impact of intrinsic deco herence on the quantum teleportation protocol. Finally\, we assess the fid elity of the process to demonstrate the reliability of transmitting the un known state.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9857/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9857/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Optical Spectral and Lasing Potentials Analysis of Dysprosium and Samarium Ions Co-doped Strontium Magnesium Borate Glass Matrix DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T130000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T131500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9856@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Ichoja (Federal University of Health Sciences \, Department of Physics\, Faculty of Science\, P.M.B 145 Otukpo Benue Sta te\, Nigeria)\nAndrew Ichoja1*\, Emmanuel .O.Odoh2 and Emmanuel .O. Adejo3 \n1\,2\,3 Federal University of Health Sciences\, Department of Physics\, Faculty of Science\, P.M.B 145 Otukpo\, Benue State\, Nigeria\n*Correspond ing author\; andrew.ichoja@fuhso.edu.ng\n1. Abstract\nImproved Dy3+ + Sm3+  co-doped strontium magnesium borate glasses with the nominal compositi ons of 20SrO  10MgO  (70  z) B2O3  0.7Dy2O3  zSm2O3 (0.2  z  1.0 mol%) were prepared via the melt-quenching system. The struc tural property of the quenched glass samples was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ultraviolet-visible-near-IR spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NI R) spectra of the glasses exhibited characteristic absorption transitions of Dy3+ and Sm3+ respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra for Dy3+ / Sm3+ co-doped glass system exhibited five emission bands due to the 4F9 /26H15/2 (Dy3+)\, 4F9/26H13/2 (Dy3+)\, 4G5/26H7/2 (Sm3+)\, 4G5/2 6H9/2 (Sm3+) and 4G5/26H11/2 (Sm3+) transitions in Dy3+ and Sm3+\, r espectively. From the optical absorption measurements\, the influence of D y3+ and Sm3+ on the three Judd-OFelt (JO) intensity parameters (2\, 4\, 6) were evaluated. The achieved high values of the branching rat io ( 60% and 74%) and stimulated emission cross-section ( 10  10 22 cm2) recorded at 4F9/2  6H13/2 and 4G5/2  6H7/2 electronic tra nsitions showed an excellent lasing and optical energy harnessing potentia ls of the proposed glass compositions.\n2. Introduction\nBorate glasses ar e known for remarkable structural and optical properties and are more prom ising materials than their crystalline equivalent due to their simple and inexpensive production skill\, high thermal technology\, and good coeffici ent of incorporation of rare earth [1]. High optical performance arising f rom the co-doping of rare earths opens new possibilities for various appli cations of the glass matrix including lasers\, biomedicine\, sensors\, etc . However\, the glass system is volatile and unstable hence\, the inclusi on of alkaline earth metal would enhance its mechanical stability [2]. The newly activated glass composition was prepared using the melt-quenching m ethod. Structural and photoluminescence characteristics of the glass matri x were evaluated using XRD and UV-Vis analysis respectively. The lasing pa rameters such as stimulated emission cross-section\, transition probabilit y\, and branching ratio were calculated by equation [3] given by Kindrat\n .δ_e (φ^' J^'\,φJ)=(_p^4)/(8πcn^2 ∆_p ) A_rad (φ^' J^'\,φJ) \nwhere p i s the wavelength at maximum peak\, e is the emission cross-section\, Ar ad is the radiative transition probability\, and p is the effective bandwidth. The evaluated spectroscopic parameters indicate the possibility of the newly activated glass matrix for technological applications. \n3. Results\n \nFig. 1: The XRD pattern of SrMgB2O3 gla sses Fig. 2: The opti cal absorption spectra of SrMgB2O3 glasses\n4. References\n[1] H.K. Obayes \, H. Wagiran\, R. Hussein and M.A. Saeed. Materials and Design 94 (2016) 121 - 131\n[2] Y.D. Yiannopolous\, G.D.Chryssikos and E.I. Kanitsos. Phys Chem Glasses 42 (2001) 164 - 172 \n[3] I.I. Kindrat\, B.V Padlyak and R. L isieck. Optical Materials 49 (2015) 241 - 248\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.z a/event/249/contributions/9856/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9856/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Using Refractometer to Determine the Sugar Content in Soft Drinks Commonly Consumed In Birnin Kebbi\, Nigeria DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T094500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9855@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Garba Danjumma Sani (Kebbi State polytechnic Dakinga ri)\n1. Introduction\nSoft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typicall y contains carbonated water\, a sweetener and a natural or artificial flav ouring agent and any other additives such as caffeine\, colorant\, preserv atives etc. However\, the level of sugar in drinks plays a vital role in o ur bodies and as such determination of its level will never be over emphas ized. Brix value depicts the sugar level in drinks. Refractometer is used in this research for its simplicity and effectiveness. In view of this\, t he research is aimed to determine the brix value and refractive indices in some selected soft drinks available in Birnin Kebbi market with the aim o f attracting the attention of the regulatory authorities and helping the u n-informed consumers to make a healthful choice. Ten (10) different soft d rinks were used and results were obtained. \n2. Results \nPop Up has the h ighest brix value\; 21.9 and also a refractive index of 1.367. While Tropi cal Big Cola has the lowest brix value\; 14.4 and a refractive index of 1. 354. The entire results has a range of 14.4 – 21.9 for brix value and 1. 354 - 1.367 for refractive index which are all within the safe range of co nsumption. However\, further research is recommended to determine other ph ysicochemical properties of the soft drinks with a view to ensure the stan dard.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9855/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9855/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Measurement and Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Honey Ob tained from Birnin-Kebbi Market DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T094500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9854@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Garba Danjumma Sani (Kebbi State polytechnic Dakinga ri)\n1. Introduction\nFood quality assurance is becoming increasingly impo rtant in food processing industries as expectations from the consumers and competitions among food manufacturers continue to grow. Thus there is an increasing research interest in the area with a view to ensure safety prod ucts of foods. Honey\, a natural viscous food which is well known for its high nutritional and medicinal values remains an important food every soci ety demands. This research work aimed at studying the specific gravity\, e lectrical conductivity and pH value of different samples of honey availab le in Birnin Kebbi (12.43180N\, 4.19560E ) market with a view to determine its quality and safety for consumption. Ten (10) samples were randomly se lected from the market and the said parameters were determined. \n2. Resul ts\nFrom the results sample KB10 has the highest specific gravity with a v alue of 1.44 while sample KB1 has the lowest specific gravity with a value of 1.31. This gives the range of the values as 1.31 – 1.44. The electri cal conductivity values of the studied honey samples varied from 2.68 - 19 .80 µS/cm with sample KB7 having the lowest value (2.68 µS/cm) and KB5 h aving the highest value (19.80 µS/cm). Likewise the pH values ranges betw een 4.30 – 4.98 with an average of 4.59 with sample KB8 as the lowest wh ile KB2 as the highest. The values of all the parameters obtained are with in the safety limit as reported by NAFDAC and other reviewed literatures. Further researches on other physicochemical properties are recommended.\n3 . References\nAbdulwahid\, A.\, Joseph\, P. C. & Kennedy\, H. E. (2012). N utraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth. Nutrition & Metabolism 2012\, 9:61:1-12.\nAdenekan\, M. O.\, A musa\, N. A.\, Lawal\, A. O.\, Okpeze\, V. E. (2010). Physico-chemical and microbiological properties of honey samples obtained from Ibadan. Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials\, 2(8):100-104.\n\nhttps://events.saip .org.za/event/249/contributions/9854/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9854/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:INFLUENCE OF Cu2+ / Ti4+ CO-DOPING ON THE MORPHOLOGY\, MICROSRUCTU RE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnO\, SYNTHESIZED BY CARAMBOLA FRUIT JUICE ME THOD. DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T081500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9814@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ekane Peter Etape (University of Buea\,)\nZnO and Zn 1-(y+x) O /CuyTix \, (Ti\, Cu\, Cu/Ti-doped ZnO) were synthesized by modif ied oxalate route using carambola fruit juice as a precipitating agent. Th e wurtzite hexagonal structure formed saw the space group change from P63m c to p3 with crystallite sizes varying from 15.1 to 17.5 nm. Infrared spec tra (IR)of the single molecular precursor\, indicated the formation of met allic oxalates. The influence of Cu2+\, Ti4+ and Cu2+/Ti4+-doping on the m icrostructure\, morphology and optical properties of the synthesized ZnO w as studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed modification of m orphology from cuboidal to porous spherical nano structures. The PXRD resu lts revealed an insignificant contraction in cell volume as the dopant ele ments replaced Zn ions in the microstructure (Ti0.02Cu0.02Zn0.96O\, 0.5271 nm3 and ZnO\, 0.5288 nm3) but improved mechanical properties such as dislo cation density\, microstrain and specific surface area\, and optical prope rties such as absorbance and optical band gap. Ti0.02Cu0.02Zn0.98O showed a 17.17 % drop in microstrain\, 9.63 % drop in dislocation density and 5.6 1 % increase in specific surface area and decrease in optical band gap wit hin the rang 3.116eV to 2.998eV. Also\, EDS results confirmed the incorpor ation of various dopant ions in the corresponding microstructures of ZnO. The results also revealed a modification in the crystallite size distribu tions. The new materials (Cu0.42Zn0.58O and Ti0.02Cu0.02Zn0.96O) have exhi bited a greater propensity to better\, microstructural and optical propert ies which could improve the electrical properties such as conductivity. Th erefore\, the newly synthesized samples have been confirmed to have improv ed mechanical\, electrical and optical properties relative to the synthesi zed Zinc Oxide.\n \nScheme: Synthesis procedure of the co-doped ZnO by car ambola fruit juice coprecipitation route\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/eve nt/249/contributions/9814/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9814/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Isolation of anti-CCHF B cell lymphocytes from a convalescent Sout h African survivor by single-cell analysis DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9812@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kegomoditswe Malebo (University of the Free State)\n Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening anthropo-zoo nosis that is characterized by high fatality rates 5-40%. Currently there are no approved vaccines or treatment available. Recently\, antibody-based therapies have proved promising approaches to mitigating severe disease c aused by other haemorrhagic viruses . CCHFV is made up of two structural g lycoproteins\, Gc and Gn\, the sole targets of neutralizing antibodies and the nucleocapsid protein (NP)\, which is antigenically well-conserved amo ng different strains. This study seeks to utilize Fluorescence Activated C ell Sorting (FACS) analysis to isolate Gc\, Gn and NP targeting resting me mory B cells from PBMCs of a convalescent donor.\n\nIn this study\, Gc and NP were cloned into pcDNA3.1+ and the resulting recombinant plasmids were used to transfect 293-F mammalian cells. Both Gc and NP proteins were pur ified by affinity chromatography and gel filtration\, and the donor serum IgG reactivity to the antigens was measured by ELISA. Gc and NP were furth er biotinylated in preparation for B cell sorting and verified by ELISA on an avidin coated plate. The donor PBMCs were stained with anti-human APC- Cy7 labeled CD3\, CD14\, CD16\, PE-Cy7 CD19\, and IgD-FITC\, as well as th e Gc/NP-PE/AF647 antigen baits\, and the LIVE/DEAD stain prior to loading onto a BDFACS Melody. The total Gc/NP- specific B cells CD19+ were sorted into 96-well plates for cloning and expression of anti-CCHF monoclonal ant ibodies (mAbs).\n\nCCHFV Gc and NP were successfully cloned\, expressed an d purified as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. ELISA confirmed the presence of binding anti-CCHF IgG antibodies in donor sera. The biotin ylation of both Gc and NP was successful\, and these antigens were used to isolate B cell lymphocytes from a South African CCHF survivor to isolate potent and protective mAbs by single-cell analysis.\n\nWe have successfull y expressed CCHFV Gc and NP which can be used for various applications inc luding antigen-targeted B cell isolation. Furthermore\, these antigens con stitute valuable reagents for the development of diagnostic assays like EL ISA and lateral flow assays which could be useful in low-income sub-Sahara n African countries.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions /9812/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9812/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sychrotron Techniques On Moisture Triggered Crystallization Of Tri ple-Cation Perovskite To Elucidate Phase Progressive Nucleation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9811@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Elly Miller Shatsala (Masinde Muliro University of S cience and Technology)\nSynchrotron techniques have been used extensively to characterize the structure and interactions of the perovskite crystals and their complexes with both ex situ/in situ approaches. From the Grazin g Incident Wide Angle X-ray Scattering/Small Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWA XS/GISAXS)\, literature reports the chemical pathways from the plumbate in termediates or meta-stable phase to perovskite crystal identified using in situ X-ray diffraction. However\, time evolution of crystallization and p hase transition in situ cases usually begins with the prepared solvent to inter-mediated complex film and finally to the perovskite crystal. A compr ehensive investigation of perovskites crystallization dynamics and morphol ogy evolution from original precursor solution of CH3NH3PbI3 pristine to s olid phase crystals operando and in real time shows perovskite crystal int ermediate\, comprised of an octahedral [PbI6]4+ centre surrounded by coope rative ions. We present an exciting triple cation film degeneration when probed with humidity by GIWAXS and Mirco-Diffraction synchrotron technique s done at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. High resolution Atomic Fo rce Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Miscrosopy (SEM) gave polymorph y\, crystallinity and molecular interactions with good surface morphology from the maps. On elevated Relative Humidities of about 50%\, the films se gregate back producing intermediate phases from GISAXS and microdiffractio n results. We thus propose optimized film formation protocols for high per forming perovskites to lucid crystallization pathways and irreversible fil ms used to develop highly efficient and stable photovoltaic devices.\n\nht tps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9811/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9811/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Funding opportunities with PAST DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T151500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9892@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kimberleigh Tommy (Human Variation and Identificatio n Research Unit\, School of Anatomical Science\, Faculty of Health Science \, University of the Witwatersrand)\nTo be added\n\nhttps://events.saip.or g.za/event/249/contributions/9892/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9892/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Paleontology DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T144500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9891@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chandelé Montgomery (Evolutionary Studies Institute )\nTo be added\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9891/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9891/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Antifungal and antibacterial potential of isoflavones from Millett ia thonningii DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T143000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T150000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9873@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Robert Kingsford-Adaboh (University of Ghana)\nThis study demonstrates the antifungal and antibacterial potential of isoflavon e natural products isolated from the seeds extracts of Millettia thonningi i. In an effort to gain bond topological information which may have conseq uences for the observed bioactivities\, the crystal structure of robustic acid was solved and refined using the independent atom as well as the inva riom model\, and the structures were compared. Robustic acid contains a fu sed tricyclic unit with a benzopyran moiety\, with a phenylene ring substi tution on the coumarin ring similar to the alpinumisoflavones isolated fro m this plant. Two coumarins\, robustic acid and thonningine-C isolated fro m Millettia thonningii\, show promising activity against the fungus Candid a albicans with minimum fungicidal concentration of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/mL\, re spectively. Also\, at a minimum inhibitory concentration of ~1 mg/mL\, alp inumisoflavone and robustic acid were found to be cytotoxic to Staphylococ cus aureus (ATCC 25923) showing a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of ~9 mm. Molec ular modelling against the putative bio-molecular target\, lanosterol 14-d emethylase (CYP51)\, revealed a plausible binding mode for the active comp ounds\, in which the hydroxyl group binds with a methionine backbone carbo xylic group blocking access to the iron catalytic site. This binding disru pts the synthesis of several important sterols for the survival of fungi. These compounds offer potential new avenues for targeting fungal and bacte ria and could be useful as chemical probes for understanding these pathoge ns in an effort to overcome drug resistance.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za /event/249/contributions/9873/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9873/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Energy Resources in Africa and their Geopolitical and Geostrategic Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9866@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ahmadou Wague (African Physical\; Society)\nEnergy a nd ecological transitions are currently major challenges throughout the wo rld\, particularly in Africa\, where the effects of global warming are cau sing enormous damage to environmental and agricultural ecosystems. In addi tion\, the war in Ukraine is demonstrating how important it is for Africa to meet the challenges of energy and food sovereignty through an appropria te approach to the management of the continent's enormous energy sources. Here we address the issues of energy resources in Africa and their geopo litical and geostrategic implications for sustainable development in Afric a. We place particular emphasis on the importance of developing renewable energies\, and especially on the importance of widespread access to solar energy\, which could bring about considerable positive changes in access t o energy for all in Africa.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contri butions/9866/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9866/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The fate of Arsenic in the Carletti Spring System (Viterbo\, Italy ): a XAS speciation study DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T123000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T124500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9831@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Francesco Di Benedetto (Università degli Studi di F errara)\nA study aimed at unravelling arsenic (As) speciation in the carbo nate sediments and the total suspended particulate (TSP) occurring at the Carletti spring system (CSS)\, part of the larger Bullicame (Viterbo\, Cen tral Italy) system\, by means of XAS spectroscopy\, has been undertaken. \ nIn the CSS\, As occurs as a geogenic anomaly\, its mobility and speciatio n being likely affected by inorganic and/or microbiological processes. The determination of As speciation in the encrustation and TSP\, highly dilut ed samples\, is essential to validate the models on the fate of As in this “natural laboratory”.\n\n8 rock and 8 TSP samples were collected in t he CSS\, following relevant changes in temperature\, distance from the spr ing and physicochemical features of the water/TSP/rock interfaces. All sol id samples were analysed\, without manipulation\, by means of X-ray Absorp tion Spectroscopy at the As K edge in fluorescence mode and at low tempera ture (range 77-20 K). Experiments on rock and TSP samples were carried out at two beamlines (BM08 and BM26\, respectively) at the ESRF facility.\n\n The main results point to an almost constant As(III) over total As ratio o ver the whole spring system in the rock samples\, As(III) being about 30% of the total Arsenic. Detailed investigation concerned with subsamples dis criminated by colour (with reference to different abundances and speciatio n of co-localised microbiologic populations)\, finding no apparent changes in As speciation. TSP samples\, analysed with a specific procedure due to their ultra-diluted nature\, appear also constant and slightly enriched i n As(III) with respect to the corresponding rocky samples. These data have to be compared to a water environment\, which increases its oxidising pot ential and its pH while increasing the distance from the spring\, as testi fied from the change of the As(III)/total As ratio from an initial 70% dow n to a final 40%. \n\nThis complex set of experimental results will be dis cussed on the light of two possible interpretive schemes\, i.e. a kinetica lly constrained precipitation mechanism\, and a microbiologically constrai ned change of As speciation\, taking also into account of laboratory refer ence systems where the inorganic and biotic uptake of As(III) and As(V) we re reproduced.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9831/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9831/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating Electrolytes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Through Adva nced Synchrotron Techniques DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9851@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mathias Kiefer (University of the Witwatersrand )\nS olid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have emerged as a promising candidate in the search for an efficient and environmentally friendly source of electrical energy. SOFCs offer several benefits over traditional sources of electric ity\, such as high efficiency and reduced emissions. However\, SOFCs have experienced limited commercialization due to short device lifespans and hi gh operating temperatures\, the latter feature is largely dictated by the electrolyte material. The quest for improved electrolyte materials\, which would ideally exhibit properties such as high phase stability and high io nic conductivity at intermediate temperatures (~650 oC)\, remains a critic al aspect in advancing SOFC performance and application. Advanced synchrot ron techniques are required to investigate the local and long-range struct ural details which determine the overall electrolyte performance. I will p resent selected work wherein advanced synchrotron techniques at elevated t emperatures were used to investigate the structure of bismuth oxide- and l anthanum molybdate-based materials to probe the suitability of these mater ials as SOFC electrolytes.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contrib utions/9851/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9851/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Societal and Economic Impact of a Synchrotron Light Source DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9879@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Qun Shen (Brookhaven National Laboratory)\nQun Shen\ nDeputy Director for Science and Distinguished Scientist \nNational Synchr otron Light Source II (NSLS-II) \nBrookhaven National Laboratory\, Upton\, NY 11973\, USA\n\nSynchrotron light sources have been developing rapidly since the 1980’s when first dedicated light source facilities started op erations. These light sources essentially extend our human vision and allo w us to see and investigate tiny things from microstructures to molecules and atoms\, in many cases in-situ and under operating conditions. Such res earch activities have made substantial scientific and technological impact s in such critical areas as clean energy\, microelectronics\, quantum info rmation\, synthesis and manufacturing\, human health\, and the environment . In addition to direct scientific impacts\, the light sources also provid e significant indirect broader impacts to our society. These impacts are r eflected in business and economic impact to the local community\, promotin g high-quality education and workforce training and development\, and enco uraging people working together in a naturally diverse and inclusive light source environment.\nNational Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a bright synchrotron facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Isla nd\, NY. It provides stable and intense photon beams\, from infrared to ha rd X-rays\, experimental capabilities\, and data infrastructure to enable multiscale\, multimodal\, high-resolution studies on diverse systems of ma terials. In this presentation\, I will quickly go through a few research a nd activity examples from NSLS-II to illustrate their scientific and techn ological impacts. I will then illustrate on how\, in many ways\, the local community may benefit from the socioeconomic activities around a light so urce facility.\nNational Synchrotron Light Source II is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Offic e of Science by Brookhaven National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-SC001 2704.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9879/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9879/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Heterologous production\, purification and crystallization of ster ol 24C-methyltransferases from opportunistic pathogenic fungi DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9849@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Carmien Tolmie (University of the Free State)\nOppor tunistic pathogenic fungi cause infectious fungal disease with extremely h igh mortality rates\, especially in immune-compromised patients [1]. Antif ungal resistance and multi-drug resistance have emerged against the limite d number of clinically used antifungals. Because of the high HIV/AIDS inci dence in Sub-Saharan Africa [2]\, anti-fungal drug resistance is specifica lly of concern\; therefore\, there is an urgent need to develop novel ther apies. \n\nIn this study\, sterol C24-methyltransferase (SMT) has been ide ntified as a novel target for anti-fungal drug development. An expression vector library was prepared with SMT genes from four opportunistic pathoge nic fungi\, heterologously expressed in *Escherichia coli* and the SMT pro teins purified with affinity chromatography. The SMT from *Candida albican s* was crystallised and diffraction data was collected at the Diamond Ligh t Source synchrotron.\n\nExpression of truncated SMT genes from all four f ungi was successful\, and the SMT from *C. albicans* was successfully puri fied and crystallised\; however\, diffraction was only observed at low res olution (~7Å). Purification of the SMTs from the other three pathogens is ongoing\, and crystallisation of the *C. albicans* SMT is currently being optimised.\n\n[1] Denning DW (2024) Global incidence and mortality of sev ere fungal disease. *Lancet Infectious Diseases*. 24(7):e428-e438. \n[2] D os Santos Abrantes PM\, McArthur CP & Africa CWJ (2014). Multi-drug resist ant oral *Candida* species isolated from HIV-positive patients in South Af rica and Cameroon. *Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease*. 79(2) \, 222–227.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9849/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9849/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:UK XFEL Overview & Science Case DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9844@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paul Aden (STFC)\, Jon Marangos (Imperial College)\, David Dunning (STFC)\n*Note: Following discussions with Lawrence Norris w e would like to submit for two talks. One discussing the UK XFEL Project a nd Facility Design\, and a second discussing the UK XFEL Science Case and notable recent XFEL highlights. However we can deliver this as one talk if the schedule is limited at this stage.* \n\nUK XFEL: Overview and Facilit y Design.\nA conceptual design and options analysis (CDOA) is currently be ing carried out by the UK into the possibility to deliver a next generatio n XFEL (X-ray Free-Electron Laser). XFELs generate ultra-bright\, short pu lses of X-rays\, allowing for the study of matter at the atomic and molecu lar level with unprecedented detail. This talk will explore the options an d facility design of a potential UK XFEL along with our options for collab orating with existing facilities international\, and international partner s without XFEL access. We will discuss the conceptual design process\, fro m translating science requirements into specific technical solutions and u ltimately into compelling facility proposals. We will present a preliminar y design for a UK XFEL– a multi-billion Pound science facility - highlig hting key next-generation features and examine top-level design choices. T hese include multiplexing to enable up to 10 FELs\, achieving high peak an d average brightness\, generating near-transform-limited pulses\, reaching high pulse energy and photon energy\, incorporating two-colour synchronou s sources\, enabling high data rates and AI integration\, as well as ensur ing sustainability throughout. The expected timelines for the project\, hi ghlighting the current status of the Conceptual Design and Options Analysi s phase\, which is expected to be completed by October 2025\, will also be discussed along with the plans for subsequent phases of the project.\n\nU K XFEL: Science Case highlights and refresh.\nAs part of this project we w ill also review the Science Case for UK XFEL\, here we will explore recent scientific advances from XFELs worldwide\, highlighting results which str engthen the case for a next-generation UK XFEL facility. We will discuss t ransformative breakthroughs in several scientific fields\, showcasing the power of XFELs to address fundamental questions across the physical\, chem ical\, and life sciences. We will discuss highlights and XFEL applications in our main science areas: Matter in Extreme Conditions\, Nano/Quantum Ma terials\, Engineering and Material Applications\, Life Sciences\, Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences. And how we have approached engaging with these communities through a series of workshops and townhall discussions o ver the last 18 months.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributi ons/9844/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9844/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Theory of X-ray spectroscopy of materials DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T123000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9848@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Frank de Groot (Utrecht University)\nI will discuss X-ray absorption (XAS) and Resonant inelastic scattering of X-rays (RIXS). There is no practical unified theory for the interpretation of XAS spectr a and one-particle models based on Density Functional Theory as well as mu ltiplet model Hamiltonians are used for specific spectra [1\,2]. In 2p3d r esonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) one scans through the 2p X-ray a bsorption edge and measures the low energy excitations. The present experi mental resolution of ~20 meV allows the detailed observation of the electr onic and magnetic structure. Energy-resolved RIXS to determine the energy positions of the magnons and phonons [3]. Momentum-resolved RIXS can be us ed to determine the momentum dependence of these excitations\, for example the electron-hole pair band structure of LaCoO3 [4].\n\n[1] Core Level Sp ectroscopy of Solids\, Frank de Groot and Akio Kotani (2008)\n[2] J. Elec. Spec. 249\, 147061 (2021)\n[3] Elnaggar et al. Nature Comm 14\, 2749 (202 3)\n[4] Wang et al. Phys. Rev. B. 98\, 035149 (2018)\n\nhttps://events.sai p.org.za/event/249/contributions/9848/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9848/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Comments on the Geopolitical Conceptual Design Report for an Afric an Light Source DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9843@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sekazi Mtingwa (African Light Source Foundation)\nTh e African Light Source Foundation has been engaged in a variety of activit ies to bring a synchrotron light source facility to the African continent. A milestone along the road to that goal has been the production of a geo political conceptual design report that discusses the justification\, hist ory\, and road ahead for the African Light Source. In this presentation\, we will expound upon these items.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249 /contributions/9843/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9843/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:RESIDUAL STRESS ESTIMATION IN COATING TECHNOLOGY DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9874@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philip Oluseyi Oladijo (Botswana International Unive rsity of Science and Technology)\nNon-destructive determination of residua l stresses in the WC-Co coated systems was exceptionally challenging in th at the coatings were only 200 microns thick. The best suited techniques fo r investigation of WC were diffraction-based strain scanning using penetra ting radiation such as thermal neutrons (most penetrating)\, high energy s ynchrotron X-rays (100 keV enables 20 micron penetration) and laboratory X -rays (limited to 5 micron penetration). Laboratory X-rays (Necsa\, using Co radiation)\, thermal neutrons (ANSTO\, Australia) and X-ray synchrotron (ESRF\, France) were successfully employed to resolve the stress conditio ns. The influences of heat treatment were assessed by stress relief heat t reatment of the grit-blasted substrates and coated substrates.\nIt has bee n determined that the surface stresses of the coatings exhibited both smal l compressive and low tensile stresses on the as-sprayed coated samples. A fter annealing\, the stresses became substantially more compressive. The n ear-surface trends of the grit-blasted substrates were completely relaxed after annealing\, with thermal stresses being the dominant mechanism for r esidual stress induced due to the large difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the WC coatings and the substrates.\nKeywo rd: X-ray diffraction\, Synchrotron XRD\, Neutron diffraction\, WC-Co coat ing\, HVOF\nReferences: \n1. O.P. Oladijo\, PhD Thesis\, University of the Witwatersrand\, 2013.\n2. O.P. Oladijo\, A.M. Venter\, et al\, X-ray Diff raction Measurement of Residual Stress in WC-Co Thermally Sprayed Coating onto Metal Substrates\, Surface Coating Technology\, 206(23) (2012) 4725-4 729.\n3. A.M. Venter\, T. Pirlin\, T. Buslap\, O.P. Oladijo\, et al\, Syst ematic Investigation of Residual Strains Associated with WC-Co Coatings Th ermal Sprayed onto Metal Substrate\, Surface Coating Technology\, 206(19-2 0) (2012) 4011-4020.\n4. A.M. Venter\, O.P. Oladijo\, et al\, Performance Characterisation of Metallic Substrates Coated by HVOF WC-Co\, Thin Solid Films\, 549 (2013) 330-339.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contri butions/9874/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9874/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Thermal expansion behaviour of BPO4 studied by X-ray thermodiffrac tometry DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9877@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mashikoane Mogodi (University of Cape Town)\nThis ta lk presents the crystal structure dynamics as a function of temperature of non-porous borophosphates. Much of the work published on these materials has focused on investigating the synthetic approaches as well as exploring their fascinating structural chemistry. Little has been reported about th eir thermal expansion behaviour. This thermoresponsive behaviour revealed their thermal stability while serving as a predictive measure of the effec ts of temperature on other materials properties and subsequent application . The thermal expansion behaviour of the non-porous cristobalite BPO4 phas e will be highlighted. BPO4\, which crystallizes in the tetragonal lattice \, showed a substantial anisotropic expansion in the lattice. This contras ting thermal expansion behaviour along the various axes of the material is related to the temperature variation of the inter-polyhedral angle betwee n adjacent polyhedral in the crystal structure. This talk will also includ e total scattering data collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Fa cility (ESRF)\, beamline ID22. This analysis is sensitive not only to the average (long-range) material structure but also the local distortions awa y from the average structure. Results will be reported relating to the tot al scattering investigation of the thermal expansion of the B-O and P-O bo nd-lengths in comparison with the values obtained by conventional X-ray di ffraction measurements.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributi ons/9877/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9877/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Evaluating the Impact of Substrate Thickness on the Structural Int egrity of Plasma-Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9876@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tshepo Ntsoane (Necsa)\nAfLS7 abstract for Oral pres entation by Dr T. Ntsoane.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contrib utions/9876/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9876/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Solving the Old Problem of Anti-schistosomal Drug Resistance: A Ro le for Praziquantel and Polyphenols? DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9875@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Abidemi Paul Kappo (University of Johannesburg)\nSch istosomiasis is a devastating parasitic disease caused by the Schistosoma species. It affects over 260 million people worldwide\, with the highest m orbidity and mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its significan t impact on public health\, Schistosomiasis remains one of the neglected t ropical diseases. Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the only drug that treat s all schistosomiasis infections due to its availability\, cost-effectiven ess\, and minimal side effects. However\, recent studies showed the emerge nce of PZQ-resistant strains due to drug pressure. Exposure of the schisto some parasite to extreme conditions during its developmental stage trigger s the expression of heat shock and universal stress proteins. The universa l stress G4LZI3 protein has been identified as a potential target for deve loping new anti-schistosomals. Protein structure is integral to drug desig n and comprehension of various biological systems and pathways. Hence\, X- ray crystallography was employed for the structural determination of this protein\, while bioinformatics was used to identify potential polyphenolic compounds with additive ‘druggable’ ROS-scavenging potential to ameli orate anti-schistosomal drug resistance against PZQ. \nMore so\, glycolyti c proteins have emerged as possible drug targets and vaccine candidates fo r treating schistosomiasis. Since proteins do not function alone\, disrupt ing essential protein-protein interactions using small molecule inhibitors has become a more promising approach to resolving drug resistance in dise ases. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) are glycolytic proteins with crucial cooperative role in generating energy for the worm's motility and survival. Therefore\, disrup ting this critical GAPDH~TPI protein complex should decrease the worms' en ergy levels\, thus creating an unfavourable environment for the parasite t o thrive. Raman and UV-vis spectroscopy\, coupled with Microscale Thermoph oresis were used to investigate this postulated interaction. Virtual scree ning\, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were employed t o identify inhibitors against this protein-protein interaction. In vitro s creening of these compounds on various stages of the schistosome worms wil l validate the druggability of these compounds.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org .za/event/249/contributions/9875/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9875/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Advancing Structural Biology in Africa: BioStruct-Africa's AlphaFo ld Training Initiative DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9836@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emmanuel Nji (BioStruct-Africa\, 10 Link Road\, Kwam e Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)\, Kumasi\, Ghana.)\ nAbstract\nAlphaFold is a groundbreaking AI tool developed to predict prot ein structures with remarkable accuracy\, yet few scientists based in Afri ca have received training to use it effectively. From October 7–11\, 202 4\, BioStruct-Africa (www.biostructafrica.org) held a hands-on training wo rkshop in Douala\, Cameroon\, focused on structural biology. This workshop provided participants with expertise in AlphaFold structural prediction\, analysis\, interpretation\, and utilizing AlphaFold2 models for screening small molecule compound libraries. Such training holds vast potential for advancing drug and vaccine development and fostering sustainable healthca re solutions across the continent. The recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry\, p artly recognizing AlphaFold’s development\, highlights the vital importa nce of capacity-building efforts in this transformative field.\n\nhttps:// events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9836/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9836/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Xray-Raman Scattering studies of interface-induced high hydrogen a nd ion dynamics in nanocomposite energy storage materials DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241122T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9834@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Peter Ngene (Utrecht University\, The Netherlands)\n The success of the energy transition hinges on the development of efficien t energy storage materials and technologies to deal with the intermittency of energy from solar and wind. Metal hydrides (such as LiBH4\, NaBH4\, KH NaCB11H12\, etc.)\, which are well known for their ability to reversibly store large amounts of hydrogen\, have recently emerged as multi-functiona l energy materials[1-2] This is due to their attractive properties for a v ariety of energy storage/conversion applications\, including reversible hy drogen storage\, batteries and fuel cells (as electrodes and solid electro lytes or ionic conductors)\, superconductivity\, and catalysis.[1-2] In al l these applications\, it is crucial to improve the properties of the pris tine metal hydride. In this lecture\, I will show how interfacial effects\ , arising from nanocomposite formation with mesoporous materials (oxides o r carbon) can lead to profound improvements in the properties of metal hyd rides in energy applications.[3-7] For instance\, high hydrogen release/de sorption kinetics in hydrogen storage applications and orders of magnitude increase in ionic conductivity for electrochemical applications. Using se lected examples from these two applications\, I will discuss our recent re sults on the use of Xray Raman Scattering (XRS) to probe the chemical natu re of the metal hydride/oxide and metal hydride/carbon interfaces\, and th ereby unravel the origin of the profound interface-induced property enhanc ements in the nanocomposites.[8-10] I will highlight how the fundamental u nderstanding from the XRS studies is beneficial for tuning interface effec ts\, and thereby enabling the design of metal hydride-based nanocomposites with tailor-made properties for energy applications.[1\,3-6]\n\n1. W. Qia nru\, et al. Joule 4.4 \,2020: 705-709.\n2. R. Mohtadi\, and Si Orimo.. Na t Rev Mater 2\, 2017\, 16091. \n3. P. Ngene\, et al.\, Energy & Environnem ental Science\, 2011\, 4\, 4108-4115\n4. F. Chang\, et al.\, Nature Cata lysis\, 2022\, 5\, 222–230\n5. L.M de Kort\, et al.\, Advanced Functiona l Materials\, 2023\, 13\, 2209122\n6. L.M de Kort\, et al.\, Journal of Al loys and Compounds\, 2022\, 901\, 163474\n7. L.M de Kort\, et al.\, Journa l of Materials Chemistry A\, 2020\,39\,20687-20697\n8. L.M de Kort\, et al .. Adv. Energy Mater. 2024\, 14\, 2303381\n9. V Gulino et al. Small Method s 2024\, 8\, 2300833. \n10. P. S. Miedema et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. \, 2014\,16\, 22651-22658\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribu tions/9834/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9834/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Status of the STAR Project and perspectives for a CLS in Africa DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9816@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sanae Samsam (INFN)\nThe Southern European Thomson b ack-scattering source for Applied Research (STAR) project\, led by INFN an d hosted at the University of Calabria (South Italy)\, represents a cuttin g-edge platform for producing high-brilliance hard X-ray (up to 350 keV) p hoton beams through inverse Compton scattering (ICS). With the successful upgrade of its high-energy linac (STAR-HEL) to reach electron beam energie s of up to 150 MeV using advanced C-band technology\, STAR stands as a mod el for developing compact\, cost-effective high-gradient accelerators to s erve user facilities. We illustrate the status of the STAR project and pro pose leveraging its technological framework to establish the first Compton light source (CLS) on an African university campus or an equivalent regio nal facility. The development of such a user facility would be a key miles tone in the broader roadmap toward realizing the African Light Source (AfL S) project\, fostering high-level research and training in accelerator-bas ed science across the continent. The initiative would not only position Af rica as a significant player in global scientific research but would also complement existing infrastructure in South Africa\, thus strengthening th e foundation for collaborative efforts in accelerator and photon science a cross Africa.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9816/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9816/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ptychography and CDI at the Diamond i13-1 beamline: Highlights DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T090000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9794@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kudakwashe Jakata (European Synchrotron)\nX-ray comp uted tomography has proven to be a very useful technique with applications in materials science on carbon fibre composites\, lithium-ion battery res earch\, in palaeontology and geology among others. The resolution attainab le is limited by lenses and the detectors. However\, ptychography is a len s less technique which can ne used to obtain nanometre resolution and allo ws quantification of the phase. We present the setup of the i13-1 beamline of the Diamond Light Source for ptychography and Bragg coherent diffracti on imaging (BCDI). We also present results obtained in the study of a tita nium alloy part fabricated using metal injection moulding.\n\nhttps://even ts.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9794/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9794/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Updates on Synchrotron and Crystallography Human Capacity and Inf rastructure Building in Developing Countries DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T081500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T083000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9792@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sekazi Mtingwa (LAAAMP)\nA number of initiatives are in progress for creating and enhancing research and training via the util ization of synchrotron light sources and crystallography. For synchrotron s\, there are the African Light Source\, Greater Caribbean Light Source\, and Central Asian Synchrotron Light Source inititiaves. For crystallograp hy research and training hubs\, there are X-TechLab in Benin (currently op erating)\, CRXSTAL in Jamaica (soon to be operating)\, and another being c reated in Uzbekistan. In this presentation\, we will give the latest upda tes on those initiatives and give projections about future activities.\n\n https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9792/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9792/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Partial melting of Pyroxenite-H2O-CO2 at 3 GPa and genesis of prim itive arc magmas DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T130000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T131500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9852@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jitendra Kumar Dash (IIT Kharagpur)\nSubduction zone s link the mass transfer\, element cycling and magma differentiation proce sses in which the release of C-O-H fluids from the slab plays a key role. Geochemical characteristics of basaltic magmas suggest that olivine-poor l ithologies like pyroxenites may be produced from the reaction between subd ucting slab and ambient mantle peridotite in conjunction with variable add itions of a hydrous slab component. Numerous experimental data on water so lubility in nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) are available for hydrous peridotitic and basaltic systems. However\, the extent of H migration to t he sub-arc mantle wedge from the subducting crust and storage of water in theNAMs present in pyroxenites in presence of both H2O and CO2 are not ava ilable. Here we report new partial melting experiments of hydrous carbonat ed secondary pyroxenite and discuss the partial melt compositions with res pect to the genesis of primitive tholeiitic basalts tocalc-alkaline basalt s. \nHigh-pressure experiments were performed using a Piston-cylinder appa ratus and Platinum/Graphite capsule at 3 GPa and 1350 to 1525°C. A silica -deficient pyroxenite (SPX-15-1) with varying XCO2 [=molar CO2/ (H2O+CO2)] from 0.08 to 0.29 were used as the starting material. To facilitate the g rowth of single crystals for FTIR analyses\, temperature was increased by ~200 °C above the final desired run temperature for 0.5 to 2 hrs to reduc e the number of nuclei available for grain growth and finally lower the te mperature at 0.4 to 1 °C/min to the final run temperature. Clinopyroxene\ , orthopyroxene and hydrous carbonated silicate melts (> 30 wt.%) were pre sent in all the experiments in the presence or absence of garnet. Hydrogen incorporation in clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes decreases with an incr ease in the XH2O of pyroxenites and a decrease in Al content in their stru cture\, which suggest Al3+ + H+ substitution. With the increased degree of melting\, the partial melt compositions\, on volatile-free basis\, formed tholeiitic arc basalts to calc-alkaline basalts (45.17 to 51.81 wt.% SiO2 \, 8.42 to 10.75 wt.% CaO). Comparison of the major element compositions o f hydrous carbonated silicate melts (14.85-22.69 wt.% Al2O3\, 10.77-15.02 wt.% MgO\, CaO/Al2O3 of 0.45-0.67) with natural arc magmas suggest that hy drous carbonated-fluxed melting of secondary pyroxenite over 90 km depth c an produce partial melts similar to primitive tholeiitic basalts from Japa nese\, Sunda and Lesser Antilles arc magmatism.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org .za/event/249/contributions/9852/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9852/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:LAMISTAD\, A SYNCHROTRON FOR THE GREATRER CARIBEEAN DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T142000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9839@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Victor Castano (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mex ico)\nA descripotion of the history\, objectives and futuro of LAMISTAD\, a project forestablishing a synchrotron in the Greater Caribbean\, will be offered\, emphasinzing the challenges and opportunities of this enterpris e.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9839/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9839/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Puerto Rican Light Source (PULS) Initiative DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T142000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241121T144000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9840@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jorge Colón (University of Puerto Rico\, Río Pied ras)\, Mitk'El Santiago (University of Puerto Rico-Humacao)\, Keyla Soto-H idalgo (University of Puerto Rico\, Río Piedras)\nSeveral Caribbean resea rchers and students\, including from Puerto Rico\, have been conducting ma terials and biological research studies at synchrotron facilities around t he world. However\, no synchrotron facility exists in the Greater Caribbea n Region. A few years ago\, a group of international researchers created t he Latin American International Synchrotron for Technology\, Analysis and Development (LAMISTAD) project with the aim to construct a Greater Caribbe an Light Source (GCLS). Several Puerto Rican researchers are participating in the GCLS/LAMISTAD Committee. After the loss of the Arecibo Observatory \, Puerto Rico might be a suitable site for a Big Science project such as the establishment of a synchrotron light source on the island. The Puerto Rican Light Source (PULS) initiative was created among Puerto Rican scient ists participating in the GCLS/LAMISTAD Committee. Initial discussions abo ut this initiative have been conducted with the Puerto Rico Science\, Tech nology\, and Research Trust. A white paper proposing a viability study wa s prepared. In this presentation the present status of the PULS initiative and possible next steps will be discussed.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/ event/249/contributions/9840/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9840/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:NEPHEWS - funding and training opportunities for students and rese archers DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T080000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T081500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9878@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Cormac McGuinness (European Synchrotron and FEL User Organisation (ESUO) / Trinity College Dublin)\nNEutrons and PHotons Eleva ting Worldwide Science (NEPHEWS) delivers access to the world-class collec tive of Europe’s premiere open advanced neutron (N)\, synchrotron (SR) a nd free-electron laser (FEL) complementary research infrastructures (RI)\, to promote curiosity driven excellence in research. In NEPHEWS the RI ins titute a novel approach with their 40k+ user base of scientists through Us ers Organisations to provide a user-driven access program targeting new an d non-expert communities\, with a focus on Widening countries\, Ukraine an d Africa\, a priority. NEPHEWS community building activities in Africa wil l provide twinning opportunities at RI for experienced researchers\, to th en act as future ambassadors for SR/FEL and N science in their regions. In -person training opportunities at the HERCULES school for PhD students are available as well as virtual training on SR\, FEL and N science inclusive of proposal writing.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribution s/9878/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9878/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Paleontology DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9889@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kathleen Dollman (European Synchrotron and Radiation Facility)\nTo be added\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributi ons/9889/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9889/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Shining a Light on Nanoelectronics: The IRT Nanoelec Characterisat ion Programme for Industry-Driven Innovation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T101500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T103000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9846@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ennio Capria ()\nAs nanoelectronics push the frontie rs of miniaturization\, precision\, and functionality\, advanced material characterization has become critical to driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness in industrial applications. The Platform for Advanced Cha racterisation - Grenoble (PAC-G)\, in France\, stands at the intersection of scientific discovery and industrial need\, offering cutting-edge tools and methodologies tailored for the electronics industry. This presentation will explore how PAC-G empowers industries to harness advanced characteri sation technologies for probing materials at the nanoscale levels. With co llaborative access to state-of-the-art methods based on synchrotrons X-ray s and neutrons. Developed in the framework of the Technological Research I nstitute (IRT) Nanoelec\, PAC-G bridges R&D with practical solutions that enhance material properties\, device reliability\, and product longevity. Attendees will gain insights into the the platform\,that act as a unique I nnovation Hub\, leverage on the smart specialisation of the Grenoble area\ , a unique ecosystem dedicated to the industry of semiconductors. We will describe unique industrial case studies and recent advancements that are t ransforming nanoelectronics characterization on a global scale.\n\nhttps:/ /events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9846/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9846/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Impact of Industrial Synchrotron X-ray Powder Diffraction DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T094500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T100000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9832@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bernd Hinrichsen (Momentum Transfer)\nIndustry is cr ucial in the development and utilization of synchrotrons\, with expert com panies playing a key role in both construction and value creation. Interme diary companies\, in particular\, facilitate the translation of synchrotro n research into tangible benefits for society. This presentation will high light how these companies enhance the impact of light sources and showcase Momentum Transfer's efforts to revolutionise powder diffraction.\n\nhttps ://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9832/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9832/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ForMAX – a beamline for multiscale and multimodal structural cha racterization of hierarchical materials for the Swedish forest industry DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T094500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9888@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Magnus Larsson (MAX IV)\nMagnus W. Larsson\, Joaquí n B. González\, Vahid Haghighat\, Jackson Silva\, Mira Viljanen\, Santiag o P. Fernandez Bordín\, Anuj Prajapati\, Samuel A. McDonald\, and Kim Nyg ård\nMAX IV Laboratory\, Lund University\, Sweden\n\nThe ForMAX beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory provides multiscale and multimodal structural cha racterization of hierarchical materials from nm to mm length scales\, by c ombining small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering (SWAXS)\, scanning SWAXS i maging\, and full-field microtomography [1]. The beamline is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and industrial partners to advance r esearch and development of sustainable materials and specialty chemicals f rom forest raw materials\, but the beamline is also open for general users within\, e.g. materials science\, food science\, and biomedical imaging. We will present the journey towards a beamline at MAX IV and selected scie ntific results from the first year of user operation.\n\n[1] K. Nygård et al.\, J. Synchrotron Rad. 31\, 363-377 (2024).\n\nhttps://events.saip.org .za/event/249/contributions/9888/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9888/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent topics of XAFS studies performed at Photon Factory DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T073000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9826@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hitoshi Abe (Photon Factory (PF)\, Institute of Mate rials Structure Science (IMSS)\, High Energy Accelerator Research Organiza tion (KEK))\nInstitute of Materials Structure Science is one of the instit utes in KEK\, and runs a synchrotron facility\, Photon Factory (PF)\, wher e two synchrotron rings\, PF and PF-AR (Advanced Ring) are operated. PF i s operated with the beam energy of 2.5 GeV\, and PF-AR with 6.5 GeV or 5. 0GeV to provide higher x-ray energy. There are about 50 end stations incl uding 6 x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) beamlines: 9A\, 9C\, 12C\, 15A1\, AR-NW2A and AR-NW10A.\n XAFS is one of the most demanded methods at synchrotrons and is used to study various materials such as catalysts\, batteries\, functional oxides\, semiconductors\, minerals and environment al samples. XAFS is usually divided into characteristic two regions\, x-r ay absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended x-ray absorption fi ne structure (EXAFS). XANES is the region of the spectrum from just below the absorption edge to ~50-70 eV above the edge. EXAFS is the other high er energy region above XANES and analysed to investigate local structures of elements of interest\, e.g. bond length and coordination number. We wi ll share recent topics of our XAFS studies performed at our facility. In addition\, I would suggest potential topics to be studied at the AfLS in t he context of natural resources in the African continent.\n\nhttps://event s.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9826/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9826/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:What is Brilliant and BRIGHT at the Australian Synchrotron DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9825@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael James (Australian Synchrotron\, ANSTO)\nThe Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO) operates\, ma intains\, and develops a wide range of research infrastructure (worth ~$1 billion) for the benefit of all Australians\, including some of the larges t research facilities in the country. The Lucas Heights campus in Sydney hosts the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, the Centre for Accele rator Science and the National Deuteration Facility\, while the Clayton ca mpus in Melbourne is home to the 3 GeV Australian Synchrotron Light Source .\n \nThe Australian Synchrotron generates brilliant beams of infrared an d X-ray synchrotron light for use in a vast array of scientific research – studies in radiotherapy\, biomedical imaging and 3-D computed tomograp hy\; macromolecular crystallography for the study of the biomolecular basi s of disease and the development of new medicines\; agricultural\, environ mental and climate change research\; studies in advanced electronics and a dvanced energy materials\; planetary sciences\; engineering\; advanced man ufacturing\; and cultural heritage studies. The Australian Synchrotron cu rrently hosts over 1000 experiments per annum across its 14 operational be amlines and is currently in the middle of the ~$100 million BRIGHT Program to design\, build and commission the new suite of next-generation beamlin es at the facility.\n\nThis presentation will showcase recent capability u pgrades\, as well as a range of impactful research outcomes from the Austr alian Synchrotron in the fields of health\, advanced and energy materials\ , environmental and climate change research\, engineering materials and cu ltural heritage studies. I will also highlight the new research capabilit ies from our next-generation BRIGHT Beamlines and look to the future of Sy nchrotron research capabilities for Australia.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org. za/event/249/contributions/9825/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9825/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Highlights and notes from the Sirius DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T113000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T120000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9887@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Harry Westfahl (Sirius)\nThis presentation discusses the performance and scientific highlights from Sirius. The Sirius has sup ported the AfLS for more than a decade\, and the presentation also reflect s on the role that the Sirius can play to advance synchrotron based scienc e in Africa.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9887/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9887/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Working with industry at the European Synchrotron DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T092000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241120T093000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9838@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Edward Mitchell (ESRF)\nED MITCHELL1\n1 European Syn chrotron Radiation Facility (Business Development Office\, Grenoble\, Fran ce)\nCorresponding author: Ed Mitchell\, mitchell@esrf.eu\n\nKeywords: inn ovation\, industry\, \nTheme: African Light Source session\n\nThe European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) has worked with industry from even before the first light was delivered in 1994. The ESRF’s Business Develo pment Office (BDO) is now charged with managing interactions with industry from service sales\, patents\, licences to collaborations and partnership s. The BDO is an internal service of the ESRF\, positioned in the Experime nts Division. The main activity to date is managing and developing beam ti me sales\, though this is changing. At the ESRF industrial service sales e arn about 2.5MEuros annually with the strongest sector being pharma and bi otech. One of the current challenges is to deepen our relationship with in dustry to more than a simple client-supplier relationship. There are many opportunities for this\, though grants and networks\; the main limitations are in building awareness and understanding in industry (both large and s mall)\, and having staff available to do industrial liaison and support wo rk. The presentation will look at the role of industry at the ESRF and how our facilities and expertise support industry research and innovation.\n\ nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9838/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9838/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:XAFS Technique for Enhancing Research in Energy Domain DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T123000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T125000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9882@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Messaoud Harfouche (SESAME)\nX-ray Absorption Fine S tructure (XAFS) spectroscopy has emerged as a non-destructive and powerful analytical technique for advancing research not only in physics but also in chemistry\, environmental science\, biology\, archaeology\, and\, natur ally\, in the energy domain\, offering invaluable insights into the struct ural\, electronic\, and chemical properties of materials under realistic c onditions. This non-destructive method provides detailed information on th e local electronic/atomic environment of elements within a material\, capt uring changes in oxidation state\, coordination geometry\, and atomic bond ing. \nIn the energy sector\, XAFS plays a key role in the development and optimization of materials for a wide range of applications\, including en ergy storage (batteries\, supercapacitors\, etc.)\, energy conversion (fue l cells and solar cells)\, and catalytic processes for renewable energy pr oduction.\nIn this presentation\, a quick description of the experimental setup at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline at the Synchrotron-light for Experimen tal Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) will be shown\; a minimum of the XAFS technique basics will be highlighted\; and at last\, selected examples of research in the field of energy conducted at BM08-XAF S/XRF beamline in SESAME will be illustrated for a clearer and closer pict ure.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9882/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9882/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:“SESAME Synchrotron: the bright light of the Middle East” DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T123000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9880@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gihan Kamel (SESAME Light Source)\nThe Synchrotron-l ight for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) is the first synchrotron facility in the Middle East. Its current Members are Cyprus\, Egypt\, Iran\, Israel\, Jordan\, Pakistan\, Palestine and T ürkiye. With Brazil\, Canada\, China (People’s Republic of)\, the Europ ean Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)\, the European Union (EU)\, F rance\, Germany\, Greece\, Italy\, Japan\, Kuwait\, Portugal\, Russian Fed eration\, Spain\, Sweden\, Switzerland\, the United Arab Emirates\, the Un ited Kingdom\, and the United States of America are observers. \n\nSESAME seeks establishing the Excellency of Science and technology\, human capaci ty building\, brain-drain reversal\, gender-gap enrichment\, and a bridge to understanding in such a tempestuous region. In conjunction with this\, the tangible vision that Africa must receive its analogous situation as a leader within the global scientific arenas becomes more evident. The strat egic plan is to launch a world-class large scale research infrastructure\, heal the brain-drain challenge\, address both local and regional concerns \, as well as being a vehicle for economy. \n\nIn this regard\, SESAME is considered as a model in action for the African community. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in 2020 with the AfLS Foundation which intr insically seeks instituting a synchrotron facility in Africa being the onl y continent that is left behind without such an advanced technology. \n\nT he presentation will explore SESAME achievements and challenges\, and will emphasize the significant joint efforts between SESAME and the AfLS Found ation Up-to-Date.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/98 80/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9880/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:"The first infrared beamline at the Middle East SESAME synchrotron facility" DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T131000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T133000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9881@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gihan Kamel (SESAME Light Source)\nSESAME (Synchrotr on-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) is the only facility of its kind in the Middle East and neighboring regions\, officially opened in 2017. Infrared spectromicroscopy was selected as one of the two beamlines to be opened to the general users’ program (the so -called Day-1 beamlines). Being one of the most demanded techniques by var ious scientific communities in the Middle East\, the beamline has been des igned and implemented in the framework of a collaboration agreement with t he French synchrotron facility\, SOLEIL. The presentation highlights the p erformance of the BM02-IR beamline as well as demonstrating some examples of various scientific case studies.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/24 9/contributions/9881/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9881/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:MS/XPD: The SESAME X-ray powder diffraction beamline for Materials Science and Environmental applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T125000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T131000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9883@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mahmoud Abdellatief (SESAME synchrotron)\nX-ray diff raction (XRD) beamlines are often high-priority facilities due to their br oad applications across diverse fields\, including materials science\, bio logy\, pharmacology\, and cultural heritage. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) technique\, in particular\, is widely used for material phase ident ification\, quantitative phase analysis\, microstructural analysis\, and k inetic studies. The MS/XPD beamline at SESAME Synchrotron\; which started its operational phase in December 2020\; is dedicated to XRPD and was the third beamline to open at SESAME. \nIt is equipped with a two-circle diffr actometer and a PILATUS 300K area detector\, generously donated by DECTRIS . The beamline covers an energy range of 8-25 keV\, achieving an estimated flux of 10¹³ photons/s at 10 keV. This talk will provide an overview of the MS/XPD beamline’s technical specifications\, along with selected re search examples highlighting some applications in materials science and en vironmental studies (e.g.\, water harvesting\, energy storage and CO2 stor age).\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9883/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9883/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ALBA Synchrotron impact in society through science and innovation DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T140000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241119T143000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9885@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Caterina Biscari (ALBA Synchrotron)\nOver the past d ecade\, the ALBA Synchrotron has become an important pillar of the Spanish and European Research Area\, providing research capabilities and a wide r ange of state-of-the-art instrumentation to a community of more than 8500 academic and industrial users. With its eleven operational experimental be amlines\, while three more are being put into operation\, and with the cre ation\, in collaboration with other institutions\, of an electron microsco py centre\, it is an essential tool to address society's most urgent chall enges. \nALBA is preparing the leap towards the 4th generation\, aiming at increasing its performance\, reinforcing its role on the user community a nd on the industrial use of the instrumentation\, as well as its education al vocation and training capacity. ALBA II\, which is planned to be fully operative in the 2032\, will combine the upgrade to low-emittance storage ring with the construction of three new beamlines\, the refurbishment of p art of its instrumentation\, and the evolution of the data infrastructure. \nThe impact on the society through the science and innovation that ALBA i s enabling will be highlighted during the talk.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org .za/event/249/contributions/9885/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9885/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Towards the AfLS DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T075000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T080000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9869@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philip Oluseyi Oladijo (Botswana International Unive rsity of Science and Technology)\nSome final comments\, logistics\, detail s\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9869/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9869/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome and context DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T070500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T072000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9868@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Letlhokwa Mpedi (University of Johannesburg)\nWelco me address from the Hosts: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesbu rg: Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contribut ions/9868/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9868/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T070000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T070500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9867@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philip Oluseyi Oladijo (Botswana International Unive rsity of Science and Technology)\nFrom the Chair: AfLS International Confe rence Organising Committee\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contrib utions/9867/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9867/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The African Physical Society DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T072000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241118T073000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260312T140442Z UID:indico-contribution-249-9828@events.saip.org.za DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ahmadou Wague (African Physical\; Society)\nThe Afri can Physical Society is a non-governmental professional association with t he African Association of Physics Students as a subsidiary organization. I t provides a forum to bring together for the purposes of networking\, coll aboration\, and advocacy\, all the existing national physical societies\, The African Physical Society also endeavors to support and represent physi cists and physics students working and studying in countries that do not h ave a national physical society.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/249/c ontributions/9828/ LOCATION: URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/249/contributions/9828/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR