Conveners
Applied Physics
- Ernest van Dyk (NMMU)
Applied Physics
- Frikkie De Beer (Necsa)
Applied Physics
- Mmantsae Diale (University of Pretoria)
Applied Physics
- There are no conveners in this block
Applied Physics
- Hartmut Winkler (Dept. Physics, University of Johannesburg)
Applied Physics
- Frederik Vorster (NMMU)
Applied Physics
- Aletta Karsten (NMISA)
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews (UKZN)
Applied Physics
- Trevor Derry (University of the Witwatersrand)
Applied Physics
- Kittessa Roro (NLC-CSIR)
Applied Physics: Non-specialist Lecture
- phil ferrer (wits)
Applied Physics
- Joseph Asante (Tshwane University of Technology)
Mr
Shukree Wassin
(NMMU)
04/07/2017, 10:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be an interferometric, ultrasensitive radio astronomy instrument with an aperture array of one million square metres. The SKA telescope array will be coherently connected using optical fibre across an area of approximately 3000 km. A crucial and complex requirement for the SKA antenna is the coherent combination of the incoming astronomical data collected...
Ms
Phumla Dlamini
(Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)
04/07/2017, 10:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Abstract: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and MeerKAT telescope networks rely on highly stable and precise Radio Frequency (RF) clock tone used as timing and synchronization signals transmitted over optical fibre from a central point to remote antennas. The distribution system of an RF clock signal over optical fibre occurs in stages: optical clock signal generation, transfer over optical...
Mr
Ross Dix-Peek
(NMMU)
04/07/2017, 11:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Device material quality effects both the efficiency and the longevity of photovoltaic (PV) cells. Therefore, identifying defects can be beneficial in the development of more efficient and longer lasting PV cells. In this study, a combination of spatially-resolved, non-destructive techniques, including; electroluminescence (EL), infrared (IR) thermography and light beam induced current (LBIC)...
Mr
Gilbert Osayemwenre
(FHIT)
04/07/2017, 11:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cells, in the absence of effective and substantive electrical protection, are very susceptible to point defect formation. Naturally this would occur if the cell were reversed bias by its adjacent string cells when it is partially shaded, say.
For this study we have induced degradation on a single partially shaded poly-Si cell through reverse biasing...
Dr
Tanya Hutton
(University of Cape Town)
04/07/2017, 14:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The Department of Physics at the University of Cape Town has recently installed a new fast neutron facility featuring a Sealed Tube Neutron Generator (STNG) to be used for applied nuclear physics research and education. The MP-320 neutron generator utilises a 90 kV accelerated deuteron beam impinging upon a tritium target, producing 14 MeV neutrons via the t(d,n)α reaction. Ultimately we will...
Mr
Dingane Hlaluku
(Student)
04/07/2017, 14:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The LHC has planned a series of upgrades culminating in the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) which will have an average luminosity 5-7 times larger than the nominal Run-2 value. The ATLAS Tile Calorimeter (TileCal) will undergo an upgrade (phase-II) to accommodate the HL-LHC parameters. The TileCal both on and off-detector electronics will be completely redesigned and a new Trigger and Data...
Ms
Rotondwa Mudau
(Necsa)
04/07/2017, 14:40
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The IAEA is currently administering an international Coordinated Research Project (CRP), the main purpose of which is to develop a set of research reactor benchmarks for the verification and validation of computational codes. The focus of the CRP in particular is the modelling of multi-cycle depletion. Necsa has recently developed a new calculational framework for performing nuclear reactor...
Mrs
Faith February
(Institute for Maritime Technology)
04/07/2017, 15:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The First European South African Transmission Experiment (FESTER) was conducted in False Bay, South Africa from April 2015 through February 2016. The Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT)in Simon's Town, South Africa collaborated with the Netherlands Research Organisation (TNO), the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB), Germany and the...
Dr
Thomas Leadbeater
(University of Cape Town)
04/07/2017, 15:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
In the technique of Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT), and its equivalent subsets, a single radioactive tracer particle is frequently located as it moves through the system under study. Detection of pairs of annihilation photons emitted by the particle define a line along which the particle is thought to be positioned, and each location is then calculated via a triangulation approach...
Mr
LUTENDO CHRISTOPHER NETHWADZI
(SAAPMB)
05/07/2017, 11:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Most solar radiation measuring devices only determine the total irradiance on a horizontal surface, but for various applications diffuse and direct components are also needed. Because of this, several models have been developed to establish the correlations between the diffuse fraction and various predictors. This paper analyses the measured global irradiance at a Gauteng location as a...
Ms
MARIE CHANTAL CYULINYANA
(Department of Physics, University of Johannesburg)
05/07/2017, 11:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Optimising solar power development in Rwanda requires accurate knowledge of the spectral distribution of solar irradiation reaching the Earth's surface at different wavelengths. To characterize the effect of aerosols on surface solar irradiance, the simulation of a cloudless atmosphere is presented in this study. The irradiance spectrum is obtained by solving the radiative transfer equation...
Mr
Makhamisa Senekane
(Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa)
05/07/2017, 11:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Weather changes play a significant role in peoples' short term, medium term or long term planning. Therefore, understanding of weather patterns has become very important in decision making. Various tools have been suggested for forecasting weather. These tools include the use of artificial intelligence techniques such as artificial neural networks and other machine learning methods. In this...
Dr
Jacqui Crozier
(NMMU)
05/07/2017, 14:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Electroluminescence (EL) is a useful characterisation technique as it is fast, non-destructive and allows defects in photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules to be identified. The intensity of the emitted EL is proportional to the material, recombination and resistive properties of the cell. EL imaging is very effective in detecting cell defects in modules such as cracks, broken fingers and broken...
Mr
Ross Schultz
(NMMU)
05/07/2017, 14:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
With the rapid deployment of various Photovoltaic (PV) technologies around South Africa, the question has arisen to which technology is best to deploy within certain regions. This paper, discusses the development of a LabVIEW program that employs a meteorological indexing methodology to determine the effect of spectral changes caused by meteorological events on PV module performance. The...
Ms
Carine Buma
(Fort Hare Institute of Technology)
05/07/2017, 14:40
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Only 17% of South Africa’s energy comes from renewable sources even though this country is endowed with rich solar resources of 220 W/m2 as compared to Europe’s 120 W/m2 and the USA’s resource of 100 W/m2. The use of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems for its three decades of existence has claimed only a 1% share of the total photovoltaic installations worldwide. Very little of...
Mr
Akhona Yaso
(NMMU)
05/07/2017, 15:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
This paper addresses the monitoring of four Photovoltaic (PV) systems that comprise different technologies and are grid-connected. The main outcome of the study is to obtain an insight into the power generation and performance of PV systems in an embedded generation environment. This study is based on operational systems at the Outdoor Research Facility (ORF) on the NMMU South Campus. These...
Mr
Clemens Dempers
(Blue Stallion Technologies)
05/07/2017, 15:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Wolfram Mathematica, and the Wolfram Language offers a wide range of integrated tools that can accelerate research and teaching by rapid modeling. With many universities in South Africa having Wolfram site licenses, it is important to make physics students and lecturers aware that they have access to a varied and powerful toolset. The author will present practical interactive applications...
Mr
ochuko Kelvin overen
(University of Fort Hare)
06/07/2017, 10:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Solar radiation provides the most significant natural energy in buildings. Due to atmospheric interference, solar radiation received at the earth surface consists of direct beam and global irradiance, where diffuse can be further broken down into short and long wave irradiance. Although each of these components occur simultaneously, their individual influence on the indoor condition of a...
Mr
Khaled Mohamad
(PhD student)
06/07/2017, 10:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The solar parabolic trough collectors (PTC) are the earliest and most widely accepted Solar concentration style. It is the most mature technology, has been intensively researched and its cost gradually reduced. In addition, PTC have been put into commercial operations in many countries. The research in this technology is moving towards increasing the efficiency of the system, specifically...
Dr
Ike Q Sikakana
(Department of NDT and Physics, Vaal University of Technology)
06/07/2017, 11:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
A compressional piezoelectric transducer of frequency 4 MHz mounted on machined perspex wedges, placed on carbon steel was studied. At a defined incident angle, compression waves are mode converted to shear waves at the interface between perspex and carbon steel. Increasing the incident angles, that is, using larger angle perspex wedges, two refraction critical angles are observed according...
Ms
Nomahlubi Thunyiswa
(CSIR)
06/07/2017, 11:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Current military operations occur in built up areas and contains high level of uncertainties due to the uses of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Because of the current operational theatre and the uncertainties of IEDs, military vehicles have to achieve high level of mobility without compromising the required protections against these threats. One approach to deal with the conflicting...
Mr
Kreason Naidoo
(UKZN)
06/07/2017, 11:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Many applications in Applied and Experimental Physics require the use of a function generator. These devices, while a staple of most labs, are expensive in nature and limiting in the way they operate. Most off-the-shelf, mid-range function generators will be able to provide a few different wave forms with the frequency and amplitude (voltage) of the wave being variable. The user would control...
Mr
Jonathan Kiaka
(Mineral Processing and Technology Research Centre)
, Ms
Sharon Makgoga
(University of Johannesburg)
06/07/2017, 12:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Macadamia nuts and castor seeds are some of the popular sources of essential oils. Oil extraction from these two natural products can be effected by both cold pressing and solvent extraction or a combination of the above. In this work both raw materials, extraction mechanisms and kinetics of essential oils production from their seeds using different techniques will be discussed. The kinetics...
Ms
Mmatseleng Getrude ntobeng
(University of Johannesburg)
, Ms
Tiny-Henriette Dania
(Mineral Processing and Technology Research Centre)
06/07/2017, 12:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The increasing macadamia production in the Southern Africa and the need to leverage on existing indigenous plants like castor seeds for medicinal applications have led to the production on high amount of processing and agricultural wastes. A significant increase in demand for alternate energy sources (renewable electricity, biofuel and gas etc..) has stressed on the negative environmental...
Mr
Graham Daniels
(Necsa)
06/07/2017, 12:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Tumbling mills are an important part of mineral processing systems, which makes use of the comminution process to break down a large body into smaller pieces by crushing and grinding. The shape and flow of the internal bulk is important in understanding the effectiveness of the comminution process. In this investigation we make use of the technique of fast neutron radiography, at the PTB...
Mr
Bongani Ndlovu
(National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA))
06/07/2017, 14:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Hydrometers are instruments that are used for measuring the density or specific gravity of liquids. NMISA uses the Cuckow’s method which is based on hydrostatic weighing to calibrate hydrometers. This involves weighing the dry hydrometer in air and then in liquid. The liquid level is aligned with the horizontal scale of the hydrometer point to be calibrated and the reference density is...
Dr
Aletta Karsten
(NMISA)
06/07/2017, 14:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The international definition of the kilogram in the International System of Units (SI) has not been changed since 1889. The kilogram (unit of mass) is defined as the mass of a Platinum-Iridium (Pt-Ir) alloy cylinder that is kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, France since 1889. This is about to change in 2018. The new definition will be based on a...
Mr
Frikkie De Beer
(Necsa)
06/07/2017, 14:40
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The use of radiation in modern life is merely known for the X-ray diagnostics in the case of X-rays and nuclear power reactors in the case for neutrons. Few people have the unfortunate experience of using nuclear medicine (radiation) in the treatment of illness. However, the application of radiation as a research tool is merely unknown also in revealing those hidden secrets of the past....
Mr
Sipho Dlamini
(National Metrology Institute of South Africa)
06/07/2017, 15:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
This paper discusses the role of measuring amplifiers commonly known as readout units in force calibration measurements of load cells. The measurement process consists of obtaining the value of a physical quantity (e.g. force) and representing it as a number or in a converted form. Readout units play a critical function of obtaining the signal from the load cell, amplifying, converting, and...
Mr
Ochuko Kelvin Overen
(Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare)
06/07/2017, 15:20
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Air tightness is an essential feature for minimizing heat exchange between the inner space and ambient environment of a building. On the other hand, shortage of air exchange can also result in indoor discomfort, which is associated with inadequate ventilation, poor air quality and building related illness. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural air exchange rate and indoor air quality...
Ms
Marie Louise Umuhire
(University of Kwazulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa)
06/07/2017, 16:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Classical Cryptography offers different methods to encrypt messages amongst authorized users by applying some mathematical techniques which require the users to have shared some information initially[1]. These mathematical techniques can be broken as they all rely on the computational complexity[1]. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an alternative means of encrypting information whereby...
Dr
Marco Mariola
(University of kwazulu-natal)
06/07/2017, 16:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Micro-computer and micro-controller Open Source devices are often used to perform experiments in the science field. According to recent publications, the most used platforms are the Arduino Micro-controller board and the RaspberryPi micro-computer[1].
Africhino represents an alternative to the aforementioned devices, designed around the exigency of the researchers [2]. Africhino...
Dr
Marco Mariola
(UKZN)
06/07/2017, 16:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The importance of cryptography has become more prevalent in contemporary communication and the commercial use of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is now a realistic option for fibre networks. Long-range, free-space QKD and miniaturised, personal QKD devices are emerging fields of research aiming towards future commercial use. Previously, a handheld QKD device was developed using the COW protocol...
Dr
Frederik Vorster
(NMMU)
07/07/2017, 10:00
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
South Africa has experienced an unprecedented growth in the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems during the last ten years. This growth can partly be attributed to the prospect of producing electricity cheaper than the local (municipality) or national (ESKOM) electricity utility supplier, thus providing a good investment vehicle for sustained high capital growth. This favourable scenario is...
Dr
Stuti Joshi
(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
07/07/2017, 11:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Two-photon interference effects of entangled photons produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) received a lot of attention in the last few decades. Various kinds of two-photon interference effects such as Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect, two-photon fringes in a Franson interferometer, induced coherence without induced emission, frustrated two-photon creation, and postponed...
Dr
Yaseera Ismail
(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
07/07/2017, 11:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Thus far the development of entangled photon sources is based on the use of a fully coherent pump beam through a process of spontaneous parametric down conversion (SCPD). Of recent, there has been numerous theoretical studies based on the temporal and spatial coherence properties of the twin beam state [1]. In particular, for its relevance in the field of quantum information processing and...
Mr
Tjatji Tjebane
(Necsa/UP)
07/07/2017, 11:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
The formation mechanism of the porous framework in nanostructured carbons is important in a wide variety of applications such as in supercapacitors, gas storage, adsorbents and catalyst supports etc. especially in the production of activated carbons which are now one of the most common, cheap and efficient materials adopted by researchers for these applications. The accessibility to the pore...
Mr
Olakunle Oluwaleye
(University of South Africa)
07/07/2017, 12:10
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Transparent conducting oxide (TCO) thin films exhibit co-existence of electronic conductivity and transparency. These unique properties enable TCOs to be applicable in optoelectronic and other nanodevices. Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) based TCO thin films have been used extensively in many applications, such as solar cells [1]. In particular, ITO has been a choice in flat panel displays as one of...
Mr
Mabuti Jacob Radebe Radebe
(Necsa)
07/07/2017, 12:30
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
Digital neutron radiography and tomography analytic techniques have found applications ranging from quality assurance to research because of the unique nature of interaction of neutron with materials. These radiation based imaging analytical techniques have gained acceptance because they are non-destructive and their output are radiographs or tomograms in real space. Neutron Radiography...
Mr
Thendo Nemakhavhani
(University of Johannesburg)
07/07/2017, 12:50
Track F - Applied Physics
Oral Presentation
MinPET is a technology for diamond discovery in rock, specifically, the online, high throughput, quantitative, 3D imaging of local carbon concentration distributions in kimberlite. In the MinPET process, a high-energy photon beam of some tens of MeV irradiates a kimberlite rock stream, exciting the Giant Dipole Resonance. This transmutes especially some of the light stable isotopes within the...
