North-West University

This technology involves a method for generating hydrogen in an electrolysis cell. A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is used to separate anode and cathode chambers of the cell. The space between the anode and the PEM is filled with aqueous sulfuric acid. In use, gaseous sulphur dioxide is fed to the side of the anode facing away from the sulfuric acid solution, and a current is supplied to the electrolysis cell. Consequently, sulphur dioxide is oxidized at the anode, and molecular hydrogen is generated at the cathode. On this case sulphur dioxide-depolarized electrolysis (SDE) principle is used. 

Technology Benefits

• Large-scale production of hydrogen.
• Coupling hydrogen production with the heat generated by nuclear reactors.
• Use of thermal energy from a nuclear reaction to store energy in the form of molecular hydrogen. 
• Sulphur dioxide-depolarized electrolyzer (SDE) has the potential to reduce the amount of electrical power required for hydrogen production.

This process is used for generating hydrogen by providing a hydrogen chemical carrier in the presence of an active catalyst in a reactor vessel and elevating the temperature inside the reactor by electromagnetic process to allow a dehydrogenation reaction to generate hydrogen. The active catalyst is derived from metallic, bimetallic multi-metallic compounds. The electromagnetic heating process will preferably be provided by induction heating to operatively heat suitable heating elements, catalyst support and the catalyst itself.

The North-West University (NWU) has developed and patented a method for producing hydrogen via hydrolysis, using an activated aluminium compound. 

Technology Benefits:

• Aluminum also can be recycled after the hydrogen production process.
• Hydrogen can be produced under high pressure.
• By-products are not toxic.
• Any type of water can be used for hydrogen production without purification.
• Hydrogen is produced of a high purity.

The HYSA Infrastructure Centre of Competence at NWU focuses on the research and development of hydrogen technologies, which can be implemented for energy solutions.

This technology utilises a microchannel reactor for the decomposition of ammonia, comprising two chambers: one for exothermic combustion of ammonia to generate heat. A second chamber of the reactor with a second catalyst receives a second stream of ammonia to provide endothermic decomposition of the of ammonia. The exothermic combustion of the ammonia in the first chamber generates the required heat for facilitating the endothermic decomposition of the ammonia in the second chamber the heat being transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber through a wall. Ammonia is an essential compound for production of hydrogen.

Technology Benefits: 

• Large-scale transportation of a liquid hydrogen carrier.
• Carbon-free value chain from production of ammonia to reforming to hydrogen.
• Use of thermal energy generated in the same reactor to produce hydrogen also in the same reactor.
• Compactness of the system

This system provides accurate, digital, mid-upper arm measurements for screening of severe and acute malnutrition in children, as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The system electronically captures the appropriate measurements and then proceeds to store and analyse the data using a smartphone application. Automatic alerts are sent to healthcare professionals (nurses or dieticians) if outliers in the data are observed.

This is the first device to take electronic measurements, analyse and report the data and keep digital records that are geographically tagged and generate trend-type data over time.

The digital infantometer provides accurate digital anthropometric measurement data for tracking the development of babies. The accurate measurement of weight, recumbent length and head circumference data are prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assess the optimal growth of babies up to the age of 2. The system electronically captures all 3 of these measurements simultaneously and then proceeds to store and analyse the data. Automatic alerts are sent to healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors or dieticians) if outliers in the data are observed.

Although infantometers are commonly used in practice, this is the first device to take electronic measurements, analyse and report the data and keep digital records that are geographically-tagged and generate trend-type data over time. 

This invention relates to a continuous solids/fluid contacting process and equipment in which appropriate solids are contacted with a fluid that may be either liquid or gaseous, or a combination thereof, under elevated pressure and optionally elevated or reduced temperature.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the contacting of solids and fluids under elevated pressure and optionally elevated or reduced temperature in order to conduct an extraction process, especially a continuous supercritical extraction process, in which one or more components of a subdivided solid are extracted using a fluid under pressure.

• It is a replacement for the hexane extraction process that is more environmentally friendly and "green".
• Supercritical fluids are suitable as a substitute for organic solvents in a range of industrial and laboratory processes that are typically carried out in a batch procedure.

We have developed a universal, non-invasive remote condition monitoring system for ventilators. It provides remote monitoring of a heterogeneous/ multi-brand fleet of ventilators and patients’ respiratory function. In an already stretched healthcare system with limited human resources, this will allow fewer medical personnel to monitor more patients and still provide proper care.

The non-invasive nature of our system makes it applicable to all makes and models of ventilators (i.e. brand agnostic plug and play), requiring no modification to existing equipment.

Market opportunity
The ability to monitor patients remotely unlocks significant opportunities and value in ICUs during pandemics, and for the home care market.

This novel system allows for digital monitoring of payloads on heavy vehicles and avoids repetitive, physical weighing of compliant vehicles at static weighbridges to check overloading status. This is achieved by digitally linking all weighbridges and existing or new cameras on a specific corridor. Once a truck is weighed and photographed, the system digitally recognises any visual changes and undue delays, while the vehicle is in transit.
Only exceptions (with visual changes, undue delays, stoppages and detours) are referred to the static weighbridge for re-testing, saving time and money.

Technology benefits:

• Cost-effective
• Digital, centrally monitored law enforcement
• Easy to integrate into existing systems 
• Advances prolonged pavement surfaces

Market opportunity: 

Ideal for the management of toll roads and logistics corridors, especially in developing countries.

Assist with the management of tarred road maintenance.

LeguPro is a protein-rich pasta, which is produced from non-traditional pasta ingredients such as peanuts, soybeans, and chickpeas. It is a cost-effective nutrient-dense high protein, healthy instant noodle product and aims to give consumers an alternative staple food product to be consumed as is or with a vegetable or meat relish as a meal. It is produced from a proprietary combination of ingredient formulation and extrusion technology. The processing is undertaken with due attention to industry standards to enhance product quality.

Technology benefits;

• Competitive cost-to-protein ratio
• Alternative staple food
• Nutritionally enriched pasta
• Affordable
• Short cooking time
• Slightly nutty taste
• Plant-based protein

The invention relates to a novel process of partial oxidation of un-agglomerated chromite ore in ferrochrome production processes.

The process includes the steps:

1. Providing a source of un-agglomerated chromite ore;
2. subjecting the source of un-agglomerated chromite ore to pre-oxidation at a temperature of 700 °C to 1100 °C, both values inclusive;
3. Controlling the above-mentioned pre-oxidation temperature such that maximum migration of iron (Fe) to the surface of the chromite ore particles takes place and minimum Cr2O3 formation takes place; and
4. Forming a pre-oxidized source of un-agglomerated chromite ore wherein maximum migration of iron (Fe) to the surface of the chromite ore particles takes place, as well as minimum Cr2O3 formation.

Market Opportunity;
The process is capable of achieving significant reductions in specific electricity consumption during ferrochrome production processes. This would have a clear effect on the bottom line of smelter operations.

Technology benefits
Significant reduction in electricity consumption and costs.