CISE Newsletter October 12, 2024 From the Directorate Global Training Opportunities for SA Students Dr Rudolph Nchodu participated in a round-table discussion at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, on Thursday, 26 September. The meeting explored training opportunities for South African students and emerging researchers through existing projects within the framework of the SA-JINR cooperation programme and long-term plans.At present, the cooperation programme includes more than 20 projects that cover most of the thematic areas of research at the JINR. The systematic involvement of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the implementation of projects can be facilitated through consortia that consolidate the interests of South African Universities. It is envisaged that this will pave the way for joint participation in major JINR projects, and the training of students and staff in nuclear technologies, radiobiology, accelerator technology, and a number of other areas. “The International African Symposium on Exotic Nuclei (IASEN) will be hosted in South Africa in December and is jointly organized by JINR and NRF-iThemba LABS. An opportunity will be created during this time to establish an Information Centre dedicated to, not only celebrate the impact of the SA-JINR collaboration, but also to ensure that interested parties are kept abreast of developments,” said Dr Nchodu. South African students have benefitted tremendously from their participation in the international student practice that creates an awareness of the joint research opportunities available through the cooperation programme. Research and Development The South African Isotope Facility (SAIF) ushered in a new era of progress. On 6 September 2024, a significant leap forward was made when the first Rubidium target was irradiated and dispatched to an external partner for validation testing. This first irradiation marks the beginning of a transformative journey for NRF-iThemba LABS’s Nuclear Medicine Department, as the facility positions itself to make an even greater impact on the health sector through the supply of life-saving medical and research radioisotopes. Prof Makondelele Victor Tshivhase, Managing Director of NRF-iThemba LABS, stated, “This is yet another milestone for #TEAMiThemba. We are charting a future of innovation, one that holds immense promise for science, medicine, and the betterment of society.” This pivotal moment showcased the resilience of the facility, as the back-up power supply seamlessly took over during an unexpected power outage to ensure uninterrupted production. “Witnessing this flawless transition from electricity to diesel was truly remarkable,” said Dr Le Roux Strydom, Head of the Accelerator and Technical Support Department. Dr Deidre Prince, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department, is equally excited about this new chapter. “This is a beacon of hope and inspiration for South Africa as NRF-iThemba LABS further advances science, technology, and medicine to make the world a healthier, more connected place,” she said. To space and behond! But wait, are there challenges that we are not aware of? This was the context of my conversation with Sa’ad Badat, an MEng-student at Stellenbosch University who visited NRF-iThemba LABS to perform some experiments. The space environment, while mostly a vacuum, is home to ionising radiation in the form of particles and waves. Most of these particles originate from the sun, but they can also come from outside our solar system in the form of cosmic rays. These particles are typically deflected or absorbed by the planet's atmosphere and magnetosphere, which protects things on the ground from their interference. High-energy radiation can interfere with the functionality of semiconductor-based electronics due to charge-deposition within the device. The excess charge can lead to erroneous behaviour of the electronic device, a phenomenon known as Single Event Effects (SEEs). These SEEs could result in the loss of data, or they could corrupt or destroy a critical system, rendering an entire satellite useless. The easiest and most cost-effective way to protect electronics from SEEs is to test how a device responds to these effects within a laboratory setting. And that is where NRF-iThemba LABS comes in as a source of energetic protons. We mount a fully operational device and subject it to a beam of 66-MeV protons whilst monitoring whether there are any discrepancies in its output data, power usage, or general behaviour from normal. The experimental conditions are equivalent to a few years' worth of being in a low-earth orbit environment. If the device manages to perform normally under the beam, with minimal errors or strange behaviour, it is a sign that it could be a viable candidate for use in the space environment. “It is great to know that my research has the potential to impact the success of future space missions,” says Sa’ad. Impact Definitions of impact depend on the context within which that impact is being sought and the types of impact being assessed. Impact, in its various dimensions, is about a change or marked effect. Dr Nandipha Botha, a postdoctoral fellow at NRF-iThemba LABS, was recognized as a leading Chemistry researcher specializing in nanomaterials, with a strong commitment to addressing global sustainability challenges, at the Awards ceremony in Sandton on Thursday, 26 September. Her work, based at the forefront of green chemistry, focuses on 'Contributing Towards SDG2 through a Novel Generation of Green Bioengineered Nano-fertilizers,' where she seeks to revolutionize sustainable agricultural practices. By developing bioengineered nano-fertilizers, she aims to enhance nutrient delivery efficiency, improve crop yields, and reduce the environmental footprint of traditional fertilizers. Read more > Partnerships How do we establish, maintain and enhance mutually beneficial relationships to advance research, training and expertise? The Southern African Institute for Nuclear Technology and Science (SAINTS), under the leadership of Dr Richard Newman, hosted a group of 3rd-year students from the University of Venda for a guided exploration of NRF-iThemba LABS. The students were treated to a short introductory overview that was followed by visits to the experimental vaults (K600 and AFRODITE), the control room of the SSC, the injector cyclotron SPC2, the infrastructure of the SAIF, the nanoscience and technology laboratories, and the Tandetron accelerator with associated beamlines dedicated to ion-beam analysis techniques. It was amazing to see the excitement and passion of the presenters as they introduced their areas of specialization in layman’s terms. We have such a wonderful story to tell, and we need to continue to tell it as we advance knowledge and inspire a nation. Issue 9 Volume 5