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Associations
DOCTORAL STUDENT AWARDED NATIONAL PRIZE FOR
EXCEPTIONAL RESEARCH WORK
Edited by Eamonn Ryan
At the SAIRAC 60th anniversary celebration late last year , Bongani Radebe , a doctoral student from the Tshwane University of Technology ’ s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ( FEBE ) was awarded SAIRAC ’ s national prize for best outstanding research work .
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All images by RACA Journal
SAIRAC President , Robert Fox , said the SAIRAC National
Prize is given to the author of the best thesis on refrigeration and air conditioning by a final-year student at any higher institution in South Africa . SAIRAC annually honours individuals making outstanding contributions towards research and development in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry , with both a national and international impact .
Radebe is a full-time doctoral student in mechanical engineering , specialising in thermodynamics , refrigeration and air
The evening of SAIRAC ’ s 60th anniversary .
SAIRAC President Robert Fox is pictured alongside Bongani Radebe , who won the national prize for outstanding research as a doctoral student of FEBE .
RACA Journal I January 2024 conditioning energy storage . He was recognised for presenting the best thesis among final-year students at various universities in South Africa . In his research project , Radebe invented a new phase change thermal storage unit , enhancing cold chain applications through nanoparticles .
Professor Zhongjie Huan has been supervising Radebe since his master ’ s programme and describes Radebe as a highly refined and skilled doctoral candidate with a positive attitude and extensive knowledge of refrigeration and its applications . “ He has the necessary qualifications to solve real-world problems , generate new knowledge , and innovate new technologies and products ,” said Huan . He furthermore expressed his appreciation to SAIRAC “ for stimulating the young generation to study and contribute to refrigeration and air conditioning .”
Radebe expressed his delight at the anniversary celebration : “ I am more than pleased to receive the award from SAIRAC in recognition for my work . I thank Professor Huan for his mentorship and supervision throughout the years – this keeps me motivated to work harder . Through his leadership , I managed to publish ten original research papers in accredited journals and conferences .”
Fox said : “ It gave me great pleasure to hand out the award to Mr Radebe in recognition of his research . It is encouraging to see a student doing research in the HVAC & R industry . I can only hope that we see more students doing research in the industry in the future .” RACA
“ Radebe is a full-time doctoral student in mechanical engineering , specialising in thermodynamics , refrigeration and air conditioning energy storage . ”
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