Innovation to Improve Lives
BRI NGING POSI TIVE C HANGE T O C O M M UNITIE S
UWC is pioneering technological innovations that bring positive change to communities . This drive is supported by UWC ’ s Technology Transfer Office ( TTO ), which promotes the development and protection of intellectual property produced by the University ’ s research community , staff and students .
UNIQTYPER ® FORENSIC DNA KIT : A rapid , highly discriminatory and more aff ordable DNA profi ling kit for the African market , the UNIQTYPERR Forensic DNA Kit could prove invaluable in many investigations . Launched in late 2018 as an alpha-prototype , the kit targets DNA on the Y chromosome only carried by men .
It will give law enforcement agencies across the continent the ability to uniquely identify the perpetrators of crimes such as rape . The kit will also assist in familial studies and paternal lineage kinship analysis .
HYSA SYSTEMS CENTRE OF COMPETENCE : Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternate fuels available : when hydrogen fuel cells are used , the only waste product is water . UWC ’ s HySA Systems Centre of Competence and its national and international partners have introduced several hydrogen fuel cell technology innovations . A collaboration with the South African Post Offi ce will see the establishment of a small fl eet of hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric delivery scooters .
SIGNSUPPORT : The mobile assistive app uses pre-recorded videos in South African Sign Language to help the deaf understand instructions from pharmacists who can hear but cannot sign . The videos , which cater for a range of medical needs , are loaded onto cellphones and can be accessed via the app , which was designed with the assistance of the deaf . The app suite includes an authoring tool to create additional scenarios and a mobile video relay .
IBATECH NATURAL BIOFERTILISER : A biofertiliser has been developed by UWC ’ s Indigenous Botanical Adjuvant Technology ( iBATECH ) from kraalbos , an indigenous plant . It contains valuable bioflavonoids , bio-surfactants , organic acids and antioxidants . These components display antimicrobial properties and can increase the polyphenolic and sugar content of plants , thereby improving overall plant health and yield .
BAOBAB LIMS : An African-led , affordable sample and laboratory management tool for biobanking , SANBI ’ s Baobab LIMS ( Laboratory Information Management System ) can be implemented in low and middle-income countries which previously were rarely able to implement an LIMS . Designed for the collection , processing and storage of human biospecimens , Baobab LIMS is free and open source and can be customised to the specific needs of any laboratory .
NANOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CENTRE ( NIC ) – BIOLABELS NODE : The unit uses nanoparticles combined with metals such as gold and silver to target diseased cells in the body . The NIC has already patented a testing kit for HIV which is cheaper and more consistent than existing ones because it uses a peptide that can be made in a laboratory . Other research which could be patented in the future includes a metred dose inhaler ( like an asthma pump ) that could help cure TB , tests for diabetes and Ebola , a gel that uses nanomaterials to encapsulate HIV prevention drugs and a way to target fat cells that could help cure obesity .