CSIR celebrates 75 years of touching lives through innovation
Africa’s leading research, advancement and development organisation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Study (CSIR), has actually reached a major milestone, as today marks 75 years of its existence.
Developed in 1945, the CSIR has, for seven and a half decades, dedicated its resources to improving the lifestyle of South Africans through ground-breaking research study, development and innovation.
The organisation’s required remained the intrinsic directing force for many years, with the focus having been fine-tuned to react to the global and local context.
A refined focus led to, for instance, the spin out of a number of organizations and the facility of science councils, such as the South African Bureau of Standards, National Research Study Foundation, National Metrology Institute of South Africa and the Person Sciences Research Study Council.
Teacher Thokozani Majozi, Chairperson of the CSIR Board, stated the organisation has a rich heritage and strong reputation for excellence and innovation.
“The CSIR is an exceptional organisation and our unique multi-disciplinary capability and the focus on making an impact in enhancing the quality of lives of South Africans is our steadfast pursuit.
“This impressive accomplishment bears testimony to the significance of the CSIR and the role that it has actually played in our ecosystem of development considering that 1945. It has actually played an essential role in forming the country’s science, engineering and technology area,” stated Majozi.
Testimony to that is the sound track record and reputation that the organisation has developed based upon leading research and technological advancement.
Some of the most impactful CSIR innovations and inventions throughout the years include the first radar in South Africa (1945 ), the very first microwave electronic distance measurement equipment, the tellurometer (1954 ), as well as the contribution of CSIR research to the creation of the lithium-ion battery in the 1980s.
Today, lithium-ion batteries power cellular phones, laptop computer systems, electric vehicles, clever grids and even houses.
True to its multidisciplinary nature, the CSIR’s effect has actually been experienced in diverse fields. In 1999, CSIR scientists established a forecasting model to predict the result of the national elections, based on early voting outcomes.
The design has since been successfully used to anticipate the outcomes for all the national and city government elections.
In 2010, the organisation unveiled its cutting edge containment Level 3 laboratory for experiments including HIV and TB pathogens. It makes it possible for scientists to conduct research study and proof-of-concept research studies for brand-new HIV/Aids and TB diagnostics or rehabs.
The CSIR 75-year anniversary comes as the world deals with the most significant pandemic in a century, COVID-19.
Majozi stated the reality that the CSIR managed to step up to the plate to support the nation in its efforts to suppress the spread of the infection shows its individuality and relevance.
“We worked together with a number of regional partners to produce local ventilators that have been presented nationwide to patients showing breathing distress in the early stage of COVID-19 infection. To date, 7 000 ventilators have actually been completed and delivered to hospitals and centers,” Majozi stated.
Over 18 000 COVID-19 tests have actually been performed at an updated CSIR Biosafety Level 3 lab in a bid to increase the nation’s screening capability, in collaboration with the National Health Lab Service.
Work is underway to manufacture South Africa’s own COVID-19 sample purification packages in big quantities, producing a consistent regional supply that will accelerate screening and decrease the country’s dependence on worldwide suppliers.– SAnews.gov.za