One thousand-millionth of a metre. Or, to put it differently: one billionth of a metre. This unfathomably small number is called a nanometre and the world of nanotechnology operates at between 1 and 100 nanometres. This is also where the North-West University (NWU) is unearthing new ways to combat disease, to help protect the environment and to develop materials that will promote sustainability.
Researchers have found an important piece of the puzzle in the formation of massive stars, also known as protons (stars with a mass that is about eight times or more greater than that of the sun). In the first-ever observational evidence, they have determined that accretion discs around forming protostars have spiral arm structures.
This significant discovery changes the way scientists look at big stars and will likely result in them specifically observing these kinds of arms in the forming discs of massive stars in future studies.
On 23 February the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be hosting a public lecture conducted by A-rated researcher and extraordinary professor, Prof Don Kurtz.
The topic of the lecture is “Venus – Earth’s Evil Twin”.
People often refer to Venus as the beautiful, bright “evening star”, but in fact it is a rocky planet that is a near twin to Earth in size.
“However, Venus is 30% closer to the Sun, and that makes all the difference,” says Prof Kurtz.
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZNDARD) and Wesgrow Potatoes, hosted three farmers’ days for smallholder farmers in Swayimane and Applesbosch in January 2023.
This was to show support to these farmers and to celebrate a successful 2022 summer planting season that led to high potato yields (40 t/ha).
Together they are known as the water mavericks: Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout and Prof Henk Bouwman from the North-West University (NWU) have a wealth of experience between them and have amassed acclaimed recognition for their water-related research in their respective fields.
The impressive innovations of the students at the North-West University (NWU) took centre stage during the recent Leopards Lair competition, earning the innovators well-deserved recognition and sought-after prizes.
This year marked the NWU’s sixth Leopards Lair competition. It is held annually to encourage and support student entrepreneurship.
North-West University (NWU) PhD student Bongiwe Zungu walked away with the spoils at the 2022 national Three Minute Thesis competition.
Bongiwe from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences represented the NWU along with Heleen Dreyer from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
They competed against 18 participants from Rhodes University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, Wits, Unisa, the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg.
Walking across the stage to receive his PhD in operational research was surreal for Piet Ntema.
The North-West University (NWU) statistics lecturer received his degree at a recent graduation ceremony on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.
Piet and his five siblings were raised in poverty by a widowed mother who was a domestic worker. However, they persevered and today all but one of them are graduates, with his older brother Lejone Ntema being a university professor. “The hardships I experienced while growing up gave me the resilience to earn a PhD eventually,” says Piet.
In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks the age-old question: ‘What’s in a name?’ In the case of North-West University researcher Prof Nico Smit, the answer is clear ― his name is synonymous with expert contributions in the field of zoology.
This celebrated academic and parasitologist taxonomist follows in the footsteps of revered people such as biologist and author Sir David Attenborough and former President of the United States Barack Obama. Just like them, Prof Smit can also boast that living species have been named after him.
By Oldrin Masowa
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Agricultural Sciences hosted its first ever Agri-Career fair on 19 October on the Potchefstroom Campus.
During the event, final-year students presented the findings of their soil science research and had the opportunity to network with the agricultural industry.
“The aim of the fair is to prepare students for the world of work to expose them to new agricultural skills and technology,” says senior lecturer in Agricultural Sciences, Dr George van Zyl.