The Durban University of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology are collaborating on a space science programme to develop aerospace grade material using nano-technology…

The Durban University of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology are collaborating on a space science programme to develop aerospace grade material using nano-technology. The programme is jointly funded by the National Research Foundation in South Africa and the Department of Science and Technology in India over a period of three years.

This project is intended to provide training for young scientists in this field, contributing to human capital development and improving the economy of each of the countries involved.

Professor Mervyn Kanny from the department of Mechanical Engineering who heads up the programme and postdoctoral fellow, Dr Mohan Turup are DUT experts working on this life-changing scientific project. The project has commenced on the part of DUT.

Prof Kanny says that DUT will be responsible for the processing and the morphological assessment of the nano infused material while our counterparts from the Indian Institute of Technology will conduct high velocity an extreme temperature impact testing.

“We want to develop high strength-super light weight nano-materials that can withstand extreme space conditions ,” says Prof Kanny. He says the first three years is the initial phase of the project and if successful, it will be taken further to another level.

-By Bhekani Dlamini