Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh, a highly skilled Chemical Engineer at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), who has over seven years of academic and research experience, coupled with four years in industry, has reached a major milestone in his career. He was recently awarded the prestigious NRF-Y2 rating, which recognises young researchers with outstanding potential to establish themselves as leading experts within the next five years (2024–2029). Dr Tetteh, who earned his doctorate within the last five years through the DUT RADLA programme, was nominated for the NRF Young Researcher rating based on the high quality and impact of his research outputs. His Y2 rating is a testament to his dedication and achievements in his early career.
As a Research Fellow at DUT, Dr Tetteh is a senior researcher championing the Green Engineering Research Group (GERG) with Prof Sudesh Rathilal under the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Dr Tetteh has contributed massively to the DUT research outputs and capacity development by publishing over 60 journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, as well as mentoring and supervising several honours and postgraduate projects to completion.
Key to his ongoing projects include the Water Research Commission, a funded project to develop a smart integrated pilot plant for valorising wastewater into bioenergy and treated water for reuse. He is leading the DUT Green Engineering Research Group (GERG) in collaborating with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, for capacity development on green hydrogen production technology in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Besides the projects he has mentioned, Dr Tetteh is also a member of the DUT Technical team, which is working on the REFFECT AFRICA project in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality and 29 EU Partners to develop an agro-waste energy plant at the eThekwini Fresh Produce Bulk Market.
Dr Tetteh has demonstrated research excellence and commitment to advancing environmental solutions and harvesting energy from wastewater towards a sustainable circular economy. This led him to develop a passion for water-energy nexus technologies. Some of the new research areas under his development include magnetic separation technology, green hydrogen production technology, and smart water system
In terms of his research, Dr Tetteh professes that his research and innovation have been instrumental in DUT’s research strategy success of ENVISION20230 on the global map of excellence. In addition to winning the NRF Next Generation Research Award and the ENI Young Talent Researcher from Africa Awards, his mentorship role has enabled two individual postgraduates to win those awards on three accounts for DUT.
Dr Tetteh contributes significantly to the university’s interest in research excellence, innovation, and societal impact. He is developing a smart wastewater treatment pilot plant to serve as a demonstration for skills development on the water-energy nexus and entrepreneurial skills on valorisation waste to energy, especially for female students involved in the project, for environmental sustainability and socio-economic development.
For Dr Tetteh, his significant contribution to several peer-reviewed published articles in top-tier journals demonstrates his contribution of knowledge to the water and energy sector. This has been hastened by interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainability, and the development of cutting-edge technologies that address global needs for sustainable clean water and energy.
Adding to his strengths, Dr Tetteh has further established strong collaborations with local and international institutions. A partnership with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, to contribute to national energy development strategies by capacitating future generations with green hydrogen production technologies. Also, the Water Research Commission (WRC) is providing funds for his smart water pilot plant to valorise wastewater into energy.
In terms of the practical applications of his research findings, Dr Tetteh explained that most of his research results in technological development, which practically comes with environmental and socioeconomic benefits by improving the operations of industrial plants.
“It includes a dissolved air floatation (DAF) process, which assisted a local oil refinery in improving its process efficiency to recover and reprocess oil. The quality of the oil recovered was improved to commercially viable lubricating oil and treated water for reuse and washing of the plant. Likewise, the Water Research Commission (WRC) smart integrated pilot plant system valorises local sugar refinery wastewater into bioenergy and can also improve the water quality for reuse and cleaning of the plant,” he added.
He indicated that being part of the technical team of 29 EU partners on the REFFECT AFRICA project to develop agro-waste-to-energy technology at eThekwini Fresh Produce Bulk Market is of interest to the community. “This comes with job creation and waste management in the province,” he shared.
Looking ahead, Dr Tetteh’s future research goals include his commitment to advancing knowledge by empowering future generations through science, innovation, technology, engineering education, and research.
“I also seek to provide hands-on assistance to address societal challenges with green transition and sustainable development tools. In line with DUT ENVISION2030, I look forward to an environment that rewards intellectual talents and recognises the hard work of emerging researchers to drive green hydrogen and engineering research institutes. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the GERG, friends, and families for their continuous support and prayers. Even though the road to success has not been smooth, never give up, trust in God almighty and with commitment and persistence to break resistance,” concluded Dr Tetteh.
Pictured: Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh
Waheeda Peters
