MATERIALS TESTING & ANALYSIS
BioLogic VSP-3e Potentiostat at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at UNISA The Applied Electrochemistry (AEC) is one of the thematic areas of research under the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the University of South Africa (UNISA) - Florida Science Campus - and is led by Prof Usisipho Feleni. The Applied Electrochemistry Thematic Area (AE) aims at exploiting the electrochemical properties of nanomaterials in providing solutions to challenges associated with water pollution, sensing of pollutants and clean energy production. The emphasis includes solving societal water-related problems using research and innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Ultimate applications of the nanomaterials include bio-sensors, capacitive deionisation, photoelectrochemical reactors, supercapacitors and batteries. This thematic area is further divided into three focus research areas:
Environmental Water Sensors and ElectroCatalysts (ESEC), Electrochemical Energy Materials (EEM) and Electrochemical Water Desalination (EC-WD). The AEC aims to develop a fully integrated, nextgeneration, rechargeable hybrid batterysupercapacitor (supercapbattery) electrical energy storage device, and this will involve the synthesis of materials that can be applied in the construction of a flowthrough desalination system as anode and Cathode Capacitive Deionisation (CDI) electrodes respectively. This research thematic area has five members, namely: Prof Usisipho Feleni (leader), Dr Xolile G. Fuku, Dr Kutloano E. Sekhosana, Dr Moshawe J. Madito and Dr Ntuthuko W. Hlongwa. AEC is composed of three themes focusing on Water Sensors, Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Energy, as well as Electrochemical Water Desalination. Recently, this group of researchers had purchased and received a few
BRUNO STEINER LAB CONSULTANCY
electrochemical instruments, including multichannel potentiostats, from Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy.
011 804 3503 078 342 3354 086 719 2778 bruno@bslc.co.za www.bslc.co.za
Thematic area leader: Prof. Usisipho Feleni (felenu@unisa.ac.za)
From left: Mr Kagiso Mokalane (Late Lab Technician), Mr Bruno Steiner, Dr Ntuthuko Hlongwa (Senior Researcher), Dr Kutloano Sekhosana (Senior Researcher), Prof Hlengilizwe Nyoni (Lab Manager) and Ms Nontokozo Magwaza (Lab Technician).
Versatile systems for materials characterisation Mettler Toledo‘s Excellence line of automated melting point and dropping point systems quickly and reliably determine thermal values and data. Using optical and calorimetric methods, these versatile systems measure a material’s physical properties and phase changes. Multiple methods such as melting point, boiling point, cloud point and slip melting point can be used to characterise or identify a substance and analyse its properties. The Excellence systems allow you to observe your measurements in real time via a video or replay it to verify your results. View intensity curves and results directly on the colour touchscreen during or after the experiment. Performance and precision can be verified by calibration using certified reference substances.
efficiently on one device. Colour changes, the transparency point and the decomposition temperature can also be investigated. Ensure high-quality end products Dropping point systems determine dropping and softening points of physical properties of pitch, asphalt, polymers, resins, waxes with fully automatic operation and measuring two samples simultaneously, with just one click of the button. Standard compliant cups and measurement methods guarantee comparable results. LabX software enables rock-solid quality control measurements by providing a comprehensive result overview, video storage and automatic assessment of results. MICROSEP (PTY) LTD
Test the purity of your products Melting point systems are used to identify and check the purity of substances. One can determine the melting range, boiling point, slip melting point and cloud point, simply and
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Spectro-electrochemical material characterisation – a first from Metrohm Combine electrochemistry and spectroscopy in one measurement with SPELEC. The SPELEC instrument is an integrated solution consisting of a bipotentiostat/ galvanostat combined with a spectrometer and a light source. It is available in two detection range versions (200 - 900nm and 350 - 1050nm). Spectro-electrochemistry is a useful technique used for investigating and identifying electroactive species and redox reactions products. It can be applied in various research fields, such as: • New materials characterisation • Photochemical energy conversion
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Analytical Reporter | Issue 3 | 2022
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Photovoltaic cell
Metrohm, together with Dropsens, offers an integrated solution for this type of measurement, i.e. instrumentation, dedicated software and accessories. Key features: • Combined bipotentiostat/galvanostat and spectrometer with light source • Two detection ranges available: 200 - 900nm and 350 - 1050nm • Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical mode can be
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used independently Dedicated software for perfect synchronisation of optical and electrochemical measurement Compatible with any kind of spectroelectrochemical cell and with screenprinted electrodes METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 076 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
