FACULTY OF APPLIED AND COMPUTER SCIENCES
Research Profiles for Physics Staff
Dr. Qhubekani Ike Sikakana
Job Title: Head of Department: Department of Mathematics, Non-Destructive Testing and Physics
Academic Qualifications: PhD (1993, WITS)
Field of Research: Computational Solid-State Physics
Non-Destructive Testing methods, particularly radiographic testing, radiation safety and lately structural health monitoring using acoustic emission. The Acoustic Emission (AE) technique has been used in industry to evaluate corrosion in reinforced concrete since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The AE technique is well suited for limited access applications as the waves travel along entire structures.
The new qualification in Environmental Science has opened opportunities to diverse into studying other research areas, particularly an understanding of the Green Economy and devising salient instruments to empirically measure the transition from traditional economic systems.
ORCiD Profile
Google Scholar Profile
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=vaU1mhIAAAAJ& hl=en
ResearchGate Profile
Ms. Pulane Mokoena
Job title: Lecturer
Academic Qualifications: MSc Physics (Material science) - University of the Free State
Fields of academic research: Solid State Physics and Condensed Matter
My research area is carried out with the objection of developing devices with improved properties for various applications. My MSc research project was working on the investigation of the optical properties of ZnO(zinc oxide) doped with MgO(magnesium oxide) and SrO(strontium oxide) for their photocatalytic behaviour. Our research group investigates nanomaterials especially nanophosphors. These nanomaterials are synthesized via solution methods such as co-precipitation, sol-gel, solid state, and solution combustion. These synthetic method methods assist in controlling particle size, morphology, and optical properties, which engineer the photocatalytic behaviour of nanomaterials. My project involves the preparation and characterization of the materials prior the device fabrication to investigate a change in structural, magnetic, optical, and electrical properties. This research is highly significant to failure mechanisms in everyday electronic devices and appliances.
Field of PhD research: Medical physics.
ORCiD Profile
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6222-2395
Google Scholar Profile
https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?hl=en&user=p4YGJuoAAAAJ
ResearchGate Profile
Mr. Lucas Thabang Melato
Job title: Lecturer
Academic Qualifications: MSc (2017, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University)
Field of Research: Solid State Physics and Condensed Matter
My research area is the synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials (Phosphor) which are used in the applications such as blue light emitting diodes (BLED’s) and other applications such as those in display and lighting. The main aim is to fabricate nanomaterials with low bandgap energy and enhanced emission properties. The improved properties will result in enhanced luminescence of a material. Recently I have expanded my research area scope by working on nanoparticles and quantum dots for the applications in organic solar cells. The aim is to improve the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells using quantum dots as electron transport layer. This is achieved by synthesizing quantum dots of various properties using different techniques such as modified sol-gel, solid state and combustion methods.
PhD Field of Study
Solar energy and luminescent materials
ORCiD Profile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3594-8438
Google Scholar Profile
https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=rEKRGeEAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate Profile
Mr. Clinton Dlamini
Job title: Lecturer
Academic Qualifications: MSc (2020, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University)
Field of Research
My research filed is focusing on energy storage devices, Lithium ion batteries (LIB)-for energy storage which are applicable in devices such as the electric vehicles, laptops, digital cameras and smart phones. It focuses on developing of layered cathode materials through Nickel-rich materials. The main aim of our study is to improve the electrochemical performance and structural stability of the current existing LIB. I have knowledge on nanophosphors materials, where we synthesize and fabricate phosphor materials which are applicable in light emitting diode (LED).
PhD Field of Study
Energy storage
ORCiD Profile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7717-5680
Google Scholar Profile
https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&user=m93-k-QAAAJ&gmla=AJsN
ResearchGate Profile
DR. Mologadi Nkiyase Rantho
Job title: Lecturer
Academic Qualifications: PhD (2021, University of Pretoria)
Field of academic research: Supercapacitors, Electrochemistry, Nanomaterials and Energy storage
My research focus in both MSc and PhD was on developing electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitor applications. Due to an urgent need for efficient, clean, and sustainable sources of energy, as well as new technologies associated with energy conversion and storage, the major interest was on electrochemical supercapacitors which are the most effective and practical technologies for electrochemical energy conversion and storage like batteries and fuel cells.
ORCiD Profile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5843-3277
Google Scholar Profile
https://Scolar.google.com/citations
ResearchGate Profile
Mr. Mxolisi Louis Mbandezi
Job title: Lecturer
Academic Qualification: MSc Physics (2002, Rhodes University)
The theme of the research is the development and implementation of a robust-state-of the art geocomputing technology to explore and exploit rare earth-deposit and fossil-fuels(minerals, groundwater , oils/gas)..The primary objective of the project is rooted on the development and implementation hybrid machine intelligence techniques to predict and locate oil/gas deposits of economic interest in the west-coast, offshore ,South Africa. We commence by developing and using advanced processing techniques on raw-2D/3D prestack seismic data. Thereafter, we perform quantitative analysis and interpretations with conventional bright-spot technology. Further a comparative analysis is performed between the bright-spot and machine intelligence hybrid technology. The conclusions on the results are based on the application of cross-validation techniques and predictive drilling operations.
PhD Field of Study: Computational Physics: Geophysical exploration and exploitation offshore seismic data
Mr. Thokozane Moses Sithole
Job Title: Lecturer - Department of Mathematics, Physics, Non-Destructive Testing and Environmental Science.
Academic Qualifications: MSc (2014, University of the Free State)
Field of Research
Silicon is a material of choice for fabrication of detectors that are used in high-energy physics experiments. The detectors are, however, damaged by the same radiation they meant to detect. Radiation generates defects levels in the energy gap of the material that are responsible for change in electrical properties of the detector. Change in electrical properties make the detector to operate inefficiently. As a results, the detectors are unstable and hence cannot be unreliable when operating continuously under harsh conditions.
PhD Field of Study
Experimental Physic, Condensed matter, and Radiation Physics
ORCiD Profile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0397-5327
Google Scholar Profile
Thokozane Moses Sithole – Google Scholar
ResearchGate Profile
Thokozane Moses Sithole (researchgate.net)
African Country
South Africa
African Region
Southern Africa
