Winners 2021
Student: Sivashani Pather
Study Leader: Prof. Farouk Smith
Final Year Project Title: Design of a microcontroller integrated snake robot
Project Summary:
The project involves a microcontroller integrated snake robot interfaced with an Android application. A user may operate the twelve segment snakebot via an Android application in two modes, namely manual and autonomous, where autonomous motion is achieved with the use of POZYX Creator Devices allowing the snakebot to move towards a specified location autonomously.
Student's future plans:
“In the upcoming year I hope to enter the industrial working world as a BEng Mechatronic graduate whilst pursuing a Masters in Mechatronic Engineering. I then plan to achieve a Professional Engineering qualification while gaining as much technical knowledge and experience in both industry and the academic field.”
Student: Armandt Viljoen
Study Leader: Mr Piet van Huyssteen
Final Year Project Title: Leather Perforating Controller
Project Summary:
A disparity exists between traditional leather working equipment and industrial machinery. The developed leather perforator addresses the need for a machine that provides versatile functionality over traditional equipment without the cost of an industrial perforator. Designed to be modular and scalable, similar to that of popular 3D-printers and CNC machines.
Student's future plans:
“Mark Twain said: “A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Consequently, I will find a place where I can work alongside good people that share my love for creating new and exciting things. Doing so, I certainly will smile knowing that my contributions were noteworthy.”
Student: Marisa du Plessis
Study Leader: Dr Rensu Theart
Final Year Project Title: A Variable Pressure Cushioning System to Prevent Pressure Ulcers in Wheelchair User
Project Summary:
Pressure ulcers are caused by prolonged pressure on skin, commonly when confined to a wheelchair. Ulcers interfere with functional recovery and cause infection. To prevent ulcers within wheelchair users, a targeted, varying-pressure control system was implemented in the cushion. High-pressure regions are reduced, allowing unobstructed blood flow in the skin.
Student's future plans:
“I am in the fortunate position of being employed as a Junior Aerospace Engineer at CubeSpace Satellite Systems RF (Pty) Ltd, starting in 2022. My responsibilities will include product and Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS) bundle assembly, integration, and testing, as well as customer support.”
Student: Lucy Wills
Study Leader: Dr Jack Fletcher
Final Year Project Title: Green LPG – cooking test design and demonstration
Project Summary:
The negative impacts of wood and coal requires cooking fuel alternatives. Green LPG (gLPG) can contribute to cleaner cooking fuel usage. Stove type has a higher impact on performance than fuel type and a difference exists between propane and butane. DME can increase fuel consumption while decreasing efficiency.
Student's future plans:
“I intend to complete a Master's programme in the coming year, with a focus on growing my engineering knowledge towards a sustainable development application. Hopefully, this will translate to a career in informing governmental policy, participating in the development of strong South African institutions and sustainable systems development across Africa.”
Student: Rebeccah Malapane
Study Leader: Prof. Lagouge Tartibu
Final Year Project Title: Development of a Smart Weed Detector and Herbicide Sprayer
Project Summary:
Conventional weed control strategies consist of spraying herbicides in agricultural fields. However, they are intimately associated with enormous herbicides utilization, ecological issues, and agrochemical residues on food products. Thus, a Smart Weed Detector and Herbicide Sprayer were developed. The system was trained to identify specific weeds and spray herbicide on desired spots.
Student's future plans:
In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” My future entails completing my Master’s degree, with a focus on Convolutional Neural Networks. I want to grow in my career and make a name for myself at SBSA, where I’ll be working.
Student: Angelo Rossi
Study Leader: Prof. Johan Labuschagné
Final Year Project Title: A facile dropwise deposition of MgCoAl- and MgFeAl-LDH on heat- and chemically activated carbon fabric for electrochemical capacitor electrodes
Project Summary:
Capacitive performance enhancement via heat and chemical activation methods of layered double hydroxide (LDH) deposited carbon fabric electrochemical capacitor electrodes was investigated. A novel and facile LDH ethanol suspension dropwise deposition technique was explored and compared to in-situ deposition. Specific capacities were estimated using cyclic voltammetry and surface characterisation was performed using SEM.
Student's future plans:
“I plan to complete repeat experimental work for my project prior to publishing early next year. I am in the process of seeking postgraduate funding opportunities in Switzerland and Germany where I plan to continue working on energy storage devices. I intend to perform industrial/commercial research and development once I complete my studies.”
Student: Mufaro Gomera
Study Leader: Prof. Yunus Ballim
Final Year Project Title: An automated method for infrastructure inspection
Project Summary:
Inspection of structures is an important aspect to maintain our infrastructure. However, this method is undertaken by specialists, and it is slow and tedious. Hence, an automated method is proposed that uses artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed method is fast, accurate and robust provided the model is adequately trained.
Student's future plans:
“This project has inspired me to further my studies as I would want to enrol for a master’s degree next year. The aim is to extend the scope of the research by developing an AI model that can detect all defects on all materials. Furthermore, it should also analyse videos.”
