Dr Kasongo (Didier) Nyembwe, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has been named as a finalist for the premier research awards in South Africa, NSTF-South32.
The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is the largest multi-stakeholder forum for science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation organisations in South Africa. The awards ceremony will take place on 28 June 2018.
The TW Kambule-NSTF Researcher Awards category, in which Dr Nyembwe is a finalist, highlights contributions and outputs for up to 15 years.
Dr Kasongo (Didier) Nyembwe
Dr Nyembwe’s research focuses on rapid sand casting. The work explores the applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to metal casting in South Africa. Many questions related to rapid sand casting remains unresolved, inter alia, the adequacy of foundry properties and the localisation of raw materials for the available 3D printing systems.
The research paves the way for the adoption of 3D printing technology by the local foundry industry and its readiness to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The work also provides possible solutions to alleviate the challenges of the foundry industry and improve its competitiveness.
Dr Nyembwe’s research reinforces the position of UJ as a leading role player in Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the country. As such, UJ in conjunction with Resolution Circle has been selected as the institution to host the 19th Annual International RAPDASA conference on AM as a key driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution from the 7 to 9 November 2018. RAPDASA is the Rapid Development Association of South Africa.
Dr Nyembwe is a former Head of Department and currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Metallurgy within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built-Environment located on the Doornfontein campus. He is responsible for the foundry technology modules in the Department. The research work, which is considered for the 2018 NSTF-South32 award, received funding and support from the Metal Casting Technology Station (MCTS). The MTCS is ISO 9001:2008 certified for metal and sand testing.