Faculty of Natural Science
Browse by
The Faculty of Natural Sciences is developing a reputation as an important centre of research in South Africa. It equips graduates with solid academic and research skills and gives them the ability to succeed in the market place.
For assistance with writing your thesis you can find help here.
Additional resources are available from the Division For Postgraduate Studies (DPGS).
Research publications are accessible in the Research Repository.
Sub-communities within this community
-
Department of Chemistry [299]
-
School of Pharmacy [136]
Collections in this community
Recent Submissions
-
Changes in communities of Hydrozoa (Siphonophorae and Hydromedusae) across the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) -
Geomorphological controls on pool formation and pool persistence in non-perennial river systems
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Globally climate variability and anthropogenic effects are causing more perennial rivers to become non-perennial rivers. Non-perennial rivers are distinguished by their isolated pools which serve as refugia for aquatic ... -
The paradox of enrichment in predator-prey systems
(University of Western Cape, 2020)In principle, an enrichment of resources in predator-prey systems show prompts destabilisation of a framework, accordingly, falling trophic communication, a phenomenon known to as the \Paradox of Enrichment" [54]. After ... -
Membrane module development for water recovery from humid gas
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Over the past 5 years, South Africa has been experiencing a severe drought. This has caused industrial and agricultural processes, to compete for a limited supply of water. Since the economy relies mostly on agricultural ... -
Synthesis of binary and ternary Pd-based Nanocatalysts for alcohol oxidation in alkaline media for fuel cell application
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)This study explores the use of UV-assisted reduction method to synthesise the catalysts, aiming at reducing synthesis time. The Pd and Au catalyst loading is kept at 5 wt% in order to reduce the cost associated with high ... -
Geochronology and geochemistry of the Postberg ignimbrites, Saldanha, Western Cape, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The Saldania Belt in southern Africa, a product of the Pan-African Saldanian Orogeny, forms part of a system of Neoproterozoic mobile belts that border and weld older cratons on the African continent. It is a low-grade ... -
Fabrication of metal-organic frameworks with application-specific properties for hydrogen storage application
(University of Western Cape, 2019)The application of porous materials into industrial hydrogen (H2) storage systems is based on their use in combination with high-pressure cylinders. The processing of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) powders into shaped ... -
Synthesis of peptide-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)
(University of Western Cape, 2019)Peptides are among the main drugs which attract much attention because of their great potential in treating sexually transmitted diseases and other chronic diseases. There has been a major challenge of delivering these ... -
Mobile phone applications targeted towards medicine adherence in Africa: A systematic review
(University of Western Cape, 2020)According to the WHO (2017), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which include stroke, cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes is the leading cause of death and is responsible for seventy one percent ... -
Assessing the hydrogeologic characteristics and sources of groundwater recharge and flow in the Elandsfontein aquifer, West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2020)This study is part of the current investigation of the Elandsfontein aquifer to assist with the management of the system and to ensure the protection of the associated Langebaan Lagoon RAMSAR listed site. The Elandsfontein ... -
Carbon, magnesium implantation and proton irradiation on pulsed laser deposited thermochromic thin film of VO2
(University of Western Cape, 2020)When the spacecrafts orbit in space, it is subjected to significant thermal cycling variation. Thermal regulation of the spacecraft temperature is required to ensure a good operation of the small crafts such as CubeSats ... -
Design and synthesis of new scaffolds as antiproliferative agents and potential hsp90 inhibitors
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Natural products have been an important source of drugs and novel lead compounds in drug discovery. Their unique scaffolds have led to the synthesis of derivatives that continue to give rise to medicinally relevant agents. ... -
Green synthesis: the use of brown algae in the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and applications in carbon – carbon bond formation reactions
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Due to the negative impact on the environment and the associated biological risks on human and animal life, the need for eco-friendly synthetic protocols is critical. With the rapid advancement in nanotechnology, this ... -
A study of the nearby interacting galaxy pair NGC 1512/1510
(University of Western Cape, 2020)This work focuses on generating a new dynamical model of the nearby (9.5 Mpc) interacting galaxy system NGC 1512/1510. Neutral hydrogen (H i ) observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) are used to ... -
De novo assembly of the rooibos genome
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is endemic to the Cederberg region of South Africa, and one of the few indigenous medicinal plants commercially cultivated in the country. International interest in rooibos is growing, and ... -
Determination of heavy metals at the electrochemically reduced graphene oxide mercury film electrode (ERGO-HgF-PGE) using adsorptive stripping voltammetry
(University of Western Cape, 2020)This work reports the use of a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) as inexpensive and sensitive electrochemical sensing platform fabricated by using electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) in conjunction with an ... -
Epiphytic diatom assemblages associated with South African kelps: Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Kelp forests are dynamic and productive ecosystems which host large biodiversity of sessile fauna and flora, including diatoms. These microalgae occur at the base of coastal marine food webs and contribute substantially ... -
Screening of Selected Libyan Medicinal Plants for the Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles and their activity against Streptococcus mutans
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Nanotechnology has emerged as an elementary division of modern science and stemmed directly from green chemistry twelve basic concepts, it receives global attention due to its unique character and ample applications. It ... -
Nanoformulation of Artemisia afra and its potential biomedical applications in type 2 diabetes
(University of Western Cape, 2019)Current research classifies Type 2 diabetes as most prevalent non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Approximately 285 million people are affected globally with an expected increase to 595 million by the year 2035. ... -
Encapsulating of humic acid in hydrogel matrix for the complexation of heavy metals in aqueous solutions
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Rapid industrialization growth without appropriate emission standards for discharging environmental pollutants had exposed the ecosystem to detrimental effect. Due to their bioaccumulation propensity in organisms, toxicity ...