Faculty of Natural Science
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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.
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Investigation of ternary catalysts as anode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)This chapter reports on various catalyst synthesis methods (impregnation, polyol, modified polyol and microwave-assisted modified polyol methods) to determine which method would result in the most electrochemically active ... -
Sample selection effects in LADUMA Hi stacking experiments
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)This study explores the impact of selection effects introduced by input optical catalogues on high-redshift stacking experiments. Using the Hi stacking technique, the Hi content of LADUMA synthetic data cubes is analyzed ... -
An assessment of water use by riparian and non-riparian invasive alien plants and the effects on water resources at the catchment scale
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The diversity and increasing extent of invasive alien plants (IAPs) are currently a global ecological and economic problem, especially in semi-arid regions. The introduction of IAPs worsens the strain in South Africa’s ... -
Novel genomic biomarkers for pediatric and adult acute myeloid leukemia
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous type of blood cancer that affects individuals of all ages. AML patients are categorized into favorable, intermediate, and adverse risks based on patients' genomic features ... -
A lab based experimental study of a bioretention system to remove selected pharmaceuticals in stormwater
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The use of treated stormwater as an alternative source of water supply in urban areas is receiving global recognition. This approach is being supported as an innovative initiative that improves urban water security and ... -
Physics graduate preparedness for work and society
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Both internationally and in South Africa, there have been renewed debates about the purposes of higher education and the attributes that should be developed in graduates. In the field of physics, many studies have reported ... -
The fate and occurrence of pharmaceuticals in Cape Town’s water network
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Thousands of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and microplastics are consumed and disposed of directly or indirectly into various water bodies globally. Which are collectively termed “contaminants of emerging concern” or CECs. ... -
The effects of doxorubicin loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles on SK-N-BE(2) neuroblastoma cells
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Cancer is a life-threatening disease and one of the leading causes of death globally. Cancer was thought to be associated with developed countries only but it is increasingly becoming a major health challenge in developing ... -
Valorisation of brewers’ spent grain: enzymatic hydrolysis in the production of xylooligosaccharides
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The beverage industry constitutes approximately 26% of all food wastes, making it one of the largest contributors in this waste segment. By utilising waste or by-products from agriculture and food production in manufacturing ... -
Antibacterial effects of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using manihot esculenta (cassava) leaf aqueous extract
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern that poses a serious threat to the health of humans, animals, and plants. The major public health problem of AMR is primarily caused by the incorrect use ... -
South African medicinal plant extracts used in the treatment of fungal infections.
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The incidence of fungal skin infections is increasing at an alarming rate, especially in people with underlying immunosuppressive conditions. Currently, the most used methods of treatment are in the azole group of synthetic ... -
A study of high-grade calc-silicate rocks in the Southern Bushmanland Domain, Namaqua Metamorphic province, including the garies wollastonite deposit
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)In the Namaqualand region, Northern Cape, South Africa, calc-silicate rocks are present in the highest-grade metamorphic zone (upper amphibolite to granulite facies) of the southern Bushmanland Domain, Namaqua Province. ... -
Evaluation of the anticancer and molecular effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Globally, cancer is considered the second leading cause of death with a staggering tally of 10 million deaths. Breast, lung, colon, rectum and prostate cancers are amongst the most commonly diagnosed cancers. The current ... -
Design of a thermoresponsive hydrogel for enhanced intratumoral permeation of a chemotherapeutic agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common and aggressive cancer occurring in the oral cavity. Intravenous chemotherapy remains a pivotal part of treatment for the disease; however, these drugs cause ... -
Biosurfactant screening through metagenomic and culture-based approaches
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The biosurfactant market is still predominantly represented by the three main products: surfactin, sophorolipids, and rhamnolipids, mainly as a result of the high cost and low yield associated with biosurfactant production. ... -
Spatial and temporal dynamics of flows and pools along non-perennial rivers in arid and semi-arid areas, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)This study aimed to assess the use of multi-source remotely sensed data for monitoring the spatial distribution and dynamics of pools in two distinct sites (Touws and Molototsi) in South Africa. Various water extraction ... -
Machine learning approaches to study star formation and black hole accretion in the Meerkat/MIGHTEE survey
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Galaxy formation and evolution are driven by two main physical processes: star formation and black hole accretion. Both processes can be traced via the synchrotron emission at radio wavelengths. However, a reliable ... -
Use of remotely sensed data and spatial modelling techniques to assess impacts of different land management practices on surface water quality
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The study uses remote sensing and statistical techniques in assessing land use land cover impacts on surface water quality in the Heuningnes Catchment, Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Firstly, a review of the advancements made ... -
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using honey from the meliponinae stingless bee species and antibacterial studies.
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an environmentally friendly approach for preparing nanoparticles using biological sources as the reducing agent. Apart from using plant extracts, honey, that is used in ... -
Assessing the surface water - groundwater interaction and its influence on the water quality from headwaters to lowlands
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The connections between surface water and groundwater systems remain poorly understood in many catchments throughout the world and yet they are fundamental in effectively managing water resources. Managing water resources ...
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