NRF 25 Impact Book
ESS
One NRF
New Tenders

Student Projects MRD

SAINTS is a division of NRF iThemba LABS focusing on the provision of education, training and professional development for students and staff linked in the first instance to iThemba LABS.

Principal Investigators

The research projects in the Material Research Department at NRF iThemba LABS focus on cutting-edge advancements in materials science and engineering, particularly for applications in clean energy, nuclear waste management, and energy storage. Students will work on developing and characterizing high-purity, self-supporting target materials for nuclear applications, improving the efficiency of thermoelectric materials, and investigating advanced hydrogen storage technologies. Other projects explore the effects of irradiation on the properties of semiconductors, the durability of materials for nuclear waste containment, and the migration of fission products in innovative materials like silicon carbide and glassy carbon. Additionally, research includes optimizing sustainable materials for energy storage in sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on using biochar from renewable resources such as sugarcane bagasse. These projects aim to address critical challenges in energy sustainability and environmental impact through advanced material innovations.

2025 Research Projects

SAINTS-Project | 2025
Hons Level

Supervisor: Dr N Kheswa

Self-supporting target manufacturing and their characterisations

To study nuclear reaction and structures, target materials are bombarded with high energy particles. A target material can either be in a form of a metal film or a gas and should not yield competing reactions during the bombardment [1]. This requires high purity target material either as a natural isotope or isotopically enriched material. Additionally, to target material specifications are homogeneity and precise thickness of the self-supporting material [2]. Targets for this project will be made using vacuum deposition procedure by heating the target material using resistive and electron beam methods. Targets will be further characterised using alpha energy loss measurements.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
MSc

Supervisor: Dr Z. Khumalo

Silicides-based thin films and nanostructures as thermoelectric materials

The world is continuously experiencing serious problems due to the increasing fossil fuel consumption by human activities, which negatively impacts the atmosphere and environment, resulting in global warming, climate change, etc. The focus of the project will be on the improvement of the efficiency of the silicon- based thin film and nanostructures for the application in thermoelectric generators (TEG) device fabrication [1-3], which is determined by the high electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, temperature, and low thermal conductivity, referred to as a high figure of merit.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
MSc

Supervisor: Dr Z Khumalo

Effect of annealing in helium atmosphere on Ru fission product migration in glassy carbon

Nuclear waste, originating mainly from the nuclear industry, requires secure storage to protect human health and the environment. The durability of materials in waste containers is crucial throughout the waste management process. Containers made from materials like copper, iron, stainless steel, titanium alloys, borosilicate, phosphate glasses, and nickel- based alloys have been used for decades. However, the interaction between the materials used in the construction of traditional nuclear waste containers resulted in dramatic corrosion of these containers [1]. Thus, to ensure long-term stability and prevent leakage of nuclear waste into the environment, it is essential to develop highly durable waste containers. Glassy carbon has been proposed to replace borosilicate and phosphate glasses (in traditional waste containers) to solidify the waste.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
MSc

Supervisor: Dr CB Mtshali

To investigate the effect of hydrogen implantation accompanied by hydrogenation on the storage capacity of Ti-6Al-4V alloy samples. The implantation has been carried out at room temperature with 10 and 15 keV H+ ions at fluences of 5.0 × 1015, 1.0 × 1016, and 5.0 × 1016 ions/cm2.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
MSc

Supervisor: Dr CB Mtshali

Investigation of Pd-incorporated Zr-Mg-Zr multilayer film stack systems for hydrogen storage technology

  • Prepare Pd-incorporated Zr-Mg-Zr multi-layered films using an electron beam evaporator available at iThemba LABS.
  • Hydrogenate samples of the stable compound at various conditions, i.e., temperature and times.
  • Characterize all hydrogenated samples using Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and compare them to non-hydrogenated samples. Other techniques, i.e., SEM, XRD, Raman, and FTIR, will be used to complete the analysis of the samples.
  • Perform sorption cycles for durability investigation.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
MSc

Supervisor: Dr N Kheswa

HClO4 modified biochar as a support material for platinum electrocatalyst in PEMFCs

This project has the overall aim of synthesising biochar from biomass as support material on metal electrocatalyst (Pt) for PEMFC.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr CB Mtshali

Migration of selenium (Se) and structural evolution of silicon carbide (SiC) after co-implantation of hydrogen and selenium and subsequent annealing

The global energy crisis and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, which negatively impact the climate, have prompted the use of clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear. Nuclear energy can generate energy at a constant rate, unlike solar and wind energy sources. However, safety and waste storage have made nuclear energy the least favoured method of generating electricity. With the new generation of nuclear reactors, the safety issues have been solved by using nuclear fuels with multiple coating layers containing fission products within the fuel structure. This type of fuel is called the tri structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle which contains a uranium dioxide kernel that is enclosed by four layers.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr Z Khumalo

Swift heavy ions and low energy irradiation effects in group III-V binary semiconductors

(1) to investigate the effects of SHI irradiation on the electrical properties and micro- structure of pre-damaged (ion implantation) group III-V semiconductors and if damage annealing depends on the pre-damage level. (2) to investigate the effects of SHI irradiation on electrical properties and microstruc- ture of metal-semiconductor (group III-V) contacts.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr CB Mtshali

On the role of He & H in the migration of different fission products (FPs) in glassy carbon

The Role of Helium (He) and Hydrogen (H) in the Migration of Different Fission Products in Glassy Carbon," is essential for advancing nuclear waste management and promoting safer, more sustainable energy solutions. As the global demand for clean energy grows, nuclear power remains a key option. However, the challenge of safely storing highly radioactive nuclear waste is a major obstacle. This research focuses on glassy carbon, a promising material for nuclear waste storage due to its unique properties. By investigating the effects of helium and hydrogen on the migration of fission products within glassy carbon, the project aims to enhance the material's ability to serve as a reliable barrier in containment systems.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr CB Mtshali

The role of hydrogen(H) in the migration of strontium implanted into silicon carbide (SiC)

To investigate the impact of H bubbles on the migration behaviour of strontium (Sr), a significant fission product within silicon carbide (SiC), and the associated mechanisms.

  • Sr of slow energies will be implanted into silicon carbide (SiC) at different temperatures.
  • Some pre-implanted SiC will then be implanted with hydrogen ions of low energies at different fluences and temperatures.
  • The single implanted samples and H co-implanted samples will be subjected to thermal annealing at different annealing temperatures and times.
  • The as-implanted and annealed samples will be characterized to determine the effect of annealing and H bubbles. The results will be compared, and conclusions will be drawn.
Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr N Kheswa

Investigation of Sodium Magnesium Silicate (Na2MgSiO4) supported on Hard Carbon as anode material for enhanced performance sodium ion batteries.

To investigate and optimise the performance of sodium magnesium silicate (Na2MgSiO4) supported on hard carbon as an anode material for enhanced performance in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), focussing on improving capacity, stability, and overall electrochemical performance.

Learn more >
SAINTS-Project | 2025
PhD

Supervisor: Dr N Kheswa

Nano-structured silicon carbide anode material derived from sugarcane bagasse for lithium-ion batteries.

To determine whether biochar from sugarcane bagasse is a suitable material for the synthesis of nanostructured silicon carbide anode material to produce high- performing, cost-efficient and sustainable anode material in lithium-ion batteries.

Learn more >
-
Close
Search

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

cookie By using this website, you agree to our cookie policy. Close