The Materials Research Department (MRD), home to the AFRICA-NANOAFNET Network and Accelerator for Sustainable Development in Africa (ASDA), has been a pioneer in South Africa's nuclear and materials research since the 1960s. From the first 6.0 MV Van de Graaff (VDG) accelerator to the newly commissioned 3.0 MV Tandetron Accelerator, MRD has continuously advanced low-energy nuclear physics and ion-beam research. These cutting-edge innovations, from nanotechnology to biotechnology, have played a critical role in socio-economic development and human capacity building, particularly for South Africa’s previously disadvantaged communities. With a renewed commitment to producing world-class PhD graduates, MRD remains at the forefront of global materials science research.
3 MV
Tandetron
The Materials Research Department (MRD) at iThemba LABS plays a crucial role in delivering specialized ion beam analytical services and materials characterization solutions to government, industry, and academia. Each year, over 100 external researchers, postgraduates, and international collaborators use MRD's advanced facilities, contributing to research across various fields such as nano-sciences, environmental science, and medical biology. The recent commissioning of the state-of-the-art 3.0 MV Tandetron Accelerator ensures that MRD remains at the forefront of accelerator-based science, enhancing its ability to handle ultra-sensitive analytical methods and positioning the department as a global leader in materials research.
MRD’s core mission is to advance materials synthesis and surface analysis through cutting-edge radiation probes, enabling significant contributions in fields like thin film physics, environmental studies, and nano-technology. The department's strategic goals include maintaining its status as a national center of excellence, developing human capacity by training scientists and technologists, and conducting internationally competitive research. With a focus on collaborative efforts across Africa, particularly through the NANOAFNET and ASDA Networks, MRD continues to foster technology transfer and scientific cooperation, benefiting both local and international communities.
National Center of Excellence
Develop and maintain accelerator-based facilities for academic and industrial research in materials sciences.
Scientist Training
Train scientists and technologists through material synthesis and ion beam characterization, producing high-quality PhDs.
Community Scientific Literacy
Conduct world-class research in specialized areas such as ion-solid interactions and nanotechnology.
