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at the University of Cape Town

The Ready Reference Guide to Research & Development

in the Department ofMechanical Engineering

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Research Entities

Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory 3

Aeronautics Research 4

Bioengineering 5

Blast Impact and Survivability Research Unit (BISRU) 6

Centre for Materials Engineering 7

Centre for Research in Computational and Applied Mechanics (CERECAM) 8

Composite Materials 9

Computational Fluid Dynamics 10

Energy Research Centre 11

Engineering Education 12

Engineering Management 13

Non-Destructive Evaluation 14

Robotics 15

Sasol Advanced Fuels Research 16

Contact information & Diagram 17

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Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• High performance machining• Polishing technologies• Manufacturing process optimization• Intelligent manufacturing system• Laser processing technologies• Complex system failure analysis

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Element Six • Spectra Mapal SA Pty Ltd • University of the Witwatersrand• UVP Products Pty Ltd• Alignment Tool (Singapore) Pte Ltd• Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology • Okamoto (Singapore) Pte Ltd• Hansens Engineering (Pty) Ltd

SPONSORS • National Research Foundation• Element Six• Spectra Mapal SA Pty Ltd• Okamoto Machine tool Europe Gmbh • Technology Innovation Agency• National Laser Centre• Department of Science and Technology

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Roeders 600 high speed machining centre• Five axis tool and cutter grinder• Trumpf 2kWCO2 Laser and Lee 20W Nd:YAG Laser• Multi-kW fiber laser• Optical Multichannel Analyser• Multi-dimensional work stage

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) is committed to enhancing the competitiveness of South African industry through the development of high value manufacturing technology as well as growing people talent. The main research focus is on high performance machining, polishing technologies, manufacturing process optimization, intelligent manu-facturing systems and laser processing technologies. Since its inception, the AML has developed expertise that has assisted South African precision engineering, aerospace, tooling and automotive companies to improve their manufacturing processes. Growing R&D manpower for South African industry is achieved through the development of high calibre graduates and postgraduates and offering training to various industrial partners. The AML is committed to creating intellectual capital and contributing to industrial know how through critical research and development in the materials machining and manu- facturing arena.

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Aeronautics Research

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Operational procedures for airliners encountering emergencies in

formation flight• The effect of atmospheric turbulence on passenger and crew

comfort in formation flight• The effect of free-air turbulence on fuel consumption in formation

flight• The study of the aerodynamic characteristics of parafoils• The autonomous guidance and control of parafoils

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• National Aerospace Centre (University of the Witwatersrand)• Airbus Bristol (UK)• Aerodyne Research Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd

SPONSORS • National Aerospace Centre (University of the Witwatersrand)• Airbus Bristol (UK)

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• A unique parafoil launching and reconfigurable guidance and

control system, enabling low cost experimentation• High powered computing facilities for aerodynamic and simulation

modelling

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Aeronautical Research group possesses substantial experience in flight vehicle simulation and design, specifically related to flight mechanics and applied aerodynamics. Its main strengths are in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, modelling and field-testing. A major focus within the group is the flight modelling and testing of parafoils and to this end the group has also developed a novel mobile parafoil launching system which will be used to conduct flight tests. Research also focuses on the theoretical minimization of the hinge moment on ailerons, which would permit smaller hydraulic jacks to be used on aircraft and result in a reduction of fairing size and aerodynamic drag. In collaboration with Airbus, the formation flight of commercial aircraft is being studied as a potential method for lowering emissions and reducing costs in the aviation industry.

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Bioengineering

SPONSORS • Medical Research Council of South Africa

AWARDS• Inventor of the Year - Popular Mechanics - 2011 (Dr George Vicatos)• Cutting Edge Technology Award - Popular Mechanics - 2011

(Dr George Vicatos)• Best patent of the year - 2003 (Dr George Vicatos)

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Laser titanium alloy component formation laboratory (Central

University of Technology) • Rapid prototyping equipment – Department of Architecture (UCT)

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOMedical expertise combined with mechanical engineering skills has created our research and application work in Bioengineering. The human skeleton and soft tissue provide the foundation to our designing and developing a large number of implants for patients suffering from bone cancer or bone tumours. Our research focus is on implants for limb-salvage surgery and recently on implants that require complex surface development using multiple software design packages. These complex implants are used in replacement surgery for the scapula, the pelvis, the trapezium and the talus or any other bone with a complicated surface structure. The implants are designed for anatomical reconstruction of the skeleton, which in most cases, offers not only a better solution for the smooth transmission of forces, but also helps the patient from an aesthetic perspective. Modular implant systems designed by this group for both upper and lower limbs have been used in surgical operations at hospitals in South Africa and India. Research currently focuses on improving the manufacturing processes for the implants and identifying new technologies, new choices of materials, treatment of articulating surfaces, as well as osseo-integration between skeletal tissue and implant. This has brought collaboration in research and development with academic institutions in South Africa and in India.

• Bioengineering implant design and software integration

• Maxillo–facial reconstruction• Development of implants for

use in bone tumour surgery• Implant materials research

• Osseo-integration between natural bone and implant materials using stem cell technology

• Bio-compatible materials selection for bone implants

• Central University of Technology• Centre for Materials

Engineering (UCT)• Tata Memorial Hospital

Mumbai (India)• University of Stellenbosch • Department of Architecture (UCT)

• Department of Surgery (UCT Medical School)

• Department of Human Biology (UCT Medical School)

• International Implant Manufacturers and Suppliers

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS

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BISRU

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS

SPECIALISED FACILITIES

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Institute of Mechanics Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Bulgaria)• National University of Cuyo (Argentina)• National University of Tucaman (Argentina)• University of Liverpool (UK)• Imperial College London (UK)• University of Windsor (Canada)• University of New South Wales (Australia)• University of Nairobi (Kenya)

SPONSORS & INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS• National Research Foundation• Armscor • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

• Blast characterisation• Material characterisation at

very high strain rates • Blast resistance and develop-

ment of layered structures (e.g. fibre metal laminates)

• Blast response and failure mechanisms of sandwich structures

• Structural response to blast loading

• Thin walled tubes as energy absorbers in crashworthiness and blast testing

• Prediction and measurement of human body response to blast and impact events

• Buried charges (landmines)

• Computational software and high capacity servers for finite element analysis

• Blast chamber with ballistic pendulum using plastic explosive

• Large and medium drop testers

• Sled tester

• Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device

• Composite manufacturing equipment

• Gas gun for ballistic penetration studies

• Hopkinson Bar apparatus (variable configurations including tension & compression)

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Blast Impact and Survivability Research Unit (BISRU) focuses on the fundamental understanding of blast and structural impact scenarios using experimental and computational techniques. BISRU currently operates a unique suite of blast impact assessment equipment located at its own test facility. Its research activities are aimed at promoting the investigation and understanding of impact dynamics through both theoretical numerical simulation and laboratory based studies. As its main objective, research in BISRU is aimed at developing techniques to reduce the risk of injury and save lives, in addition to understanding the mechanics and dynamics of blast and impact loads. BISRU is involved in several multi year programmes to study the loading and damage caused by explosions, develop blast resistant lightweight materials or structures and to study impact phenomena. Research in our facility also seeks to understand the properties of homogeneous materials as well as cellular and multi layered materials under blast impact conditions.

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SPONSORS

AWARDS• NRF Strategic Research Infrastructure Grant• ESKOM research specialisation in materials science

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Gleeble 3800 equipment for deformation processing, solidification

and welding simulation• Mechanical testing facilities for strength, fatigue and fracture studies• Weathering chamber and electrochemical instrumentation for

surface studies• Advanced electron microscopy for material microstructure

characterisation

• National Research Foundation (NRF)• The Department of Science and Technology

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• High temperature and high stress performance of materials in

power plant• Production of titanium alloy commodity products from powder metal• Fatigue fracture and residual stress assessment of Laser Additive

Manufactured titanium components• Aluminium beverage can stock process development• Visualisation of material properties by high resolution electron

microscopy

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• ESKOM • Hulamin• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University• The Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium)• Central University of Technology

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Centre for Materials Engineering engages in research that is designed to grow both the fundamental and practical knowledge of engineering materials. Although our research thrust focuses mainly on metal alloy development, we provide education and training relating to the physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical and processing properties of all engineering materials including polymers, ceramics and composites. Our extensive modern laboratory facilities enable advanced characterisation and mechanical property measurement, including fatigue and fracture assessment, of a broad range of engineering materials and we are able to support local industrial development by providing assistance with selection of materials and optimisation of properties to suit process and service requirements. The strong academic and technical expertise in the Centre underpins a thriving postgraduate activity that promotes human resource development for local industry and also fosters the growth of future researchers. Our particular focus on the deformation processing of metal alloys assists in improving the competitiveness of local metals producing industries and prepares graduates for employment in this important South African manufacturing sector.

Centre for Materials Engineering

• ESKOM• Hulamin

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CERECAM

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Positron Emission Tomography at iThemba Laboratory for

Accelerator Based Sciences • Sasol Advanced Fuel Laboratory test equipment (UCT)

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Computational solid, structural and particulate mechanics • Numerical analysis and partial differential equations • Biomechanics • Computational fluid dynamics• Particulate flow characterisation in industrial and biological systems • Computational electromagnetics

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe principal objective of the Centre for Research in Computational and Applied Mechanics (CERECAM) is to provide a coherent focus and point of interaction for research in the area of non-linear mechanics, by promoting and supporting fundamental research and applied research. A major area of interest is in computational mechanics i.e. the computational simulation of flow, deformation and failure in natural processes, engineering components or artefacts. Other research interests focus on theoretical studies in solid and fluid mechanics, partial differential equations, computational algorithms and experimental studies. CERECAM has as a key objective to be the centre of expertise in SA in its area of research, to provide a link between industry and academia, and to provide postgraduate training in such a form that its graduates make a real contribution to SA industry.

RESEARCH COLLABORATORS

SPONSORS

• Centre for Minerals Research (UCT) • Crystallisation and Precipitation

Research Unit (UCT) • Blast Impact and Survivability

Research Unit BISRU (UCT) • Centre for Materials

Engineering (UCT) • Cardiovascular Research Unit

(UCT Medical School) • Departments of Surgery and

Human Biology (UCT Medical School)

• SASOL Advanced Fuels Laboratory • Universities of Dortmund /

Darmstadt / Munich / Erlangen- Nurnberg / Hanover (Germany)

• Carnegie-Mellon University and Washington State University (USA)

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany)

• University of Nottingham (UK) • University of Queensland and

Australian National University (Australia)

• Universities of Montana / Northwestern University / Tulane University (USA)

• Obafemi Awolo University (Nigeria)

• University of South Africa / University of Pretoria / University of Stellenbosch

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (India)

• National Research Foundation • Council for Scientific and

Industrial Research• FEAS (Pty) Ltd • Denel Aviation • SASOL Advanced Fuels Laboratory

• Anglo-Platinum• Murrin Murrin: Minara

Resources (Australia)• Centre for High-Performance

Computing (South Africa)

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Composite Materials Laboratory

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Blast resistance of composite sandwich panels using a rigid foam

core with glass fibre epoxy skins• Understanding the manufacture of fibre-metal laminates with

woven reinforcement and thermosetting resins

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Durban University of Technology (Reinforced Plastics Technology

Station)• Advanced Materials Technology Strategy (AMTS) – joint research

with University of Stellenbosch, CSIR, Central University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology and Durban University of Technology

• Blast Impact Survivability Research Unit – University of Cape Town

SPONSORS • University of Cape Town Research Committee

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Dedicated composites processing facility with ovens and vacuum

bag facilities

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Composites Laboratory initiates research on all aspects of the manufacture and processing of composite materials. The laboratory also makes a significant contribution to the research work carried out at the Blast Impact and Survivability Research Unit (BISRU). The work at the Composites Laboratory concentrates on taking commercially available raw materials and composite materials and processing them using currently known manufacturing processes to generate specialised test specimens for use in non-destructive testing research and blast impact evaluation. The Laboratory also assists in analysing the test results of the various blast impact studies being undertaken at BISRU. Research within the laboratory also focuses on optimising composite materials processing and this includes using vacuum infusion manufacture to make composite components. A further aspect of the research concentrates on the selection and application of appropriate fibre and resin systems and the use of software to optimise resin flow within component moulds.

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Computational Fluid Dynamics

SPONSORS • Airbus (UK)• Framework Project 7: European Union• The Department of Science & Technology• ESKOM

AWARDS • Outstanding Paper Award from the International Journal for

Numerical Methods in Heat and Fluid Flow

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• In-house multi-physics CFD codes for: incompressible flow;

transonic flow; solid mechanics; free-surface modelling; multi-phase flow in porous materials

• Mesh generation capabilities (under development)• Optical Multichannel Analyser• Multi-dimensional work stage

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• 3-D fluid-structure-interaction technology for arterial and stent

modelling• 3-D aeroelastic modelling technology for transonic flight• Free-surface-modelling technology for violent sloshing• Parallel mesh generation for multi-physics applications• Development of fast and robust parallel algebraic-multigrid solvers• Development of solvers for graphical-processing-units (GPU)

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Industrial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) group is active in developing the next generation of industrially relevant modelling technology. Specific emphasis is given to multi-physics problems which require the development of state-of-the-art algorithms and the use of high performance computing platforms. The group is developing the in-house Elemental CFD code for this purpose, which contains both mesh generation as well as modelling capabilities. The latter includes free-surface modelling (3-D sloshing modelling for liquid transport); fluid-structure-interaction for flows ranging from incompressible to transonic (3-D aeroelastic prediction and biomedical modelling); and heat and fluid flow through packed pebble beds (in heat exchangers and pebble bed nuclear reactors). The group has productive ties with numerous universities internationally, holds the South African Research Chair in Industrial CFD and currently serves as Work Package Manager on the European Project for Fast Future Aeroelastic Simulation Technologies.

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Airbus (UK)• Centre de Recherche Public

Henri Tudor (Luxembourg)• Technical University of Delft

(Netherlands)• ESKOM • University of Wales Swansea (UK)• University of Bristol (UK)

• Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

• Linköping University (Sweden)• Centre for Research in

Computational and Applied Mechanics (CERECAM) (UCT)

• CFW Industries (Pty) Ltd

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Energy Research Centre

AWARDS• SA National Energy Association (SANEA) Energy Education Award -

2011

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Access to high performance computing facilities for energy systems

modelling

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Develop and utilise models to explore energy systems and their

responses to economic, environmental and social pressures• Minimizing the impact of energy usage and production, how to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offering climate change mitigation solutions at national and international levels

• Sector specific research on energy efficient practices and technology• Energy usage and resources in low income areas, access to energy for

low income communities and energy subsidy impacts on the poor

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Energy Research Centre adopts a multidisciplinary approach towards energy research, with a specific focus on technology, policy and sustainable development. Its core research focuses on energy and developmental needs, energy efficiency, modelling of energy systems and climate change mitigation. The research aims to provide robust evidence to address key energy challenges and to help decision makers find solutions to critical energy issues. The Energy Research Centre is also involved in various initiatives to improve knowledge dissemination, support sustainable development and to spread its research knowledge at both the academic and community level.

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS

SPONSORS

• Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios

• Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development

• Sustainable Energy Africa and Vision on Technology

• United Nations Energy Programme and University

• International Energy Workshop

• Stockholm Environment Institute • Centre for Energy,

Environment and Engineering Zambia Limited

• OneWorld Sustainable Investments

• University of Eduardo Mondlane (Mocambique) and University of Zambia

• Department of Environmental Affairs

• Department of Science and Technology

• Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

• European Commission and World Bank

• South African National Development Institute

• United Nations Institute for Training and Research

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

• International Renewable Energy Agency

• PricewaterhouseCoopers• ESKOM • Just Energy

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Engineering Education

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOEngineering Education research focuses on gaining an understanding on how to increase the number of engineers that successfully graduate from the undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A group of staff within the Department, who hold engineering education as their research focus, now participate in a number of projects aimed at improving the educational offering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering as a whole. This includes research into teaching and learning practice, tutoring and mentoring systems, curriculum design and the social structure of higher education in the South African context. This work is undertaken in collaboration with other departments in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, the Centre for Research in Engineering Education and the Centre for Higher Education Development. Ultimately, the intention is to improve the graduation rate of high-quality engineers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town.

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Understanding keys to technological literacy in adolescents• Developing an inventory of technological literacy• Determining career aspirations among students of different

population groups • Sociological characterisation of foundation programs within higher

education • Research into why students leave university in good academic

standing (non-completion of engineering degree studies)• Studying the progression of engineering students through

departmental programmes• Podcasting in engineering education

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Centre for Higher Education Development

(University of Cape Town)• Centre for Research in Engineering Education

(University of Cape Town)

SPECIALISED INTERESTS• Sociological analyses of engineering foundation programs in South

African higher education• Phenomenography as a way to research the understanding by

students of technical concepts

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Engineering Management

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Learning systemic management practice• Cybernetics and organisational viability• Application of systems thinking in a matrix structured project

environment• The application of six-sigma in a manufacturing facility• Case studies in engineering management in real world

organisations• Understanding socio-technical systems, complex systems and

systems dynamic models• Management practice in engineering education

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Organisations, companies and consulting practices are the

laboratory for our research projects. Postgraduate students undertaking Masters and Doctoral programs carry out research projects within government and commercial organisations. Typical collaborators in this management research work include consulting engineers, petrochemical plants and power utilities.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOEngineering Management research is an active centre of applied and scholarly research in management methodology and technique, focussed primarily on the manufacturing, engineering, petrochemical and consulting sectors. The group undertakes research projects designed to develop and grow management expertise and competence in the South African engineering context. The research group has close links with the South African private sector and quasi-government engineering organisations. Our research work places special emphasis on the application of management theory and systems thinking to organisational performance. Research is focussed on systems dynamics modelling, systems theory and practice, management practice in engineering education as well as project management. The working organisation is the laboratory for the research projects undertaken by our postgraduate students.

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Non-Destructive Evaluation

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Non-contacting whole field inspection techniques to detect defects• Non-destructive evaluation of composite material components • Optical interference techniques including digital shearography,

electron speckle pattern interferometry and conventional holography• The use of pulsed thermography in parallel with shearographic

inspection• Acoustic emission NDT techniques on the behaviour of composites

under stress• Feasibility studies in the use of embedded sensors in composite

structures.

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Cape Peninsula University of Technology• University of Stellenbosch• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research• University of Bath (UK)• Armscor Aero Systems Division

SPONSORS • Armscor Aero Systems Division • ESKOM• Airbus

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Portable Shearography NDT/E System• Portable Electronic Speckle Interferometric NDT/E System• Digital Shearography System

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe research and development taking place at this laboratory aims to augment the capability of industry to inspect structures non-destructively and also to enhance its capability to establish the structural integrity of components through sensor monitoring techniques. Our primary aim is to research and perfect techniques that will allow the detection of sub surface defects in manufactured components and manufactured structures. The objective of the research is to develop non-contacting whole field inspection techniques. At the same time we are working to advance fundamental knowledge in the field of non-destructive testing of materials and manufactured items. Our research into non-contacting inspection is targeted at components manufactured from composite materials such carbon fibre, glass fibre, reinforced plastics but also includes ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Research also focuses on the use of embedded sensors so as to enable engineers to acquire a better understanding of the response of composite materials and sandwich laminates to the influence of external forces such as low-energy impact, vibration and thermal loading.

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Robotics

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Electro-mechanical design of mobile robotic platforms• Electro-mechanical design of robotic manipulator arms• Robotic manipulator arm control systems• Design and integration of mobile robot sensor payloads• Design, control and integration of a robotic gripper system with

sensory capability• 2-D and 3-D mapping and navigation for a mobile robot system• Real time image processing for a mobile robot• Electronic systems and sensor payload for underwater robots• Electro-mechanical thruster design for an underwater robot

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• National Instruments South Africa• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

SPONSORS • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research• University of Cape Town Research Committee

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Electronic, sensor and imaging development laboratory• Robotic systems design and construction laboratory

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe primary research focus of the Robotics Research Laboratory is on the design and development of mobile robotic systems. The two main areas of research are, firstly development of an urban search and rescue robot platform and secondly a remotely operated underwater robot. Generic research carried out within the laboratory includes the design of electro-mechanical systems, the study of robotic control methods, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional mapping for robotic systems as well as the development of real time image processing for use on mobile robots.

Sasol Advanced Fuels Research

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS• Interaction of fuels with materials• Thermo-oxidative stability of fuels• The influence of fuel composition on combustion in internal

combustion engines• The auto-ignition and flame behaviour of fuels• Modelling of fuel combustion• Biomass conversion

KEY RESEARCH COLLABORATORS• Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Stuttgart, Germany –

jet fuel combustion• Combustion Research Group, University of Leeds UK - fundamental

characterisation of auto-ignition and flame propagation of synthetic fuels

• Department of Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA – thermo-oxidative stability of jet fuel

• Centre for Process Engineering, University of Stellenbosch – alternative fuels

SPONSORS • Sasol

AWARDS• Sasol Lifetime Achievement Award – 2011 ( Professor Andy Yates )• Best local paper –20th SA Rubber Conference – 2011 (Dr Chris

Woolard )• Third Place in Young Person’s World Lecture Competition, held by

the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in London (Mr Ross Burnham)

• William Sage Medal of the Southern African Section of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (Dr Chris Woolard)

SPECIALISED FACILITIES• Fully equipped world-class thermal analysis facility• State-of-the art single cylinder research engines in fully equipped

test cells• Custom-built rigs for the study of fundamental aspects of

combustion including a laminar flame speed bomb, diesel combustion bomb, shock tube, rapid compression machine and a continuous flow combustor

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DOThe Sasol Advanced Fuels Laboratory focuses on the application of alternative fuels to current and future engine technologies. The laboratory seeks to gain a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of fuels in fuel systems and internal combustion engines. The nature of combustion in gasoline engines and diesel engines forms a major part of the work of the laboratory. Research is conducted in state-of-the art single cylinder engines and dedicated combustion devices. The laboratory also conducts research into the chemical interactions of fuels with fuel supply systems and the stability of these fuels.

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Contact information

AdvAnCed MAnufACturing LAborAtoryTel: +27 (0)21 650 4444/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaFj.Kahlen@uct.ac.zaRamesh.Kuppuswamy@uct.ac.za

AeronAutiCs reseArChTel: +27 (0)21 650 3231http://arg.mec.uct.ac.za Christiaan.Redelinghuys@uct.ac.za

bioengineeringTel: +27 (0)21 650 2492/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaGeorge.Vicatos@uct.ac.za

bLAst iMpACt And survivAbiLity reseArCh unit (bisru)Tel: +27 (0)21 650 3234/3231www.bisru.uct.ac.zaGerald.Nurick@uct.ac.za

Centre for MAteriALs engineeringTel: +27 (0)21 650 3172/3231www.mateng.uct.ac.zaRobert.Knutsen@uct.ac.za

Centre for reseArCh in CoMputAtionAL And AppLied MeChAniCs (CereCAM)Tel: +27 (0)21 650 3817/3231www.cerecam.uct.ac.zaDaya.Reddy@uct.ac.za

CoMposite MAteriALs LAborAtoryTel: +27 (0)21 650 3231/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zachris.vonklemperer@uct.ac.za

CoMputAtionAL fLuid dynAMiCsTel: +27 (0)21 650 3299/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaArnaud.Malan@uct.ac.za

energy reseArCh CentreTel: +27 (0)21 650 3230/3231www.erc.uct.ac.zaerc@uct.ac.za

engineering eduCAtionTel: +27 (0)21 650 3668/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaBruce.Kloot@uct.ac.za

engineering MAnAgeMentTel: +27 (0)21 650 3231/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaCorrinne.Shaw@uct.ac.za

non-destruCtive evALuAtionTel: +27 (0)21 650 3670/3231www.ndt.uct.ac.zaDirk.Findeis@uct.ac.za

robotiCsTel: +27 (0)21 650 3237/3231www.mecheng.uct.ac.zaStephen.Marais@uct.ac.za

sAsoL AdvAnCed fueLs reseArChTel: +27 (0)21 650 3247/3231www.safl.uct.ac.zachris.woolard@uct.ac.za

Centre for Materials

engineering

depArtMent ofMeChAniCAL engineering

www.mecheng.uct.ac.za

bisruCereCAM

Computational fluid dynamics

sasol Advanced fuels

research

Advanced Manufacturing

Laboratory

energy research Centre

Composite Materials

Laboratory

engineering education

roboticsengineering Management

non-destructive evaluation

bio-engineering

Aeronautics research

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1

Tel: 021 650 3231Fax: 021 650 3240Email: mec-MechanicalEngineering@uct.ac.za

Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cape TownPrivate Bag X3Rondebosch 7701South Africa

www.mecheng.uct.ac.za