The study of the nanotechnology system in South Africa is an analysis of the South African nanotechnology innovation system, with a discussion of background information regarding nanotechnology awareness, involvement, funding, personnel, education, networking and equipment, and illustration of the level of nanotechnology activities for each product life cycle and per institution. The document contains a classification of nanotechnology industries regarding time to market, market potential, disruptiveness and complexity, identifies innovation hampers for the South African nanotechnology community and ranks nanotechnology national and international nanotechnology buyers, suppliers, competitors and relationships. Lastly, innovative strategies are formulated from information gathered on internal South African nanotechnology strengths and weaknesses, and external nanotechnology opportunities and threats. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM) / Unrestricted

National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials (NCNSM), one of the National Department of Science and Technology’s nanotech innovation centres houses a characterisation facility which provides a wide array of high-tech materials characterization techniques used in nanotechnology research, to any researchers from any part of South Africa, whether from higher education institutions, government institutions or private firms. In this study the operational review was conducted to identify if the NCNSM Characterisation Facility is delivering on its implementation intent. With operational review organisations are able to explore their internal operations and seek recommendations as to how they can manage and operate more economically, efficiently and effectively. Given that they perform appropriately, allocating their resources properly, and performing within time frame set and using cost-effective measures. BPR was used as a framework to conduct the operational review. BPR is a framework for analysis and design of workflows and process within an organisation. It is an improvement initiative that provides radical change of the business processes in an organizational process. The findings of this study indicated that the NCNSM-CF did not entirely meet its implementation intent but it is striving towards the intention. One of the main reasons for the facility not to meet its intended implementation was the difficulty of the researchers/clients to get access to the facility. The current booking system process contributed significantly to the access problem.

No abstract available / Mercantile Law / M. A. (Mercantile Law)

No abstract available / Mercantile Law / LL. B.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Philosophy: Quality Management, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / The proliferation of nanotechnology, whilst perceived to be positive for human advancement, introduces potential risks when applied to food. Silicon Dioxide (E551), a common food additive made up of particles in the nano-range, is found in spices, salt, sweets and some frozen foods and functions as an anti-caking agent to allow these food products to flow and mix evenly. According to Codex Alimentarius, E551 is generally regarded as safe (GRAS), provided that food manufacturers apply good manufacturing practice (GMP) principles and use the lowest possible amounts necessary. Smaller nanoparticles are more readily taken up by the human body than larger sized particles and could be injurious to human health. While the use of E551 is strictly regulated in some countries, there is growing debate regarding the health and safety implications for consumers and the quality of food. This study examined the quality of selected food products containing E551 (nanosilica) in South Africa (SA). A mixed method paradigm (qualitative and quantitative) and an experimental research strategy were adopted. Respondents were purposefully selected, their participation in this study was voluntary and confidentiality was maintained. Pilot studies were conducted for the semi-structured interviews and the survey, with a sample size of one food expert and three food technologists, respectively. The main study consisted of interviews, a survey and experimental work. The interviews, conducted with five food experts, were recorded and transcribed to ensure credibility. The results were interpreted and analysed against existing literature using thematic content analysis. The findings suggest that it was critical for food manufacturers to demonstrate the safe use of products without posing any safety risks to the consumer and the environment; and for the South African government to address and regulate the application of nanomaterials in food either by legislation or guidelines. The survey was conducted with a sample population of thirty food technologists who reported that public awareness of nanotechnology was limited as many consumers were not familiar with this technology. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. Content validity ensured that the survey focused on concepts and constructs that emerged from the review of literature on the application of nanotechnology in food products. Cronbach’s alpha index was used to assess the reliability of the surveys and found α = 0.862 and α = 0.809 for food additives awareness and nanosilica safety in food, respectively. Different characterisation methods, such as Fourier Spectra Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), were used to determine the type and form of silica, and its levels in selected food brands available in SA. This was compared against similar products manufactured and packed in the European Union (EU) and Asia. This study benchmarked against the EU standard because of its more stringent guidelines in the field of nanotechnology and regulations. The results indicate that while the comparative EU food sample conformed to the European Food Safety Association (EFSA) permissible level of 1 %, the South African sample levels were higher. Even though the regulatory standards are different in both countries, the potential health effects remain the same. Significantly, the most prominent finding of this study is that the form of silica in some of the South African and Asian products were crystalline in nature, rather than synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), which is indicative of E551. Thus, it stands to reason that the generalised limit set by Codex Alimentarius was inadequate to regulate and control the quantity and type of E551 used as it varied from each of the selected samples. The identification of traces of crystalline silica is of concern since studies in literature showed that exposure to and ingestion of crystalline silica that was not food grade, is likely to induce perilous health effects such as cancer and fibrosis in humans. In light of this finding on the crystalline nature of silica in the studied brands, it is therefore imperative that specific limits and regulations be put in place and enforceable in SA to ensure that products sold are in line with acceptable standards as found in some developed countries like the United States of America (US) and EU. In view of the above, and to ensure proper monitoring and minimal risk exposure, a risk management framework, a ‘Hazard identification, Access the risks, Control the risks’ (HAC) model, was developed and recommended to ensure that the correct form and type, and limits of silica is used and the associated risk controls applied. / M