Conveners
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews
Applied Physics
- Mandla Msimanga (TUT)
Applied Physics
- Lucas Erasmus (UFS)
Applied Physics
- Ernest van Dyk (NMU)
Applied Physics
- Lucas Erasmus (UFS)
Applied Physics
- Nicolas Thantsha (TUT)
Applied Physics
- Ernest van Dyk
Applied Physics
- Nicolas Thantsha (TUT)
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews (UKZN)
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews
Applied Physics
- Alan Matthews (UKZN)
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28. Toward Portable GammaโNeutron Imaging: A Two-Stage Compton Camera for Environmental MonitoringShanyn Hart (University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS)07/07/2026, 09:30Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The development of advanced radiation imaging systems for environmental monitoring requires improved sensitivity, rapid response, and reliable source localisation in complex measurement scenarios. In this work, a two-stage Compton camera is investigated with particular emphasis on detector performance, timing characteristics, and geometrical optimisation.
The system is based on compact 14 ร...
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Mr Ndivhuwo Nthai (University of Johannesburg)07/07/2026, 09:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Platinum group minerals concentrators in South Africa increasingly operate under highly variable feed conditions, resulting from the simultaneous processing of upper ground 2 ores, Platreef ores, and materials from tailings storage facilities. These feed sources differ significantly in mineralogy, particle size distribution, and flotation response. At the same time, declining ore grades and...
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Kelsey Everts (University of the Witwatersrand)07/07/2026, 10:10Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Living tissues absorb and scatter light resulting in low resolution images, poor information transfer and making deep-tissue optical imaging and sensing challenging. Recently, however, topological light has gained interest due to its claimed resilience against external perturbations. Here we generate skyrmions as our optical topology by combining beams with different orbital angular momentum...
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Ronel Ronella Randela (University Of Venda)07/07/2026, 11:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a type of photovoltaic device that uses light-absorbing dyes to convert sunlight into electricity, offering a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional silicon- and ruthenium-based solar cells. This study investigates the co-sensitization potential of natural dyes extracted from Symphytum officinale and Bidens pilosa for application...
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Precious Mabidi (University of Venda)07/07/2026, 11:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Water quality monitoring is critical for sustainable water resource management, particularly in water-stressed regions such as South Africa. However, the availability, accessibility, and consistency of water quality remain a major challenge, which may be contaminated by waste from different sources like mines, industries and agricultural activities. Some areas in South Africa face serious...
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David Tinarwo (University of Venda), Mr Shandukani Muronga (University of Venda)07/07/2026, 11:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The transition to decentralised, low-carbon energy systems in South Africa requires solutions that integrate energy access with productive use, education, and local economic development, particularly in rural contexts. This study presents a physics-based feasibility assessment of a hybrid photovoltaic (PV)โbiogasโbattery mini-grid proposed for the Tiyani Just Energy Transition Living Lab...
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Abdool Sattar Cassim (Unioversity of Johannesburg), Timothy Brooks (University of Johannesburg)07/07/2026, 12:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Long Period Grating (LPG) fiber optic sensors are widely used for environmental and chemical sensing due to their high sensitivity to refractive index changes; however, their deployment in high-radiation environments requires a thorough understanding of radiationโmatter interactions within the sensor structure. In this study, a simulation-based investigation is conducted using Geant4 to...
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Timothy Brooks (University of Johannesburg)07/07/2026, 12:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Accurate radiation dosimetry in high-energy and high-radiation environments remains a critical challenge for applications in particle physics, nuclear engineering, and space systems. This study investigates the performance of germanium-doped fiber optic sensors as robust and sensitive platforms for radiation monitoring under extreme conditions. In this study, a germanium-doped FBG sensor was...
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Wagner Tavares Buono (University of the Witwatersrand)07/07/2026, 15:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
In this work we propose a technique that is able to measure the intensity dependent refractive index $n_2$ and nonlinear absorption $\beta$ in a single measurement and improved accuracy. Contrary to previous techniques, we are able to improve precision via manipulation of the optical system post interaction with the sample. We achieve this by imprinting on the beam a specific intensity profile...
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Chrispin Kabuya (iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu)07/07/2026, 15:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The accurate interpretation of sensor data in prosthetic systems is challenged by nonlinear signal transformations, environmental coupling, and temporal drift within the prosthetic socket environment. Sensor outputs derived from embedded thermistors are influenced by
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dynamic interactions between physiological heat generation, mechanical loading, and ambient conditions, resulting in... -
Mabunda Hlayiseka (University Of Venda)07/07/2026, 15:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
South Africaโs growing energy demand, coupled with persistent supply constraints and continued reliance on fossil fuels, has intensified the need for accurate solar resource assessment to support renewable energy deployment. In this study, empirical models were developed and evaluated to estimate the components of hourly global solar radiation on both horizontal and inclined...
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David Roth (MeASURe, Department of Physics, University of Cape Town)08/07/2026, 09:30Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Cylindrical arrays of permanent magnets are being increasingly used to generate the main magnetic field in low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A class of Halbach arrays, these arrangements of permanent magnets result in increased magnetic flux density within the cylinder, and reduced flux density outside. Sparse Halbach arrays can produce a field strength suitable for low-field MRI,...
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Marry Thekhwe (University of Cape Town)08/07/2026, 09:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR), mostly referred to as FLASH radiotherapy, has emerged as a promising treatment modality capable of reducing normal tissue toxicity in a cancerous tumour. However, the underlying physical and radiochemical mechanisms of this FLASH radiotherapy remain incompletely understood. In this study, high-dose-rate proton irradiation was investigated using Monte Carlo...
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Moses Gororo (University of Cape Town)08/07/2026, 10:10Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
A team based at the University of Cape Town is well advanced with a project which will return a proton therapy centre to Cape Town, South Africa [1]. The new facility will serve as both a national facility for South Africa and provide access to other countries in the sub-Saharan region. The city of Cape Town offers geographic and technical advantages for the siting of the new centre, which...
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Delron Dananai Muti (University of Johannesburg (ZA))08/07/2026, 11:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) upgrade will increase proton-proton collision rates by a factor of 5-7 times, requiring a complete redesign of the A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS (ATLAS) Tile Calorimeter (TileCal) readout electronics. The Tile Computer on Module (TileCoM) serves as the embedded control interface, responsible for remote programming, configuration, and real-time...
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Hlulani Ndlovu (Tshwane University Technology)08/07/2026, 11:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Understanding of the behaviour of a Schottky contact is important in the design of optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and photosensors. The behaviour of Schottky diodes depends on physical parameters like the thickness of the metal contact layer and electro-optical parameters of the active layer. Schottky contacts between metals and organic semiconductors are of importance in the...
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Brenton Munhungewarwa (University of Johannesburg)08/07/2026, 11:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) will impose increased data rates and operational complexity on the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter (TileCal), necessitating robust, scalable and real-time hardware monitoring solutions. Building on the successful development of an Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) server for the Tile Preprocessor (TilePPr) modules, this work...
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Nikita Azevedo08/07/2026, 12:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
All-optical diffractive neural networks are designed to perform inference using light. In practice, however, designing these systems typically requires solving a computationally demanding inverse problem on classical hardware, with long training times driven by the large number of optimization parameters. The core computational bottleneck is the repeated simulation of optical wave propagation,...
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Damuleli Thivhafuni Edgar (University Of Venda)08/07/2026, 12:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Fast hydrogen movement with low trapping is important for energy materials. In this study, a graphene-reinforced NbMoTaW alloy was studied using DFT in Materials Studio (CASTEP). Hydrogen sites and energies were calculated in the alloy and near the graphene interface. In the bulk alloy, hydrogen occupies different sites due to the complex structure, leading to some trapping. Near graphene,...
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Dr Washington Mhike (Tshwane University of Technology)08/07/2026, 14:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
In this study, the optical and electrical behaviour of polyaniline was studied through Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Current-Voltage (I-V) measurements. The Current-voltage (I-V) measurements showed that a semiconducting diode was successfully formed between polyaniline and silver metal at 1,5M HCl doping. The saturation current Is and ideality factor ฮท were found to be...
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Simon Carthew (University of Cape Town)08/07/2026, 15:10Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging modality that measures the relative activity of physiological processes within a patient. It is an expensive imaging modality that is primarily limited to high income countries. Our group is developing a low-cost PET detector that would improve access to PET in low- to middle-income countries. The design process is an incremental approach...
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Josiah De Klerk (University of Cape Town)08/07/2026, 15:30Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Due to highly conformal treatment, reduced late and acute side and minimized risk of damaging healthy tissue, proton therapy has become a preferred form of radiation treatment over traditional photon and electron therapies. However, there are no means to directly verify proton depth range within the patient during treatment. One possible solution is the use of Prompt Gamma imaging (PGI), which...
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BUSISIWE PERTUNIA MBATHA (University of Zululand)08/07/2026, 15:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
This study examines the presence of trace elements in fertilizers and their potential implications for food contamination and public health risks. Both organic fertilizers (including chicken droppings, cow dung processed by earthworms, goat manure, sheep manure, and raw cow dung) and inorganic fertilizers (NHโNOโ, 28% N, and NPK containing 0.5% Zn) were collected from the Zululand region of...
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Prof. Irvy (Igle) Gledhill (U. Witwatersrand)09/07/2026, 09:30Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
This work is part of an extended programme to understand and formulate the flow physics of accelerating objects travelling in the transonic and subsonic speed ranges. Of these, deceleration generates the more interesting flow phenomena. The persistence of shocks ahead of objects decelerating from transonic speeds was for some time puzzling [1], but it is now clear that these are shocks formed...
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Ryan Atkin (University of Cape Town)09/07/2026, 09:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
This project presents the simulation of a low-cost Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. The high cost of PET scanners limits their use in many parts of the world, specifically developing countries. Lower-cost alternatives would increase the accessibility for neurological and paediatric care.
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A detailed Monte Carlo simulation framework is used to model a full PET scan, from the decay... -
Timothy Brooks (University of Johannesburg)09/07/2026, 11:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Accurate temperature monitoring in high-radiation environments is critical for the reliable operation of high-energy physics detectors. Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors fabricated in radiation-hardened optical fibres are widely considered for such applications due to their compactness and immunity to electromagnetic interference. In this study, the thermal response of a radiation-hardened...
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Dr Abraham Dimitri Kapim kenfack (Tshwane University of Technology)09/07/2026, 11:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
This study investigates the influence of graphene on the electrical characteristics of a magnesium/polyaniline/fluorine doped tin oxide (Mg/PANI/FTO) Schottky diode using a computational approach. Three device configurations are considered: (i) a reference structure without graphene, (ii) a structure incorporating graphene at the Mg-PANI interface., and (iii) a structure with graphene inserted...
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Dr Makhamisa Senekane (University of Johannesburg)09/07/2026, 11:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The advances in computing, coupled with the easy availability of massive datasets, have led to the widespread adoption of machine learning (ML) in general and deep learning (DL) in particular. In essence, the traditional DL models are fundamentally data-driven. That is, these models tend to have an improved performance when the input data is increased. Therefore, it is challenging to deploy...
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Dr Makhamisa Senekane (University of Johannesburg)09/07/2026, 12:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics provides a mathematical description of the constituents of matter, together with their interactions. The deviation from the SM might lead to the outliers that herald the new physics. Therefore, the use of anomaly detection models plays a crucial role in the discovery of the new physics; thereby facilitating the move beyond the Standard Model. For...
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Zamaswazi Tshabalala (University of the Free State)09/07/2026, 12:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The widespread emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx; NO and NO2) from mining and transportation activities necessitates sensitive and reliable gas sensing technologies with low power requirements and economic feasibility for large scale deployment. Conventional NOx monitoring systems are often constrained by complex fabrication processes, costly components, and high-power consumption, limiting...
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Mr Thando Khedzi (University of venda), VHUTSHILO NEKHUBVI (University of venda)09/07/2026, 14:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The impact of the nature of the biogas on its thermodynamic behavior is studied. Methane and carbon dioxide store energy and their contribution to the molecular degrees of freedom is different. The main aim here is to show how varying concentrations of methane affect the thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of biogas under controlled conditions. This will be done based on the first...
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Takalani Nethavhanani (University of Venda)09/07/2026, 15:00Track F - Applied PhysicsPoster Presentation
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key technology for renewable energy generation and waste management; however, its efficiency is often constrained by slow reaction kinetics and suboptimal microbial efficiency. Recent studies indicate that adding iron oxide (FeโOโ) nanoparticles to biodigesters enhances methane production and the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. This ongoing study is...
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TSHIMANGADZO SOPHIE MULAUDZI (University of Venda)09/07/2026, 15:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Abstract
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Photovoltaic (PV) module mismatch, arising from partial shading, soiling, and cell degradation, results in non-uniform current distribution and localized Joule heating, reducing system efficiency and accelerating material degradation. This study presents an experimental investigation of thermal signatures associated with mismatch conditions in crystalline silicon PV modules using... -
Livhuwani Masevhe (University of Johannesburg)09/07/2026, 15:40Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Photovoltaic water pumping systems (PVWPS) provide a sustainable solution for irrigation in off grid and water scarce environments, yet their effectiveness is limited by the lack of integrated, physics based monitoring capable of resolving the coupled dynamics of photovoltaic energy conversion and water transport. Existing approaches often treat electrical and hydraulic subsystems...
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09/07/2026, 16:30
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Robert Bellarmin Nshimirimana (The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation)10/07/2026, 09:30Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Radiography is a non-destructive analytical technique that uses penetrating radiation such as neutrons and X-rays to obtain qualitative and quantitative information about the internal structure of materials. The quality of a radiograph depends strongly on system design parameters, beam characteristics, and experimental configuration, making optimisation of radiography systems a complex...
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Donald Mkhonto (Mintek)10/07/2026, 09:50Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Metal alloy development is key in current advanced technology development. At the same time, advanced manufacturing is a new trend and involves many technologies that can be usefull in converting developed alloys into final products. Additive manufacturing is key in production of intricate structures which are rather difficult or impossible to cast using conventional methods. This may be due...
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Mithayelanga Mazitshana (Cput)10/07/2026, 10:10Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
The increasing generation of solid waste and rising demand for sustainable energy have intensified interest in efficient waste-to-energy technologies. Thermochemical conversion processes, particularly gasification and pyrolysis, provide viable routes for transforming biomass into hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. However, limitations in hydrogen yield and process efficiency remain due to incomplete...
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Paulinah Fasanmi (University of Johannesburg)10/07/2026, 11:00Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have propelled to the forefront of research due to their impressive performance in solar cell applications and their non-toxicity compared to lead-based PSCs. In this study, a heterojunction PSC with the configuration FTO/C-60/CS2TiCl6/CS2AgBiBr6/WSe2/Au was simulated using the SCAP-1D simulation software, combining single and double PSCs. The lead-free...
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Mwende Mbilo (University of Pretoria)10/07/2026, 11:20Track F - Applied PhysicsOral Presentation
Halide double perovskites (HDPs) have emerged as compelling candidates for next-generation optoelectronic applications owing to their tunable band gaps, structural versatility, and environmental compatibility. Despite the known advantages of fluoride-based HDPs, this subclass remains significantly understudied. In this work, we employ density functional theory (DFT), as implemented in Quantum...
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