Innovus Newsletter 49th Edition

Innovus Newsletter 49th Edition

Why doesn’t my coffee machine start brewing a pot when I wake up?

Why doesn’t my coffee machine start brewing a pot when I wake up? "My smartphone knows my location. My smartwatch can tell my temperature and heart rate. So, why doesn't my geyser start warming up when I'm on my way home from a jog, or my coffee machine start brewing a pot when I wake up?" Questions like these (and his desire to be part of the first colony of humans on Mars) kept Dr Dale Sparrow awake at night and led to completing his master’s and PhD studies in a record three years. His research focused on the integration of humans into...
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SU spinout GreenX secured a R6 million WCED contract

SU spinout GreenX secured a R6 million WCED contract to help Western Cape schools save electricity The Western Cape Education Department recently awarded Stellenbosch University and Innovus spinout company GreenX Engineering the opportunity to pilot IoT energy management and lighting efficiency retrofits at  25 no-fee schools in the Western Cape and help them save on their electricity bills. The project, to the value of R6 million, will see GreenX doing extensive energy audits at the various schools to determine how they can retrofit them with energy-saving lights and meters to measure and manage their usage. GreenX’s Chief Executive Officer, Jason Samuels, recently received...
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SU receives global recognition for being an Outstanding Entrepreneurial and Engaged University

SU receives global recognition for being an Outstanding Entrepreneurial and Engaged University Stellenbosch University was celebrated at the University-Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) annual Conference in Amsterdam as runner-up for Outstanding Entrepreneurial and Engaged University based on the work done via Innovus, the Innovation and Commercialisation division of Stellenbosch University. UIIN is dedicated to advancing the future of higher education institutions and supporting the global community of university-industry professionals. "It was a wonderful privilege and great experience to participate in the UIIN's conference in Amsterdam in June this year and to celebrate the organisation's 10th birthday. It was a huge surprise and bonus to receive...
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Stellenbosch University spin-out Phagoflux

Stellenbosch University spin-out Phagoflux develops leading-edge sensor technology to measure autophagy From the earliest days, people referred to universities as a community of teachers and scholars – a place where knowledge is created, learning is exchanged, and ideas are shared and cherished (from the Latin Universitas magistrorum et scholarium). After interviewing the multidisciplinary team that makes up Stellenbosch University’s and Innovus spin-out company Phagoflux, this description of what a university essentially is comes to light. Here is a group of retired (or as they say, "gloriously retired") professors, students and one of the University's world-renowned professor’s in neuroscience working together in developing leading-edge...
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Stellenbosch Green School is now even greener

Stellenbosch Green School is now even greener thanks to a new solar panel system A year ago, Cloetesville Primary School became the first school in South Africa to receive an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) after Stellenbosch University and Innovus spinout company GreenX Engineering (GXE) installed energy-saving technology at this school. Today (Friday, 12 August 2022), this popular Stellenbosch school, known as the Green School (Die Groen Skool), received a 7.5kW solar panel (photo voltaic) system which will generate approximately 14MWh (14 000 units) of electricity per year, negating almost 13 tonnes of CO2 annually and saving of R20 000 per year while...
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Innovus celebrates their CEO’s

Innovus celebrates their CEO’s Every year Innovus celebrates the outstanding work the Chief Executive Officers and staff of Stellenbosch University’s group of companies do. This year’s event was even more special as people could also celebrate in person, as people were allowed to attend functions after the COVID-pandemic period. Directors, CEOs, professors, researchers, post-docs and entrepreneurs appreciated this unique function to network, pick up on old conversations and mingle with many newcomers to the Innovus group of companies circle at this event that is always extremely well-attended. After Chief Director Anita Nel welcomed the guests, SU’s Chief Operating Officer, Prof Stan du Plessis, in...
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Hyperion Dev and SU - Bootcamps

Business unusual Globally, we are currently amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Characterised by the fusion of the biological, physical, and digital worlds, a new era of technological integration is being ushered in that sees artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, and wireless technologies becoming commonplace in our everyday lives. While pre-2020, Africa lagged in several indicators essential to the success of a digital revolution, the world today is a vastly different place than it was a mere two years ago. As entire economies begin to emerge from the collective tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic, early research seems suggest that COVID-19 has pushed...
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Forthcoming: The newly revamped Neelsie Cinema

Forthcoming: The newly revamped Neelsie Cinema The next time you go to the Neelsie, remember to take a peek into the newly-revamped Neelsie Cinema which boasts a beautiful new look. The newly renovated multi-purpose space featuring two theatres – a 121-seater and a 98-seater – both boasting a projector, powerful surround sound and lighting. The luxurious seats with fold-away writing tablets, will add to the multi-functionality of the venue and enhance the overall visitor experience. The auditorium is intimate enough for all types of celebrations and an ideal space to host a wide range of event types, including private screenings of films, corporate...
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Coach Vici is ready to conquer the corporate world

Coach Vici is ready to conquer the corporate world Life as we know it is a bit upside down and overwhelming nowadays. Extroverts have become introverts, working from home has become the rule, and disruption is no longer just referring to your children being home from school. A virus that is changing shape and effect caused the world as we know it to stop turning in the usual direction, and suddenly you hear how more people are struggling with depression, anxiety and finding a purpose to live. A group of innovators, developers, business and political leaders, researchers, and activists' response to the...
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Biocode takes on global Long COVID crisis by sub-licensing novel diagnostic

Biocode takes on global Long COVID crisis by sub-licensing novel diagnostic Innovus, Stellenbosch University’s innovation and commercialisation division, is proud to announce that the University has patented a groundbreaking research method, which detects microclots in the blood of Long COVID patients. This IP has been licensed exclusively to the University start-up company, Biocode. Biocode’s Managing Director and head of SU’s Department of Physiological Sciences, Prof Resia Pretorius, says between 10 and 30% of COVID-19 survivors worldwide have or had long-term effects after recovering from the acute COVID-19 infection. Common symptoms are constant fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, depression, and anxiety. The...
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