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NANOAFNET

NANOSCIENCE NETWORK

2008-09 END YEAR REPORT

[NANOFNET, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa]

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NANOAFNET

●NANOsciences AFrican NETwork,

Nanosciences Laboratories, Materials Research Group,

iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa Old Faure road, POBox 722, Somerset West 7129,

Western Cape province, South Africa Tel: +00 27 21 843 1145/46/49

Fax: +00 27 21 843 3543 Email: Maaza@tlabs.ac.za

(To Prof. M. Maaza, Chairman)

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-Content

1-Sponsorship & Support 4

2-Summary & Statements 5

3-Highlights & Major Achievements 7

4-Capacity building & junior fellows mobility program 9

5-Senior fellows mobility program 14

6-International visiting scientists 16

7-Research outputs: Awarded dissertations 19

8-Research outputs: Peer review publications 20

9-Research outputs: Awards & recognitions 21

10-Research outputs: Organized international conferences 22

11-Research outputs: Attended international conferences 23

12-New partnerships & major future programs 25

13-Appendix n°1: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the ICS-UNIDO workshop on nanosciences-nanotechnology

«Support of an AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA» 28

Appendix n°2: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the NanoAfrica 2009 conference «Official backup for establishing the AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA at

iThemba LABS» 31

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1-Sponsorship & Support ●The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Trieste-Italy ●The South African Department of Science & Technology

Pretoria-South Africa ●The International Centre for Science & Technology-UNIDO/ ICS-UNIDO

Trieste-Italy ●The African Laser Center

Pretoria-South Africa ●The American National Science Foundation

Arlington-USA ●The South African National Research Foundation

Pretoria-South Africa ●iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation

Cape Province-South Africa ●International Union for Pure & Applied Physics

Washington-USA ●Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique CNRS

Paris-France ●The French Embassy in South Africa

Pretoria office-France ●The National Institute for Materials Sciences

Tsukuba-Japan

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2-Summary & Statements In line with its mission and vision, The Nanosciences African Network «NANOAFNET» has reinforced its continental and global platforms via:

(i) Enhanced networking in Africa and beyond to facilitate integration into larger programmes including the African Laser Centre initiatives;

(ii) Marketing and communication with a focus on Africa's business sectors, and decision and policy makers both in Africa and internationally in particular within the Trieste system; and

(iii) Human capital development specifically at the postgraduate level. Within this financial 2008-2009 year, The Nanosciences African Network «NANOAFNET» and its members have diligently implemented its programs with the graphically summarized outputs as indicated below: ●New joint partnerships ●Attended international events ●Organized (Co-) international conferences ●Visiting international scientists/policy makers ●Senior visiting fellows ●Junior visiting fellows ●Peer review publications ●Gender ratio: Male 21/Female 7 ●Postgraduate enrolled students ●Awards Keynote address by Honourable Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the NanoAfrica Conference Date: 2009-02-01 11:00 , NANOAFRICA 2009-CSIR, Pretoria-South Africa My department also endorsed the establishment of the Nanocentre for Africa at iThemba LABS, which began following the deliberations of the ICS-UNIDO workshop held in August last year. The centre is the continental platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology, and its aim is to produce solutions to pressing socio-economic problems related to health, water and energy.……………………………. The centre will have regional and national nodes, with the main node located at iThemba LABS. http://www.dst.gov.za/media-room/speeches/keynote-address-by-minister-mosibudi-mangena-at-the-nanoafrica-

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NANOAFNET’s STRUCTURE

● Collegial council, ● 8 RCPs (Regional Coordinators) ● 29 NCPs (National Contact Points) ● e-Desk & Diaspora (Electronic-Assistance) ● Programmes -Junior fellowships & human capital mobility -Senior fellowships & human capital mobility -Fund matching program -International Exchange program -Establishment of an Africa Nanotechnology Center Initiative

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3-Highlights & Major Achievements The 2008-09 financial year is characterized by a series of specific capacity building outputs and an extensive continental and international synergies involving several junior and senior fellows of the NANOAFNET. Among them one should quote the most relevant followings:

●Magna Cum Laude by an international panel for the 1st joint PhD Senegal-South

Africa fellow registered both at the University Cheikh Anta Diop-Dakar/Senegal and University of the Western Cape/South Africa. This would pave a way to as intended a potential African PhD Diploma.

●Cum Laude & Honours of the jury by an international panel for a joint 1st PhD

Cameroon-South Africa fellow registered both at the University of Yaounde I/ Cameroon and University of the Western Cape/South Africa. This would pave a way to as intended a potential African PhD Diploma.

● Six awarded postgraduate degrees from High Education

Institutions in Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon and South Africa.

● Twenty nine enrolled African junior fellows including 2 French

postgraduate students who carried out the bulk component of their experimental/theoretical/modeling research projects at the NANOAFNET’s headquarters.

●Fourtheen ISI peer reviewed publications including one in Nature.

●Official Ministerial support for the creation of the Africa Nano Centre By The South African Minister of Science & Technology; Honourable Mr. M. Mangena.

● Eight long term African senior visiting fellows.

● World premier demonstration of the semiconductor-metallic 1st

order Mott transition in single nano crystal of VO2 and possibility of fabrication of an ultrafast photo-induced tunable femtosecond electronic gate.

● For the first time, egineering of highly ordered doped ZnO nanorods without any

initial VLSI type atomic seed by pulsed laser deposition.

● Demonstration of the tunable photo-wettability of such nano-structures and the

possibility to use them combined with a liquid drops as tunable foci lensing systems.

●. Ongoing proof of concept of a femtosecond photocontrolable ultrafast

optoelectronic nano-gate. This component is intended to be developed jointly with the African Laser Centre.

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Group photograph with Honourable Minister Mr. M. Mangena, Minister of Science

& Technology of the Republic of South Africa during the ICS-UNIDO workshop «August 2008» which has paved the way to the Africa Nanotechnology Centre

for which the ALC is considered as a role model. From left to right are:

● Prof. N. Cingo [Chairman of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative], South Africa ● Dr. G. Bertogli [Managing Director of the ICS-UNIDO], Italy ● Dr. N. Manyala [RCP-NANOAFNET Southern Africa], Lesotho ● Dr. R. Nemutudi [Vice-Chair of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative],South Africa ● Prof. A.C. Beye [CEO African Laser Centre], Senegal ● Honourable Minister Mr. M. Mangena [South African Minsitry of Science & Technology], ● Prof. M. Maaza [Chairman of the NANOAFNET], South Africa ● Dr. Z. Vilakazi [Director of iThemba LABS], South Africa ● Dr. A. Avila-Merino [Manager, ICS-UNIDO], Italy ● Dr. G. Schiarabba [Science & Technology Attache, Embassy of Italy], Italy

● Prof. E. Kiremere [Representative of Hon. Minister S&T in Rwanda, Mr. R. Murenzi], Rwanda ● Mrs. N. Haasbroek [Organising Committee member, iThemba LABS], South Africa ● Dr. O. Nemraoui [Representative of the Algerian Materials Society], Algeria ● Ms. R. Ngoato [Deputy Director, South African Dept. Science & Technology], South Africa

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4-Capacity building & junior fellows mobility program In line with the major target of the mission of the NANOAFNET, and for the second consecutive year, the focus was towards capacity building and junior mobility within the continent. The first cohort of graduated fellows has been established with a relatively significant excellence ratio. This financial year 2008-2009 fellows are as follows:

●Mr. Bala Diop Ngom Senegal PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Cheikh Anta-Diop, Dakar-Senegal and University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Experimental Study of the microstructureoptical properties of nanostructured thin films and nanorods of ZnO:W prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition» Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoessen/Prof. A.C. Beye/Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2773421

●Mr. Jean Bosco Kana Kana Cameroon PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Yaounde, Yaounde-Cameroon and University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Reversible Tunability in novel ultrafast nano-plasmonics: Synthesis and characterization of Au-VO2 nano-photonics». Supervisors: Dr. J. M. Ndjaka/Prof. D. Knoessen/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2773439

●Mr. Benias Nyamuda Zimbabwe PhD fellow Male Registered at the Tshwane University of Technology «ZnO nano-structures by hydrothermal for photonics and gas sensing applications» Supervisors: Dr. N. Manyala/Dr. R. Nemutudi/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 208341081

●Mr. Slimane Lafane Algeria MSc fellow Male Completed 2008 University of Bab Ezzouar-Algiers & CDTA, Algiers-Algeria «Dynamic Expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO Laser Ablation Plume in Oxygen Gas» Supervisors: Dr. T. Kerdja/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: Not available

●Mr. Salah Khamlich Morocco PhD fellow Male Registered at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria-South Africa

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«Optical & photo-induced properties of alpha-Cr2O3 nanospheres » Supervisors: Prof. N. Cingo/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2880959

●Mr. Simon Chigome Botswana PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana «Porphyrin and luminescent based nano-photonics by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. N. Torto/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: Not available

●Mr. Adura Abiona Nigeria MSc fellow Male Registered at the Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria «Nano-composites photonics by electrospinning». Supervisors: Dr. A. Fasasi/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: scp0506h0368

●Mr. Given Kalonga Zambia MSc fellow Male Registered at the National University of Zambia, Lusaka-Zambia «C60 functionalized PCBM-TiO2 hybrid nano-structured solar cells» Supervisors: Dr. K. Chinyama/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 526005409

●Ms. Nawal Diourri Morocco PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco «Photonics properties of ZnO-SWCNTs and ZnO-MWCNTs by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. M. Baitoul Registration N°: 2098842025

●Mr. Mohamed Khenfouche Morocco PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco «Photonics and transport properties of Graphene-polymer based nano-composites by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. M. Baitoul Registration N°: 2199758964

●Mr. Mohamed Salhi Algeria PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers-Algeria

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«Photonics properties of multilayered and Fabry-Perot type nano-structures for matter wave optics applications» Supervisors: Prof. L. Guerbous/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ster Mammeri Algeria PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers-Algeria «Radiation and photo-induced effects in pulsed laser deposited bismuth nan-structures» Supervisors: Prof. H. Ammi

●Mr. Thomas Urdampiletta France MSc fellow Male Registered at the Ecole Polytechnique de Grenoble/ France «Nano-TiO2 by a novel hydrothermal processing: Physical & photocatalytic properties » Supervisor: Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ariel Haziot France MSc fellow Male Registered at the Ecole Polytechnique de Grenoble/ France «Nano-rods of Mn2O3 by a novel hydrothermal processing and investigation of their physical properties » Supervisor: Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali, South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Photonics properties of self-assembled C60 nanorods» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20012617

●Mr. Cebo Ndanganmandla South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and Photo-splitting properties of undoped and doped Fe2O3 nanorods » Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 022581

●Ms. P. Nanky Mongkawetsi South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Stellenbosch, South Africa «Optical properties of porphyrin-polymer nano-photonics» Supervisors: Dr. R. Sparrow/ Prof.B. Klumperman/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

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●Ms. M. Mpho Makgale South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Northwest, South Africa «Raman investigations of radiation induced effects in carbon and silicon carbide nano-structures» Supervisors: Dr. R. Sparrow/Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Mr. Praise Sibuyi South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Radiations induced effects in carbon and silicon carbide based nano-structures» Supervisors: Prof. R. Madjoe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2474557

●Mr. Joseph Sithole South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Physical-Chemical Properties of Shape-Size Controlled ZnO nano-Particles » Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoessen/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2880959

●Mr. Hasting Cele South Africa MSc fellow Male To be submitted April 2009 Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and physical properties of nano-structured VOx by sol-gel processing» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Mr. Zanele M. Khumalo South Africa MSc fellow Male To be submitted April 2009 Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Photonics and gas sensing properties of ZnO nanorods» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Ms. Nolwazi Shozi South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Radiation induced effects on graphene nano-sheets» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20042189

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●Ms. Puleng Mbuyisa South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Graphene based nano-structures as potential transparent conducting oxides equivalent and NLO properties» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20042274

●Mr. P. Sotobe Sibiya South Africa MSc fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured diamond like carbon by dual beam pulsed laser ablation-pulsed gas feeding». Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Mrs. G. Hlengiwe Mhlongo South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured meso-porous nano-TiO2 by self evaporation synthesis». Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Ms. Irene Mabuda South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at the University of Pretoria «High intense laser radiation effects on graphene nano-sheets» Supervisors: Dr. N. Manyala/Dr. R. Nemutudi/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 29679533

●Mr. Phillip Shechogela South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Novel reversibly active ZnO-VO2 transparent conducting oxide nano-composites» Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoessen/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2774865

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5-Senior fellows mobility program Exploiting the previously established fund matching strategy and having implemented new research nano-infrastructure on site at iThemba LABS, the headquarters of the NANOAFNET, the following seniors fellows have visited and conducted their research projects for periods ranging from ~1 to 3 months: ●Dr. John Ajao, Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria Research subproject: «Nanomaterials by electrospinning» Sojourn period: ~3 months

Ife Ife- Nigeria ●Dr. Evariste Minani, Affiliation: National University of Rwanda, Kigali-Rwanda Research subproject: «ZnO nano-structured systems by CVD type approach» Sojourn period: ~3 ½ months

Kigali- Rwanda ●Dr. Mantoa Sekota, Affiliation: National University of Lesotho, Roma-Lesotho Research subproject: «Design & engineering of synthetic porphyrins absed systems for photonics applications» Sojourn period: ~1 ½ months

Maseru- Lesotho ●Dr. Lakhdar Guerbous, Affiliation: Laboratoire de Photonique, COMENA, Algiers-Algeria Research subproject: «Photoluminescence properties of nano-scaled materials» Sojourn period: ~3 months

Algiers- Algeria ●Dr. Ncholu Manyala, Affiliation: National University of Lesotho, Roma-Lesotho Research subproject: «nano-magnetism & spintronics » Sojourn period: ~2 ½ months

Maseru- Lesotho ●Prof. Fouad Lahlou, Affiliation: Univ. Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco Research subproject: «Theory & modeling in nano-scaled systems» Sojourn period: ~½ months

Fes- Morocco ●Prof. O. Muzi Ndwandwe, Affiliation: Dept. of Physics and Engineering, Univ. of Zululand, Kwazulu Natal-South Africa Research subproject: «Thins films: Interfacial phenomena & physical stability» Sojourn period: ~2 months

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Kwazulu Natal- South Africa ●Dr. Ouassini Nemraoui, Affiliation: Dept. of Physics and Engineering, Univ. of Zululand, Kwazulu natal-South Africa Research subproject: «Gas sensing investigations of various nano-scaled oxides» Sojourn period: ~4 months

Kwazulu Natal- South Africa ●Prof. Adeneyi Fasasi, Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria Research subproject: «Ferroelectric Nanomaterials by Pulsed Laser Deposition» Sojourn period: ~1 month

Ife Ife- Nigeria ●Prof. Aboubakar Chedikh Beye, Affiliation: University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Dakar Fann-Senegal Research subproject: «Nanophotonics» Sojourn period: ~2 weeks

Dakar- Senegal ●Dr. Omar Sakho, Affiliation: University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Dakar Fann-Senegal Research subproject: «PhotoEmmission properties of nanoscaled materials» Sojourn period: ~2 weeks [Reported]

Dakar- Senegal ●Prof. Mohamed Abdel Harith, Affiliation: National Institute of Lasers for Enhanced Sciences, Cairo-Egypt Research subproject: «Lasers & nanosciences» Sojourn period: ~1 week

Cairo- Egypt ●Dr. Juma Shaabane, Affiliation: UNESCO office, Bamako-Mali Contribution: «New Technologies for developing world: focus on Africa» Sojourn period: ~1 week

Bamako- Mali ●Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, Affiliation: International Council for Scientific Unions, Africa office, Pretoria-South Africa Contribution: «Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies: opportunities for Africa» Sojourn period: ~ ½ week

Pretoria- South Africa

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6-International visiting scientists

Within the marketing strategy of the NANOAFNET, various international scientists from out of Africa have visited the headquarters at iThemba LABS during which interaction with junior fellows specifically has been encouraged. The following list summarizes the above mentioned set of international visiting scientists and policy makers:

●Prof. Giorgio Rosso-Cicogna Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Talk:«Nanotechnology programs at the ICS-UNIDO: Focus on nanodrugs delivery» Period: December 2008

●H.E. Mr. Giusto Schiarabba Italy Home institution: Embassy of Italy in South Africa, Pretoria-South Africa Period: April 2008

●Dr. Lionel Vayssieres Japan Home institution: National Institute for Materials Sciences, Tsukuba-Japan Talk:«1-D nanostructures by hydrothermal processing» Period: July 2008

●Prof. Brian Augustine USA Fulbright Scholar position Home institution: James Madison University, USA Talk:« Capstone nanotechnology course at the Global Colloquium on Engineering Education» Period: October 2008

●Prof. David Lundberg USA

Home institution: Univ. California Los Angeles Talk:«R&D at California NanoSystems Institute-Univ. of Califronia Los Angeles» Period: February 2009

●Dr. Anatoli Balagurov Russia Home institution: Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna-Russia Period: February 2009

●Dr. Elizabeth Lyons USA Home institution: National Science Foundation, Arlington-USA Period: April 2008

●Prof. Alain Gibaud France Home institution: University of Le Maine, Le Mans-France Talk:«GISAX and XRR as probing tools for nanomaterials» Period: February 2009

●Dr. Iryna Peripichka Canada Home institution: Ottawa University, Ottawa-Canada

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Talk:«Nanostructured polymers by self assembly» Period: July 2008

●Prof. Samuel Elmaleh France Home institution: Embassy of France, Pretoria-Office, South Africa Period: August 2008

●Mr. Jian Ann China Home institution: Embassy of China, Pretoria-South Africa Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies in China» Period: August 2008

●Prof. Nelson Torto Botswana Home institution: National University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana Period: August 2008

●Dr. Anne Corval France Home institution: Centre national pour la recherché Scientifique, Johannesburg Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologie Programmes in France» Period: August 2008

●Prof. O. Olesugun Adewoye Nigeria Home institution: NASENI, Abuja- Nigeria Talk: :«Nigerian Nanotechnologie Initiative» Period: August 2008

●Dr. Surya Raghu Italy Home institution: Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste-Italy Period: August 2008

●Prof. M. C. Karemera Rwanda Home institution: National University of Rwanda, Kigali-Rwanda Period: August 2008

●Prof. Aggrey Ambali South Africa Home institution: NEPAD, Pretoria-Office Talk: :«African S&T Driven Initiatives: ABNE, Innovation Indiactors Initiative» Period: August 2008

●Dr. Alfonso Avila Merino Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Period: August 2008

●Dr. Graziano Bertogli Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies: ICS Nanoawards» Period: August 2008

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Group photograph with Honouable Mr. G. Rosso Cicogna, Director of the ICS-

UNIDO/Italy during his visit to the headquarters of the NANOAFNET at iThemba

LABS-national Research Foundation of South Africa. From left to right are:

● Dr. J. Ajao, Nigeria ● Dr. Dr. A. Nechaev, Russia ● Mr. P. Sibuyi, South Africa ● Mr. S. Toumban, Cameroon ● Mr. A. Abiona, Nigeria ● Dr. O. Nemraoui, Algeria ● Prof. M. Maaza, South Africa ● Mr. Ph. Schelogela, South Africa ● Honourable Mr. G. Rosso-Cicogna, Italy ● Mr. S. Chigome, Botswana ● Mr. S. Khamlich, Morocco ● Ms. I. Mabuda, South Africa ● Mr. J.B. Kana Kana, Cameroon ● Mr. B. Nyamuda, Zimbabwe ● Mr. H. Cele, South Africa ● Mr. C.B. Mtshali, South Africa ● Mr. C. Nlanganmandla, South Africa

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7-Research outputs: Awarded dissertations

In line with the target of the network in developing a continental postgraduate diploma in nanosciences-nanotechnology, various junior NANOAFNET fellows have completed and graduated at various African high education institutions. Several of them have scored sounding academic levels as per the judgment of international peer review panels in accordance with the excellence motto of the NANOAFNET:

● Awardee: Dr. J.B. Kana Kana Cameroon Awarded PhD dissertation: «Reversible Tunability in novel ultrafast nano-plasmonics: Synthesis and characterization of Au-VO2 nano-photonics». October 2008

Level: Cum Laude & Honours of the jury

● Awardee: Dr. B.D. Ngom Senegal Awarded PhD dissertation: «Experimental Study of the microstructure and optical properties of nanostructured thin films and nanorods of ZnO:W prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition». March 2009

Level: Magna Cum Laude by an international panel

● Awardee: Mr. Slimane Lafane Algeria Awarded MSc dissertation: «Dynamic Expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO Laser Ablation Plume in Oxygen Gas». July 2008 University of Bab Ezzouar-Algiers & CDTA-Algiers/ Algeria

● Awardee: Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of C60 nanorods by self assembly and molecular recognition». July 2008

Level: Cum Laude by University of Zululand

● Awardee: Mr. P. Sotobe Sibiya South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured diamond like carbon by dual beam pulsed laser ablation-pulsed gas feeding». July 2008

Level: Cum Laude by University of Zululand

● Awardee: Mrs. G. Hlengiwe Mhlongo South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured meso-porous nano-TiO2 by self evaporation synthesis». November 2008

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8-Research outputs: Peer review publications ● N. Manyala, J. F. DiTusa1, G. Aeppli & A. P. Ramirez « Doping a semiconductor to create an unconventional metal» Nature. Vol 454, 21 august 2008, doi:10.1038/nature07137, 2008 ● B. D. Ngom, T. Mpahane , N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, U Buttner, J.B. Kana Kana, A. Fasasi, M.Maaza, A. C. Beye. «Structural & Optical properties of nanostructured W-doped ZnO Thin Films grown by pulsed Pulsed Laser Deposition» Applied Surface Science 255, pp 4153-4158, 2009 ● Maaza, M.; Chambalo, Herculano; Ekambaram, S.; Nemraoui, O.; Ngom, B.; Manyala,N. «Pulsed Laser Liquid Solid Interaction: Synthesis of Pt, Au, Ag and Cu Nano-suspensions & their stability»

Int. J. of Nanoparticles, Vol. 1, Number 3, pp. 212-223 [12], 2008. ● G. Hailu, · G. Tessema, · B.D. Ngom, · N. Manyala and M. Maaza «Nonlinear optical absorption properties of porphyrins confined in Nafion membranes» Appl. Phys. A, DOI 10.1007/s00339-009-5147-9, 2009. ● G. O. Egharevba, R. C. George and M. Maaza « Effect of Heat on the Morphology and Optical Properties of Porphyrin Nanostructures» Synthesis and Reactivity in Inorganic, Metal-Organic, and Nano-Metal Chemistry, DOI: 10.1080/15533170802440565, 38:681–687, 2008 ● B. D. Ngom, J. B. Kana Kana, O. Nemraoui, N.Manyala, M. Maaza, R. Madjoe & A. C. Beye «Infrared active Sm1−xNdxNiO3 based nano-switchings for high powers laser sources»

American Institute of Physics Procs., Vol. 1047, pp. 280-283, 2008. ● N. Manyala, Balla Ngom, J. B. Kana-Kana, R. Bucher, M. Maaza, and J. F. DiTusa «Characterization Of Fe1−xCoxSi thin films deposited via pulsed laser deposition» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 127-129, 2008. ● J. B. Kana Kana, J. M. Ndjaka, P. Owono Ateba, B. D. Ngom, N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, A. C. Beye, M. Maza. «Thermochromic VO2 thin films synthesized by rf-inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering» Applied Surface Science 254, 3959–3963, 2008. ● A.Y. Fasasi, M. Maaza. E. Rohwer et al «Effect of Zn-doping on the structural and optical properties of BaTiO3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition» Thin Solid Films, Vol.516, Iss.18, pp.6226-6232, 2008 ● A.Y. Fasasi, M. Maaza, C. Theron et al «Non-linear absorption and second harmonic imaging of Zn-BaTiO3 thin films prepared by laser ablation» Thin Solid Films, Vol.516, Iss.18, pp.6233-6239, 2008

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● M. Maaza «Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 49-49, 2008. ● S. Lafane, T. Kerdja, A. Abdelli-Messaci, S. Malek and M. Maaza «Laser ablated plasma dynamics for Sm1−xNdxNiO3 thin films deposition» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 127-129, 2008. ● J. B. Kana-Kana,J.M. Ndjaka, N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, A.C. Beye & M. Maaza «Combined thermochromic and plasmonic: Optical responses in novel nano-composites Au-VO2 films prepared by RF inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 119-122, 2008. ● J.B. Kana Kana, D.Knoesen, J.M. Ndjaka, O. Nemraoui, M. Maaza « Effect of substrate temperatura and rf power on the semiconductor-metal phase transition of sputtered VO2 thin films» Article accepted to Applied Surface Science 2009 ● M. Maaza Special Vol. in Int. J. Nanotechnology « Photonic Multifunctionality and Tunability of ZnO based nanostructures»

9-Research outputs: Awards & recognitions

●-«Francis-Taylor UK Award for outstanding research work presentation» Obtained during the 2008 International Fine Particles Conference/Awardee: Mr. J. Sithole ●-«American Biographical Institute Award» Awarded by the ABI institute in November 2008/ Awardee: Prof. M. Maaza ●-«Magna Cum-Laude for outstanding PhD dissertation» Obtained during the PhD defense in March 2009 by an international panel/ Awardee: Mr. B.D. Ngom ●-«Cum-Laude & Honours of the Jury for outstanding PhD dissertation» Obtained during the PhD defense in October 2008 / Awardee: Mr. J.B. Kana Kana ●-«Cum-Laude MSc degree» Obtained during the 2008 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering Degrees Committee of the University of Zululand / Awardee: Mr. Ch. B. Mtshali ●-«Cum-Laude MSc degree» Obtained during the 2008 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering Degrees Committee of the University of Zululand / Awardee: Mr. P. S. Sibiya

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10-Research outputs: Organized (Co-) international conferences Within the global visibility of the NANOAFNET, senior members have actively been involved in organizing (Co-) scientific international / national scientific in Africa with various international institutions, specifically with the Abdus Salam ICTP. The following list summarizes the most relevant to the multi-disciplinatry activities of the network:

● -«ICTP School on Computational Materials Science» Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa-Ethiopia 15-26 September 2008 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. D. Genene Tessema & Dr. Semu Kassa

● -«ICS UNIDO iThemba LABS Workshop» iThemba LABS, Cape Town-South Africa 19-23 August 2008 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. R. Nemutudi, Prof. N. Cingo, Dr. N. Manyala, Dr. A. Fasasi, Prof.A. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza,

● -« CIMER 2009: Colloque International sur les Matériaux et Energies Renouvelables 2009» Brazaville- Congo 1-5 March 2009 Organizing/ International Advisory committee (Among): Dr. J. M. Ndjaka, Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«NanoAfrica 2009» CSIR International conference centre, Pretoria-South Africa 1st-4th February 2009 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. R. Nemutudi, Prof. N. Cingo, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«1st International Conference on Laser and Plasma Applications in Materials Sciences» Centre de Developement des Technologies Avancees, 23-26 June 2008 Organizing committee/International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Dr. T. Kerdja, Prof. A. C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«1st Yaounde International College on Novel Materials & Technologies & their Impact on Energy, Environment & Sustainable Development» Yaounde-Cameroon 7-12 July 2008 Organizing committee / International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Dr. J.M. Ndjaka, Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«9th International Conference on Fine Particles: Risks and Opportunities» Cape Town-South Africa 02-05 September 2008 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. N. Cingo, . M. Maaza

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● -«New Materials Design Technology for the Next Generation of Performed Components» Algiers-Algeria 18-20 May 2009 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza, Dr. L. Guerbous, H. Aourag, Dr. S. Eljaziri

● -«International Conference on nanotechnology & Advanced Materials» Univ. Bahrain-Bahrain 4-7th May 2009 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. M. Maaza, team member

11-Research outputs: Attended international conferences

● -«Accelerators & High Intense Lasers» Stellenbosch-South Africa 01-09 April 2009 ● -«Advanced school on Synchrotron and free electron laser sources and their multi-disciplinary applications» Trieste-Italy, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, 07-25 April 2008 Attended by: Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali, PhD fellow ● -«IS-TCOs 2008: 2nd Interational Symposium on Transparent Conductive Oxides» Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Crete-Greece, 22-26/10 2008, Title: Photonic Multifunctionality and Tunability of ZnO based nanostructures ● -«NanoAfrica 2009» CSIR International conference centre, Pretoria-South Africa 1st-4th February 2009 Title: tailored nano-systems for energy/photonics applications ● -«CIMER 2009: Colloque International sur les Matériaux et Energies Renouvelables 2009» Brazzaville-Congo 1-5 March 2009 ● -«Third US-African Advanced Institute Environmental and Biological Applications of Lasers: EBAL 2008» Niles, Cairo-Egypt 19-28th January 2008 Title: «Effect of laser energy on structural & optical properties of W: ZnO Grown by PLD» ● -«Global challenges: How can nanotechnology help?» Center for Nanoscience Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat/ Swiss Nanoscience Institute Venice International University on San Servolo, Venice-Italy 20-24th April 2008 Attended by Mr. B.D. Ngom, PhD fellow

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● -«1st International Conference on Laser and Plasma Applications in Materials Sciences» Centre de Developement des Technologies Avancees, 23-26 June 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications» Maaza et al «Promise of Thermochromic Nano-plasmonics» J.B. Kana Kana et al «Dynamic expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO3 laser ablation plume in oxygen gas» S. Lafane et al

● -«1st Yaounde International College on Novel Materials & Technologies & their Impact on Energy, Environment & Sustainable Development» Yaounde-Cameroon 7-12 July 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Promise of Thermochromic Nano-plasmonics» «Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications»

● -«53rd Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics» University of Limpopo, 07-11 July 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Shape anisotropy in nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications» «Synthesis & characterization of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays for H2 production» «Synthesis & linear optical properties of mono-disperse alpha-Cr2O3 nanospheres» «Synthesis-characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for optoelectronic devices » «Thermochromic VO2 nanostructures: Synthesis & optical characterization» «Shape anisotropy nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications» «Characterization of C60-porphyrins nano-structured for solar cells applications»

● -«9th International Conference on Fine Particles: Risks and Opportunities» Cape Town-South Africa 02-05 September 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nanosciences in nature and biomimics» «Synthesis-characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for optoelectronic devices » «Thermochromic VO2 nanostructures: Synthesis & optical characterization» «Monodisperse α-Cr2O3 nano-spheres: Synthesis & optical properties» «Shape anisotropy nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications»

● -«Sciences at Synchrotron conference» Department of Science & Technology of South Africa –CSIR, Pretoria-South Africa 09-13 February 2009 ● -« Gulf-Middle East Regional Workshop on Nanotechnology» Muscat-Oman 12-14 January 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

« Nano-materials for Energy Efficiency » «Properties of Materials at the Nanoscale»

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● -«US-Africa Workshop on Nanotechnology, USAMI-Princeton external activities » Nsukka/Enugu state, Nigeria 15-19 April 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nano-photonics for Energy Efficiency» «Does size matters in materials» ● -«6th International Conference on Inorganic Materials» Dresden-Germany 28-30 September 2008 Participation of: Mr. J. B. Kana Kana, junior team member Poster contribution:

« Well-controlled Reversible Tunable Surface Plasmon Resonance shift in Au-VO2 Thermochromic plasmonic Nanostructures »

12-New partnerships & major future programs NANOAFNET has entered in a synergetic and reciprocal agreements with 3 keys institutions by which its global visibility and continental contribution will be enhanced. As per described below, the 3 strategic components are: (i) the European ICPCNANONET, (ii) the USA CREST-CNFM and (iii) the French MINATEC-Grenoble. ● -«ICPCNanoNet» http://www.icpc-nanonet.org/content/section/5/39/ London-UK Funding agency: EU-FP7

ICPCNanoNet is a support action funded by the EU under FP7 for four years from 1st June 2008. It brings together partners from the EU, China, India and Russia and aims to provide wider access to published nanoscience research, and opportunities for collaboration between scientists in the EU and International Cooperation Partner Countries «ICPC». This is being achieved through an open access electronic archive of nanoscience publications «Nano Archive» and tools to facilitate networking between scientists in different world regions. ICPCNanoNet is coordinated by the Institute of Nanotechnology «UK» and includes Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação «Portugal», St Petersburg Electrotechnical University «Russia», Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research «India», Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology «China», MERIT, Universiteit Maastricht «Netherlands», and Malsch TechnoValuation «Netherlands».

Funded by the EU under FP7 for four years from June 2008, it provides:

• an electronic archive of nanoscience publications that is freely accessible to researchers around the globe; • an electronic database of nanoscience organizations and networks in ICPC;

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• links to nanoscience researchers and stakeholders across the globe; • annual reports on nanoscience developments in eight ICPC regions: Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Latin America, Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC), Western Balkan Countries (WBC); • online networking tools (forums, workshops); • annual workshops, one in each of EU, China, India, and Russia, which will also be webcast to facilitate greater access.

The project builds on previous initiatives including Nanoforum (http://www.nanoforum.org/) which provides information on nanoscience and technology in the EU; EuroIndiaNet (http://www2.spi.pt/euroindianet/) which promoted stronger collaboration between EU and Indian nanoscientists and technologists, and NanoforumEULA (www.mesaplus.utwente.nl/nanoforumeula/) which promotes stronger collaboration between EU and Latin American nanoscientists and technologists.

● -«CREST-CNFM» http://www.cfnm.cau.edu/center.html Atlanta-USA Funding agency: NSF-Africa The Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials was established at Clark Atlanta University on November 1, 2006. The programs and activities of the Center are designed to meet the dual goals of advancing human understanding in the area of nanoscale materials and of increasing the capacity of Clark Atlanta University to train talented scientists in the physical sciences. The Center, though residing at Clark Atlanta University, is multi-institutional and brings into a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship two-year and four-year colleges, research universities and the K-12 community. Furthermore, the Center brings together researchers and educators from different disciplines with demonstrated and complementary strengths in quality research and training students.

An integral component of the Center's international program is its Nanoscholars Abroad Program. Participation in this program is open to undergraduate students, who are majoring in one of the science or mathematics disciplines and who plan to attend graduate school after graduation. Talented undergraduate students from all over the nation are invited to participate in this eight-week program, which is conducted annually during the North American summer months. Participants spend the first two weeks in the Center's laboratories participating in a program of orientations and research. During this orientation period the students will have seminars and workshops designed to prepare them for living and working in a new culture, as well as to acquaint them with the interests, goals and research culture of the host laboratories. In addition, they will begin working on a personal research project, which they will complete in the host laboratory. An online application may be found on this Web site.

The 2009 Nanoscholar Abroad Program begins June 7, 2009, at the CFNM, Atlanta, Georgia, and continues through July 31, 2009, with the return of the participants from Cape Town, South Africa. Participants will spend two weeks at the CFNM in Atlanta before departing for the NANOAFNET headquarters at iThemba LABS in Cape Town, South Africa, for the remaining six weeks of the program. Each participant will work on a personal project, which is

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concerned with some aspect of an ongoing collaboration between CFNM researchers and iTHEMBA LABS scientists. While in Atlanta each participant will be under the direction of one of the CFNM senior scientists and will have as well a graduate student mentor, both of whom will guide and assist the participant in the various aspects of preparation for their work in laboratories of the Center's South African collaborators. While in South Africa, participants will be supervised by senior scientists at the NANOAFNET headquarters at iThemba LABS and will also have a senior scientist from the CFNM as local counselor. To each participant will be provided round-trip transportation from his/her point of origin to the CFNM in Atlanta as well as round-trip transportation between Atlanta and Capetown, South Africa. While in Atlanta, participants will be provided with room and board and while in South Africa, participants will be provided with housing and a per diem allowance. Participants will receive a stipend of $3,200 dollars for their participation and are expected to conduct original research on their personal project. They will also prepare a written report on their work as well as prepare an evaluation of their summer experience.

● -«MINATEC- Nano Grenoble Intiative» http://www.cfnm.cau.edu/center.html Grenoble-France Funding agency: ANR/French Government-France Minatec came into existence at the instigation of CEA-Leti Grenoble and Grenoble INP. Its ambition is to become Europe's top centre for innovation and expertise in micro and nanotechnology. Minatec has this potential, as well as five key ingredients essential to success: ● An integrated approach to innovation Minatec adopts an integrated approach to innovation, from the exploration of technological breakthroughs to immediate industrial applications. This is essential to successfully negotiate the transition from advanced microelectronics to nanotechnology, evolve into heterogeneous microcomponents, and design tomorrow's smart devices and mobile terminals.

● A high concentration of skills and resources Ultimately, 3,500 engineers, researchers and academics will be working at Minatec, in and around cutting edge technological resources and equipment. The resulting close contacts and multicultural exchanges will stimulate and speed up the innovation process.

● A strategy of international alliances and partnerships. This concentration of skills flourishes in an open environment that attracts international scientists and technologists. Moreover, the dynamic of the various networks and collaboration agreements with complementary centers of excellence enhances Minatec's competitive edge.

● An ambitious policy of ongoing investment. A total of € 150m will be invested in Minatec between 2002 and 2005 to fund the new infrastructure, in addition to the € 250m invested by CEA-Léti and INP Grenoble. Moreover, during the last 10 years, the microelectronics industry has invested € 4bn in the Grenoble-Isère area. ● A talent pool dedicated to science and advanced technology. Grenoble-Isère has the necessary scientific, technological and industrial resources to give Minatec an environment that corresponds its ambitions:- 17,000 jobs in scientific and academic research, 220 laboratories and five international research centers, 53,000 students and 10 engineering schools; - a powerful local microelectronics industry, comprising 13,350 workers (including 3,000 in research), 30 international corporations, and 20 high-potential startups launched in the last five years; - decisive support of local authorities

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13-Appendix n°1: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the ICS-UNIDO workshop on nanosciences-nanotechnology

«Support of an AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA»

Remarks by Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the Workshop on Nanotechnology Regional Networking ICS-UNIDO Date: 2008-08-21 12:00 Venue: Somerset West, Cape Town Type: Minister IsArchived: False Content: Programme Director; Ms Naomi Haasbroek, Chair of the Local Organising Committee; Dr Malik Maaza of iThemba Labs; Mr Alfonso Avila of the International Centre for Science; Distinguished Guests and Delegates; Ladies and Gentlemen South Africa is proud to host the Workshop on Nanotechnology Regional Networking. We sincerely thank the organisers for choosing our country to hold these very necessary discussions. The workshop is important to us in more ways than one. Its focus on nanotechnology comes at a time when South Africa is seeing a significant increase in nanotechnology activity. My department launched a National Strategy on Nanotechnology in 2006, through which we hope to position South Africa to take advantage of the potential social and economic benefits offered by this emerging area of research. Nanotechnology has the potential of playing a pivotal role in the advancement of our society, particularly with regard to our concerted efforts in poverty alleviation and health care. Realising this, we are intensifying efforts to implement our nanotechnology strategy. More information on this will be provided by other officials from my Department, but I would like to emphasise our undeterred commitment to ensuring that nanotechnology works for society, and

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helps us to meet the Millennium Development Goals. That is why we have seen it fit not to leave the development of this field of technology to chance. We are working hard to create an enabling environment for science and technology innovation, and taking a number of measures to ensure that society reaps the benefits of their investment in science. One of these is the creation of a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals or parties to enable them to develop and commercialise their technological innovations and inventions. The agency will also draw together and integrate the management of disparate technological innovations that are still at an early development stage, and become a custodian of the Centres of Competence. These centres arise from the need to actively promote greater collaboration between and among academia, industry, research councils, entrepreneurs or technopreneurs, international research organisations, companies, and individual inventors and innovators, such that their collaborative efforts produce socio-economic benefits for the country. The TIA concept is closely aligned with our policy and legislation on intellectual property derived from publicly financed research and development. This has been a grey area for far too long. Bitter experience has revealed the importance of establishing clarity of purpose on the issue. And I will be introducing the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Funded Research and Development Bill for adoption by parliament this afternoon. These initiatives are all part of a larger plan: the Ten-Year Innovation Plan for South Africa, which charts the course to enhanced innovation over the next decade. The plan has enormous potential to contribute to sustained economic growth, and entrenchment of a knowledge-based economy. Five key development focus areas have been identified in the plan as the “grand challenges”. First, is the challenge to develop our bioeconomy. Second, is the need to grow and manage, in a coordinated fashion, our satellite industry and a range of innovations in space sciences, earth observation, communications and navigation. Third, is the challenge to provide energy security, through which we are exploring opportunities in clean coal technologies, nuclear energy, which includes nanotechnology, renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as other promising possibilities. Fourth, is the challenge of global change. The last and most challenging one is in human and social dynamics. Nanotechnology, like all the initiatives I have referred to is a critical part of the Department’s Ten-Year Innovation Plan. We plan to direct the focus of the national system of innovation to address these challenges. And we are confident we will be able to make progress, despite the fact that there are, and will be, many more than these five grand challenges now and in the future.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, this workshop is about regional networking to ensure better access to knowledge. With nanotechnology still at an emerging research area stage, networking and collaboration is critical. South Africa is working closely with India and Brazil, under the IBSA forum, on the development of this area of science. Scientists from the three countries have already identified projects they will pursue jointly to harness the benefits this technology promises. A lot still needs to be done about regional nanotechnology collaboration; hence, the importance of this workshop. We already have a number of science and technology programmes on which we are collaborating. These include, among others, the regional network of Indigenous Knowledge Systems policy makers, the SADC Science, Engineering and Technology Week, and regional policy training. We are planning to expand our cooperation to include programmes on the geosciences, mineral processing, climate change and cyber networks. Furthermore, during South Africa's chairmanship of the SADC, which began this month, we hope to encourage the region to work together to advance science and technology development in general - with nanotechnology most certainly a part of such collaborative efforts. We are doing this, Ladies and Gentlemen, because we know that science and technology can help us improve the life chances of our citizens, and that much more can be accomplished if we pool our efforts. The conditions and challenges we face are by no means unique to this country; they are continental challenges and require a combined approach. We therefore welcome this discussion and trust it will lead to better networking and collaboration on nanotechnology. South Africa is prepared to support the ICS-UNIDO initiative on regional networking, and to take on any tasks that come her way to ensure the success of this initiative. The recently held “Abdus Salam ICTP” Africa Nano-College, and our continued support of programmes such as the African Laser Centre, are only two examples of our willingness to engage in the joint regional development of science and technology. Africa has the opportunity to take its rightful place in the nanotechnology landscape, and we are ready to grab it with both hands. I have mentioned our endeavours to ensure that the ideas generated by our people's original minds and innovative research are exploited, commercialised and managed for the benefit of our country and our people, and articulated the need to entrench nanotechnology at the centre of our science and technology initiatives. I believe this conference will go a long way in positioning Africa at the forefront of this cutting edge research and development area. Let me once again thank the organisers for choosing South Africa for these important discussions, and wish you everything of the best in your deliberations. I thank you.

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13-Appendix n°2: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the NanoAfrica 2009 conference

«Official backup for establishing the AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA at iThemba LABS»

Keynote address by Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the NanoAfrica Conference Date: 2009-02-01 11:00 Venue: Type: Minister IsArchived: False Content:

Dr Sibisi, Dr Sinha Ray, and the organising team;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and gentlemen

As many of you know, our country's space scientists and astronomers are presently engaged in a "Champion's League Final" of astronomical shootouts, as we vie with Australia for the right to host the Square Kilometre Array Telescope in our country. If South Africa wins the bid, many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa will gain from participation in the project.

The SKA will be by far the biggest radio telescope ever, and will have the capability to see so far back into the past to enable us to observe the universe as it was 500 million years after the Big Bang. This telescope will redefine our concept of infinity. For ordinary people like us, it is indeed difficult to grasp the enormous scale of this endeavour.

At the opposite end of the scale, is the nano-world, equally awe-inspiring, in which we South Africans have an equally intense and enthusiastic involvement.

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The prefix "nano" means one thousand millionth. So, at first glance, one might think it's no big deal. But the nano-disciplines have emerged from small beginnings – forgive the pun – to become one of the most enterprising and promising disciplines in the world of science.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to welcome here today a distinguished group of the world's great nano-scientists who, despite the qualifier, appear not only normal-sized, but are also engaged in a science that promises to deliver solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Among them is our very own group of nano-scientists who are doing sterling and original work on the nano-frontier. The abstracts provided by the presenters provide fascinating insights into the many nano-activities taking place in every corner of the world.

Over the next few days, we will learn about the development of this science, and its potential applications in renewable energy sources; nuclear waste-management; minerals beneficiation; and in the development of a new, specific and sensitive DNA biosensor platform, which promises great things for the development of portable DNA diagnostic devices, to mention just a few.

But for South Africa, the most exciting thing of all is the potential that nanotechnology holds to change the lives of the disadvantaged for the better through the production of cost-effective concrete or cements, and increasing the durability of such infrastructure.

Nano-treatments can be used to improve the quality of water in rural communities; and there is promise of a more effective TB treatment due to successes achieved in drug delivery through nanotechnology. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those responsible for these welcome achievements.

The first NanoAfrica conference was held in Cape Town in 2004. Two years before that in 2002, my department began to support endeavours in nanoscience in our country. This led to the formation of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (or SANi), which was the brainchild of keen-minded scientists working in the nano-field. The SANi was instrumental in the development of South Africa's Nanotechnology Strategy.

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The National Nanotechnology Strategy was launched in 2005, and its objectives include active representation of the interests of players in nanotechnology in South Africa, and the provision of a platform for local and international nanoscience. The launch of the IBSA Nanotechnology Forum during this conference symbolises the success of the trilateral cooperation agreement initiated in 2003 by India, Brazil and South Africa's Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

During previous IBSA missions, health, water, energy and advanced materials were identified as areas of mutual interest for possible collaboration. All of these tie in with the National Nanotechnology Strategy.

Existing proposals and new initiatives were discussed at various working group and ministerial level meetings, and in 2007, the IBSA Nanotechnology Proposal was approved. The mentoring of young scientists and the development of human resources were seen as key priorities, and the implementation of the proposal which commences this year starts with the hosting of a nano-school in India in May. The second nano-school on Health will be hosted in South Africa in November.

In addition to this, we are serious about our responsibility to disseminate information and raise levels of awareness about nanoscience and nanotechnology in society, including schools and universities.

The National Nanotechnology Strategy identifies six focus areas, namely, water, health, energy, chemical and bioprocessing, mining and minerals, and advanced materials and manufacturing, as areas for the application of nano-solutions to challenges faced by our country.

The implementation plan for the Nanotechnology Strategy broadly outlines programmes and projects spread over 10 years that will contribute to the attainment of our strategic objectives. They involve the creation of platforms for human capital development, building of infrastructure, and promotion of innovative thinking, ideas and ways of doing things.

In many ways, nanotechnology is already well established and has brought benefits for most during the 20th century. Many of its techniques and applications, such as powder metallurgy, catalysis, optical coatings and semiconductor films, have been around for over 50 years.

On top of these, there are new materials such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes; new synthesis methods such as catalytic or hot-wire chemical vapour deposition and biosynthesis; and new applications for solar cells and thin film transistors. Consolidating the old and the new, including various academic disciplines such as chemistry, physics and engineering, under the name "nanotechnology", opens opportunities for developments in new materials.

Because many of the techniques and research areas are well established, South Africa is not performing badly in nanotechnology, given the current levels of research funding. In university physics and chemistry departments, and engineering faculties throughout the country, there are many active research programmes in different areas of nanotechnology, as this conference will reveal.

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My department has encouraged and supported the nano-community's involvement in collaborative research through various bilateral agreements with other countries, both developing and developed. South African scientists are currently involved in, among others, the European Union's Framework Programme and the successful India-Brazil-South Africa collaboration already alluded to.

My department also endorsed the establishment of the Nanocentre for Africa at iThemba LABS, which began following the deliberations of the ICS-UNIDO workshop held in August last year. The centre is the continental platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology, and its aim is to produce solutions to pressing socio-economic problems related to health, water and energy.

The centre's mission includes:

(iv) networking in Africa and beyond to facilitate integration into larger programmes;

(v) marketing and communication with a focus on Africa's business sectors, and decision and policy makers; and

(vi) human capital development.

The centre will have regional and national nodes, with the main node located at iThemba LABS.

Since nanotechnology is a new area of research in Africa, the centre will have to play a critical role in promoting awareness about it. During our term as chair of the SADC, South Africa will also ensure that a platform is created for regional dialogue in this area.

The SADC Heads of State approved a protocol on science, technology and innovation in August last year, and in December the SADC Ministers for STI met and mandated the development of an SADC science, technology and innovation strategy, in which nanotechnology will be one of the priority areas.

Other initiatives in the fields of nanoscience and technology we are involved include:

• A nanoscience centre at the University of the Western Cape, which will mainly focus the teaching of nanoscience, thus contributing to human capital development;

• A Nanotechnology Advisory Board, which has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the strategy;

• The development of a Nanotechnology Public Awareness Plan to ensure that the public benefits from the products and applications developed, and industry from the human capital development initiatives currently taking place. Our publicity campaign will be run by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, and will feature at the National Science Week events in May.

• Research chairs have been established at several universities to strengthen research capacity in various areas of nanotechnology.

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In 2007, the first two national nanotechnology innovation centres were opened, one here at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the other at Mintek. The work at these centres is in line with the National Strategy, although each centre has its own research focus.

The focus of the CSIR National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials (NCNSM) is on materials and energy research, while the centre at Mintek concentrates on water, health, mining and minerals. As mentioned earlier, these areas have been identified in our National Nanotechnology Strategy for harnessing nanoscience and nanotechnology to solve our social development issues.

We are delighted with our progress and relatively early adoption of these nano-disciplines, which hold such exciting prospects for good.

We are very appreciative of the insights that will be provided by the nano-experts from Africa and the rest of the developed and developing world. Some of the most prominent minds and promising students in nanotechnology and nanoscience are gathered here, and I must say again how very welcome you are, and how honoured we are that you have come.

As a developing country, we believe that nano-disciplines will contribute to our development, and have faith that interaction and collaboration with the best is a vital element in speeding up the process.

I want to close with a quotation from the website of Nanotechnology Now, about the ethics of nanotechnology, which states that:

Nanotechnology's highest and best use should be to create a world of abundance where no one is lacking for their basic needs. Those needs include adequate food, safe water, a clean environment, housing, medical care, education, public safety, fair labor, unrestricted travel, artistic expression and freedom from fear and oppression.

In the hope we will achieve some of these promises soon, I have great pleasure in declaring NanoAfrica 2009 officially open.

I thank you.

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NANOAFNET

●NANOsciences AFrican NETwork,

Nanosciences Laboratories, Materials Research Group,

iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa Old Faure road, POBox 722, Somerset West 7129,

Western Cape province, South Africa Tel: +00 27 21 843 1145/46/49

Fax: +00 27 21 843 3543 Email: Maaza@tlabs.ac.za

(To Prof. M. Maaza, Chairman)

1

NANOAFNET

NANOSCIENCE NETWORK

2008-09 END YEAR REPORT

[NANOFNET, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa]

2

NANOAFNET

●NANOsciences AFrican NETwork,

Nanosciences Laboratories, Materials Research Group,

iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa Old Faure road, POBox 722, Somerset West 7129,

Western Cape province, South Africa Tel: +00 27 21 843 1145/46/49

Fax: +00 27 21 843 3543 Email: Maaza@tlabs.ac.za

(To Prof. M. Maaza, Chairman)

3

-Content 1-Sponsorship & Support 4

2-Summary & Statements 5

3-Highlights & Major Achievements 7

4-Capacity building & junior fellows mobility program 9

5-Senior fellows mobility program 14

6-International visiting scientists 16

7-Research outputs: Awarded dissertations 19

8-Research outputs: Peer review publications 20

9-Research outputs: Awards & recognitions 21

10-Research outputs: Organized international conferences 22

11-Research outputs: Attended international conferences 23

12-New partnerships & major future programs 25

13-Current structure of the NANOAFNET 26

14-Appendix n°1: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the ICS-UNIDO workshop on nanosciences-nanotechnology

«Support of an AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA» 28

Appendix n°2: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the NanoAfrica 2009 conference «Official backup for establishing the AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA at

iThemba LABS» 31

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1-Sponsorship & Support ●The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Trieste-Italy ●The South African Department of Science & Technology

Pretoria-South Africa ●The International Centre for Science & Technology-UNIDO/ ICS-UNIDO

Trieste-Italy ●The African Laser Center

Pretoria-South Africa ●The American National Science Foundation

Arlington-USA ●The South African National Research Foundation

Pretoria-South Africa ●iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation

Cape Province-South Africa ●International Union for Pure & Applied Physics

Washington-USA ●Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique CNRS

Paris-France ●The French Embassy in South Africa

Pretoria office-France ●The National Institute for Materials Sciences

Tsukuba-Japan

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2-Summary & Statements In line with its mission and vision, The Nanosciences African Network «NANOAFNET» has reinforced its continental and global platforms via:

(i) Enhanced networking in Africa and beyond to facilitate integration into larger programs including NEPAD S&T and African Laser Centre initiatives;

(ii) Marketing and communication with a focus on Africa's business sectors, and decision and policy makers both in Africa and internationally in particular within the Trieste system; and

(iii) Capacity building development specifically at the postgraduate leve and human capital mobility within the continent.

Within this financial 2008-2009 year, «NANOAFNET» and its members have diligently implemented its programs with the graphically summarized outputs as indicated below: ●New joint partnerships ●Attended international events ●Organized (Co-) international conferences ●Visiting international scientists/policy makers ●Senior visiting fellows ●Junior visiting fellows ●Peer review publications ●Gender ratio: Male 21/Female 7 ●Postgraduate enrolled students ●Awards Keynote address by Honourable Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the NanoAfrica Conference Date: 2009-02-01 11:00 , NANOAFRICA 2009-CSIR, Pretoria-South Africa My department also endorsed the establishment of the Nanocentre for Africa at iThemba LABS, which began following the deliberations of the ICS-UNIDO workshop held in August last year. The centre is the continental platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology, and its aim is to produce solutions to pressing socio-economic problems related to health, water and energy.……………………………. The centre will have regional and national nodes, with the main node located at iThemba LABS. http://www.dst.gov.za/media-room/speeches/keynote-address-by-minister-mosibudi-mangena-at-the-nanoafrica-

conference

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NANOAFNET’s STRUCTURE

● Collegial council, ● 8 RCPs (Regional Coordinators) ● 29 NCPs (National Contact Points) ● e-Desk & Diaspora (Electronic-Assistance) ● Programmes -Junior fellowships & human capital mobility -Senior fellowships & human capital mobility -Fund matching program -International Exchange program -Establishment of an Africa Nanotechnology Center Initiative

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3-Highlights & Major Achievements The 2008-09 financial year is characterized by a series of specific capacity building outputs and an extensive continental and international synergies involving several junior and senior fellows of the NANOAFNET. Among them one should quote the most relevant followings:

●Magna Cum Laude by an international panel for the 1st joint PhD Senegal-South

Africa fellow registered both at the University Cheikh Anta Diop-Dakar/Senegal and University of the Western Cape/South Africa. This would pave a way to as intended a potential African PhD Diploma.

●Cum Laude & Honours of the jury by an international panel for a joint 1st PhD

Cameroon-South Africa fellow registered both at the University of Yaounde I/ Cameroon and University of the Western Cape/South Africa. This would pave a way to as intended a potential African PhD Diploma.

● Six awarded postgraduate degrees from High Education

Institutions in Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon and South Africa.

● Twenty nine enrolled African junior fellows including 2 French

postgraduate students who carried out the bulk component of their experimental/theoretical/modeling research projects at the NANOAFNET’s headquarters.

●Fourtheen ISI peer reviewed publications including one in Nature.

●Official Ministerial support for the creation of the Africa Nano Centre By The South African Minister of Science & Technology; Honourable Mr. M. Mangena.

● Eight long term African senior visiting fellows.

● World premier demonstration of the semiconductor-metallic 1st

order Mott transition in single nano crystal of VO2 and possibility of fabrication of an ultrafast photo-induced tunable femtosecond electronic gate.

● For the first time, egineering of highly ordered doped ZnO nanorods without any

initial VLSI type atomic seed by pulsed laser deposition.

● Demonstration of the tunable photo-wettability of such nano-structures and the

possibility to use them combined with a liquid drops as tunable foci lensing systems.

●. Ongoing proof of concept of a femtosecond photocontrolable ultrafast

optoelectronic nano-gate. This component is intended to be developed jointly with the African Laser Centre.

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Group photograph with Honourable Minister Mr. M. Mangena, Minister of Science

& Technology of the Republic of South Africa during the ICS-UNIDO workshop «August 2008» which has paved the way to the Africa Nanotechnology Centre

for which the ALC is considered as a role model. From left to right are:

● Prof. N. Cingo [Chairman of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative], South Africa ● Dr. G. Bertogli [Managing Director of the ICS-UNIDO], Italy ● Dr. N. Manyala [RCP-NANOAFNET Southern Africa], Lesotho ● Dr. R. Nemutudi [Vice-Chair of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative],South Africa ● Prof. A.C. Beye [CEO African Laser Centre], Senegal ● Honourable Minister Mr. M. Mangena [South African Minsitry of Science & Technology], ● Prof. M. Maaza [Chairman of the NANOAFNET], South Africa ● Dr. Z. Vilakazi [Director of iThemba LABS], South Africa ● Dr. A. Avila-Merino [Manager, ICS-UNIDO], Italy ● Dr. G. Schiarabba [Science & Technology Attache, Embassy of Italy], Italy

● Prof. E. Kiremere [Representative of Hon. Minister S&T in Rwanda, Mr. R. Murenzi], Rwanda ● Mrs. N. Haasbroek [Organising Committee member, iThemba LABS], South Africa ● Dr. O. Nemraoui [Representative of the Algerian Materials Society], Algeria ● Ms. R. Ngoato [Deputy Director, South African Dept. Science & Technology], South Africa

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4-Capacity building & junior fellows mobility program In line with the major target of the mission of the NANOAFNET, and for the second consecutive year, the focus was towards capacity building and junior mobility within the continent. The first cohort of graduated fellows has been established with a relatively significant excellence ratio. This financial year 2008-2009 fellows are as follows:

●Mr. Bala Diop Ngom Senegal PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Cheikh Anta-Diop, Dakar-Senegal and University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Experimental Study of the microstructureoptical properties of nanostructured thin films and nanorods of ZnO:W prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition» Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoessen/Prof. A.C. Beye/Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2773421

●Mr. Jean Bosco Kana Kana Cameroon PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Yaounde, Yaounde-Cameroon and University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Reversible Tunability in novel ultrafast nano-plasmonics: Synthesis and characterization of Au-VO2 nano-photonics». Supervisors: Dr. J. M. Ndjaka/Prof. D. Knoessen/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2773439

●Mr. Benias Nyamuda Zimbabwe PhD fellow Male Registered at the Tshwane University of Technology «ZnO nano-structures by hydrothermal for photonics and gas sensing applications» Supervisors: Prof. N. Cingo/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 208341081

●Mr. Slimane Lafane Algeria MSc fellow Male Completed 2008 University of Bab Ezzouar-Algiers & CDTA, Algiers-Algeria «Dynamic Expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO Laser Ablation Plume in Oxygen Gas» Supervisors: Dr. T. Kerdja/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: Not available

●Mr. Salah Khamlich Morocco PhD fellow Male Registered at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria-South Africa

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«Optical & photo-induced properties of alpha-Cr2O3 nanospheres » Supervisors: Prof. N. Cingo/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2880959

●Mr. Simon Chigome Botswana PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana «Porphyrin and luminescent based nano-photonics by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. N. Torto/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: Not available

●Mr. Adura Abiona Nigeria MSc fellow Male Registered at the Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria «Nano-composites photonics by electrospinning». Supervisors: Dr. A. Fasasi/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: scp0506h0368

●Mr. Given Kalonga Zambia MSc fellow Male Registered at the National University of Zambia, Lusaka-Zambia «C60 functionalized PCBM-TiO2 hybrid nano-structured solar cells» Supervisors: Dr. K. Chinyama/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 526005409

●Ms. Nawal Diourri Morocco PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco «Photonics properties of ZnO-SWCNTs and ZnO-MWCNTs by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. M. Baitoul Registration N°: 2098842025

●Mr. Mohamed Khenfouche Morocco PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco «Photonics and transport properties of Graphene-polymer based nano-composites by electrospinning» Supervisors: Prof. M. Baitoul Registration N°: 2199758964

●Mr. Mohamed Salhi Algeria PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers-Algeria

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«Photonics properties of multilayered and Fabry-Perot type nano-structures for matter wave optics applications» Supervisors: Prof. L. Guerbous/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ster Mammeri Algeria PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers-Algeria «Radiation and photo-induced effects in pulsed laser deposited bismuth nan-structures» Supervisors: Prof. H. Ammi

●Mr. Thomas Urdampiletta France MSc fellow Male Registered at the Ecole Polytechnique de Grenoble/ France «Nano-TiO2 by a novel hydrothermal processing: Physical & photocatalytic properties » Supervisor: Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ariel Haziot France MSc fellow Male Registered at the Ecole Polytechnique de Grenoble/ France «Nano-rods of Mn2O3 by a novel hydrothermal processing and investigation of their physical properties » Supervisor: Prof. M. Maaza

●Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali, South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Photonics properties of self-assembled C60 nanorods» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20012617

●Mr. Cebo Ndanganmandla South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and Photo-splitting properties of undoped and doped Fe2O3 nanorods » Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 022581

●Ms. P. Nanky Mongkawetsi South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Stellenbosch, South Africa «Optical properties of porphyrin-polymer nano-photonics» Supervisors: Dr. R. Sparrow/ Prof.B. Klumperman/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

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●Ms. M. Mpho Makgale South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at University of Northwest, South Africa «Raman investigations of radiation induced effects in carbon and silicon carbide nano-structures» Supervisors: Dr. R. Sparrow/Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Mr. Praise Sibuyi South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at the University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Radiations induced effects in carbon and silicon carbide based nano-structures» Supervisors: Prof. R. Madjoe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2474557

●Mr. Joseph Sithole South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Physical-Chemical Properties of Shape-Size Controlled ZnO nano-Particles » Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoesen/ Prof. M. Maaza/ Dr. N. Manyala Registration N°: 2880959

●Mr. Hasting Cele South Africa MSc fellow Male To be submitted April 2009 Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and physical properties of nano-structured VOx by sol-gel processing» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Mr. Zanele M. Khumalo South Africa MSc fellow Male To be submitted April 2009 Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Photonics and gas sensing properties of ZnO nanorods» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 10496211

●Ms. Nolwazi Shozi South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Radiation induced effects on graphene nano-sheets» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20042189

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●Ms. Puleng Mbuyisa South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Graphene based nano-structures as potential transparent conducting oxides equivalent and NLO properties» Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 20042274

●Mr. P. Sotobe Sibiya South Africa MSc fellow Male Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured diamond like carbon by dual beam pulsed laser ablation-pulsed gas feeding». Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Mrs. G. Hlengiwe Mhlongo South Africa MSc fellow Female Registered at the University of Zululand-South Africa «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured meso-porous nano-TiO2 by self evaporation synthesis». Supervisors: Prof. M.O. Ndwandwe/ Prof. M. Maaza

●Ms. Irene Mabuda South Africa PhD fellow Female Registered at the University of Pretoria «High intense laser radiation effects on graphene nano-sheets» Supervisors: Dr. N. Manyala/Dr. R. Nemutudi/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 29679533

●Mr. Phillip Shechogela South Africa PhD fellow Male Registered at University of Western Cape, Belleville-South Africa «Novel reversibly active ZnO-VO2 transparent conducting oxide nano-composites» Supervisors: Prof. D. Knoessen/ Prof. M. Maaza Registration N°: 2774865

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5-Senior fellows mobility program Exploiting the previously established fund matching strategy and having implemented new research nano-infrastructure on site at iThemba LABS, the headquarters of the NANOAFNET, the following seniors fellows have visited and conducted their research projects for periods ranging from ~1 to 3 months: ●Dr. John Ajao, Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria Research subproject: «Nanomaterials by electrospinning» Sojourn period: ~3 months

Ife Ife- Nigeria ●Dr. Evariste Minani, Affiliation: National University of Rwanda, Kigali-Rwanda Research subproject: «ZnO nano-structured systems by CVD type approach» Sojourn period: ~3 ½ months

Kigali- Rwanda ●Dr. Mantoa Sekota, Affiliation: National University of Lesotho, Roma-Lesotho Research subproject: «Design & engineering of synthetic porphyrins absed systems for photonics applications» Sojourn period: ~1 ½ months

Maseru- Lesotho ●Dr. Lakhdar Guerbous, Affiliation: Laboratoire de Photonique, COMENA, Algiers-Algeria Research subproject: «Photoluminescence properties of nano-scaled materials» Sojourn period: ~3 months

Algiers- Algeria ●Dr. Ncholu Manyala, Affiliation: National University of Lesotho, Roma-Lesotho Research subproject: «nano-magnetism & spintronics » Sojourn period: ~2 ½ months

Maseru- Lesotho ●Prof. Fouad Lahlou, Affiliation: Univ. Dhar El Mehrez, Fes-Morocco Research subproject: «Theory & modeling in nano-scaled systems» Sojourn period: ~½ months

Fes- Morocco ●Prof. O. Muzi Ndwandwe, Affiliation: Dept. of Physics and Engineering, Univ. of Zululand, Kwazulu Natal-South Africa Research subproject: «Thins films: Interfacial phenomena & physical stability» Sojourn period: ~2 months

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Kwazulu Natal- South Africa ●Dr. Ouassini Nemraoui, Affiliation: Dept. of Physics and Engineering, Univ. of Zululand, Kwazulu natal-South Africa Research subproject: «Gas sensing investigations of various nano-scaled oxides» Sojourn period: ~4 months

Kwazulu Natal- South Africa ●Prof. Adeneyi Fasasi, Affiliation: Obafemi Awolowe University, Ife Ife-Nigeria Research subproject: «Ferroelectric Nanomaterials by Pulsed Laser Deposition» Sojourn period: ~1 month

Ife Ife- Nigeria ●Prof. Aboubakar Chedikh Beye, Affiliation: University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Dakar Fann-Senegal Research subproject: «Nanophotonics» Sojourn period: ~2 weeks

Dakar- Senegal ●Dr. Omar Sakho, Affiliation: University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Dakar Fann-Senegal Research subproject: «PhotoEmmission properties of nanoscaled materials» Sojourn period: ~2 weeks [Reported]

Dakar- Senegal ●Prof. Mohamed Abdel Harith, Affiliation: National Institute of Lasers for Enhanced Sciences, Cairo-Egypt Research subproject: «Lasers & nanosciences» Sojourn period: ~1 week

Cairo- Egypt ●Dr. Juma Shaabane, Affiliation: UNESCO office, Bamako-Mali Contribution: «New Technologies for developing world: focus on Africa» Sojourn period: ~1 week

Bamako- Mali ●Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, Affiliation: International Council for Scientific Unions, Africa office, Pretoria-South Africa Contribution: «Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies: opportunities for Africa» Sojourn period: ~ ½ week

Pretoria- South Africa

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6-International visiting scientists

Within the marketing strategy of the NANOAFNET, various international scientists from out of Africa have visited the headquarters at iThemba LABS during which interaction with junior fellows specifically has been encouraged. The following list summarizes the above mentioned set of international visiting scientists and policy makers:

●Prof. Giorgio Rosso-Cicogna Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Talk:«Nanotechnology programs at the ICS-UNIDO: Focus on nanodrugs delivery» Period: December 2008

●H.E. Mr. Giusto Schiarabba Italy Home institution: Embassy of Italy in South Africa, Pretoria-South Africa Period: April 2008

●Dr. Lionel Vayssieres Japan Home institution: National Institute for Materials Sciences, Tsukuba-Japan Talk:«1-D nanostructures by hydrothermal processing» Period: July 2008

●Prof. Brian Augustine USA Fulbright Scholar position Home institution: James Madison University, USA Talk:« Capstone nanotechnology course at the Global Colloquium on Engineering Education» Period: October 2008

●Prof. David Lundberg USA

Home institution: Univ. California Los Angeles Talk:«R&D at California NanoSystems Institute-Univ. of Califronia Los Angeles» Period: February 2009

●Dr. Anatoli Balagurov Russia Home institution: Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna-Russia Period: February 2009

●Dr. Elizabeth Lyons USA Home institution: National Science Foundation, Arlington-USA Period: April 2008

●Prof. Alain Gibaud France Home institution: University of Le Maine, Le Mans-France Talk:«GISAX and XRR as probing tools for nanomaterials» Period: February 2009

●Dr. Iryna Peripichka Canada Home institution: Ottawa University, Ottawa-Canada

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Talk:«Nanostructured polymers by self assembly» Period: July 2008

●Prof. Samuel Elmaleh France Home institution: Embassy of France, Pretoria-Office, South Africa Period: August 2008

●Mr. Jian Ann China Home institution: Embassy of China, Pretoria-South Africa Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies in China» Period: August 2008

●Prof. Nelson Torto Botswana Home institution: National University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana Period: August 2008

●Dr. Anne Corval France Home institution: Centre national pour la recherché Scientifique, Johannesburg Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologie Programmes in France» Period: August 2008

●Prof. O. Olesugun Adewoye Nigeria Home institution: NASENI, Abuja- Nigeria Talk: :«Nigerian Nanotechnologie Initiative» Period: August 2008

●Dr. Surya Raghu Italy Home institution: Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste-Italy Period: August 2008

●Prof. M. C. Karemera Rwanda Home institution: National University of Rwanda, Kigali-Rwanda Period: August 2008

●Prof. Aggrey Ambali South Africa Home institution: NEPAD, Pretoria-Office Talk: :«African S&T Driven Initiatives: ABNE, Innovation Indiactors Initiative» Period: August 2008

●Dr. Alfonso Avila Merino Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Period: August 2008

●Dr. Graziano Bertogli Italy Home institution: ICS-UNIDO, Trieste-Italy Talk: :«Nanosciences-Nanotechnologies: ICS Nanoawards» Period: August 2008

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Group photograph with Honouable Mr. G. Rosso Cicogna, Director of the ICS-

UNIDO/Italy during his visit to the headquarters of the NANOAFNET at iThemba

LABS-national Research Foundation of South Africa. From left to right are:

● Dr. J. Ajao, Nigeria ● Dr. Dr. A. Nechaev, Russia ● Mr. P. Sibuyi, South Africa ● Mr. S. Toumban, Cameroon ● Mr. A. Abiona, Nigeria ● Dr. O. Nemraoui, Algeria ● Prof. M. Maaza, South Africa ● Mr. Ph. Schelogela, South Africa ● Honourable Mr. G. Rosso-Cicogna, Italy ● Mr. S. Chigome, Botswana ● Mr. S. Khamlich, Morocco ● Ms. I. Mabuda, South Africa ● Mr. J.B. Kana Kana, Cameroon ● Mr. B. Nyamuda, Zimbabwe ● Mr. H. Cele, South Africa ● Mr. C.B. Mtshali, South Africa ● Mr. C. Nlanganmandla, South Africa

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7-Research outputs: Awarded dissertations

In line with the target of the network in developing a continental postgraduate diploma in nanosciences-nanotechnology, various junior NANOAFNET fellows have completed and graduated at various African high education institutions. Several of them have scored sounding academic levels as per the judgment of international peer review panels in accordance with the excellence motto of the NANOAFNET:

● Awardee: Dr. J.B. Kana Kana Cameroon Awarded PhD dissertation: «Reversible Tunability in novel ultrafast nano-plasmonics: Synthesis and characterization of Au-VO2 nano-photonics». October 2008

Level: Cum Laude & Honours of the jury

● Awardee: Dr. B.D. Ngom Senegal Awarded PhD dissertation: «Experimental Study of the microstructure and optical properties of nanostructured thin films and nanorods of ZnO:W prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition». March 2009

Level: Magna Cum Laude by an international panel

● Awardee: Mr. Slimane Lafane Algeria Awarded MSc dissertation: «Dynamic Expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO Laser Ablation Plume in Oxygen Gas». July 2008 University of Bab Ezzouar-Algiers & CDTA-Algiers/ Algeria

● Awardee: Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of C60 nanorods by self assembly and molecular recognition». July 2008

Level: Cum Laude by University of Zululand

● Awardee: Mr. P. Sotobe Sibiya South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured diamond like carbon by dual beam pulsed laser ablation-pulsed gas feeding». July 2008

Level: Cum Laude by University of Zululand

● Awardee: Mrs. G. Hlengiwe Mhlongo South Africa Awarded MSc dissertation: «Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured meso-porous nano-TiO2 by self evaporation synthesis». November 2008

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8-Research outputs: Peer review publications ● N. Manyala, J. F. DiTusa1, G. Aeppli & A. P. Ramirez « Doping a semiconductor to create an unconventional metal» Nature. Vol 454, 21 august 2008, doi:10.1038/nature07137, 2008 ● B. D. Ngom, T. Mpahane , N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, U Buttner, J.B. Kana Kana, A. Fasasi, M.Maaza, A. C. Beye. «Structural & Optical properties of nanostructured W-doped ZnO Thin Films grown by pulsed Pulsed Laser Deposition» Applied Surface Science 255, pp 4153-4158, 2009 ● Maaza, M.; Chambalo, Herculano; Ekambaram, S.; Nemraoui, O.; Ngom, B.; Manyala,N. «Pulsed Laser Liquid Solid Interaction: Synthesis of Pt, Au, Ag and Cu Nano-suspensions & their stability»

Int. J. of Nanoparticles, Vol. 1, Number 3, pp. 212-223 [12], 2008. ● G. Hailu, · G. Tessema, · B.D. Ngom, · N. Manyala and M. Maaza «Nonlinear optical absorption properties of porphyrins confined in Nafion membranes» Appl. Phys. A, DOI 10.1007/s00339-009-5147-9, 2009. ● G. O. Egharevba, R. C. George and M. Maaza « Effect of Heat on the Morphology and Optical Properties of Porphyrin Nanostructures» Synthesis and Reactivity in Inorganic, Metal-Organic, and Nano-Metal Chemistry, DOI: 10.1080/15533170802440565, 38:681–687, 2008 ● B. D. Ngom, J. B. Kana Kana, O. Nemraoui, N.Manyala, M. Maaza, R. Madjoe & A. C. Beye «Infrared active Sm1−xNdxNiO3 based nano-switchings for high powers laser sources»

American Institute of Physics Procs., Vol. 1047, pp. 280-283, 2008. ● N. Manyala, Balla Ngom, J. B. Kana-Kana, R. Bucher, M. Maaza, and J. F. DiTusa «Characterization Of Fe1−xCoxSi thin films deposited via pulsed laser deposition» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 127-129, 2008. ● J. B. Kana Kana, J. M. Ndjaka, P. Owono Ateba, B. D. Ngom, N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, A. C. Beye, M. Maza. «Thermochromic VO2 thin films synthesized by rf-inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering» Applied Surface Science 254, 3959–3963, 2008. ● A.Y. Fasasi, M. Maaza. E. Rohwer et al «Effect of Zn-doping on the structural and optical properties of BaTiO3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition» Thin Solid Films, Vol.516, Iss.18, pp.6226-6232, 2008 ● A.Y. Fasasi, M. Maaza, C. Theron et al «Non-linear absorption and second harmonic imaging of Zn-BaTiO3 thin films prepared by laser ablation» Thin Solid Films, Vol.516, Iss.18, pp.6233-6239, 2008

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● M. Maaza «Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 49-49, 2008. ● S. Lafane, T. Kerdja, A. Abdelli-Messaci, S. Malek and M. Maaza «Laser ablated plasma dynamics for Sm1−xNdxNiO3 thin films deposition» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 127-129, 2008. ● J. B. Kana-Kana,J.M. Ndjaka, N. Manyala, O. Nemraoui, A.C. Beye & M. Maaza «Combined thermochromic and plasmonic: Optical responses in novel nano-composites Au-VO2 films prepared by RF inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering» American Institute of Physics Procs. Vol. 1047, pp. 119-122, 2008. ● J.B. Kana Kana, D.Knoesen, J.M. Ndjaka, O. Nemraoui, M. Maaza « Effect of substrate temperatura and rf power on the semiconductor-metal phase transition of sputtered VO2 thin films» Article accepted to Applied Surface Science 2009 ● M. Maaza Special Vol. in Int. J. Nanotechnology « Photonic Multifunctionality and Tunability of ZnO based nanostructures»

9-Research outputs: Awards & recognitions

●-«Francis-Taylor UK Award for outstanding research work presentation» Obtained during the 2008 International Fine Particles Conference/Awardee: Mr. J. Sithole ●-«American Biographical Institute Award» Awarded by the ABI institute in November 2008/ Awardee: Prof. M. Maaza ●-«Magna Cum-Laude for outstanding PhD dissertation» Obtained during the PhD defense in March 2009 by an international panel/ Awardee: Mr. B.D. Ngom ●-«Cum-Laude & Honours of the Jury for outstanding PhD dissertation» Obtained during the PhD defense in October 2008 / Awardee: Mr. J.B. Kana Kana ●-«Cum-Laude MSc degree» Obtained during the 2008 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering Degrees Committee of the University of Zululand / Awardee: Mr. Ch. B. Mtshali ●-«Cum-Laude MSc degree» Obtained during the 2008 Faculty of Sciences and Engineering Degrees Committee of the University of Zululand / Awardee: Mr. P. S. Sibiya

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10-Research outputs: Organized (Co-) international conferences Within the global visibility of the NANOAFNET, senior members have actively been involved in organizing (Co-) scientific international / national scientific in Africa with various international institutions, specifically with the Abdus Salam ICTP. The following list summarizes the most relevant to the multi-disciplinatry activities of the network:

● -«ICTP School on Computational Materials Science» Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa-Ethiopia 15-26 September 2008 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. D. Genene Tessema & Dr. Semu Kassa

● -«ICS UNIDO iThemba LABS Workshop» iThemba LABS, Cape Town-South Africa 19-23 August 2008 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. R. Nemutudi, Prof. N. Cingo, Dr. N. Manyala, Dr. A. Fasasi, Prof.A. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza,

● -« CIMER 2009: Colloque International sur les Matériaux et Energies Renouvelables 2009» Brazaville- Congo 1-5 March 2009 Organizing/ International Advisory committee (Among): Dr. J. M. Ndjaka, Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«NanoAfrica 2009» CSIR International conference centre, Pretoria-South Africa 1st-4th February 2009 Organizing committee (Among): Dr. R. Nemutudi, Prof. N. Cingo, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«1st International Conference on Laser and Plasma Applications in Materials Sciences» Centre de Developement des Technologies Avancees, 23-26 June 2008 Organizing committee/International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Dr. T. Kerdja, Prof. A. C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«1st Yaounde International College on Novel Materials & Technologies & their Impact on Energy, Environment & Sustainable Development» Yaounde-Cameroon 7-12 July 2008 Organizing committee / International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Dr. J.M. Ndjaka, Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza

● -«9th International Conference on Fine Particles: Risks and Opportunities» Cape Town-South Africa 02-05 September 2008 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. N. Cingo, . M. Maaza

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● -«New Materials Design Technology for the Next Generation of Performed Components» Algiers-Algeria 18-20 May 2009 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. A.C. Beye, Prof. M. Maaza, Dr. L. Guerbous, H. Aourag, Dr. S. Eljaziri

● -«International Conference on nanotechnology & Advanced Materials» Univ. Bahrain-Bahrain 4-7th May 2009 International Scientific/Advisory committee (Among): Prof. M. Maaza, team member

11-Research outputs: Attended international conferences

● -«Accelerators & High Intense Lasers» Stellenbosch-South Africa 01-09 April 2009 ● -«Advanced school on Synchrotron and free electron laser sources and their multi-disciplinary applications» Trieste-Italy, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, 07-25 April 2008 Attended by: Mr. Ch. Bongani Mtshali, PhD fellow ● -«IS-TCOs 2008: 2nd Interational Symposium on Transparent Conductive Oxides» Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Crete-Greece, 22-26/10 2008, Title: Photonic Multifunctionality and Tunability of ZnO based nanostructures ● -«NanoAfrica 2009» CSIR International conference centre, Pretoria-South Africa 1st-4th February 2009 Title: tailored nano-systems for energy/photonics applications ● -«CIMER 2009: Colloque International sur les Matériaux et Energies Renouvelables 2009» Brazzaville-Congo 1-5 March 2009 ● -«Third US-African Advanced Institute Environmental and Biological Applications of Lasers: EBAL 2008» Niles, Cairo-Egypt 19-28th January 2008 Title: «Effect of laser energy on structural & optical properties of W: ZnO Grown by PLD» ● -«Global challenges: How can nanotechnology help?» Center for Nanoscience Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat/ Swiss Nanoscience Institute Venice International University on San Servolo, Venice-Italy 20-24th April 2008 Attended by Mr. B.D. Ngom, PhD fellow

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● -«1st International Conference on Laser and Plasma Applications in Materials Sciences» Centre de Developement des Technologies Avancees, 23-26 June 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications» Maaza et al «Promise of Thermochromic Nano-plasmonics» J.B. Kana Kana et al «Dynamic expansion of Sm1-xNdxNiO3 laser ablation plume in oxygen gas» S. Lafane et al

● -«1st Yaounde International College on Novel Materials & Technologies & their Impact on Energy, Environment & Sustainable Development» Yaounde-Cameroon 7-12 July 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Promise of Thermochromic Nano-plasmonics» «Nano-scaled materials and photonics applications»

● -«53rd Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics» University of Limpopo, 07-11 July 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Shape anisotropy in nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications» «Synthesis & characterization of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays for H2 production» «Synthesis & linear optical properties of mono-disperse alpha-Cr2O3 nanospheres» «Synthesis-characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for optoelectronic devices » «Thermochromic VO2 nanostructures: Synthesis & optical characterization» «Shape anisotropy nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications» «Characterization of C60-porphyrins nano-structured for solar cells applications»

● -«9th International Conference on Fine Particles: Risks and Opportunities» Cape Town-South Africa 02-05 September 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nanosciences in nature and biomimics» «Synthesis-characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for optoelectronic devices » «Thermochromic VO2 nanostructures: Synthesis & optical characterization» «Monodisperse α-Cr2O3 nano-spheres: Synthesis & optical properties» «Shape anisotropy nano-structured undoped ZnO for gas sensing applications»

● -«Sciences at Synchrotron conference» Department of Science & Technology of South Africa –CSIR, Pretoria-South Africa 09-13 February 2009 ● -« Gulf-Middle East Regional Workshop on Nanotechnology» Muscat-Oman 12-14 January 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

« Nano-materials for Energy Efficiency » «Properties of Materials at the Nanoscale»

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● -«US-Africa Workshop on Nanotechnology, USAMI-Princeton external activities » Nsukka/Enugu state, Nigeria 15-19 April 2008 Oral-posters contributions:

«Nano-photonics for Energy Efficiency» «Does size matters in materials» ● -«6th International Conference on Inorganic Materials» Dresden-Germany 28-30 September 2008 Participation of: Mr. J. B. Kana Kana, junior team member Poster contribution:

« Well-controlled Reversible Tunable Surface Plasmon Resonance shift in Au-VO2 Thermochromic plasmonic Nanostructures »

12-New partnerships & major future programs NANOAFNET has entered in a synergetic and reciprocal agreements with 3 keys institutions by which its global visibility and continental contribution will be enhanced. As per described below, the 3 strategic components are: (i) the European ICPCNANONET, (ii) the USA CREST-CNFM and (iii) the French MINATEC-Grenoble. ● -«ICPCNanoNet» http://www.icpc-nanonet.org/content/section/5/39/ London-UK Funding agency: EU-FP7

ICPCNanoNet is a support action funded by the EU under FP7 for four years from 1st June 2008. It brings together partners from the EU, China, India and Russia and aims to provide wider access to published nanoscience research, and opportunities for collaboration between scientists in the EU and International Cooperation Partner Countries «ICPC». This is being achieved through an open access electronic archive of nanoscience publications «Nano Archive» and tools to facilitate networking between scientists in different world regions. ICPCNanoNet is coordinated by the Institute of Nanotechnology «UK» and includes Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação «Portugal», St Petersburg Electrotechnical University «Russia», Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research «India», Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology «China», MERIT, Universiteit Maastricht «Netherlands», and Malsch TechnoValuation «Netherlands».

Funded by the EU under FP7 for four years from June 2008, it provides:

• an electronic archive of nanoscience publications that is freely accessible to researchers around the globe; • an electronic database of nanoscience organizations and networks in ICPC;

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• links to nanoscience researchers and stakeholders across the globe; • annual reports on nanoscience developments in eight ICPC regions: Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Latin America, Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC), Western Balkan Countries (WBC); • online networking tools (forums, workshops); • annual workshops, one in each of EU, China, India, and Russia, which will also be webcast to facilitate greater access.

The project builds on previous initiatives including Nanoforum (http://www.nanoforum.org/) which provides information on nanoscience and technology in the EU; EuroIndiaNet (http://www2.spi.pt/euroindianet/) which promoted stronger collaboration between EU and Indian nanoscientists and technologists, and NanoforumEULA (www.mesaplus.utwente.nl/nanoforumeula/) which promotes stronger collaboration between EU and Latin American nanoscientists and technologists.

● -«CREST-CNFM» http://www.cfnm.cau.edu/center.html Atlanta-USA Funding agency: NSF-Africa The Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials was established at Clark Atlanta University on November 1, 2006. The programs and activities of the Center are designed to meet the dual goals of advancing human understanding in the area of nanoscale materials and of increasing the capacity of Clark Atlanta University to train talented scientists in the physical sciences. The Center, though residing at Clark Atlanta University, is multi-institutional and brings into a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship two-year and four-year colleges, research universities and the K-12 community. Furthermore, the Center brings together researchers and educators from different disciplines with demonstrated and complementary strengths in quality research and training students.

An integral component of the Center's international program is its Nanoscholars Abroad Program. Participation in this program is open to undergraduate students, who are majoring in one of the science or mathematics disciplines and who plan to attend graduate school after graduation. Talented undergraduate students from all over the nation are invited to participate in this eight-week program, which is conducted annually during the North American summer months. Participants spend the first two weeks in the Center's laboratories participating in a program of orientations and research. During this orientation period the students will have seminars and workshops designed to prepare them for living and working in a new culture, as well as to acquaint them with the interests, goals and research culture of the host laboratories. In addition, they will begin working on a personal research project, which they will complete in the host laboratory. An online application may be found on this Web site.

The 2009 Nanoscholar Abroad Program begins June 7, 2009, at the CFNM, Atlanta, Georgia, and continues through July 31, 2009, with the return of the participants from Cape Town, South Africa. Participants will spend two weeks at the CFNM in Atlanta before departing for the NANOAFNET headquarters at iThemba LABS in Cape Town, South Africa, for the remaining six weeks of the program. Each participant will work on a personal project, which is

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concerned with some aspect of an ongoing collaboration between CFNM researchers and iTHEMBA LABS scientists. While in Atlanta each participant will be under the direction of one of the CFNM senior scientists and will have as well a graduate student mentor, both of whom will guide and assist the participant in the various aspects of preparation for their work in laboratories of the Center's South African collaborators. While in South Africa, participants will be supervised by senior scientists at the NANOAFNET headquarters at iThemba LABS and will also have a senior scientist from the CFNM as local counselor. To each participant will be provided round-trip transportation from his/her point of origin to the CFNM in Atlanta as well as round-trip transportation between Atlanta and Capetown, South Africa. While in Atlanta, participants will be provided with room and board and while in South Africa, participants will be provided with housing and a per diem allowance. Participants will receive a stipend of $3,200 dollars for their participation and are expected to conduct original research on their personal project. They will also prepare a written report on their work as well as prepare an evaluation of their summer experience.

● -«MINATEC- Nano Grenoble Intiative» http://www.cfnm.cau.edu/center.html Grenoble-France Funding agency: ANR/French Government-France Minatec came into existence at the instigation of CEA-Leti Grenoble and Grenoble INP. Its ambition is to become Europe's top centre for innovation and expertise in micro and nanotechnology. Minatec has this potential, as well as five key ingredients essential to success: ● An integrated approach to innovation Minatec adopts an integrated approach to innovation, from the exploration of technological breakthroughs to immediate industrial applications. This is essential to successfully negotiate the transition from advanced microelectronics to nanotechnology, evolve into heterogeneous microcomponents, and design tomorrow's smart devices and mobile terminals.

● A high concentration of skills and resources Ultimately, 3,500 engineers, researchers and academics will be working at Minatec, in and around cutting edge technological resources and equipment. The resulting close contacts and multicultural exchanges will stimulate and speed up the innovation process.

● A strategy of international alliances and partnerships. This concentration of skills flourishes in an open environment that attracts international scientists and technologists. Moreover, the dynamic of the various networks and collaboration agreements with complementary centers of excellence enhances Minatec's competitive edge.

● An ambitious policy of ongoing investment. A total of € 150m will be invested in Minatec between 2002 and 2005 to fund the new infrastructure, in addition to the € 250m invested by CEA-Léti and INP Grenoble. Moreover, during the last 10 years, the microelectronics industry has invested € 4bn in the Grenoble-Isère area. ● A talent pool dedicated to science and advanced technology. Grenoble-Isère has the necessary scientific, technological and industrial resources to give Minatec an environment that corresponds its ambitions:- 17,000 jobs in scientific and academic research, 220 laboratories and five international research centers, 53,000 students and 10 engineering schools; - a powerful local microelectronics industry, comprising 13,350 workers (including 3,000 in research), 30 international corporations, and 20 high-potential startups launched in the last five years; - decisive support of local authorities

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13-Current structure of the NANOAFNET

● –Chairman: Prof. M. Maaza iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation South Africa Maaza@tlabs.ac.za ● –Vice Chairman: Prof. A.C. Beye University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar Senegal Acbeye@refer.sn ● –Communication officer: Dr. B.D. Ngom University of Western Cape University of Cheikh Anta Diop iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation South Africa Bdngom@tlabs.ac.za ● –e-Desk officer: Dr. J.B. Kana Kana University of Western Cape University of Yaounde I iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation South Africa Jbkana@tlabs.ac.za ● –Regional Coordinator North:Prof. I. Zorkani University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes Morocco Izorkani@hotmail.com ● –Regional Coordinator West Africa: Prof. A.C. Beye University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar Senegal Acbeye@refer.sn ● –Regional Coordinator Central Africa: Prof. B. M’Passi Mabiala University Marian Ngouabe Congo Mpassi_b@yahoo.com ● –Regional Coordinator East Africa:Prof. T. Otiti Makerere University, Kampala Uganda totiti@physics.mak.ac.ug

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● –Regional Coordinator Southern Africa: Dr. N. Manyala National University of Lesotho, Roma-Maseru Lesotho Ncholum@yahoo.com ● –Desk North America: Prof. I. Khan CREST-CNFM, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta USA IKhan@cau.edu ● –Desk EUROPE: Dr. M. Henini Nottingham University, Nottingham UK Mohamed.Henini@nottingham.ac.uk ● –Desk Middle East: Prof. Kh. Bouziane Sultan Qaboos University, Mascat Oman Bouzi@squ.edu.om ● –Desk Asia-Pacific: Dr. L. Vayssieres National Institute for Materials Sciences, Tsukuba Japan VAYSSIERES.Lionel@nims.go.jp ● –Desk India : Dr. P. Chakraborty Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics-Kolkata Purushottam.chakraborty@saha.ac.in ● –National Coordinator Morocco :Prof. I. Zorkani University of Dhar El Mehrez, Fes Morocco Izorkani@hotmail.com ● –National Coordinator Algeria :Prof. H. Aourag Mohamed Belkaid University-Tlemcen Algeria H_aourag@mail.univ-tlemcen.dz ● –National Coordinator Tunisia :Prof. S. El Jaziri University El Manar-Tunis Tunisia Sihem.jaziri@fsb.rnu.tn ● –National Coordinator Egypt :Dr. A. M. Mahoumd Abdel-Hamid National Institute for Lasers Enhanced Sciences-Cairo Egypt Mahmoudstar@gmail.com

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● –National Coordinator Senegal: Dr. O. Sakho University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar Senegal Osakho@refer.sn ● –National Coordinator Mali: Prof. J. Shaabane UNESCO regional office Mali J.shabani@unesco.org ● –National Coordinator Ghana :Prof. Y. Mensah Cape Coat University-Accra Ghana ● –National Coordinator Nigeria: Dr. A. Fasasi NASENI Obafemi Awolowe University-Lagos Nigeria Ayfasasi@@hotmail.co.uk ● –National Coordinator Cameroon:Prof. J.M. Ndjaka University of Yaounde I-Yaounde Cameroon Jmndjaka@uycdc.uninet.cm, Jmndjaka@yahoo.fr ● –National Coordinator Togo: Prof. B. M’passi Mabiala Marien Ngouabi University-Brazzaville Congo Mpassi_b@yahoo.com, Bm_passi@ictp.it ● –National Coordinator Togo: Prof. K. Napo university of Lome-Lome Togo Kossinapo@hotmail.com ● –National Coordinator Benin: Dr. B. Baslie kounouhewa Universite d’Abomey Calavi-Cotonou Benin Kbbasile@yahoo.fr ● –National Coordinator DRCongo: Dr. A. Kazadi University of Kinshasa-Kinshasa DRCongo Fakazadi@gmx.net

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● –National Coordinator Sudan :Prof. A. Abderazig AbdelBagi Khartoum University-Khartoum Sudan Razig2000@hotmail.com ● –National Coordinator Ethiopia :Prof. J.A. Teketel Addis Ababa University-Addis Ababa Teketely@yahoo.com ● –National Coordinator Kenya :Dr. J. Mwabora University of Nairobi Mwabora@uonbi.ac.ke ● –National Coordinator Rwanda :Dr. E. Minani National University of Rwanda eminani@yahoo.fr ● –National Coordinator Malawi :Dr. Th. Senganimalunje University of Malawi-Chancellor college- Zomba Malawi Tmalunje@yahoo.com ● –National Coordinator Zamba :Dr. K. Chinyama National University of Zambia-Lusaka Zambia Kchinyama@gmail.com; gchinyama@natsci.unza.zm ● –National Coordinator Botswana :Dr. B. Saubi University of Botswana-Gaborone Botswana Saubib@mopipi.ub.bw ● –National Coordinator Namibia i :Prof. S. Singh National University of Namibia-Windhoek Ssingh@unam.ac.za ● –National Coordinator Mozambique :Mr. J. Cuambe Eduardo Mondlane University-Maputo Jfguambe@uem.mz ● –National Coordinator South Africa:Prof.N. Cingo-Dr. R. Nemutudi Tshwane University of Technology-Pretoria iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation- Cape Town Cingon@tut.ac.za Rudzi@tlabs.ac.za

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14-Appendix n°1: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the ICS-UNIDO workshop on nanosciences-nanotechnology

«Support of an AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA»

Remarks by Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the Workshop on Nanotechnology Regional Networking ICS-UNIDO Date: 2008-08-21 12:00 Venue: Somerset West, Cape Town Type: Minister IsArchived: False Content: Programme Director; Ms Naomi Haasbroek, Chair of the Local Organising Committee; Dr Malik Maaza of iThemba Labs; Mr Alfonso Avila of the International Centre for Science; Distinguished Guests and Delegates; Ladies and Gentlemen South Africa is proud to host the Workshop on Nanotechnology Regional Networking. We sincerely thank the organisers for choosing our country to hold these very necessary discussions. The workshop is important to us in more ways than one. Its focus on nanotechnology comes at a time when South Africa is seeing a significant increase in nanotechnology activity. My department launched a National Strategy on Nanotechnology in 2006, through which we hope to position South Africa to take advantage of the potential social and economic benefits offered by this emerging area of research. Nanotechnology has the potential of playing a pivotal role in the advancement of our society, particularly with regard to our concerted efforts in poverty alleviation and health care. Realising this, we are intensifying efforts to implement our nanotechnology strategy. More information on this will be provided by other officials from my Department, but I would like to

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emphasise our undeterred commitment to ensuring that nanotechnology works for society, and helps us to meet the Millennium Development Goals. That is why we have seen it fit not to leave the development of this field of technology to chance. We are working hard to create an enabling environment for science and technology innovation, and taking a number of measures to ensure that society reaps the benefits of their investment in science. One of these is the creation of a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals or parties to enable them to develop and commercialise their technological innovations and inventions. The agency will also draw together and integrate the management of disparate technological innovations that are still at an early development stage, and become a custodian of the Centres of Competence. These centres arise from the need to actively promote greater collaboration between and among academia, industry, research councils, entrepreneurs or technopreneurs, international research organisations, companies, and individual inventors and innovators, such that their collaborative efforts produce socio-economic benefits for the country. The TIA concept is closely aligned with our policy and legislation on intellectual property derived from publicly financed research and development. This has been a grey area for far too long. Bitter experience has revealed the importance of establishing clarity of purpose on the issue. And I will be introducing the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Funded Research and Development Bill for adoption by parliament this afternoon. These initiatives are all part of a larger plan: the Ten-Year Innovation Plan for South Africa, which charts the course to enhanced innovation over the next decade. The plan has enormous potential to contribute to sustained economic growth, and entrenchment of a knowledge-based economy. Five key development focus areas have been identified in the plan as the “grand challenges”. First, is the challenge to develop our bioeconomy. Second, is the need to grow and manage, in a coordinated fashion, our satellite industry and a range of innovations in space sciences, earth observation, communications and navigation. Third, is the challenge to provide energy security, through which we are exploring opportunities in clean coal technologies, nuclear energy, which includes nanotechnology, renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as other promising possibilities. Fourth, is the challenge of global change. The last and most challenging one is in human and social dynamics. Nanotechnology, like all the initiatives I have referred to is a critical part of the Department’s Ten-Year Innovation Plan. We plan to direct the focus of the national system of innovation to address these challenges. And we are confident we will be able to make progress, despite the fact that there are, and will be, many more than these five grand challenges now and in the future.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, this workshop is about regional networking to ensure better access to knowledge. With nanotechnology still at an emerging research area stage, networking and collaboration is critical. South Africa is working closely with India and Brazil, under the IBSA forum, on the development of this area of science. Scientists from the three countries have already identified projects they will pursue jointly to harness the benefits this technology promises. A lot still needs to be done about regional nanotechnology collaboration; hence, the importance of this workshop. We already have a number of science and technology programmes on which we are collaborating. These include, among others, the regional network of Indigenous Knowledge Systems policy makers, the SADC Science, Engineering and Technology Week, and regional policy training. We are planning to expand our cooperation to include programmes on the geosciences, mineral processing, climate change and cyber networks. Furthermore, during South Africa's chairmanship of the SADC, which began this month, we hope to encourage the region to work together to advance science and technology development in general - with nanotechnology most certainly a part of such collaborative efforts. We are doing this, Ladies and Gentlemen, because we know that science and technology can help us improve the life chances of our citizens, and that much more can be accomplished if we pool our efforts. The conditions and challenges we face are by no means unique to this country; they are continental challenges and require a combined approach. We therefore welcome this discussion and trust it will lead to better networking and collaboration on nanotechnology. South Africa is prepared to support the ICS-UNIDO initiative on regional networking, and to take on any tasks that come her way to ensure the success of this initiative. The recently held “Abdus Salam ICTP” Africa Nano-College, and our continued support of programmes such as the African Laser Centre, are only two examples of our willingness to engage in the joint regional development of science and technology. Africa has the opportunity to take its rightful place in the nanotechnology landscape, and we are ready to grab it with both hands. I have mentioned our endeavours to ensure that the ideas generated by our people's original minds and innovative research are exploited, commercialised and managed for the benefit of our country and our people, and articulated the need to entrench nanotechnology at the centre of our science and technology initiatives. I believe this conference will go a long way in positioning Africa at the forefront of this cutting edge research and development area. Let me once again thank the organisers for choosing South Africa for these important discussions, and wish you everything of the best in your deliberations. I thank you.

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14-Appendix n°2: Keynote contribution of the Hon. Minister Mr. Mr. M. Mangena

during the NanoAfrica 2009 conference

«Official backup for establishing the AFRICA NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN AFRICA at iThemba LABS»

Keynote address by Minister Mosibudi Mangena at the NanoAfrica Conference Date: 2009-02-01 11:00 Venue: Type: Minister IsArchived: False Content:

Dr Sibisi, Dr Sinha Ray, and the organising team;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and gentlemen

As many of you know, our country's space scientists and astronomers are presently engaged in a "Champion's League Final" of astronomical shootouts, as we vie with Australia for the right to host the Square Kilometre Array Telescope in our country. If South Africa wins the bid, many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa will gain from participation in the project.

The SKA will be by far the biggest radio telescope ever, and will have the capability to see so far back into the past to enable us to observe the universe as it was 500 million years after the Big Bang. This telescope will redefine our concept of infinity. For ordinary people like us, it is indeed difficult to grasp the enormous scale of this endeavour.

At the opposite end of the scale, is the nano-world, equally awe-inspiring, in which we South Africans have an equally intense and enthusiastic involvement.

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The prefix "nano" means one thousand millionth. So, at first glance, one might think it's no big deal. But the nano-disciplines have emerged from small beginnings – forgive the pun – to become one of the most enterprising and promising disciplines in the world of science.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to welcome here today a distinguished group of the world's great nano-scientists who, despite the qualifier, appear not only normal-sized, but are also engaged in a science that promises to deliver solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Among them is our very own group of nano-scientists who are doing sterling and original work on the nano-frontier. The abstracts provided by the presenters provide fascinating insights into the many nano-activities taking place in every corner of the world.

Over the next few days, we will learn about the development of this science, and its potential applications in renewable energy sources; nuclear waste-management; minerals beneficiation; and in the development of a new, specific and sensitive DNA biosensor platform, which promises great things for the development of portable DNA diagnostic devices, to mention just a few.

But for South Africa, the most exciting thing of all is the potential that nanotechnology holds to change the lives of the disadvantaged for the better through the production of cost-effective concrete or cements, and increasing the durability of such infrastructure.

Nano-treatments can be used to improve the quality of water in rural communities; and there is promise of a more effective TB treatment due to successes achieved in drug delivery through nanotechnology. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those responsible for these welcome achievements.

The first NanoAfrica conference was held in Cape Town in 2004. Two years before that in 2002, my department began to support endeavours in nanoscience in our country. This led to the formation of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (or SANi), which was the brainchild of keen-minded scientists working in the nano-field. The SANi was instrumental in the development of South Africa's Nanotechnology Strategy.

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The National Nanotechnology Strategy was launched in 2005, and its objectives include active representation of the interests of players in nanotechnology in South Africa, and the provision of a platform for local and international nanoscience. The launch of the IBSA Nanotechnology Forum during this conference symbolises the success of the trilateral cooperation agreement initiated in 2003 by India, Brazil and South Africa's Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

During previous IBSA missions, health, water, energy and advanced materials were identified as areas of mutual interest for possible collaboration. All of these tie in with the National Nanotechnology Strategy.

Existing proposals and new initiatives were discussed at various working group and ministerial level meetings, and in 2007, the IBSA Nanotechnology Proposal was approved. The mentoring of young scientists and the development of human resources were seen as key priorities, and the implementation of the proposal which commences this year starts with the hosting of a nano-school in India in May. The second nano-school on Health will be hosted in South Africa in November.

In addition to this, we are serious about our responsibility to disseminate information and raise levels of awareness about nanoscience and nanotechnology in society, including schools and universities.

The National Nanotechnology Strategy identifies six focus areas, namely, water, health, energy, chemical and bioprocessing, mining and minerals, and advanced materials and manufacturing, as areas for the application of nano-solutions to challenges faced by our country.

The implementation plan for the Nanotechnology Strategy broadly outlines programmes and projects spread over 10 years that will contribute to the attainment of our strategic objectives. They involve the creation of platforms for human capital development, building of infrastructure, and promotion of innovative thinking, ideas and ways of doing things.

In many ways, nanotechnology is already well established and has brought benefits for most during the 20th century. Many of its techniques and applications, such as powder metallurgy, catalysis, optical coatings and semiconductor films, have been around for over 50 years.

On top of these, there are new materials such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes; new synthesis methods such as catalytic or hot-wire chemical vapour deposition and biosynthesis; and new applications for solar cells and thin film transistors. Consolidating the old and the new, including various academic disciplines such as chemistry, physics and engineering, under the name "nanotechnology", opens opportunities for developments in new materials.

Because many of the techniques and research areas are well established, South Africa is not performing badly in nanotechnology, given the current levels of research funding. In university physics and chemistry departments, and engineering faculties throughout the country, there are many active research programmes in different areas of nanotechnology, as this conference will reveal.

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My department has encouraged and supported the nano-community's involvement in collaborative research through various bilateral agreements with other countries, both developing and developed. South African scientists are currently involved in, among others, the European Union's Framework Programme and the successful India-Brazil-South Africa collaboration already alluded to.

My department also endorsed the establishment of the Nanocentre for Africa at iThemba LABS, which began following the deliberations of the ICS-UNIDO workshop held in August last year. The centre is the continental platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology, and its aim is to produce solutions to pressing socio-economic problems related to health, water and energy.

The centre's mission includes:

(iv) networking in Africa and beyond to facilitate integration into larger programmes; (v) marketing and communication with a focus on Africa's business sectors, and decision

and policy makers; and (vi) human capital development.

The centre will have regional and national nodes, with the main node located at iThemba LABS.

Since nanotechnology is a new area of research in Africa, the centre will have to play a critical role in promoting awareness about it. During our term as chair of the SADC, South Africa will also ensure that a platform is created for regional dialogue in this area.

The SADC Heads of State approved a protocol on science, technology and innovation in August last year, and in December the SADC Ministers for STI met and mandated the development of an SADC science, technology and innovation strategy, in which nanotechnology will be one of the priority areas.

Other initiatives in the fields of nanoscience and technology we are involved include:

• A nanoscience centre at the University of the Western Cape, which will mainly focus the teaching of nanoscience, thus contributing to human capital development;

• A Nanotechnology Advisory Board, which has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the strategy;

• The development of a Nanotechnology Public Awareness Plan to ensure that the public benefits from the products and applications developed, and industry from the human capital development initiatives currently taking place. Our publicity campaign will be run by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, and will feature at the National Science Week events in May.

• Research chairs have been established at several universities to strengthen research capacity in various areas of nanotechnology.

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In 2007, the first two national nanotechnology innovation centres were opened, one here at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the other at Mintek. The work at these centres is in line with the National Strategy, although each centre has its own research focus.

The focus of the CSIR National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials (NCNSM) is on materials and energy research, while the centre at Mintek concentrates on water, health, mining and minerals. As mentioned earlier, these areas have been identified in our National Nanotechnology Strategy for harnessing nanoscience and nanotechnology to solve our social development issues.

We are delighted with our progress and relatively early adoption of these nano-disciplines, which hold such exciting prospects for good.

We are very appreciative of the insights that will be provided by the nano-experts from Africa and the rest of the developed and developing world. Some of the most prominent minds and promising students in nanotechnology and nanoscience are gathered here, and I must say again how very welcome you are, and how honoured we are that you have come.

As a developing country, we believe that nano-disciplines will contribute to our development, and have faith that interaction and collaboration with the best is a vital element in speeding up the process.

I want to close with a quotation from the website of Nanotechnology Now, about the ethics of nanotechnology, which states that:

Nanotechnology's highest and best use should be to create a world of abundance where no one is lacking for their basic needs. Those needs include adequate food, safe water, a clean environment, housing, medical care, education, public safety, fair labor, unrestricted travel, artistic expression and freedom from fear and oppression.

In the hope we will achieve some of these promises soon, I have great pleasure in declaring NanoAfrica 2009 officially open.

I thank you.

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NANOAFNET

●NANOsciences AFrican NETwork,

Nanosciences Laboratories, Materials Research Group,

iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation of South Africa Old Faure road, POBox 722, Somerset West 7129,

Western Cape province, South Africa Tel: +00 27 21 843 1145/46/49

Fax: +00 27 21 843 3543 Email: Maaza@tlabs.ac.za

(To Prof. M. Maaza, Chairman)