NuSpace

NuSpace is the official repository platform of the National University of Science and Technology that enables researchers in:

  • obtaining easy access to a wide range of academic materials,
  • promoting knowledge dissemination and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.

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Recent Submissions

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Numerical Analysis of Couple Stress Nanofluid in Temperature Dependent Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity
(Springer Nature, 2021-02-24) Dhlamini, M.; Mondal, H.; Sibanda, P.; Motsa, S.
This communication reports on an innovative study of two-dimensional couple stress fluid 3 with effect of viscosity and conductivity. We proposed a new model based on temperature dependent variable thermal conductivity on kinetic theory. Our model assumes that thermal conductivity is a decreasing function of temperature rather than an increasing function. The effect of the three key parameters, viscosity, thermal conductivity and couple stress parameter are analyzed. The coupled non-linear system is further validated numerically using the spectral quasilinearization method. The method is found to be accurate and convergent. Increasing the temperature dependent parameter for viscosity is shown to reduce the heat mass transfer rates at the surface. Increasing thermal conductivity and the couple stress parameter increased the heat mass transfer rates on the boundary surface.
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Multisector Collaborative Groundwater-Surface Water Modelling Approach to Improve Resilience to Hydrological Extremes in the Limpopo River Basin
(Springer, 2021) Mustafa, S.M.T.; Van Loon, A.; Artur, L.; Bharucha, Z.; Chinyama, A.; Chirindja, F.; Day, R.; Franchi, F.; Geris, J.; Hussey, S.; Nesamvuni, E.
It is necessary to combine the understanding of physical environmental drivers with social, economic, cultural and political perspectives and information to build resilience to future flood and drought hazards. We present a flexible collaborative modelling approach to improve resilience to hydrological extremes in large basins with application to the Limpopo River Basin (LRB). It uses an iterative, knowledge co-production process to strengthen crucial bridges between scientists and water management stakeholders on the appropriate scale(s). In the proposed collaborative modelling approach, the integrated hydro (geo)logical model is combined with regional to transboundary people’s knowledges and policies. We analyse the effect and importance of stakeholders’ feedback on the numerical model prediction. The proposed methodology is applied in the Limpopo River Basin (LRB) where floods and droughts are recurrent events. Through this iterative multisector collaborative modelling approach, we aim to develop a reliable and feasible management instrument to help reduce the impact of alternating droughts and floods and increase the resilience to hydrological extremes.
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Traditional Practitioners and Nurses’ Perspectives on Traditional Medicine Utilisation During Antenatal Care in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe
(SAGE, 2021-07-01) Mudonhi, N.; Nunu, W.N.
Background Traditional Health System has been reported to be the most accessible, affordable, and acceptable in resource-poor settings, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is utilised for different health needs, including pregnancy management. This study sought to explore traditional and Nurses’ perspectives on traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care in Bulilima District, Plumtree, Zimbabwe. Methods A qualitative survey was conducted on purposively selected nurses’ and snowballed traditional health practitioners who responded to unstructured interviews. Data were collected using a digital tape recorder, transcribed, and thematically analysed on Max Qualitative Data Analysis. Results A total of 6 superordinate and 10 subordinate themes emerged from the collected and analysed data on both traditional practitioners and nurses. The superordinate themes associated with Traditional Medicine utilisation during pregnancy by women were: protective role, beliefs, shortening of labour, cleansing, accessibility, and collaboration between traditional practitioners and modern health practitioners. Nurses expressed their skepticism on the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine utilisation during pregnancy. Conclusion Women utilise traditional medicines and remedies during pregnancy for different reasons, such as protection from evil spirits, foetus growth and shortening labour. There are concerns regarding their safety from the health service providers, although traditional practitioners share a different view. There is a need for investing in research that would ascertain the safety of these traditional medicines as this system has been a cheaper alternative for those who cannot afford or access modern health services.
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Integration of hydrogeophysical and geological investigations in enhancing groundwater potential assessment in Houtriver gneiss crystalline basement formation of South Africa
(Elsevier, 2021-03-10) Muchingami, I.; Mkali, A.; Vinqi, L.; Pietersen, K.; Xu, Y.; Whitehead, R.; Karsten, J.; Villholth, K.; Kanyerere, T.
Groundwater exploration in crystalline basement aquifers such as the Houtriver gneiss formation in the Limpopo province of South Africa is often described as complex. This is because groundwater availability in such aquifers is largely a consequence of the interaction of several processes related to recharge, underlying geological features and fracture connectivity of the aquifer rock matrix. In this study, an integration of geophysical and geological investigations is applied in inferring potential drill targets within the Houtriver gneiss crystalline basement aquifer system. Results from the magnetic and frequency domain electromagnetic surveys were combined with geological investigations to identify sites where vertical electrical resistivity sounding was applied to infer the thickness and layering of weathered and fractured zones, as well as to identify potential targets where test boreholes were drilled. Constructed geo-resistivity pseudo-sections suggested that groundwater occurrence within this formation is described by a heterogeneous multiple-layered and fractured aquifer system with the main groundwater bearing zones ranging from a depth of 30–72m in most cases. Ten potential drill sites were identified from which three test boreholes were drilled and used to validate the results through a lithostratigraphic conceptual model developed from the correlation of the geophysical results with drill logs. The integration of hydro-geophysical and geological methods thus provided a comprehensive approach for resource assessment in the Houtriver gneiss formation.
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Effects of Palladium Chloride Concentration on the Nanoscale Surface Morphology of Electroless Deposited Palladium Thin Film
(The Electrochemical Society, 2021-05-27) Mpofu, B.S.; Mangosho. T.; Rugwejera, T.; Munjeri, K.; Dera, T. O.; Gutu, T.
Understanding the effects of thin film electroless deposition parameters at nanoscale is crucial for complete understanding and control of the thin film deposition process. In this study, we investigated and optimized the effect of PdCl2 precursor concentration on the nanoscale surface morphology of electroless deposited Pd thin film. The FESEM characterization of plain substrates showed that the dominant features of plain alumina substrates were terraces, steps and bumpy microstructures and the final surface morphologies of the deposited Pd thin film was strongly dependant on the surface morphologies of the substrate. FESEM characterization results of seeding technique displayed a thin film of Pd nanoparticles on the surface of the alumina substrate. The number of times that the seeding process was carried out was optimized at five seeding times using hydrazine as a reducing agent. FESEM characterization revealed that the nanoscale surface morphology of the Pd thin film was strongly dependent on PdCl2 precursor concentration. Three types of secondary nanoscale surface morphologies formed were nanorods, nanoflakes and flowerlike Pd nanostructures at various concentrations. The nanoflake surface density was strongly dependent on PdCl2 precursor concentration. Results of this research provided a foundation and method to tailor the nanoscale surface morphology to the specific requirement of surface dependent processes or reactions.