Work that has taken about two years to complete has finally paid off for one local young scientist.
Greenside High School learner Muhammed Hassen recently scooped a grand award at the 2021 Virtual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) in the United States.
Eskom Expo announced that the young scientist was awarded the Second Award of US$2 000 (R27 880 at the time of announcement) in the engineering mechanics category, sponsored by Society for Science.
Muhammed won for his research project ThembaBot 5 – Mine Surveying Robot.
The 17-year-old learner said he had always enjoyed science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) as a child and a number of ideas for the robot came from various things he had been learning in his favourite subjects. “I have always been interested in technology and how it can make things easier. When I first started with robotics, South Africa had one of the biggest mining accidents.
“So, I began researching about safety in mines and found that over 450 000 people are employed directly in mining in South Africa with over 5 million people depending on mining for daily subsistence. Miners are often injured and some die due to unsafe conditions in mines specifically heat exhaustion, rockfalls and toxic gases. I realised that robotics could help in making mining safer.”
He explained that ThembaBot 5 goes underground to test conditions like temperature, gases in the air and seismic activity before miners enter; after blasting and in monitoring conditions as mining activities continue to make sure that the conditions are safe for miners. He added that the robot saves lives but also livelihoods in that mine surveyors do not lose their jobs, they upskill and learn how to use robots to make their jobs safer. The project also allows for job creation as more people need to be employed to manufacture and maintain the robots.
Muhammed said it will take another six months or so to add some of the other functions needed for underground surveying of mining conditions. “It was a privilege to be selected to compete and represent not only the Eskom Expo but also my country South Africa at the fair. Winning feels good because it tells us that as South Africans we have something to offer on an international platform. It is an amazing and exciting feeling to know that all of the hard work is worth it.”
Eskom general manager of Risk and Sustainability, Andrew Etzinger congratulated Muhammed on behalf of Eskom, “The passion, knowledge and skills he demonstrated in the Regeneron ISEF are commendable. Eskom sees the value in Eskom Expo developing a passion for Stem in young scientists like Muhammed and providing a platform for these future problem solvers to take their scientific brilliance to the next level.”
Muhammed concluded that there are so many things engineers can offer to solve important problems like climate change, food security, space exploration and, with the recent developments in technology, engineers can collaborate with other fields to create unique and sustainable solutions for a better future.
Details: www.exposcience.co.za
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