12th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS)

Session

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

18 Dec 2024, 11:30

127. Enhancing Accessibility to Material Characterization Equipment in Africa through JUAMI-Charz Initiative

GLORIA MURILA (Miss), Dr Matthew Sweers, BRIAN OWINO

18/12/2024, 11:30

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

JUAMI-Charz is an initiative aimed at addressing the scarcity of accessible materials characterization equipment in the research community across Africa. By fostering a collaborative network among universities, JUAMI-Charz provides researchers with a streamlined tool for locating the nearest functional characterization equipment and fosters collaborations to enhance research quality. The...

114. DEVELOPMENT OF SUPER-ABSORBENT POLYMERS FROM SELECTED PLANT-DERIVED NANOCELLULOSE-GRAFT-POLY(AMMONIUM ACRYLATE-CO-ACRYLIC ACID)

Joshua Oyetade (Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Arusha, Tanzania)

18/12/2024, 11:45

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

Conventional superabsorbent polymers used in biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, surgical pads and personal care products, pose environmental challenges due to their persistence as waste, accumulation in ecosystems and subsequent breakdown into microplastics with toxic residues. Also, the current limitation in the biomedical performance of conventional superabsorbent polymers...

157. A case study for implementing low-cost micro-grid technology in rural Sub-Saharan Africa using earth-abundant energy storage

Mr Charles Ofosu (Univeristy of Texas at Austin), Ms Gloria Maiytha (University of Nairobi), Ms Ishita Kamboj (North Carolina State University), Mr Patrick Ndwali Kasereka (University of Nairobi), Saeed Saeed (North Carolina State University)

18/12/2024, 12:00

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

There are few, if any, economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable electrification solutions for low population density, energy-poor regions of Africa. As of 2021, 770 million people live without access to electricity, and 77% of that statistic comes from Sub-Saharan Africa. The costs for electrification infrastructure for low-population density regions tend to be high because they...

164. A Novel Functionalized Nanoporous Filtration System to Remove Rotavirus from Drinking Water

Andre Orr, Madeline Garell, Neila Gross

18/12/2024, 12:15

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

Mortality related to waterborne illness in Sub-Saharan Africa is higher than anywhere else in the world. Of the deaths caused by waterborne pathogens, nanoviruses such as the rotavirus account for up to 30%. Commercial filter technologies do not filter to the nanometer scale, and the current technologies that are able to are energy intensive and therefore too expensive for general application....

342. EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC MOBILITY IN ETHIOPIA: MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Meti Desalegn Tadesse (Adama Science and Technology University)

18/12/2024, 12:30

Materials for ENERGY

Contributed Oral Presentation

This outreach project proposal is for examining the electric mobility prospects in Ethiopia by understanding the market dynamics in light of the recent government ban on importation of petrol and diesel cars. As the first and only country to impose such a ban Ethiopia targets increased use of electric vehicles and minimized petrol imports which are worth about 7.6 billion in 2023. Deducing...

328. Comprehensive Programs to Strengthen Innovation Incubation in Jimma Univerity, Ethiopia (CPS-II)

Chaltu Muse (Jimma University)

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

Purpose of the project
PROJECT PROGRESS
Key Activities Delivered
Achievements and Impact
Collaborations/Partnerships/Networks

137. Development of Super-Absorbent Polymers from Selected Plant Nanocellulose-Graft-Poly(ammonium acrylate-co-acrylic acid) Composites

Joshua Oyetade (Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology)

Special Session: Joint US-Africa Materials Initiative (JUAMI)

Contributed Oral Presentation

Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are a class of hydrogels that can absorb and retain large amounts of liquid relative to their mass, making them valuable for personal care products and agricultural applications. However, the reliance on synthetic polymers for SAP production poses significant environmental challenges due to their non-renewability and non-biodegradability. To address these issues...