What is your field of study?
Chemistry
What made you decide to specialize in your field of study?
Chemistry is not only a central science subject but it is fascinating how mixing colorless substances can easily yield colorful product with interesting smell. I was curious to learn more.
What interests you the most of your field of study?
The flexibility to do anything with my background. I have worked on waste-water treatment, mineral processing, petrochemicals, safety and now on renewable energy.
How do you think your research paper is relevant to research being done in South Africa at the moment?
Currently there are energy supply problems encountered due to relying on one utility and one major form of energy supply such as coal. My research is promoting the idea of considering other energy sources that can potentially address some of the issues encountered with the established system, viz greenhouse gas emissions, less reliance on depleting natural gases.
What were or are the biggest challenges you faced doing your research?
The technology is not fully commercialized and there is limited information within South Africa. Most of the equipment required for the study is imported and it takes very long time to arrive.
What facilities do you need to carry out your research?
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell (PEMFC) stack and Fuel cell test station.
In what journals do you expect to publish your research?
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy or Journal of Power Sources.
What would you like to achieve professionally in the next 5 years?
I would like to establish my own research group within an institution. I would like to serve as a consultant that provides technical advice supported by laboratory findings to clients who do not have the capacity to carry out the experiments. In addition, lecturing undergrads and supervising postgraduates would allow me to share my knowledge and empower others.
Explain what your work at HySA Systems Competence centre entails?
I am a PhD student. I am working on my project and thesis. My day involves reading literature, conducting experiments, writing reports, presentations and meetings.
How do you plan to contribute to some of the problems/challenges facing your community?
The major problem in my community is that people are not informed and they do not believe in themselves. The first step is to host exhibitions at school that teach learners about careers relevant to our needs as a community. In future, I would like to setup education and skills development trust that focuses on training youth on skills needed to develop my community so that they do not have to leave home in order to better themselves.
Noluntu Dyantyi is an ambitious rural girl from the Eastern Cape who always seeks the positive in every circumstance or encounter. She takes pride in being a woman more than anything else. Professionally, she is a PhD student at HySA Systems hosted by the South African Institute of Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC) at the University of the Western Cape.
The main objective of her project is to identify factors that influence fuel cell life and establish a method of assessing fuel cell state of health under aeronautic conditions. Her motivation for this study is the growing interest of fuel cells applications in aeronautic vehicles and establishing hydrogen economy in South Africa. SAASTA spoke to Ms. Dyantyi to learn more about her and her research.
