Office of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is in the Directorate of Research & Innovation (DRI). Its objectives include protection and commercialisation of Intellectual Property (IP) emanating from the University of Venda.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions – literary and artistic works; patents and designs; trademarks and symbols, names and images used in commerce. IP adds value at every stage of the value chain from the creative or innovative idea to putting a new, better, and cheaper, product/service in the market.

Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

Technology transfer is the process of transferring technology from the person or organisation that owns or holds it to another person or organization, transform inventions and scientific outcomes into new products and services that benefit society.

Technology commercialisation is the process of taking an invention to market and creating financial value with it – typically through licensing an invention, developing a new product or service, or creating a new business.

Inventions Available for Licensing

UNIVEN is committed to making an impact in research, development, and innovation and consequently on the economy. The economic impact can be achieved through commercialisation of IP emanating from UNIVEN for societal and industrial development. UNIVEN’s IP portfolio includes technologies that may need further development and investment for market readiness. The following inventions are available for licensing to interested industry partners:

Compacted Geophagic Consumable

Geophagia is involuntary deliberate soil ingestion by women and children. Soil ingestion may lead to a specific disease or general ill health, such as iron deficiency anaemia, hypocalcaemia, parasitic infections, mechanical bowel disorder and perforation of the sigmoid colon. There is a need for some form of processed safe-to-consume geophagic product that is less harmful to the consumer’s health but meets the needs of the geophagic consumer. The University of Venda has developed a method of producing a compacted geophagic consumable and a consumable produced by said method. The geophagic consumable of the present invention has health benefits associated with geophagia, while the health concerns have been reduced.

Inventors: Georges-Ivo Ekosse, Linda de Jager

Geophagic Infusion Bag

Geophagia is involuntary deliberate soil ingestion by women and children. Soil ingestion may lead to a specific disease or general ill health, such as iron deficiency anaemia, hypocalcaemia, parasitic infections, mechanical bowel disorder and perforation of the sigmoid colon. The University of Venda has developed a method of producing a geophagic infusion bag and a bag produced by said method. The bag can be infused in hot water to make a hot beverage which can be consumed to provide the health benefits associated with geophagia, while the health concerns have been reduced.

Inventors: Georges-Ivo Ekosse, Linda de Jager

Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

The ongoing contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by acid mine drainage and municipal wastewater streams is a concern for mining communities. The University of Venda has developed an invention for wastewater treatment. The invention relates to a method and process of treating acid mine drainage using phosphate-containing compound.

Inventors: Gumbo Jabulani Ray, Vhahangwele Masindi, Tholiso Ngulube

Method of Removing Dyes in Wastewater

Industries such as textiles, leather, papermaking, plastics, food, rubber, and cosmetics use different types of dyes, which are often discharged with effluents. Generally, dyes are stable to light, heat, and oxidizing agents, and are usually non-biodegradable. The University of Venda has developed an invention for the removal of dyes from water. The invention relates to a nanocomposite comprised of calcined cryptocrystalline magnesite and halloysite clay for the removal of dyes in aqueous media.

Inventors: Gumbo Jabulani Ray, Vhahangwele Masindi, Tholiso Ngulube

Defluorination Treatment of Water with Trimetal Magnesium/Cerium/ Manganese Oxide Modified Diatomaceous Earth

Human need for clean drinking water cannot be overemphasized. Some rural communities drink groundwater and surface water, which is susceptible to pollution, particularly, fluoride. Currently, fluoride is removed by activated alumina, however, this process is expensive and suboptimal in the presence of other competing anions. The University of Venda has developed an invention for the removal of fluoride in water. The invention relates to a process for the removal of fluoride in a water source using a trimetal magnesium/cerium/manganese oxide-modified diatomaceous earth and a method of preparing the diatomaceous earth.

Inventors: Gitari Wilson Mugera, Anthony Anabui Izuagie, Jabulani Ray Gumbo

Fried Wheat-based Product with Reduced Fat and Increased Fibre Content

Deep frying is a cooking method which involves immersion of food in pot with cooking oil at elevated temperatures. The major concern with this method is the absorption of the oil by the food. Various methods have been tried to reduce the oil content; however, these methods are time-consuming, complicated, and costly. There is an increasing demand for low-fat or fat-free and healthier alternatives, with little or no compromise in taste. The University of Venda has developed a method of making a fried wheat-based product with a reduced fat content and an increased fibre and nutrient content, and a product made by said method.

Inventors: Afam Israel Obiefuna Jideani, Oluwatoyin Oladayo Onipe, Daniso Beswa

Fortified Instant Food, Fortified Instant Food Supplement and Method of Manufacture Thereof

The world population is expected to reach 8 billion by 2030. In this regard, effective and safe nutrition should be a focal area of research.  In South Africa, fortification of foods is legislated, and despite the existence of such laws, malnutrition is still prevalent among children under the age of five years. The World Health Organization reported that around 2015, 15% of South African born infants had low-birth weight, 27% of children were stunted, and 12% were underweight. High consumption of maize which lacks essential minerals drives malnutrition. There is a need for alternative sources of protein and alternative fortified food forms that appeal to the mass populace, and that are abundant and inexpensive. In this regard, the University of Venda has developed a new fortified instant food or fortified instant food supplement that contains starch, a dietary fortifier from the family Moringaceae, and a protein fortifier from the class Insecta.

Inventors: Khavhatondwi Rinah Netshiheni, Afam Israel Obiefuna Jideani, Mpho Mashau

OTT Contact Persons: Ms Makole Magoro: Makole.Magoro@univen.ac.za and Dr Mlungiseleli Ganto: Mlungiseleli.Ganto@univen.ac.za