Dr Rosinah Modiba develops shape-memory alloys for the medical and aerospace industries. Shape-memory alloys are metals that, even if they become deformed below a certain temperature, can regain their original shape when heated at a high temperature.
Using computational modelling techniques as opposed to traditional experimentation, Modiba can predict the properties and behaviour of shape-memory alloys at the development and composition stage.
“Recently, there has been an upswing in the demand for production and commercialisation, Modiba explains.
“The need to combine both computational modelling techniques and traditional experimentation to speed up the process has become a reality.”
“Computational models typically use observation and manipulation in the same way as traditional experimentation to predict the stability of materials but at a lower cost and with minimal waste. The major advantage of computational modelling is the increased productivity that is achieved through the synthesis and characterisation procedures within a short period,” Modiba says.
Modiba forms part of the 23% of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to Statistics South Africa, a number that has grown since her student days. After completing her BSc degree at the University of Limpopo, Modiba was uncertain of the steps she needed to follow to become a scientist. Fortunately, she was recruited into an initiative that was offering STEM career empowerment and financial support to young women of different backgrounds.
She completed her Master’s degree cum laude, and obtained her doctoral degree in 2015. Her career journey is an inspiring story to many young women and Modiba is determined to share her story and uplift as many young women as she can reach. She has partnered with Women in Physics in South Africa, an initiative that intends to bridge the gap between universities and schools through empowerment
young, I quickly became cognisant of the challenges that were surrounding me, and, in my mind, science was going to be a catalyst for change,” she adds.
Dr Rosinah Modiba develops shape-memory alloys for the medical and aerospace industries. Shape-memory alloys are metals that, even if they become deformed below a certain temperature, can regain their original shape when heated at a high temperature.
Using computational modelling techniques as opposed to traditional experimentation, Modiba can predict the properties and behaviour of shape-memory alloys at the development and composition stage.
“Recently, there has been an upswing in the demand for production and commercialisation, Modiba explains.
“The need to combine both computational modelling techniques and traditional experimentation to speed up the process has become a reality.”
“Computational models typically use observation and manipulation in the same way as traditional experimentation to predict the stability of materials –
but at a lower cost and with minimal waste. The major advantage of computational modelling is the increased productivity that is achieved through the synthesis and characterisation procedures within a short period,” Modiba says.
Modiba forms part of the 23% of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to Statistics South Africa, a number that has grown since her student days. After completing her BSc degree at the University of Limpopo, Modiba was uncertain of the steps she needed to follow to become a scientist. Fortunately, she was recruited into an initiative that was offering STEM career empowerment and financial support to young women of different backgrounds.
She completed her Master’s degree cum laude, and obtained her doctoral degree in 2015. Her career journey is an inspiring story to many young women and Modiba is determined to share her story and uplift programmes.
Now a senior researcher at the CSIR and receiver of multiple grants, including from funding initiatives such as the CSIR’s Young Researcher Establishment Fund and the National Research Foundation’s Thuthuka, Modiba says young women should keep a positive mindset and work on their dreams throughout the challenges they encounter. “It might seem impossible at the beginning, but it’s doable. Young women must not let their background or challenges discourage them from achieving their goals,” she concludes.
Modiba and her team are also working on harnessing the properties of the shape-memory alloys required for sensors and actuators in various industries, and modelling is playing a critical role at this stage.
Current position: CSIR senior researcher
Career type: Computational materials scientist; physicist
Current research interest: Development of
alloys using computational modelling techniques
Education: MSc (Physics) (cum laude), University of Limpopo, 2010 and PhD (Physics), University of Limpopo, 2015
