NSTF-GreenMatter Awards: towards biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy by an individual or an organisation. His work has involved numerous innovations that are green and sustainable. This includes developing thermochromic intelligent nanocoating for smart glass windows, which minimises the energy load. Simply put, Maaza’s research can potentially minimise the energy load caused by air conditioning and energy use.

If you took a long, hard look at the gemsbok, would you ask how this animal – which traverses the deserts of the Kgalagadi – could change the way in which human beings minimise their impact on the planet? Probably not. But this was the question asked by Professor Malik Maaza, a nanoscientist and holder of the UNESCO Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology at UNISA – and answered by his development of thermochromic intelligent nanocoating for smart glass windows using vanadium oxide innovation. Simply put, Maaza’s research can potentially minimise the energy load caused by air conditioning and energy use, thanks to his in-depth research into one of the hardiest buck species in Africa, the gemsbok. (Read more about him in the Mail & Guardian article. Mail & Guardian is an NSTF media partner.)