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David Richard Walwyn

Professor of Technology Management, University of Pretoria
B.Sc Chemical Engineering (University of Cape Town) and a PhD (University of Cambridge). Full details of my publications and work as an academic can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Walwyn.

South Africa's power blackouts: solutions lie in solar farms and battery storage at scale, and an end to state monopoly

Jun 03, 2023 03:27 am UTC| Economy

Rolling blackouts are costing South Africa dearly. The electricity crisis is a barrier to growth, destroys investor confidence and handicaps almost every economic activity. It has raised input costs for producers and...

South Africa has failed to harness the digital revolution: how it can fix the problem

Nov 08, 2020 11:23 am UTC| Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a migration from physical work spaces in many sectors of the economy to online, digital services, supported by staff working from home. Parts of the economy such as mining,...

Oil in Global Economy Series

South Africa has huge 'green fuels' potential. But it needs to act now

Jan 10, 2020 10:28 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

South Africa needs to seriously start thinking about shifting its energy focus. This is for two reasons. The first is that the countrys important exports coal and platinum face potential collapse with the imminent...

Why South Africa should revert to greater protection for some of its industries

Jul 14, 2019 13:18 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

After years of relative silence, debates about the pros and cons of tariffs in international trade have become a regular feature. The renewed interest has been sparked by the actions of US President Donald Trump, the first...

Economy

US Targets Huawei Ties in TSMC AI Chip Scandal Sparking Fresh Tech Showdown

The US is preparing to blacklist Sophgo for its involvement in supplying TSMC chips found in Huaweis AI processors. This decision intensifies Washingtons campaign against Chinas tech ambitions and raises new challenges for...

Honda, Nissan Discuss Factory Sharing Moves to Counter Trump’s Trade Shifts and Expand Global Reach

Factory sharing between Honda and Nissan could reshape their global presence as they navigate uncertainties tied to Trumps policies. Talks highlight their strategic efforts to streamline operations and secure a competitive...

Tesla Addresses 'Cell Dent' Issues in Cybertruck Batteries, Sends Units Back to Gigafactory Texas

Tesla has discovered cell dent problems in its Cybertruck battery packs, prompting the automaker to send affected vehicles back to Gigafactory Texas for replacement. The issue affects inventory vehicles and highlights...

US Grants $6.75 Billion in Chips Awards to Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Amkor for Manufacturing Boom

The US Commerce Department has finalized $6.75 billion in chips funding, granting billions to Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Amkor in a major push to secure domestic semiconductor leadership. Samsung Secures Largest Share...

Eli Lilly’s Zepbound Becomes FDA’s First Weight-Loss Drug Approved for Sleep Apnea Treatment

The FDA has approved Eli Lillys Zepbound as the first weight-loss drug to treat obstructive sleep apnea, reshaping care for millions living with obesity-related sleep disorders. The groundbreaking drug improves sleep...

Politics

Donald Trump's Alleged Plans to Fire Elon Musk Spark Controversy Over Administration Rift and Business Ties

Speculation is mounting over reports that former President Donald Trump is considering removing Elon Musk from any future role in his administration. The rumors, amplified by a post on Polymarket predicting only a 13%...

Mitt Romney Claims 'Democrats Will Save Johnson' Sparking Outrage Over 'Speaker's Leadership and Bipartisan Politics'

In a striking statement, Senator Mitt Romney suggested that Democrats may intervene to keep Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. The claim, shared in a tweet by conservative commentator Laura Loomer, has sparked a fiery...

Sen. Mike Lee Predicts 'Mike Johnson Ouster' and Floats 'Vivek or Elon' for Speaker Role

Utah Senator Mike Lee has stirred political discourse by predicting House Speaker Mike Johnson could soon be ousted from his role. Lees comments, made during a radio interview on Thursday, included a surprising pitch for...

Trump Pledges to 'Overturn Biden's 'Mass Amnesty Plan' Sparking Immigration Debate and Political Uproar

Former President Donald Trump has vowed to rescind President Joe Bidens mass amnesty plan if reelected, intensifying the national conversation around immigration policy. Trumps statement, delivered at a rally in Iowa on...

Joe Biden's $1.2 Billion 'Ukraine Aid' Faces Backlash Over 'Domestic Priorities and Accountability'

porting Ukraine. This isnt just about Ukraine; its about defending democracy worldwide and countering Russian aggression, stated House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The Biden administration has also faced mounting...

Science

Emergency Declared as Bird Flu 'Spreads' to California Dairy Cows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency in response to the rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak. The declaration comes after avian influenza was detected in dairy cows, a rare and...

Missing Radioactive Material in New Jersey Sparks Panic — Are Drones ‘Hunting for It’?

A small amount of radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, raising concerns over public safety and potential security risks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed on December 2,...

Some black holes at the centers of galaxies have a buddy − but detecting these binary pairs isn’t easy

Every galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its center, much like every egg has a yolk. But sometimes, hens lay eggs with two yolks. In a similar way, astrophysicists like us who study supermassive black holes expect to...

Astronomers have pinpointed the origin of mysterious repeating radio bursts from space

Slowly repeating bursts of intense radio waves from space have puzzled astronomers since they were discovered in 2022. In new research, we have for the first time tracked one of these pulsating signals back to its...

How is Donald Trump prioritizing funding for cancer research in 2025?

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a major initiative to prioritize funding for cancer research in 2025, pledging billions in federal support to combat one of the worlds leading causes of death. The plan includes...

Technology

OpenAI Heats Up AI Race with o3 Models Aiming to Outperform Google’s Gemini in Complex Problem Solving

OpenAI is raising the stakes in AI innovation with its o3 and o3 mini models, designed for superior reasoning and complex problem-solving. Scheduled for early 2024 releases, these models target leadership in the fierce...

Top AI Chip Stock Positioned for Explosive 2025 Growth, Jefferies Signals Major Upside

A top-performing AI chip company has emerged as Jefferies standout stock for 2025, fueled by groundbreaking advancements in custom chip designs. Analysts predict the firm could achieve record-breaking revenues and market...

NVIDIA Tracks China’s H100 Chip Breach as Super Micro Computer Faces New Compliance Pressure

NVIDIA is probing how restricted H100 chips are ending up in China. Allegations of forged serial numbers and questionable distributor practices, including Super Micro Computer, have triggered a sweeping investigation into...

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Leak Hints at Faster Performance but 4K Output Reportedly Capped at 30 FPS

A recent leak claims the Nintendo Switch 2 dock will enable faster performance but may disappoint fans with its rumored 4K resolution limit at 30 FPS. Updated Joy-Con details and dock specifications provide intriguing...

Tesla Robotaxi Mystery Deepens as Undisclosed City Nears a Breakthrough Launch With Officials Involved

Tesla has begun early discussions with local officials in an unnamed city as it prepares for a bold Robotaxi launch. The move follows recent unveiling plans and signals a significant step toward deploying fully autonomous...