Our congratulations go out to Frikkie de Beer who recently received his Philosophiae Doctor Engineering Sciences (PHD).

Below is a short extract of his achievements:

Frederik Coenraad (Frikkie) de Beer’s scientific career started in 1988 at the Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa, currently known as Necsa, in the field of non-destructive investigation of nuclear materials by means of penetrating radiation. Under his expert guidance, neutron and X-ray tomography facilities were established to support local researchers from a variety of research fields in the expert use of X-rays and neutrons in the examination of their objects of study. He established the first digital neutron radiography and tomography facility in the Southern Hemisphere located at the SAFARI-1 nuclear research reactor, which in 2004 earned him the Atom Energy Corporation Chairman’s Trophy for exceptional achievement. Not only did Frikkie earn his place as local expert, but received international recognition in the field of neutron radiography and tomography by being elected as president of the International Society for Neutron Radiography, a position he held with distinction from 2006 – 2010.

His thesis, Neutron and X-ray tomography as research tools for applied research in South Africa, focuses on the design and development of unique national research facilities at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation for pervasive examination of objects by means of X-ray and neutron radiography and tomography techniques. This ensured the establishment of an important base of expertise from which to provide research and training support to users from a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines. The thesis demonstrates the value of these facilities through three applications in important South African research fields, namely palaeontology, which has a rich South African history; research on hydrogen fuel cells, important for hydrogen economy; and the field of nuclear materials, which impacts the nuclear industry.

Promoter/Promotor: Prof FB Waanders

Well done! We are extremely proud of you and to have you has a Saint member.