Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI)

What do environmental chemists do on a daily basis? It is not always laboratory work. A lot of time is also spent in the field collecting soil/water/air/plant samples and watching how people interact with different ecological systems. EcoChemistry: We are particularly interested in the intersection between ecology, the built environment, and chemicals used (for us concrete is a mixture of chemicals) Once we learn, we adapt academic curricula to adjust for skills gaps and will now be collaborating with The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to do the same for industry training on sustainable construction. Check out this interview by Amanda Williams FIEMA CEnv talking to our Executive Director Dr. Cecilia Wandiga (she/her) about how we engage with the community https://lnkd.in/dVYQd2AB Ntando Teddy Khuzwayo #NetZero #NaturePositive #Biodiversity #SustainableConstruction

Starting today in 1hr... with Gift Mazera and Samuel Mosongo from iQREET_Africa Understand the Concrete Maturity Index measurement: Real-Time Concrete Monitoring at Kenyatta University 27 Feb • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm • View details and RSVP https://lnkd.in/eKxcMeQd 🚧 *Attention Future Engineers & Construction Enthusiasts!* 🏗️✨ Are you ready to cement your knowledge and build a solid foundation in concrete technologies? Join us for an exciting and informative event where you'll explore the latest advancements, sustainability trends, and real-world applications in concrete innovation. 🌍 *Why attend?* ✅ Learn from industry experts & researchers ✅ Discover cutting-edge materials & techniques ✅ Network with professionals & like-minded students ✅ Gain insights that will shape the future of construction 🗓️27 February 2025 🕑9:00 am - 1:00 pm 📍 TBC 🎟️ Don’t miss out on this opportunity to pave the way for your future! See you there! 👷♂️🔬 #ConcreteInnovation #FutureEngineers #BuildingTheFuture

Demystifying "Biochar from field to Building." What does it look like? Here is our sample for testing courtesy of Teddy Kinyanjui Do animals eat it? Seedballs Kenya wraps seeds in biochar to protect them from being eaten by animals. Video story https://lnkd.in/djSSuzhe Does it have a smell? Not this one. You will have to trust us because we cannot transmit smell via video. How do you turn this into an eco-friendly circular building material? With EcoChemistry: Biochar from wood processing waste or agricultural residues is circular. Think of something easy like paint. Here is a simple home kitchen lab experiment. Short videos Biochar + water https://lnkd.in/dpYuy7FS Biochar + glycerine https://lnkd.in/dqN_UFGT Glycerine self-emulsifies in small quantities which turns the biochar into a smooth coating. Here is an article that explains glycerine emulsion in the context of biofuels. No you don't put biochar in the car engine. But the grains you see on my finger is a particle size. You can grind biochar to different particle sizes. For a paint mix you want closer to dust (aka fine). For a concrete mix you want "larger" (aka coarse). Comparative Analysis of Water and Glycerin Emulsification: Particle Size, Stability, Engine Performance, and Emissions in Biodiesel Fuels (2024) https://lnkd.in/dXkqFh8H Does it stain? Yes. More chemistry is needed to prevent it from staining your clothes.

Take a look at who is growing with us...

Please join us in celebrating Miruoba Marube Mogusu's Bachelor's degree graduation...! 🎓

Join this webinar with Prof. Dan Olago who is also a CSTI Board Member!

Yes, scientists definitely understand the practical challenges of NetZero Nature Positive construction sector transitions. Remember, all scientists do every day is research complex problems like finding an affordable cure for cancer, creating predictive models for climate variability, applying quantum theory, and identifying distant planets that we have never imagined. Here on Earth, the construction sector can benefit from more scientific exploration and innovation....

🔬 Investing in the Future: What Kind of Investors Align with CSTI? 🌍 At CSTI, we don’t just talk about innovation—we engineer it. Our work in EcoChemistry, digital construction, and NetZero industrial materials is designed to transform both financial markets and planetary resilience. But not all investors are the right fit for what we do. Here’s who we’re looking for: ✅ Science & Technology Enthusiasts You don’t need a PhD (we’ve got that covered 😉), but you believe in the power of scientific innovation to reshape industries and economies. ✅ Dual-Metric Investors For us, impact metrics matter just as much as financial returns. We quantify carbon reduction, biodiversity gains, and circular material flows—because what gets measured gets invested in. ✅ Visionaries Who See Africa’s Global Role in Innovation Sub-Saharan Africa isn’t just a recipient of innovation—it’s a source of it. Investors who recognize the value of African-led technology will find CSTI at the forefront of deep tech, bio-based materials, and NetZero urbanization. ✅ Bridge Builders We work in the space between concept-stage research and industrial deployment. If your network connects R&D, finance, and scalable business models, we’re speaking your language. 💡 Does this sound like you or someone in your network? Drop a comment or DM to explore how we can collaborate. #SustainableInvesting #DeepTech #NetZero #ImpactMetrics #EcoChemistry #GreenFinance #AfricanInnovation #CircularEconomy #IndustrialMarkets

The Origin of CSTI’s Vision: Building Resilience from the Ground Up At CSTI, our journey began with a simple yet transformative idea: African science holds the key to solving global sustainability challenges. Rooted in indigenous knowledge and driven by innovation, we’ve created climate adaptation research networks that reflect Africa’s diverse ecosystems, addressing local challenges while creating global opportunities. Today, our work in EcoChemistry and sustainable construction demonstrates the power of place-based science. By working within the unique contexts of African landscapes, we’re developing solutions using plant based fibers that can be scaled worldwide. Key Message: Science rooted in Africa is science for the world. Join us as we continue this journey to transform sustainability, one innovation at a time. #Innovation #Sustainability #NetZero #AfricaLeads

𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱! We thank everyone who has joined us in our journey and look forward to our 2025 continued journey together. Not Your Traditional Seasons Greeting: Our EcoChem Christmas tree is a fusion concept. Something New: Have you noticed the similarities between the colour of fir trees and avocados? Something Old: We used to light the night with fires and we still plaster homes with cow dung. While some ban cows for methane, we also know cow dung plaster is antiseptic and a good fertilizer. No we don't like the smell but some mix herbs and the bad smell goes away. Something Traditional/Modern. Thoughts for 2025: What if our building mortars were not just earth based but also bio-stabilised and non-toxic? Methane to contained biogas lamps?