Computational Physics

Computational Physics combines physics, computer science and applied mathematics in order to provide scientific solutions to realistic and often complex problems. It is increasingly recognized as the third pillar of scientific inquiry following theory and experiment. Member of Staff in our Department use computer models with applications in a range of areas that include the pattern formation in graphene-like materials, surface chirality, molecular physics, glass transition, energy management and medical physics.

Radiation and Health Physics

The Radiation and Health Physics Group at the university of Swaziland is primarily interested in the impact of radiation to living organisms as well as the impact to the environment. While at its infancy, the immediate focus of the group is on measurements of radioactivity on waste left behind by mining activities. In addition, the group will focus on developing educational materials on radiation safety, which will be used primarily to educate staff in health facilities and any other environment with significant radiation exposure.

Energy

Current energy research in the physics department includes several aspects of solar energy technology and traditional biomass consumption by the rural population. One ongoing project’s outcome will allow us to better understand the optimal orientation and energy output for fixed solar panels at the university’s location. In another aspect of the same project the use of machine learning algorithms in the development of a typical meteorological year is being explored. In another project, a perfomance analysis of the Centre for Sustsainable Energy research’s 82.56 kW solar power plant is being carried out. The other research project on traditional biomass aims at getting a better estimate of the amount of firewood consumed annually by a rural household in Eswatini, a parameter required in national energy demand modeling.

Weather and Climate Change Physics

The atmosphere is a complex nonlinear fluid layer around the spherical earth that is, in principle, governed by the laws of physics. The weather conditions on the earth surface are a results of the evolution of the atmospheric state that is often described by surface variables such as temperature, precipitation and wind. Climate is typically defined as the average weather that is usually averaged over 30 years. It is now widely accepted that the global climate is changing. While the Kingdom of Eswatini is a relatively small country (about 17,400 square kilometres), it consists of four geographic regions: Lubombo Plateau, Lowveld, Middleveld and Highveld with varying climatic conditions. Our research group is interested in numerical weather predictions and the application of global circulation models to study the impact of climate change in the country.