Innovations, Inventions & Discoveries

1. Innovations, Inventions & Discoveries

2. Innovations, Inventions & Discoveries @ UoM Novel Materials New Algorithms Innovations New Techniques/ Software GIS Applications Discoveries & Inventions Miscellaneous

3. Biodiversity of marine crustaceans (amphipods) Dr C Appadoo Dept of Biological Sciences Objective To carry out taxonomic studies on two of the most diverse and abundant groups of gammaridean amphipods namely the family Melitidae and suborder Corophiidea from various sites around Mauritius. Importance of amphipods -mesograzers and important in marine food chain -indicators of environmental quality -understanding biodiversity and biogeography Main findings -49 amphipod species were studied, these included 26 melitids and 23 corophiideans - 19 new species of amphipods were described. - 12 species have been recorded for the first time in Mauritius - Habitat characteristics (site and substrate of collection) of each amphipod species were compiled. Amphipod habitat New species from Mauritius Ampithoe laxipodusAppadoo & Myers, sp. nov.,♂, 6.2 mm, Le Bouchon. 1998-2005

4. Discovery of new native and endemic species for the Mascarenes V. Florens, O. Griffiths and C. Baider Ten new species of land snails endemic to the Mascarenes of which eight are unique to Mauritius. Seven of these were discovered by the first author. A further six new species discovered recently in Mauritius and Reunion await scientific description. 2004 to 2007

5. Cynanchum scopulosum Described as Cynanchum scopulosum in 2005 by Jean Bosser a botanist from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris V. Florens Endemic plant discovered in 2003 in a cliff of SW coast of Coin de Mire islet. It is peculiar in being aphyllous (that is lacking leaves).

6. Rotary Composter of Organic Matter R MOHEE UNOPS 2002-4 • Currently utilised by over 150 planters in Mauritius and Rodrigues • School Compost Project: ~200 composters (MOE&NDU and MOEHR) - sept 2005 • National Fed of Young Farmers’ Clubs: ~50 composters

7. Barcode Generator A method for recognising, identifying or classifying a spectrum, image or other input data sequence, using a pulse-coupled neural network (PCNN). The PCNN outputs a time signature of binary barcode data, which has a one-to-one correspondence with the input. This may then be taken to a recognition engine, such as a further neural network, which identifies it on the basis of predetermined, known, reference time signatures of barcode data. The recognition process is therefore easier and faster than if the recognition engine acted directly on the basis of reference spectra or images. Inventors: SDDV Rughooputh and HCS Rughooputh University of Mauritius 1999-2001

8. High Resolution MRT Maps of the Southern Sky at 151.6 MHz Equivalent to the Cambridge 6C Survey

9. MRT Images showing known and unknown Extragalactic Objects and Supernova Remnants

10. Minor Planet Somanah (19318) • The International Astronomy Union (IAU) and the NASA have approved the name of “Somanah” to be given to a minor planet found between Mars and Jupiter in 2007 as a reward for innovativeness in the construction of the Mauritius Radio Telescope and contribution to originality in research in astrophysics. • The poster will give details of the discovery of the minor planet “Somanah” and its characteristics. It will also summarize the planets, minor planets and asteroids in our solar system. Principal provisional designation for the numbered object: 1996 XB2 Discovery Date: 1996 12 02 Site: Sormano Name Ref*: 59922 Discoverer: Manca, F. and Cavagna, M. * reference to the citation that accompanied the naming of the object in the Minor Planet Circulars.