Professor David Lokhat, full professor in the Discipline of Chemical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), delivered an insightful inaugural lecture titled: ‘From Ideas to Innovation: A Journey in Chemical Reaction Engineering and Process Intensification’, reflecting on the origins of impactful research ideas, the evolution of his academic career and the transformative potential of chemical engineering research.
The lecture explored the critical role of research and innovation in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. Rather than focusing solely on his personal achievements, Lokhat used the occasion to examine how meaningful research ideas are generated and developed into innovations that benefit society.
Addressing an audience of colleagues, students, researchers and industry stakeholders, Lokhat posed a central question: “Where do great research ideas come from?” He argued that while research methodologies are taught extensively, the process of generating original ideas remains one of the most important and least understood aspects of academic inquiry.
Drawing on examples from international scientific breakthroughs, including the discovery of the Higgs boson and Nobel Prize-winning work in enzyme engineering, he emphasised the importance of collaboration in turning concepts into reality.
“Big ideas need big teams and great collaboration to become something great,” he said.
Lokhat encouraged researchers to cultivate curiosity, challenge accepted knowledge and immerse themselves in the frontiers of science. He shared practical advice developed throughout his career, including maintaining a personal journal of ideas and observations.
“I still go back to those journals to explore ideas that I had years ago but never pursued,” he said. “It’s like building your own innovation ecosystem that you can continuously refer back to for inspiration.”
A recurring theme throughout the lecture was the importance of ensuring that research remains relevant and responsive to societal needs. Lokhat urged academics to engage closely with industry and communities in order to identify unanswered questions and real-world challenges. “Engaging with industry to find questions without current answers is the best way to come up with fresh, innovative and impactful ideas,” he noted.
He also highlighted the value of adopting a customer-centred approach to innovation, reminding researchers to remain focused on the beneficiaries of their work. “You should care about who your research is for,” he said. “Who will it impact? Who will it benefit?”
The second half of the lecture focused on process intensification, a field of chemical engineering dedicated to developing cleaner, smaller and more efficient technologies. Lokhat traced the history of the discipline and demonstrated how advances in reactor design, advanced materials and novel energy fields have transformed industrial processes.
He then showcased several research projects undertaken at UKZN and in collaboration with international partners. These included developing a patented rotating microreactor capable of significantly enhancing chemical reaction rates, innovative ultrasonic techniques for producing advanced sorbent materials, methods for controlling nanoparticle synthesis and the application of magnetic fields to influence catalytic reactions.
Among the projects highlighted was his recent work on sustainable water treatment technologies. By extracting proteins from plants and incorporating them into solid coagulants, Lokhat and his research team have developed environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional water treatment chemicals. The innovation has attracted support for piloting and commercialisation and forms part of ongoing efforts to improve water access and quality, particularly in African communities.
Since joining UKZN as a lecturer in 2013, Lokhat has built an internationally recognised research profile in catalysis, chemical reaction engineering and process intensification. He has supervised numerous postgraduate students, published extensively in leading journals and received multiple awards for research excellence, teaching and innovation.
Reflecting on his academic journey, he paid tribute to his students, mentors, colleagues, technical staff and family for their support and contributions.
He acknowledged that scientific discovery is seldom a straightforward process and encouraged emerging researchers to embrace setbacks as opportunities for learning. “Useful information is gained even through the failures,” he said. “Not every idea will work out the first time and that is completely okay.”
Lokhat concluded with an optimistic reflection on the future of research and innovation. “My journey has only just begun,” he said. “There is so much left to do. I can only hope to have enough time to do it all.”
Commenting on the lecture, Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Professor Naven Chetty, praised Lokhat’s contributions, saying: “Your work has made an important contribution to the University, to the discipline and to society at large.”
Having served as Academic Leader for Chemical Engineering at UKZN from 2019 to 2026, Lokhat currently holds the uMngeni-uThukela Water Chair in Water Resources Research and Innovation at UKZN, as well as the African Rainbow Minerals Chair in Sustainable Engineering and Process Intensification.
Words: Sally Frost
Photograph: Supplied