Advances in Phytochemistry, Textile and Renewable Energy Research for Industrial Growth

Abstract

This book is an outcome from an international conference by the Africa Centre of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACEII-PTRE); a World Bank funded project under the auspices of the Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE II) that seeks to contribute to addressing critical gaps in technical, scientific and research skills. The ACEII-PTRE aims at providing high quality training and research in the Eastern and Southern African region in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable energy. It seeks to build regional specialization by concentrating on postgraduate students and faculty, generating knowledge, developing skills to support industry and private sector demand, and to generate research for the betterment of the community and the region at large.Our aim in writing this book is to prepare a text which is comprehensive and a stimulating discourse on research for sustainable industrial growth. The context of the book is situated on the premise that the economic growth and industrial investments have boosted demand for greater technological skills and applied research in some of the priority economic sectors like Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy, Health and others in many developing economies. Prior to Covid-19, many regions of the world experienced remarkable economic growth especially in the last decade. Outstanding skills and continuous vigorous research are therefore needed, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) so as to sustain the economic growth and transformation. However, there is a new global paradigm shift that seeks to consider STEAM instead of STEM -by adding the 'Arts' to the STEM since Arts play an important role in areas related to STEM. Notwithstanding, ethics in research is also a key area of focus in STEAM.The theme of the book: "Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation for Industrial Growth" and the thematic areas of Phytochemistry, Progressive Textiles, Transformative Industrialization, Renewable and Alternative Energy are relevant in realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a universal call of action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030. A better world requires an interdisciplinary approach, hence the incorporation of social science perspectives rendering this book a high-level academic discourse with cross-cutting disciplines.Advancing research and well-integrated national development strategies can help raise productivity, improve industrial competitiveness, support faster growth, create jobs and promote resilient communities. Therefore, leveraging on the research arena to advance industrial growth is a central goal of this book. The book captures various knowledge creation and development aspects through the presentation of case specific, basic and applied research and innovation from the perspective of multiple contributors. The text is presented in 42 short chapters which are organized in three sections. Section 1 of the book focuses on advances in Science, T...