"The Fellow in residence programme has allowed me to integrate as an active team member with the LPPI researchers, to develop joint interests in a diverse range of projects centred around sensor development and energy applications. The common factor between all these projects is the interest in novel high surface area electrochemically active nanomaterials which could benefit the focus of either sensors or energy applications. During the 4 month FIR stay, the initial contact with LPPI has been expanded to a fully representative consortium working on mutually beneficial materials and technology outcomes. This is very important for capacity building, research training of postgraduate students and for developing teaching capacity in teaching current hot topics in science. The consortium partnership established between SensorLab (University of the Western Cape ) and the LPPI laboratory (CY Cergy Paris) is a unique innovation in science knowledge sharing and capacity building between South Africa and France."