28 May 2014

Tyndall and Cork Institute of Technology renew photonics and process analysis based MoU

Ireland’s Tyndall National Institute (based at University College Cork) and the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to renew and expand their existing partnership.

The partnership forms part of a broader collaboration between the two institutions that is valued at over €50m to date. The new agreement will focus on delivering world-class research, providing highly skilled industry-relevant graduates to the workforce, and generating new businesses from innovative technologies. Tyndall, University College Cork (UCC) and CIT achieved success in the last series of European Union (EU) funding, reaching €75m collectively in more than 260 research projects (with an average success rate of 20%), and are actively pursuing the Irish government’s target of winning €1.2bn via EU Horizon 2020 (the EU's new framework program for research and innovation for 2014-2020).

Photonics is a key focus of collaboration and research of CIT at Tyndall. The CIT research group CAPPA (Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis), based at Tyndall, undertakes work on a diverse range of applications across telecoms, lighting, medicine, agriculture and robotics. As an integral part of the (Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) at Tyndall, CAPPA joins the 100 researchers from four institutes developing new light-enabled technologies.

CAPPA recently announced its participation in the EU Framework Programme 7 research project NISTAS (Non-Invasive Screening Of The Status Of The Vascular System). Working with Cork-based industry partners Epi-Light Ltd (which makes LED-based modules and systems) and Open Innovation Partners (a research commercialization firm) plus six other European partners, the project aims to develop a new light-based medical instrument for the non-invasive and rapid diagnosis of cardiovascular illnesses that is inexpensive and portable. By 2050, the population aged over 80 is expected to have increased by 170%, and cardiovascular diseases are by far the greatest cause of death (over 50%) in this age group.

Tyndall and CIT’s NIMBUS Centre for Embedded Systems Research have worked on several national and international projects that have looked to improve energy efficiency and demand using technologies such as wireless sensor networks and embedded systems, energy harvesting, auto-commissioning and simulation models. These have taken advantage of the extensive test beds established in the city, including CIT’s national test bed for micro-generation.

 “The Government has targeted €1.25bn in EU funding under the European Horizon 2020 program and it will be programs such as CIT@Tyndall that will play an important role in securing this funding to drive research and innovation both nationally and internationally,” comments Seán Sherlock TD, Ireland’s Minister for Research & Innovation.

Pictured left to right: UCC president Dr Michael Murphy, Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock TD, Tyndall’s CEO Dr Kieran Drain, and CIT president Dr Brendan Murphy.

“After 15 years of collaboration which has enabled us to utilize the existing infrastructure of both institutions, we are delighted to have renewed and expanded our partnership with CIT,” comments Tyndall’s CEO Dr Kieran Drain. “The program has proved very successful, and collaborations with centres such as CAPPA and NIMBUS have a proven track record of delivery since their inception. We are focused on delivering programs that will drive maximum economic impact and accelerate the growth of new business. With 10 currently active projects worth over €5m, we are looking forward to building for the future,” he adds.

“The CIT@Tyndall program has enjoyed great success and has gone from strength to strength since it was signed in 2008,” notes UCC president Michael Murphy. “We are the only two Irish academic institutions that offer a joint degree program, and the existing memorandum of understanding has enabled CIT and UCC to collaborate closely on EU projects,” he adds.

“The CIT-Tyndall collaboration and broader spirit of cooperation has been extremely important in furthering the research capabilities and industry partnerships of both CIT and UCC,” states CIT’s president Brendan Murphy.

Tags: Tyndall

Visit: www.tyndall.ie

Visit: www.cit.ie