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SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Advancing Scientific Excellence
SFI Research Centres are acting as thought leaders
across a wide range of disciplines in ICT, Health,
Energy, Geosciences and Pharma. They are
achieving research excellence and leadership, as
measured through indicators such as publications
in top-tier journals and conferences, citations,
editorship of top tier journals, and invitations to give
lectures at top tier conferences. In 2015, over 1000
publications were attributed to the SFI Research
Centres. In 2015, ten ERC advanced, consolidator
and Proof of Concept awards were granted to SFI
Research Centre researchers.
Researchers in APC, led by Prof John Cryan
and Prof Ted Dinan, published a paper in Brain,
Behavior and Immunity that explored the
biochemical signals that regulate the important
health and developmental links between the
brain, gut and microbiome.
Researchers in AMBER led by Prof Michael Coey,
together with researchers from The Netherlands,
Singapore, and the USA, published a paper
in Science describing how magnetism can be
suddenly switched on by adding a layer just
one atom thick to a thin film of a specific oxide
material. This is not only important for materials
science, but it is also a significant discovery that
could have potential for storing the World’s big
data.
Researchers in CONNECT, led by Dr Ronan Farrell
published a paper in IEEE Microwave and Wireless
Components Letters which will have long-term
impact on power amplifiers, one of the key
components of advanced intelligent access
nodes on the Internet of Things.
Researchers in MaREI, led by Prof John
Ringwood, published a paper in IEEE
Transactions on Sustainable Energy which
demonstrates how energy efficiencies are
maximised in the deployment of arrays of wave
energy devices.
Creating Societal Impact
SFI Research Centres are leading key national
projects which will have major societal impact.
CONNECT is leading a project called Pervasive
Nation, which will install an Ireland-wide,
wireless network which will support Internet of
Things research and innovation and will facilitate
applications such as flood monitoring and smart-
agriculture.
MaREI ‘s research programme is aligning with the
needs of data centres and their requirement to
use renewable energy.
SSPC continues to work towards the generation
of a ‘greener’ pharmaceutical industry and the
improvement of pharmaceutical processes which
will lead to the greater availability and choice of
medicines for patients.
INFANT is developing computer assisted methods
of analysing neonatal brainwaves to detect the
onset of adverse events such as seizures in the
brain. This research aims to improve the long-term
health outcomes of new-born babies by the early
and accurate detection of neurological problems
which will allow the delivery of prompt and
appropriate treatment and intervention strategies.
Education and Public Engagement
The Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres
are inspiring future STEM students and training
and educating the future cohort of engineers and
scientists to take up high value employment in MNCs
and SMEs in Ireland. In 2015, the Research Centres
ran 294 education and public engagement activities
reaching a total of over 2.5 million people.
The Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres
developed new public engagement content to
showcase research at public events such as the
National Ploughing Championships and at venues
throughout the country during Science Week
2015. The Centres also collaborated to provide an
interactive exhibit at the BT Young Scientist and
Technology Exhibition in January 2015.
AMBER launched its project Science LIVE! which
provides interactive online, guided tours of
science centres in Ireland. The virtual tours give
primary school classes direct access to Ireland’s
leading research facilities and scientists, inspiring
them to think positively about science careers.
This project resulted in the development of a
Toolkit which will enable additional Research
Centres to implement the programme and expand
their geographical reach.
Insight worked with Scouting Ireland to create a
definitive resource of STEM materials for youth
members and adult Leaders, which will facilitate
their engagement with these subjects outside of
the classroom in a fun, non-formal environment.