TU Dublin’s CREST Technology Gateway Secure €2,411,000 under the Capital Equipment Call
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke T.D. has announced the successful applicants to the latest round of the Capital Equipment Call, administered by Enterprise Ireland (EI) through the Technology Gateway and EI/IDA Technology Centre Programmes. The Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST) Gateway in TU Dublin secured two grants in the recent funding call worth a combined total of €2,411,000. The two grants awarded are for an Advanced Composite Research Equipment Suite and an X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS).
Advanced Composite Research Equipment Suite
Dr Joseph Mohan; CREST Senior Research Fellow and Keith Colton; Lecturer and Researcher at TU Dublin’s CreateLAB have secured €1,325,000 for the Advanced Composite Research Equipment Suite. This funding will facilitate the acquisition of a state-of-the-art composite manufacturing, processing and prototyping suite. This suite, comprising of nine separate pieces of equipment, will enable researchers and industry partners to undertake groundbreaking projects in composite materials and innovative design. The suite will include an autoclave, platen press, resin transfer moulding system, filament winder and high-temperature additive manufacturing capabilities that will enable the rapid prototyping of composite components. Both Dr. Mohan and Mr. Colton emphasised the impact of this funding in addressing critical technological challenges and advancing industries such as space, aerospace, drones, automotive, and renewable energy.
Dr Mohan commented:
This suite of equipment represents a step-up in capabilities for TU Dublin & CREST. It will allow CREST and CreateLAB to engage with the Irish composite industry and provide a unified solution to design, prototype and manufacture high-quality components. Ultimately, this will allow our industrial partners to offer competitive solutions while supporting job creation and increasing exports.
Mr. Colton added:
The suite will enable CREST and CreateLab, to support Irish businesses exploring new opportunities. The equipment creates a platform at TU Dublin for research at the intersection of multiple technologies and will help industry access support across a wide range of themes, including alternative materials, coatings for composite manufacturing, and digital manufacturing for composites – all key areas aligned with Ireland’s goals in areas such as sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS)
A grant of €1,086,000 has been awarded to Prof. Brendan Duffy; CREST Principal Investigator and Health Engineering & Materials Science Research Hub Lead and Dr Mohamed Oubaha, ARISE Business Development Manager for Biopharma, Life Science & Medical Industries, for the acquisition of an X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS).
This instrument will complement CREST’s electron microscopy suite, which is extensively used by the engineering industry. The XPS represents a crucial investment, offering precise surface analysis that meets the stringent requirements of sectors such as medical devices, coatings, and raw materials. By bridging an existing gap in Ireland’s industrial testing capabilities, this new system will not only enhance CREST’s service offerings but also strengthen industrial engagement and collaboration across multiple industries.
Prof. Duffy described the XPS as:
the final piece in a comprehensive suite of analytical tools available for industrial clients of CREST. The ability for industries to pinpoint the root cause of failures is crucial for high-value products operating in demanding environments, such as corrosive coastal sites facing constant natural challenges.
The Technology Gateway Programme serves as a key link between academic research expertise and industry needs, offering Irish businesses access to cutting-edge technology and resources. This funding milestone not only elevates TU Dublin, CREST and CreateLAB’s research potential but also reinforces their role in driving innovation and excellence within Ireland’s research ecosystem. The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27.
For more information on CREST see here.
For more information on CreateLAB see here.
Read the full press release from here: Enterprise Ireland