We have two dedicated laboratories one for scanning electron microscopy, with two SEM instruments, one with EDX function, and the second which has 300 MHz and 500 MHz multi-nuclear NMR systems (can do solid state as well).

There is a large analytical instrumentation laboratory which houses a suite of spectroscopic and chromatographic equipment including a GC-MS (Agilent Technology); LC-MS Q-TOF Accurate-Mass (Agilent technologies 6530); Shmiadzu uHPLC and preparative LC systems; FT-IR, UV-vis spectrophotometer, and a polarimeter.

An RF anechoic chamber (ca. 20m2) with a Keysight vector network analyser, vector signal generator / analyser. The chamber includes an Innco Systems CT0500 turntable which can be programmed to work with various EMC test cases. The chamber and associated instruments, form a complementary resource to the RFT Lab, located in the Department of Electronic Engineering, that provides an environment that is essential for the testing of RF devices and systems. Testing in respect of EMC investigations & pre-compliance, harmonic analysis, low- noise amplification and antenna performance can be performed using the chamber. One, of only a number within the country, the Anechoic Chamber represents the Research Institute’s commitment to collaborative research and support with local enterprises and sister academic institutions.

These laboratories have a suite of laminar airflow hoods for cell culture processes, and equipment for biochemical analysis, including spectrophotometers and a Mason Technology H1 Hybrid 96 Plate Well Reader, and a 7300 Real Time PCR System. There is also a Whithey H35 Hypoxystation for specialist protection experiments, incubators, including a C02 incubator, and a separate lab with a confocal microscope. There is also a dark room attached to the lab.

Includes a purpose built MTS 858 Bionix® test system with supporting biomechanical subsystems including a hip wear simulator and spinal kinematics system. This servohydraulic system can precisely simulate a full range of joint motions including flexion/extension, lateral bending, axial tension/compression, torsion, X-axis shear and Z-axis shear. Load data from a six-degree-of-freedom load cell, and displacement data from a range of transducers throughout the test system, are used to evaluate the performance of various orthopaedic treatments such as balloon kyphoplasty and scoliosis correction surgery.

Has benchspace and 11 high specification extraction fumehoods, serviced with gases for inert reactions. The laboratory is kitted out with ancillary equipment and glassware for advanced experimental chemical synthesis. It also houses specialist synthesis equipment, including a hyrdogenator, microwave synthesiser and a solid phase peptide synthesiser.

This is used mainly for sensor fabrication and analysis with at least six different potentiostats for cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry.

There is one dedicated laboratory for scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and ancillary equipment, with a second surface lab which houses an atomic force microscope 5500 AFM; FT-IR with attachments; First Ten Angstroms FTA 1000 C-Class Drop Shape Analyser; First Ten Angstroms DCA-100 Contact Angle Tensiometer; NIMA Technology Langmuir-Blodgett Trough; Alicona MeX SEM 3D Imaging Software.

These are fitted with laminar airflow hoods and are suited to work on DNA extraction and analysis; class one microorganisms and bioanalysis projects. A warm room is attached.

Designed and risk assessed to the highest standards for working with class 2 type microorganisms in a Laminar Flow Hood, with a complete suite of protocols and procedures to ensure safe operations, cleaning and contamination control.

Fermentation Suite - up to 100L capacity with steam in place and clean in place facilities; 10L system and a 2L quad fermentation unit. Can be set up for microbial cell culture, but also has microspargers and marine type impellers for conversion to animal cell culture. All the fermenters have pH, pO2, turbidity and off gas analysis which feeds back to a MFCS data handling unit. For downstream processing there is Centrifuge 50L/hr (11,750 rpm) and a Millipore TFF unit for concentrating down product depending on the process.

BIOSTAT Cultibag RM 20/50 - This is a wave technology/disposable bag system for animal cell culture, up to 20L capacity currently, 50L possible with additional equipment.

Pilot Plant: Solid Formulations - 5 vessels ranging from 250Lto 500L; training instrumentation skid; centrally controlled by a PLC with SCADA interface for the user.

Other equipment in the Pilot Plant includes - Millipore K-Prime unit for larger scale chromatography projects; Bottling line with 500ml fill capacity fed from the main vessels in the lab; Pasteurising Unit.

We have a 3000 sq ft Technology Development & Transfer Laboratory in the main building which houses a 2L automated Chemical Reactor, 10L 1 Pot Granulator / Dryer, Fluid Bed Dryer (Glatt), Homogeniser, Tablet Press, Powder Testing Equipment – e.g. Particle Size, Dissolution, Hardness, Friability, Disintegration, sieves. There is also a supporting process analytical laboratory (PAT Lab) with Raman and NIR spectrometers, particle size analyser, rheometer and thermoanalytical instruments, e.g. DSC, TGA.

This lab space has an array of screen and laser printing systems, plastics assembly apparatus, dispensing systems and potentiostats for advanced sensor studies.

Physiology lab

An 1800 sq ft laboratory which houses our Cosmed CPET Metabolic Cart, which research projects use to determine aerobic profiles of GAA teams, endurance athletes and International Hockey players. The system is also been used to determine the nutritional demands of sports based on lab testing. The system also has a 12-lead ECG which can be

integrated into the software to maximise Cardiorespiratory fitness. The lab also contains an EKF Biosen C-Line, used to test Glucose and Lactate levels which is the primary focus of the Metabolic Health component of Sport Science.

A key ergometer in the lab is the Wattbike Pro which is used for metabolic profiling and power output analysis. As well as our hardware, the lab contains 8 Apple Mac Mini’s with SportsCode analysis software. This package has been used in our research in analysing and breaking down components of sports ranging from GAA and Basketball to Amateur Boxing.

Biomechanics Lab

A 950 sq ft lab based in the main building. This lab houses our BTS Podium force plate, which is integrated into the artificial grass flooring. One key use is to examine landing characteristics, comparing footwear and also balance/coordination post-concussion, along with video feedback from HD camera. Our optojump/optogait systems are used to examine jump height/flight time/RSI along with monitoring gait cycle metrics. The Gyko system can integrate with these systems and analyse postural sway of the gait cycle or force velocity of compound exercises like bench press and squat.

SS&H Building

Construction of a new 15 million Sports Science and Health building began in July 2020 and will open its doors in late 2021. It will house a full gym, two Sports research labs with the most up to date equipment and software. It is our aim to have both labs fully BASES accredited, making us a leader in Sport Science and Health in Ireland.