Tyndall gets funding boost for electronics and medical devices research - Minister O’Keeffe

Two groups of scientists in the Tyndall National Institute in Cork will each receive up to €5 million over the next five years for path-breaking research that could yield new products for the electronics and medical devices industries, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

The two industry-led research centres are focusing on applied nanotechonology and microelectronics as part of efforts to drive new levels of innovation and product design across the medical and electronics sectors.

Researchers in nanotechnology - the science of very tiny things - are developing integrated circuits for sensors and medical devices.

Meanwhile, another group of researchers are designing microelectronics circuits.

The centre will develop and licence intellectual property in microelectronics to firms that can take the technology to the global marketplace.

A number of well-known firms including Intel, Analog, Creganna and Seagate are helping both research teams to bring a commercial and market-orientated focus to their work.

Minister O’Keeffe said the funding was vital in underpinning the researchers' important work.

'The Tyndall National Institute is known around the world for its path-breaking research and these two competence centres are working well with industry to produce next-generation products for the global marketplace.

‘The Government wants to make Ireland Europe’s innovation hub by funding high-quality research that has commercial potential and will create leading-edge jobs,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

He said the Government's investment in the Competence Centres Programme will rise to €90 million over the next six years.

‘Collaborative company-led research will get under way in the research centres which will rise from six this year to 15 in 2016.

‘Clusters of firms will work together to overcome common research challenges and drive opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs,' said Minister O’Keeffe.

ENDS

Bernard Mallee, Press Adviser to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, on Tel: +353 1 631 3944, Mobile: +353 87 9173022, Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie