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impact assessment report 16 contents

foreword_02 our economic impact_04 our research outputs_06 our engagement with business & communities_08 transforming our research into impacts_12 our education & public engagement programmes_18 supporting our alumni & young researchers_22 our international engagement_26 concluding remarks_32 industry testimonials_34 associated investigators_36

2 1 foreword

CRANN, the Centre for Research Over the past fourteen years, the Since AMBER was established, For the report, we commissioned We are delighted that the hard work of on Adaptive Nanostructures and Institute has transformed how we have attracted newer and Economic & Commercial Professor Brian Lucey, leading our researchers and staff over the last Nanodevices was established in Ireland is perceived internationally for larger industrial partnerships and economist at Trinity to undertake an 10+ years is effectively demonstrated 2003 as a Science Foundation Ireland materials science. We have established significantly grown our income from evaluation of the economic impacts in this report through the significant (SFI) Centre for Science, Engineering state of the art and in some cases non-exchequer, notably European Societal that CRANN and AMBER have had in contribution that CRANN and AMBER and Technology (CSET). The founding unique infrastructure and built deep sources. AMBER’s 30 Investigators the last 10 years and to measure the have made to the economic and members of CRANN were a group of five partnerships with industry across are driving our research excellence linkages between academics and societal wellbeing of our local, regional researchers from the Schools of Physics ICT, industrial technologies, medical and in 2016, Ireland was ranked 1st International Engagement business and community. Professor and national communities and through and Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin devices and pharmaceutical sectors. in the world for nanotechnology Lucey used the Input-Output our international reach. committed to developing a national and In 2013, CRANN came together with and 3rd for materials science*. approach to analyse our economic and international centre for nanoscience the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Policy & Public Services employment impacts in Ireland. His As we look forward to the next decade, research. Their vision was to attract University College Cork and the This impact assessment report team also empirically measured the we remain committed to making a the best international researchers Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland rigorously assesses the impacts that linkages between academics based at difference to the social and economic to Ireland and to carry out world to establish the AMBER (Advanced CRANN and AMBER have made to Health & wellbeing CRANN and AMBER and business and well-being of Ireland through the leading research, which was informed Materials and BioEngineering the Irish economy and wider society community, using a field-tested survey quality of our research and training for by industry and could impact Irish Research) centre which successfully in the last 10 years. SFI have defined instrument. We commissioned Claire graduates and our engagements with competitiveness. This initial investment secured €35M for a six year research an impact framework based on Environmental O’Connell, science writer, to put togther businesses and communities both in CRANN acted as a catalyst for progamme, as part of SFI’s national their work with the Small Advanced a number of impact case studies, to nationally and internationally. We will research in nanotechnology and Research Centres initiative. Economies Initiative. We have used highlight the reach and significance work to engage with our politicians advanced materials in Ireland and the this classification to demonstrate Human Capacity of our research across a broad range and policy makers to ensure that the country now has a proven reputation our research impacts across 7 key of communities and businesses. value to Ireland of investing in materials as a global leader in these fields. pillars – Economic and Commercial, science is evident. CRANN is a flagship research institute Societal, International Engagement, within Trinity and is a key component Policy & Public Services, Health of the university’s strategic plan. We and Wellbeing, Environmental and are housed at the Naughton Institute, Human Capacity. Throughout this a 6000m2 purpose built research report we use the icons opposite to Professor Michael Morris facility with an additional 1000m2 represent our impacts in these areas. Director | AMBER specialised laboratory space located at the Grand Canal which is home to our suite of leading edge Electron Microscopes, Polymer science and Professor Stefano Sanvito Additive manufacturing laboratories. Director | CRANN

*Thomson Reuters ‘InCites’ based on Essential Science Indicators and Web of Science; Citations per paper; 2 Countries with >1000 papers published 2007—2016. 3 our economic impact CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

The economic impact assessment for CRANN/ Table 1.1 shows the economic impact of CRANN/AMBER Employment impact 2016 AMBER over the 10 year period of 2007–2016 on the national output over the last 10 years. The output demonstrates a very positive impact for the Irish multiplier for a sector refers to the change in total output Table 1.2 shows the employment impact of CRANN/AMBER for the economy as a whole resulting from a unit change in on the national labour market over the last 10 years. During economy; with a total income of €108 million from the final demand for that sector. To implement the input- the whole period, the Type II employment multiplier for 2007 to 2016, CRANN/AMBER generated gross output analysis for CRANN/AMBER, the first thing to do CRANN/AMBER is 12.80, which compares favourably with 14,279 output nationwide of over €505 million. was to construct a disaggregated input-output table, which the employment multipliers for each of the 21 Irish HEIs as JOBS views CRANN/AMBER as a separate ‘sector’ within the reported by Zhang et al, which ranged from 4.45 to 8.84*. NATIONWIDE ‘Education Service’ sector as a whole from the National The main driver behind our high employment multiplier is Accounts, based on Central Statistics Office data. The that CRANN/AMBER, when compared with each HEI, has Type I output multiplier for a particular industry is defined raised very significant funding relative to its headcount to be the total of all outputs from each domestic industry (larger ratio of income to number of staff). With a total required in order to produce one additional unit of output, employment of 1116 staff, CRANN/AMBER generated while the Type II output multiplier incorporates not only the 14,279 jobs nationwide. increase in demand for intermediate inputs but also induced household consumption effects. In other words, the Type I Employment refers to the total FTEs of CRANN/AMBER €505m multiplier can be defined as direct and indirect effects, and between 2007 and 2016. The Type II employment multiplier GROSS OUTPUT NATIONWIDE the Type II multiplier can be defined as direct, indirect and is the ratio of direct, indirect and induced employment induced effects. As we are concerned with wider economic changes to the direct employment change. impact of CRANN/AMBER on the national economy, it is the Type II output multipliers that are presented here.

Table 1.1 Economic impact of CRANN/AMBER Table 1.2 Employment impact of CRANN/AMBER in the input-output approach in the input-output approach

YEAR INCOME TYPE II OUTPUT IRISH ECONOMIC YEAR NUMBER OF TYPE II EMPLOYMENT 1,116 MULTIPLIER IMPACT EMPLOYEES EMPLOYMENT ON IRISH STAFF MULTIPLIER ECONOMIC IMPACT 2007 7.05 4.31 30.39 2007 60 8.34 500 2008 8.78 4.11 36.09 2008 60 6.40 381 2009 15.71 3.51 55.14 2009 85 4.48 381 2010 7.28 4.17 30.36 2010 107 12.84 1374 2010 8.21 5.43 44.58 2011 71 11.49 816 2012 9.80 4.66 45.67 2012 119 11.74 1397 2013 11.09 6.12 67.87 2013 131 17.17 2249 2014 14.33 4.83 69.21 2014 137 10.81 1481 €108m 2015 12.05 4.93 59.41 2015 162 19.65 3183 TOTAL INCOME 2007–16 2016 13.43 4.94 66.34 2016 184 13.66 2513 Total €107.73 4.69 €505.05 Total 1116 12.80 14279

(Current prices, million euro) (Current prices, million euro) 2007

For every 1 euro invested, CRANN/AMBER has helped the Irish economy to grow by 5 euro

*Zhang, Q., Larkin, C. and Lucey, B.M. (2017), ‘The economic impact of higher education institutions in 4 Ireland: evidence from disaggregated input-output tables,’ Studies in Higher Education, 42(9), 1601—1623 5 our research outputs CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Our high impact publications have included: Citation impact

Ireland is consistently improving in global • Professor Jonathan Coleman’s • Professor Ed Lavelle’s publication The Field-Weighted Citation Impact is a measure of how scientific rankings, and CRANN and AMBER Nature Materials publication (2014) in Immunity (2016) which provides the number of citations an institution has received in a are significant contributors to these rankings. on his novel method for producing a new perspective on the design particular discipline relates to the global average. Shown industrial quantities of high quality of vaccines. One of the key in Table 2.2 is the calculated Field-Weighted Citation for Since the start of AMBER in 2013, the country graphene by liquid exfoliation. The components in a vaccine is an Trinity College (2.06) in comparison to other recognised has risen in the international materials science research led to the technology being adjuvant, which serves to enhance global leaders in materials science including the top five rankings (by citation) and in 2016, was ranked transferred to Thomas Swan Ltd. our body’s immune response to universities as identified in QS subject rankings (MIT, 1st in Nanoscience and 3rd in Materials Science as a royalty bearing license. The vaccination. Professor Lavelle and Stanford, University of California, Berkeley, University of based on Thomson Reuters Incites data. exfoliated graphene product is now team uncovered the mechanism by Cambridge and Harvard University). This calculation was available on the market under the which a promising vaccine adjuvant, based on analysis of Materials Science publications between ® CRANN and AMBER have had a measurable impact on the trade name Elicarb and there are chitosan, induces an immune 2007–2016 using the Elsevier SciVal database*. Trinity international reputation of Ireland in the area of materials 8 full time staff currently working response. The discovery provides a College Materials science was used as a proxy for AMBER in science research. We have published over 2,400 research on the commercialization of 2D roadmap to develop vaccines that this analysis as it is the host institution for the Centre and papers from 2007–2016, generating over 76,000 citations materials within the company. trigger ‘cell-mediated immunity’. houses approximately 70% of its Investigators. As shown, (Table 2.1). Many of our publications were in high impact Trinity ranks very favourably with an equivalent citation journals and from 2013–2016 alone, we had 4 papers in impact to University of Cambridge, Imperial College London Science, 47 in Nature journals, 7 in Biomaterials and 7 in • Professor Graham Cross’s Nature • Professor Michael Coey’s publication and National University of Singapore. the Journal of Controlled Release. Publications in the latter paper (2016) on the self-assembly in Nature Nanotechnology (2016) two emphasize the growth in high quality biomaterials and of graphene ribbons by spontaneous which could lead to a breakthrough Table 2.2 Materials Science; Field Weighted drug delivery research since AMBER was established. self-tearing and peeling from a in mass storage of digital data. The Citation Impact vs. Number of Citations per publication FIELD-WEIGHTED CITATION IMPACT FIELD-WEIGHTED CITATION IMPACT substrate. This effect holds promise team made a new device consisting by Institution including Trinity College Dublin. for efficient ways to pattern and of a stack of five metal layers, each Table 2.1 Numbers of publications and citations 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 by CRANN/ AMBER, 2007—2016 assemble graphene, simplifying of them a few nanometers thick, NO. PUBLICATIONS CITATIONS the production of electronic and which offers a simpler solution for Stanford University Stanford University other devices in larger volumes. manufacturing a type of MRAM 2007 168 1874 University of California Santa Barbara University of California Santa Barbara 2008 183 2622 (Magnetoresistive random-access Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2009 198 3522 memory), the main contender for Harvard University 2010 248 4865 • Professor Fergal O’Brien’s the future of mass storage. Harvard University Trinity College Dublin 2011 256 6261 Biomaterials (2016) paper on the Trinity College Dublin National University of Singapore effectiveness of a multi-layered 2012 302 7665 National University of Singapore University of Cambridge 2013 280 9527 collagen-based biomaterial to direct • Professor Stefano Sanvito’s Imperial College London University of Cambridge 2014 286 11585 the body’s own cells to regenerate publication in Nature ETH Zurich 2015 267 13478 damaged joints, and successfully Communications (2016) which Imperial College London National College for Materials Science Tsukuba 2016 274 14905 treat lesions of the knee in animal demonstrated that in a very high ETH Zurich University College London studies. This will ultimately benefit magnetic field an electron with Total 2462 76304 National College for Materials Science Tsukuba University of Minho patients with damaged knee cartilage. no mass can acquire a mass, the first time anybody ever discovered University College London 12.50 Citations per Publication an object whose mass can be University of Minho • Professor Daniel Kelly’s Advanced switched on or off by applying an 12.50 Citations per Publication Healthcare Materials paper (2016) external stimulus. This significant 12.50 CITATIONS PER PUBLICATIONS on a process for engineering whole breakthrough in fundamental 100

bone organs by innovative 3D physics could inspire work in 20 40 60 80 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100% bio-printing. The research could high-energy physics, such as the Attending Conferences ultimately be used to regenerate collision experiments carried out in AMBER/CRANN Research citations by CRANN/AMBER compares IRELAND large defects caused by tumour particle accelerators like CERN. UK resections, trauma and infection, as favourably to the leading Universities in the world Giving Lectures well as inherited bone deformities. for materials science including University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and National University of Singapore. Participating in Networks

Student Placement

Sitting on advisory boards 6 *Elsevier SciVal Updated 4th May 2017, Accessed 25th May 2017. 7

Employee training

Curriculum development

Enterprise education

Standard-setting forums our engagement with CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16 businesses & communities

Methodology Table 3.2 Problem-solving activity Analysis of the engagement by CRANN and AMBER We have presented the data in 3 sections – Types of 50% CRANN/ % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK academics with external organisations was carried out by Interactions, Types of Partners and Commercialisability of AMBER Joint research 81.0 45.6 44.5 Professor Brian Lucey and team in Trinity’s Business School Research and Motivations and Impacts of Interactions. Informal advice 73.8 58.1 47.4 to understand the intensity and diversity of our knowledge 29% Joint publications 73.8 45.2 48.1 exchange activities. By knowledge exchange activities, we 01_Types of Interactions IRE Research consortia 50.0 29.1 29.0 RESEARCH mean the channels through which academics interact Our survey found that CRANN/AMBER academics were CONSORTIA Hosting personnel 40.5 28.8 29.3 with businesses and the community, including academics’ involved in a wide range of external interaction activities, from 29% Consultancy services 38.1 25.5 31.5 engagement with private sector, public sector, Technology attending conferences and giving invited lectures to joint UK Contract research 26.2 22.2 26.8 Transfer Offices within the University, people-based activities publications, licencing research and working with public and Prototyping and testing 19.0 13.7 9.0 e.g. attending conferences and community activities, e.g. private sector companies. Setting up physical facilities 19.0 13.7 9.7 visiting schools. We also analysed the types of partners External secondment 14.3 5.7 10.0 (public and private organisations) with whom our academics We have grouped a total of 28 types of knowledge worked, the commercialisability of their work, as well as their exchange activities into 4 broad categories, People-based Table 3.3 Commercialisation activities motivations for engagement and impact on research. activities (Table 3.1), Problem-solving activities (Table 3.2), % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK Commercialisation activities (Table 3.3) and Community-based Taken out a patent 45.2 8.4 5.9 PATENTS In early December 2016, a survey was sent out to all 56 activities (Table 3.4). The results show that CRANN/AMBER Formed or run a consultancy related to your research 23.8 7.7 7.4 CRANN /AMBER Investigators who had worked at the academics were more closely engaged in knowledge exchange Licensed research outputs to a company 16.7 5.5 3.4 Institute over the preceding 10 years. When the survey was than either Irish or UK academics across 20 of the 26 common 45% Formed a spin-out company 4.8 3.3 2.0 CRANN/ closed in February 2017, there were 55 responses in total, of activities. In all 4 types of commercialisation activities, AMBER 8% IRELAND which 42 (75%) were complete. In our analysis below, only academics in CRANN/AMBER were far more intensively 6% UK Table 3.4 Community-based activity the 42 complete responses are considered. This survey was engaged than other academics from Irish HEIs or the UK. This % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK originally designed by Professor Brian Lucey and team in undoubtedly has been influenced by the SFI Centre remit for Talks to school students 45.2 n/a n/a 2014 and used to compare knowledge exchange activities by engagement by researchers in commercialisation activities. Lectures for the community 35.7 35.4 41.4 academics based at Higher Education Institutes in Ireland School projects (e.g. BT Young Scientists, etc.) 28.6 24.1 28.6 and in the UK*. We provide the results from our survey, as well School visits 23.8 n/a n/a as the responses from academics across Irish HEIs (n=1099) Public exhibitions 9.5 22.2 13.4 and UK Institutes (n=18,177) from the 2014 study. Due to the NOTE: Ranked in descending order for CRANN/AMBER. Numbers in bold indicate the largest value among the three. significant differences in survey sample size and profiles of 50% IRE respondents it is not possible to carry out a statistically valid ACADEMIC INVITED comparison, however it is still insightful to juxtapose the LECTURES results of the 3 surveys. For example, 45% of CRANN/ AMBER academics have taken • Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. took out 2 licences on Professor out a patent compared to 8% of Irish academics and 6% of Jonathan Coleman’s method of exfoliating layered 55% UK academics. compounds into single-layered 2D sheets e.g. graphene, UK Our academics are far more engaged boron nitride. across a broad range of knowledge exchange Examples of CRANN/ AMBER patents and licences 79% • Our collaboration with Merck Millipore on alternative • A collaboration between Professor Donegan and Western activities than either Irish or UK academics, CRANN/AMBER including giving invited lectures, working with membrane systems for lateral flow diagnostics led to two Digital led to a joint patent on a new optical design for their joint patents. This work will enable new lateral flow assay heat-assisted magnetic recording heads, enabling more research consortia and engaging with industry. based products with improved accuracy and sensitivity. efficient data recording.

• Irish SME Bioplastech Ltd have taken three licenses (two Table 3.1 People-based activity patents and know-how) for technology co-developed by Dr. % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK 45% 74% Ramesh Babu and Dr. Kevin O’Connor. These licenses are Attending conferences 90.5 77.0 80.8 IRE CRANN/AMBER based on AMBER enabled methods of converting waste Giving invited lectures 78.6 49.9 55.4 plastics into commercial biodegradable polymers. Participating in networks 66.7 51.1 63.0 Student placements 57.1 42.4 31.1 • Data from a wholly funded project on bioactive collagen- Sitting on advisory boards 40.5 32.6 32.7 based conduits for peripheral nerve repair, was assigned to Employee training 33.3 28.8 27.2 Integra LifeSciences, a medical device company specializing Curriculum development 31.0 41.5 21.8 ENGAGEMENT WITH EXTERNAL in orthopedic, neurosurgery, and reconstructive and general Enterprise education 9.5 11.0 7.0 RESEARCHERS surgery. A patent was subsequently filed by the company Standard-setting forums 2.4 8.5 24.9 48% with AMBER inventors listed alongside company inventors. UK

*Zhang, Q; Larkin, C; Lucey, BM. Universities, knowledge exchange and policy: A comparative study 8 of Ireland and the UK; Science and Public Policy, 2016, 1-12, doi: 10.1093/scipol/scw047 9 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

31% UK 81% 02_Types of Partners & Commercialisability CRANN/AMBER Industry engagement amongst CRANN/AMBER academics was very strong, with 81% engaging with private companies. 03_Motivations and impacts of interactions They were far more engaged with public and private sector Academics were asked to indicate the motivation for companies than either Irish academics or UK academics interaction with external partners and the degree of (Table 3.5). importance of each motivation using a 1–5 rating scale, with 5 being “very important” and 1 being “very unimportant”. Table The private industrial sectors with which CRANN/AMBER ENGAGEMENT 3.7 shows the mean scores of the 12 motivations. The most WITH PRIVATE academics engaged the most were as follows: important motivations for CRANN/AMBER academics were to COMPANIES secure funding for research assistants and equipment and to › Professional, scientific & technical activities 42.9% test the practical application of their research, while the least › Manufacturing 42.9% 57% important motivation was a source of personal income. › Information & communication 21.4% IRE › Human health & social work activities 16.7% Overall academics felt that there were positive impacts on X their research performance and teaching from engaging X Table 3.5 Academic knowledge exchange in two sectors with external activities (Table 3.8). 67% of CRANN/AMBER X % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK academics suggested that their involvement with external X Private sector companies 81.0 57.1 30.8 organisations led to new research projects. X Public sector companies 69.0 51.7 34.9 X

Table 3.7 Motivations for academic knowledge exchange “We partner with the best expertise we can find around MEAN SCORE ON A 1-TO-5 SCALE: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK the globe. As such, we are proud of our association with Secure funding for research assistants and equipment 4.2 3.6 2.8 AMBER. We have found the exchanges to be open, highly Test the practical application of my research 4.2 4.0 3.5 intellectual, mutually respectful and of excellent Gain insights in the area of my own research 4.1 4.3 3.9 technical and scientific content.” Keep up to date with research external organisations 3.7 4.1 3.5 Look for business opportunities linked to my own research 3.7 2.9 2.5

GERARDO BERTERO — SENIOR DIRECTOR AT WESTERN DIGITAL Create student projects and job placement opportunities 3.6 3.8 3.1 Secure access to specialise equipment, materials or data 3.5 3.3 3.2 AMBER has received €4.4M industry cash It is a requirement of my research funding 3.5 n/a n/a since 2013 with a further Further my institution’s outreach activities 3.4 3.9 3.6 CRANN/AMBER academics were significantly more €1.7M contracted Secure access to the expertise of the external organisation 3.3 3.7 3.2 engaged in research which had a commercial interest to 61% Gain knowledge about practical problems useful for teaching 2.9 3.7 3.2 business and/ or industry than Irish or UK academics – 61% CRANN/ Source of personal income 2.5 2.4 2.3 AMBER compared to 30% and 37% respectively (Table 3.6).

Since 2011, CRANN/AMBER have worked with over 200 Table 3.8 Impact on research and teaching companies across collaborative and contract research, 30% % OF RESPONDENTS: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK European funded projects and Innovation Partnerships. COMMERICAL UK Given me new insights for my work 71.4 53.2 75.5 Our industry engagement is diverse ranging from INTEREST Led to new research projects 66.7 42.9 59.7 multinationals including Intel, Nokia, Roche, Abbott, RESEARCH 30% Strengthened my reputation in the field 57.1 39.6 60.9 Western Digital to SMEs and spin-outs such as Trinity IRE Led to new contacts in the field 54.8 48.9 72.9 Green Energy, SelfSense and Eblana Photonics. Very little or no impact on my research 9.5 8.7 10.3

TEACHING: Table 3.6 Commercialisability of research Changed in the way I present the material 38.1 41.4 52.9 % OF RESPONDENT: CRANN/AMBER IRELAND UK Increase in the employability of my students 28.6 22.4 31.8 It has been applied in a commercial context 29.3 14.3 19.3 Increase in entrepreneurial skills among my students 16.7 11.2 16.7 In a general area of commercial interest to business and/or industry 61.0 30.2 37.4 It has no relevance for external organisations 4.9 9.5 13.7 NOTE: Ranked in descending order for CRANN/AMBER. Numbers in bold indicate the largest value among the three.

10 11 transforming our research into impacts CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Nokia Bell Labs & AMBER: 2D materials. One of the biggest Research partnership is limitations we face is how to cool the a good call lasers we use to transmit information on a network. The standard approach to cooling equipment today consumes a While we have demonstrated scientific excellence through our Economic lot of energy and space. We collaborate outputs – rankings in the world, numbers of publications and with Professor John Donegan and citations, attendances at conferences – we are committed to International Engagement Professor Jonathan Coleman on new transforming these research outputs into impacts. We have approaches and materials to efficiently transmit information and cool lasers. selected a number of case studies across our research activity Health & wellbeing We also want to develop long-life which demonstrates impact across these key areas; batteries for small base stations (called Human Capacity small cells), and we are exploring the energy-storage properties of two- Environmental dimensional materials with Professor What challenge is your research Coleman and Professor Valeria Nicolosi.” AMCARE: Helping stem looking to address? The AMCARE project has also designed Domhnaill Hernon cells stick around to “During a heart attack, muscle tissue Through AMCARE we have developed and prototyped functionally different Head of innovation incubation at Nokia Bell How is the work progressing? help ailing hearts in the heart becomes damaged due new delivery methods and materials to delivery devices to target stem cells to Labs and Site Lead for Research Impact in “It is going extremely well. Nokia Bell to loss of blood supply. If the person improve the retention of stem cells that the heart: three separate catheters and Murray Hill, New Jersey. Labs is a research organisation, and we survives – as more and more do, thanks are targeted to the heart. a patch that spreads stem cells directly tend to form long-term partnerships to clinical interventions – the remaining onto the heart’s surface. These delivery What is your involvement with the with universities. We set phased targets heart muscle needs to work harder. It Our in vivo studies have shown that devices have been informed by the partnership between Nokia Bell Labs and the collaboration with AMBER has becomes inflamed and stiffens, and using a hyaluronan-based carrier – yes needs of clinical and industry partners. and CRANN/AMBER? hit those targets. We are publishing in this can lead to heart failure. the same material that is used in The work at AMCARE has led to Irish “I led the research team directly in Ireland the highest impact journals (including cosmetics – we can get stem cell researcher Will White working on a until I moved to the US, and I continue to ACS Nano in 2016) where world experts Delivering stem cells to the heart is one retention rates of about 60% at the separate project at Harvard University to be the senior sponsor of the partnership review the research.” way to dampen down inflammation and heart, which is a vast improvement on assess how multiple doses of stem cells internationally. I review the strategy and encourage new muscle to form, but at the 10% currently seen in the clinic. can be effectively delivered to the heart. technology and I meet the AMBER team What kind of impact has the present, as many as 90% of stem cells AMCARE has also generated seven when I am back in Ireland.” partnership been making beyond the injected into heart tissue using saline AMCARE is currently completing patent applications to date.” directly supported research? are lost within 24 hours. larger pre-clinical trials, having made How has the collaboration grown? “ As a result of working with AMBER Professor Garry Duffy excellent progress to date in the project. What are the wider implications “We began the collaboration by funding researchers, we become aware of other Investigator in AMBER and Not only does this mean fewer stem It is remarkable to get medical devices of being able to deliver stem cells post-doctoral researchers in CRANN, projects they have ongoing. In the case Professor of Anatomy at NUI Galway. cells are there do to the job, but you have and materials developed and so far into effectively with biomaterials? and that has grown to a four-year of Professor Jonathan Coleman, we also lost 90% of the €45,000 it took to testing as quickly as we have.” “AMCARE has sown the seeds of DRIVE, strategic partnership with AMBER, which saw he was developing ‘G-putty’ by source and prepare those stem cells.” a new Horizon 2020-funded project that started in February 2016. Today we combining a polymer with graphene to Tell us more about the project partners. involves many of the same partners to support seven post-doctoral researchers make a conductive and pliable material. How are you using material science “The 51-month AMCARE project brings improve the delivery of stem cells in islet in AMBER and we have hired AMBER Our team in Dublin has expertise in to help limit heart damage? together European academics, SME transplants for people with diabetes. We researchers into our team.” packing electronics, so through a “I co-ordinate AMCARE (Advanced and multi-national partners to work expect that the technologies we develop material transfer agreement with Materials for CArdiac Regeneration), on this problem of delivering stem at AMBER to improve the delivery of cells What kinds of challenges does the Professor Coleman we took the G-putty, a €6.8m EU-funded project to develop cells to heart tissue. Our university into the body will have wide applications research look to address? built properties around it and put it into new ways to deliver stem cells partners include Fraunhofer IGB in medicine.” “In general we are working with AMBER wearable form factor. effectively to heart tissue. and the University of Tubingen, to leverage their world leading expertise and companies include Explora in materials science and, in particular, On a more general note, the strategic Ultimately we want to source a patient’s Biotech and Boston Scientific.” partnership between Nokia Bell Labs and own stem cells from adipose (fat) tissue AMBER is one of only around 20 strategic and deliver those stem cells efficiently What impacts have arisen “AMBER is currently considered as an exemplar academic partnerships we have with university to the patient’s heart tissue, either from the research? collaborator across Bells Labs globally and for research institutes globally, but it is the through catheter injection or directly “We have developed new, biomaterials- good reason. They stand out for their ability to one that our President Marcus Weldon on a patch. based delivery systems that can retain cites as an exemplar of excellent industry engage with industry while delivering world leading up to 60% of functional stem cells at and university collaboration. I think for Once there are sufficient numbers, the heart, a vast improvement over the scientific research. In my opinion they are a dream AMBER, for Trinity College Dublin, for the stem cells are poised to ‘sandbag’ current clinical delivery systems where partner and acting as the executive sponsor I plan on Science Foundation Ireland and for inflammation, reduce muscle damage, 90% of stem cells are lost over similar growing this collaboration substantially.” Ireland in general, that is a great sign limit scar formation and promote time periods. of support and trust in AMBER.” regeneration. DOMHNAILL HERNON — HEAD OF INNOVATION INCUBATION AND EXPERIMENTS IN ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY, NOKIA BELL LABS

12 13 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

“The collaboration with AMBER has given Merck Cork access to state of the art analytical You are both interested in tissue How have you engaged infrastructure that has enabled a deeper What has AMBER gained from regeneration research, can you explain? with collaborators? the partnership with Merck? fundamental characterization understanding of PROFESSOR O’BRIEN: “We are looking to PROFESSOR KELLY: “For both of us, our MICK MORRIS: “Merck is now AMBER’s develop new materials that help the funding from the European Research our products which in turn has allowed us to largest industry contributor, and body to heal, or that replace damaged Council has allowed us to bring new implement additional manufacturing controls the partnership has given us the tissues. At the moment if bone or angles in our fundamental research and to improve product quality.” opportunity to leverage funding from cartilage is damaged by trauma or explore their scope and applications Science Foundation Ireland. We have disease, you may need a graft to repair with international collaborators and MICHAEL O’DONOHUE — CCB PROCESS & TECHNOLOGY LEAD, MERCK MILLIPORE had six post-docs and three graduate it. Our approach has been instead to with industry.” students from AMBER working on the come up with materials that you can collaborative projects, and their training implant onto the defect, and that will PROFESSOR O’BRIEN: “Our research has with Merck in the Cork and Boston A joint effort: act as a scaffold to encourage the bone formed the basis of an Irish spin-out Merck & AMBER partnership Why was Merck Millipore initially facilities has brought expertise back into new aches to healing or cartilage to repair itself.” medical device company, SurgaColl™ strengthens both sides keen to work with AMBER? the research environment in AMBER.” at AMBER Technologies. Its first CE marked MICHAEL O’DONOHOE: “We started PROFESSOR KELLY: “Work on our lab product, HydroxyColl can be used as engaging with AMBER in 2011. At Alongside the technical expertise, is looking to address larger areas of a medical implant in the treatment the time we wanted to gain a deeper working with Merck has also damage in the body. We are developing of bone defects. SurgaColl’s second understanding of our processes, by enabled scientists in AMBER to take new ways to grow complex structures of product, ChondroColl, can regenerate characterising them, with a view to fundamental materials research cells and tissues outside the body such cartilage and thereby delay the onset optimizing process performance. It and translate it with Merck towards that they can then used to replace, say, of arthritis and the need for joint made sense to work with AMBER, as the commercialistion of products. a damaged knee or hip joint.” replacement. We are also working with the Centre had both the equipment AMBER scientists have thus built up Integra Life Sciences, a multi- and the expertise in materials their expertise in how to scale up and How has the research progressed? national medical device company, on science to help us to do that.” commercialise research.” PROFESSOR O’BRIEN: “We have biomaterials for nerve repair.” developed a material using the natural How has the partnership grown? What are the benefits to Merck components of bone – collagen and How has your research built MICHAEL O’DONOHOE: “It has developed of engaging with AMBER? hydroxyapatite – that stimulates expertise in the field? over the years. Cork is a centre of MICHAEL O’DONOHOE: “Working with Professor Fergal O’Brien bone tissue to repair itself. That has PROFESSOR KELLY: “All the post-doctoral Michael O’Donohoe excellence for membrane manufacturing AMBER has helped us to better Deputy Director of AMBER and Professor of gone through clinical trials and is researchers who have worked in my CCB Process & Technology Lead, in Merck, and we started collaborating characterise our manufacturing Bioengineering & Regenerative Medicine at now approved for use in humans. We lab have gone on to secure faculty Merck Millipore. with AMBER on membrane projects. processes. That in turn helps us to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. have also developed a corresponding positions, and half of the PhD students Then we moved into chromatography continue to meet customer needs material to encourage collagen to went on to posts in industry. Myself and Professor Mick Morris media, and more recently we have and to further enhance process yield, Professor Daniel J. Kelly grow, and one of the highest-profile Fergal are to host the World Congress of AMBER Director and Professor of Surface started discussions with AMBER on efficiency and quality. PI at the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering and applications to date was in a horse Biomechanics in Dublin in 2018, which and Interface Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin. future projects in our Biotools analytical AMBER, Professor in Biomedical Engineering called Beyonce who had damaged is a mark of how well respected Ireland devices manufacturing operation. We have also seen an impact on at Trinity College Dublin. knees. Our multi-layered material was is now in this space.” Overall the collaboration has developed specific products, including a new implanted into the joints following eight joint research projects led by membrane reaching full production surgery, where it encouraged new bone PROFESSOR O’BRIEN: “Of the ‘alumni’ Professor Mick Morris, Dr. Ramesh Babu trials. And, very importantly, AMBER is and cartilage to grow, and Beyonce from my lab, 15 are now in faculty and Dr. Aran Rafferty.” enabling us to build a technical talent returned to competitive showjumping.” positions around the world. And, pipeline. Merck has hired a number of importantly, one of the post-docs Dr. What kinds of projects has the AMBER researchers through the course PROFESSOR KELLY: “We are developing John Gleeson was the founding CEO partnership encouraged? of the collaboration with two former new ways of building up complex tissue of the spin-out company SurgaColl, MICK MORRIS: “One area of collaboration AMBER researchers joining Merck as structures by using 3D printing with providing an expert link between the is on polymer membranes, which are permanent colleagues.” biomaterials and cells. This adaptive research and the commercialisation.” used for filtration or as a platform technology enables us to print complex for diagnostic devices. My group AMBER and Merck won the SFI shapes so it could be used to replicate What’s next for the research? in AMBER has had a successful Industry Partnership Award in 2016. joints or mirror large defects in bones. PROFESSOR O’BRIEN: “We are continuing joint project with Merck to further What does SFI’s support mean? So far, we have been able to show to develop and test further generations develop membrane technology of MICHAEL O’DONOHOE: SFI’s support is that this approach of growing tissues of implantable materials that can act the type used in home-based or crucial for many of the collaborations outside the body and implanting them as functional delivery systems for other point-of-care kits to diagnose medical we have with AMBER, and I think this works in pre-clinical studies.” agents such as genes.” conditions. Two licenses are now in is something that stands out in Ireland. negotiation, arising from this project.” Merck has also benefited from the PROFESSOR KELLY: “We are working SFI Fellowship program with two SFI towards a biological alternative to a fellows working on projects in Merck. total hip and knee replacement, that is It makes sense to collaborate where our ultimate goal.” State support is available, and it shows that the State sees the benefit of such industry partnerships.”

14 15 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

“AMBER is a meeting point of science, research and commercialization. With its infrastructure, expertise AMBER & Thomas Swan: What arose from the collaboration? and culture, AMBER has helped Solvotrin build value pristine graphene “Professor Coleman showed at a lab by translating both basic and applied science into a at scale scale that there was a potential way practical, value-added product.” of making graphene from graphite. Trinity Green Energies is an Thomas Swan has taken that concept MARK LEDWIDGE — VP DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY, SOLVOTRIN innovation partner with AMBER. and done further process engineering How does that work? to build out to a scalable route to “Within AMBER we employ three post- manufacturing graphene. This is How does it work? doctoral researchers. The company pays one of the few routes to give pristine Active Iron: a more PROFESSOR HEALY: “The key is that the for 30% of the project, and through that graphene platelets with little oxidation effective ‘whey’ to iron is encapsulated in a material we get access to the facilities, analysis and few defects. That means their deliver iron supplements called whey, which is a protein naturally Trinity Green Energies: techniques and equipment at AMBER.” electrical conductivity and thermal derived from milk. These protein a small company tackling conductivity are maintained. We can microspheres are designed to release a big problem What are the benefits for a small now make 20 tonnes per year of pristine iron in the small intestine where the company of partnering with graphene platelets using this scaled-up body can absorb iron effectively using AMBER, in your experience? manufacturing route.” the metal transporter DMT-1. This is “ As well as having access to the Andy Goodwin the optimal site for iron absorption in expertise and equipment at AMBER, Business Director — Advanced Materials What aspects of the the intestine, and clinical trials show by linking in to the wider network of Division, Thomas Swan collaboration stood out? that the whey-based delivery increases AMBER partners we have been able to “A big factor in making the collaboration the bioavailability of the iron in the recruit key staff into the company. The What challenge did the collaboration successful was having a Thomas Swan supplement, meaning you can take partnership also gives our investors between Thomas Swan and employee embedded in the team in a lower dose and it is gentle on the the opportunities to talk to experts AMBER set out to address? Trinity. It meant for two or three years stomach and intestine.” in the Centre, and something I think “The challenge related to graphene, a you have a person in lab who is well is particularly useful is being able two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial linked back to the industrial needs Professor Anne Marie Healy How did your expertise to connect with experts in AMBER that is very strong and it conducts of the company and who provides a AMBER PI and Professor in Pharmaceutics support Solvotrin? and Trinity on commercialisation electricity. We wanted to be able to communication channel. The other staff and Pharmaceutical Technology in the School PROFESSOR HEALY: “My group started Professor Wolfgang Schmitt and intellectual property. This area manufacture graphene at scale in a members at TCD were also key, and of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, working on Active Iron with Solvotrin School of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, can be challenging for academics or cost-effective way for our customers.” the project management and licensing Trinity College Dublin. when they had a prototype formulation AMBER Investigator and Non-Executive small companies, so having access discussions ran very smoothly.” for the supplement, and our research Director of Trinity Green Energies. to this expertise is a big advantage How did the collaboration You worked with Irish company helped to optimise the formulation for Trinity Green Energies.” come about? How will Thomas Swan take the Solvotrin on developing next- and manufacturing processes, What does Trinity Green Energies do? “We are one of the world’s leading technology further? generation iron supplements. What particularly around whey microparticle “We are a campus company in Trinity, How is the carbon-capture manufacturers of single wall carbon “We are continuing to invest in a problem were you looking to address? encapsulation. This helped Solvotrin founded in 2014 to develop materials work progressing? nanotubes and we are engaged graphene and 2D-materials business, PROFESSOR HEALY: “Many people – to scale up the manufacturing of that can capture carbon dioxide. Carbon “We have validated our chemical with the community around carbon and because of the technology that particularly women – suffer from a Active Iron while also maintaining the dioxide levels are rising in the Earth’s compounds in the lab, and we are nanomaterials. Our Managing Director was developed at AMBER we can offer deficiency in iron, which can result in consistency of the product.” atmosphere and we want to use porous now working on a prototype that can Harry Swan met Professor Jonathan a stable, reliable supply platform from fatigue and other symptoms of anaemia, materials to remove carbon dioxide be deployed in ‘real’ environments to Coleman at a conference about which our customers can build their such as hair loss and shortness of Where is Active Iron now? from the ambient atmosphere in an capture carbon dioxide. We hope this graphene. At the time there was a lot own products.” breath. The issue with many iron PROFESSOR HEALY: “On the shelves - energy-efficient manner. Once we have will soon result in a demonstration of excitement about graphene - its supplements though is that they are Active Iron launched in 2016 and is captured the carbon dioxide, we want to model that capture a tonne of carbon discovery had just won the Nobel Prize hard going on the stomach, and people available in Boots.” turn it into harmless waste, to use it in dioxide from the ambient environment.” and Professor Coleman had published can experience constipation, heartburn greenhouses to help grow plants or to his work on using ultrasonic technology or diarrhoea when taking them. This Are you still working with Solvotrin? repurpose the carbon and the oxygen to extract graphene from graphite.” puts people off taking oral iron PROFESSOR HEALY: “Yes, we are looking at we capture into fuel.” supplements.” other formulations for iron delivery.” Why did Thomas Swan choose to work with AMBER? What is Active Iron? How has working with AMBER “I think the main attraction for working PROFESSOR HEALY: “Active Iron is an had an impact on Solvotrin? “The output from our collaboration at AMBER and TCD was the opportunity iron supplement developed by Trinity MARK LEDWIDGE: “Working with with AMBER forms the backbone for our to work with Professor Johnny College Dublin spin-out company AMBER, Professor Healy and our TCD commercialisation of graphene and 2D materials. Coleman. His output is impressive, Solvotrin Therapeutics. Active Iron colleagues has made a huge difference We are seeking further opportunities and he has this ability to do really is designed to be more ‘bioavailable’, to the success of Solvotrin. Amber was for collaboration with the AMBER team.” clever science and demonstrate real which means the body can absorb it not only a fantastic resource for the applications, particularly in the field of more easily. The knock-on effect of this scale up and development of Active ANDY GOODWIN — BUSINESS DIRECTOR electronic devices.” better absorption is that you can take a Iron, but also is a great scientific ADVANCED MATERIALS DIVISION,THOMAS SWAN lower dose of iron than is the case with partner in a world class institution for many other supplements.” our ongoing work.”

16 17 our education CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16 & public engagement programmes

The development of innovative programmes and 2016 2015 2014 resources which stimulate interest amongst school students in STEM (Science, Technology, Science LIVE provided interactive online, guided tours of EngAGE with Science – This intergenerational AMBER ran our first 5-day Continuous Professional Engineering and Mathematics) has been a critical AMBER to primary school classes. 30-40 minute Skype learning programme brought together 5th class Development course for primary school teachers. ‘Magical part of CRANN and AMBER in the last decade. calls facilitated by young researchers brought electron school students with older learners from St Materials – nano and materials science in the classroom’. microscopes and the scientists who work with them to Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street. The course is Department of Education approved and enables In addition to inspiring school students to study classes all over Ireland. primary school teachers to experience how a world-class STEM at third level, we have worked with audiences PARTICIPANTS COMMENTS research centre operates and bring this excitement through across many life stages, not just school-age, so TEACHER’S COMMENTS: “I’ve told my friend about it and lent her the pack, practical learnings back to the classroom. that Ireland’s general public will recognise that “Thanks for the support. Finally, we are seeing tangible she was very interested .” — older female participant. nano and materials science are enabling everyday interaction with 3rd level institutions that are engaging TEACHER’S COMMENTS: technologies and driving future innovations. with primary sector, in a practical and meaningful way.” “I was telling my mam and she didn’t have a clue what “Mind blowing insight into the world of materials. I’m nanoscience was about.” — 5th class student. going away with ideas on how to teach science in the “I teach 30 5th and 6th class pupils and they thoroughly classroom next year.” — Catherine Brodie, Belgrove Our programmes and resources outlined below enjoyed participating in this programme. There was great “It was amazing to look at the microscope images Senior Girls School, Dublin 3 (July 2014). particularly demonstrate impact across 3 excitement whenever the microscopes were taken out. and see a butterfly and a spider at that intensity, I pillars within SFI’s impact framework: Some of the pupils demonstrated their new skills to their will take that with me for the rest of my life. I’m even “I gave up science after junior cert because it was textbook parents when they came into our classroom for Open Day. telling my 7-year old grandson about it and he’s very based and I found it boring. I feel totally inspired now, I Societal Everyone was very impressed, including the younger pupils interested in science.” — older female participant. feel more equipped to talk about careers in science. I also Public debate, interest and engagement who looked on with envy.” feel confident about the way I had been teaching scientific has been stimulated or informed by thinking and approaches, and now I feel that I have more research, increased number of young understanding of the concepts and content. Things I will people taking up STEM at 3rd level. bring back to my classroom: anecdotes about visiting the various labs and speaking to scientists, scientific journals, Policy & Public Services making slides and using a microscope, using an iphone School programmes, improvements as a microscope, design and make ideas, all of Shane’s in delivering science teaching. games and ideas, can’t wait to use the NanoWOW pack.” — Sorcha Brennan, Glasnevin Educate Together NS (July 2014). Human Capacity Increased uptake of STEM subjects “The excitement of modern cutting edge scientific discovery is at secondary and University level. cleverly linked to a range of curricular areas. Using a broad range of presenters, various ICT resources, experimentation and cooperative learning, the course is delivered in a very structured, well-paced and stimulating manner.” — Department of Education inspector (Sept 2014).

18 19 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

2013 2012 2010 2009

AMBER launched NanoWOW in 2013, a resource pack with CRANN curated Magical Materials, a six-week exhibition CRANN worked with Trinity’s Schools of Physics and Chemistry Ireland’s firstNanoweek , a national awareness week teachers’ notes, lesson plans, curriculum links, Powerpoint, with Science Gallery which was their 2nd most popular ever to launch and market an updated undergraduate degree around nanotechnology and its impacts for Ireland, video links, hands-on activities to enable primary school exhibition with over 47,000 visitors. The exhibition featured programme, N-PCAM (Nanoscience – Physics and Chemistry was coordinated by NanoNet Ireland, a consortium of teachers to bring the excitement of nanoscience to over 80 innovative displays and gave visitors a chance to see of Advanced Materials). The demand for this course has industry, academia and government stakeholders. The senior cycle primary students. Since then NanoWOW first-hand how research into nanoscale materials is adding increased significantly over the last 7 years– in 2010, the entry week featured an academic conference, public talks and has been requested by over 500 schools throughout new functionality to existing electronics and medical devices. requirement was 410 points compared to 595 in 2016 with four schools’ events. Nanoweek was held yearly until 2015. Ireland and by teachers internationally including Canada, times as many applicants as there were in 2010. Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Finland and Germany. “I’d like to thank CRANN and especially those in charge of TEACHER’S COMMENTS education and outreach since before the launch of the NPCAM “ An excellent resource. Very well laid out. Appropriate. degree in helping the nanoscience brand of CRANN rub off so Unique. By far the best resource provided to me as successfully onto students’ perceptions of the NPCAM degree a class teacher in my 10 years of teaching.” course that TCD offers…Clearly, it has been CRANN that has — Pat Buckley, Ayle N.S, Tipperary (Dec. 2013). effectively established the “Nanoscience” brand in Ireland and associated it with the NPCAM degree course.” — N-PCAM “They all look forward to science class - once a week Course Director, 2013. and regularly ask what are we doing next week. Even their parents are talking about it! Fits in well with the In 2010, CRANN also opened up a structured Transition Year Primary School curriculum. Pupils are motivated to learn (TY) programme, providing 30 places each year over 2 weeks and it renews their interest in science. Great to see them to students throughout the country. Since then, over 200 enjoying the subject so much. Would like to congratulate 2011 students have had the chance to spend time in CRANN’s you on producing a wonderful up-to-date resource that labs and meet researchers and industry collaborators. really caught the interest of the children.” — CRANN launched Nano in My Life – a new innovative Alex Wilson, Whitechurch NS, Dublin 16 (Nov. 2013). resource pack for secondary science teachers to introduce TEACHER’S COMMENTS transition year students to nanoscience. The pack consists “In my opinion this week has been a fantastic experience. I really “It is a new area of study. It explores new and exciting ideas. It of 7 modules, each containing teachers’ notes, PowerPoint learnt a lot about nanoscience, a subject not very well covered shows children that science can be so creative and useful. presentations, lab and classroom activities e.g. Nano and in secondary schools. It has opened up my mind to how broad It has the potential to awaken in them the spirit of enquiry Health; Nano and IT; Nano and the Environment. science is and how many possible career paths there are.” and possibility. I think it can engage them in ways that have — Kate Grealish, Colaiste Iognaid, Galway (Nov, 2014). resonance with the world they inhabit.”— Mary Egan, TEACHER’S COMMENTS nanoweek 10-9 St. Mary’s Central N.S., Thurles, Tipperary (Aug. 2014). “They can see the future in science and “Thank you so much for the wonderful week I experienced in possibly job opportunities. One of my CRANN. The experience was very informative and definitely students has just started Nanoscience opened my eyes to the possibility of doing an N-PCAM course in in Trinity.” — Diane Condon, Teacher the coming years.” — Fionán O’Donoghue, St Brendan’s College, Ardscoil Ris, Limerick (Nov. 2013). Killarney (Oct. 2012).

“CRANN… have produced a truly brilliant resource - ideally suited to Transition Year science students. The modules are conceived extremely well, the learning outcomes are clear, concise and attainable, the activities are interactive and relevant, the videos are brilliant produced and perfectly suited to the target audience…” — Humphrey Jones, Science Teacher, St Columba’s College (2011).

20 21 supporting our alumni CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16 & young researchers

Over the last decade, our PhDs and postdoctoral Professor Valeria Nicolosi Michelle Browne Nina Jensen Peter Nimraj researchers have been successful in attaining PhD completed in 2006 under the supervision of PhD completed in 2016 under the PhD completed in 2013 under the PhD completed in 2010 under the fulfilling and challenging positions across a range Professor Jonathan Coleman, Trinity’s School of Physics and CRANN. supervision of Professors Mike Lyons supervision of Professors Iggy McGovern, supervision of Professor John Boland, and Paula Colavita, Trinity’s School of Trinity’s School of Physics and CRANN. Trinity’s School of Chemistry and of employment sectors, from academia to industry In 2008 I moved to the University of Oxford with a Marie Chemistry, AMBER and CRANN. former CRANN Director. to public service. Since AMBER commenced, 28% Curie Intra-European Fellowship. I was awarded a 1 million of leavers or 50 researchers have left the Centre GBP UK RAEng/EPSRC Fellowship later the same year. In Now a postdoctoral researcher Now a Data Analyst with AA Ireland Now a research scientist with IBM to work in Industry as a first destination. We 2012 I returned to Trinity College Dublin, becoming ERC in Queen’s University have produced a highly educated and relevant Research Professor at the School of Chemistry and Principal workforce in demand by industry and academia Investigator in CRANN. Now, I am the Chair of Nanomaterials My Ph.D involved finding alternative After my PhD, I joined Professor. The focus of my doctoral research and Advanced Microscopy in Trinity College Dublin and also sources other than fossil fuels Georg Duesberg’s group in Trinity’s was to develop innovative protocols and we have Improved the scientific and technical director of CRANN’s Advanced Microscopy Laboratory. to produce energy. In particular, I School of Chemistry and CRANN to study structure and function skills of the current and future workforce. focused on fabricating and improving for three years as a postdoctoral relationship of nanoscale materials for I have published more than 150 papers in high-profile the materials used to split water researcher. My research focused on applications in transparent electronics. international journals (including Nature and Science) and to generate hydrogen which can the surfaces of novel materials, more Human Capacity regarded as a leading expert in the field of processing of then be used to create electricity specifically how self-assembled Currently I am a research scientist low-dimensional nanostructures and high-end electron for our national grids and cars. layers of organic molecules on some working at IBM Zurich Research microscopy. I have delivered more than 90 invited/ of these materials might be useful Laboratory, Switzerland in the cutting plenary presentations at major conferences, institutions I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher for future electronic devices. edge area of programmable molecular and public events. I have won a number of prestigious in Queens University Belfast under nanoscience. I joined IBM in 2011 after awards including the RDS/Intel Prize for Nanoscience Professor Andrew Mills in the Chemistry Although I enjoyed the research, my securing a Marie Curie Postdoctoral 2012, World Economic Forum Young Scientist 2013 at the and Chemical Engineering department, wish for a more stable career and my Fellowship which provided the platform Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian China, WMB working on a project closely related desire to try something new led me to explore a challenging research Woman in Technology Award 2013, SFI President of Ireland to my PhD. The research undertaken to the decision to leave academia. I project for developing high precision Young Researcher Award (PIYRA) 2014, SFI Early Career during my Ph.D has resulted in the had read and heard about the growing scanning probe microscopy tools to Researcher of the Year 2016, Impact Award 2016. publication of eleven papers. My work demand for talent in the field of data investigate molecular structure and was also highlighted in two Silicon analysis or “data science”. After dynamics in a liquid environment. The To date I am Europe’s only 5 times winner of European Republic articles in 2016 called ‘10 applying for a few jobs in this direction, outcome of this research led to many Research Council Awards: a €1.5m Starting Grant in 2011, major Irish breakthroughs of the year I quickly found my current position as publications in high impact journals 3 Proof-of-Concept grants, and a €2.5m Consolidator so far worth celebrating’ and ‘10 Irish a Quantitative Analyst with AA Ireland. such as Nature Materials and Nature Grant in 2016, bringing my total research funding awarded breakthroughs of 2016 worthy of some Nanotechnology and in recognition in the past 5 years to over €12 million. I currently lead a serious praise’ and was also a part of My task at the AA is to extract as of my efforts I was awarded the IBM team of 32 researchers from 15 different countries. Science Foundation Ireland’s ‘What if’ much information as possible from Outstanding Technical Achievement advertising campaign in Dublin Airport. the AA’s varied data sources such as Award 2016. Currently I continue to car insurance quotes or the location of work towards the manipulation and Access to the excellent facilities breakdowns, with the goal of improving programming molecules for integration afforded by CRANN were a huge pricing and marketing strategies and in future nanoscale circuits. advantage during my PhD studies. the efficiency of breakdown assistance. Additionally, the help given to me by the It is based on a knowledge of statistical My time in CRANN was critical in researchers and technicians amongst data analysis and general problem shaping the career in research I my colleagues in CRANN and then solving skills, both of which my physics enjoy today. It was during this period through AMBER has been invaluable degree and research career have I learnt first-hand the importance of to my professional development. helped me develop over the years. collaborative research in a competitive Additionally, the skill to successfully environment and effective science communicate complex problems to communication at all levels. a wide audience is very important and my years of giving frequent presentations on my research to both experts as well as school children have proven to be very valuable.

22 23 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Nuala Caffrey Ciarán Fowley Tanya Levingstone Karen Young Tom Fitzgerald Kaan Oguz PhD completed in 2012 under the supervision PhD completed in 2010 under the supervision PhD completed in 2008 at PhD completed in 2012 under the PhD completed in 2008 under the supervision PhD completed in 2010 under the supervision of Professor Stefano Sanvito, Trinity’s School of Professor Michael Coey, Trinity’s School of Dublin City University. supervision of Professor Jonathan Coleman, of Professor Michael Morris at University of Professor Michael Coey, Trinity’s School of of Physics and current CRANN Director. Physics and founding CRANN Investigator. Trinity’s School of Physics and CRANN. College Cork (now Director of AMBER at Trinity). Physics and founding CRANN Investigator.

Now a SFI Starting Investigator in Trinity Now a researcher at the Helmholtz- Now a lecturer in DCU Now a secondary school Physics teacher Now a senior materials engineer Now a senior materials expert with Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf with DePuy Synthes Intel Components Research

In my PhD I used state-of-the-art My PhD topic was about the reversible I carried out my PhD in the School My research was centred on the My PhD research was in collaboration My PhD research with Professor Michael computational simulations to modification of magnetic properties of Mechanical and Manufacturing development of super strong lightweight with an industrial partner looking at Coey was about finding ways to solve understand how the flow of electrical in thin films using electric fields. In Engineering in Dublin City University composite materials made by combining the self-assembly of block copolymers the high switching current problem of current in novel multi-functional short, you could change the data stored and graduated in 2008. I then joined nanomaterials such as graphene and (structured units) to form highly a new type of computer memory, spin devices could be manipulated. I in a memory element without having the Tissue Engineering Research Group carbon nanotubes with plastics. ordered structures on the nanoscale. transfer torque random access memory showed how achieving magnetic to flow a charge current, so one can in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) These structures were used as (STT-RAM), which uses electron’s spin and electric control of the current develop quite low power memory. as a post-doctoral researcher, where I I am currently a secondary school templates to produce nanosized to store/manipulate the state of the flow could lead to improved memory worked with Professor Fergal O’Brien, teacher in Loreto College Foxrock and features (wires and dots) as an memory. I demonstrated significant storage for electronic devices. When I left CRANN in 2010, I moved AMBER’s Deputy Director for six years. teach Physics, Applied Maths and alternative to existing photolithography reduction in switching current by to the Paul Scherer Institute in Science. Over the past two years, I have techniques, the standard process material and stack engineering and After I was awarded my PhD, I took up Villigen, Switzerland and then moved My postdoctoral research work within also written the “Leaving Certificate used to make computer chips. completed my PhD in December 2010. a postdoctoral position in Germany to Dresden, Germany in 2011 where the RCSI focused on the development Physics Experiment Book” which was and, later, another in Sweden. During I work as a post-doc. We work on of new approaches for cartilage repair. published last year. Prior to this, I I am currently part of the Materials and I joined Intel Ireland just after my this time, I investigated how organic developing nanometer-sized magnets This work led to the development of taught in London for two years. While Surface Technology group at DePuy PhD and started working as Intel’s materials interact with surfaces, for both digital memory and wireless a novel multi-layered scaffold for completing my PhD, I also lectured Synthes. My role involves working researcher in residence in CRANN. I working alongside some of the leaders telecommunications. Because of the treatment of cartilage injuries. Recent in the Trinity Access Programme for on targeted projects evaluating new joined Intel Components Research of this field. In October 2016, I returned facilities available, we are in a unique publications relating to this work three years. Here, I taught Physics technologies as well as supporting division in Oregon, USA as a magnetic to Trinity’s School of Physics and position to investigate new magnetic has shown it to perform better than and Maths to students who wished issues that require additional support materials expert in 2013 and have been CRANN with an SFI Starting Investigator materials for the purposes of faster other biomaterial options currently to gain access to University. It was a outside of day-to-day production. responsible for designing a variety of Research Grant. Over the next few years, wireless communications, up to several on the market. The major highlight very rewarding experience and this Although based in Cork I get to work with new materials for future technologies. I plan to address the structural and hundreds of GHz! This has led to of this research to date has been helped me to make my decision to sites across the globe, this provides a Working and studying in CRANN electronic effects of inserting different extremely successful collaborations the successful use of the scaffold in become a teacher. I also do some part great opportunity to see how different enabled me to develop a variety of skills molecules (intercalants) between the with several research groups. My career the treatment of cartilage injury in a time lecturing in UCD for students who sites tackle similar challenges and to including materials deposition and layers of two-dimensional (2D) solids. highlight to date is our recently accepted show-jumping horse, Beyonce. This are studying to be science teachers. learn from these experiences. Working characterization, device fabrication TRANSPIRE project, a 4 year, €4.4 million, scaffold was licenced to spin-out for a leading orthopaedics company and testing. The collaboration between My group will search for suitable collaboration which I co-authored company SurgaColl Technologies My experience working as a research holds special significance as several CRANN PIs and industry certainly intercalants to aid the exfoliation of between groups in Dresden, AMBER, and will hopefully be available scientist helped me to develop a set relatives have received successful joint created the opportunity for me to reach individual layers from a variety of 2D Switzerland and Norway. It was accepted on the market in 2017. In August of skills which I use on a daily basis replacements. Before joining DePuy where I am today. solids. We will determine if a newly under the highly competitive FET-Open 2016, I took up a lecturing position in my classroom. My experience Synthes I held roles as a Researcher-in- discovered group of 2D solids, MXenes, call of the EU Horizon2020 programme. within the School of Mechanical involved designing and executing Residence for Intel Ireland and in R&D can be used as superior electrodes and Manufacturing Engineering in experiments, analysing data, at Merck – both these roles included for next-generation batteries and Due to the fact that I was a PhD DCU, where I now teach biomedical publishing in peer reviewed journals, collaborative projects with CRANN/ we will investigate if intercalation student when CRANN initially opened, engineering to undergraduate students. collaboration with other research AMBER. A project at Merck led to a joint can be used to improve the catalytic I gained valuable experience in the My research work in DCU continues groups and communicating these patent application with CRANN/AMBER. efficiency of certain 2D materials. actual setting up of lab space, as well to investigate new approaches findings at international conferences. as the administrative and technical for bone and cartilage repair. I feel that I can impart all of this During my time at CRANN/AMBER A strong collaborative environment organisation of a research centre. As knowledge in the classroom, helping I was able to gain experience in state of between theorists and experimentalists well as the inter-disciplinary nature of Being part of AMBER gave me access students to understand how to design the art technologies which have proved in CRANN enables the rapid transfer CRANN, this experience allowed me to to equipment and valuable expertise experiments themselves and how useful in an industrial setting. I also of computationally obtained better forge scientific collaborations, in materials development and best to communicate their findings. I had the opportunity to learn from, and knowledge to the laboratory. This give focused leadership and deal characterisation which was hugely believe that my experience working as a establish connections with, leading was, and I expect will continue to be, with the administrative tasks that I beneficial in achieving the positive scientist has helped me to enhance the scientists which have led to successful of immense value to my research. encounter in my current position. outcomes of my research work. learning experiences of my students. collaborations in subsequent years.

24 25 our international engagement CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Our academics collaborate widely internationally European funding through a variety of research funding mechanisms The level of funding secured from Since AMBER was established in 2013, Our ERC awards have generated from one-to-one PI collaborations to European European programmes by CRANN and the Centre has brought in over €28m 47.3 jobs and our Marie Curie funded programmes and beyond. AMBER has increased significantly in European funding – over €14m from awards have enabled 16 Fellowship each year. European Research Council (ERC) posts. Our European collaborative awards, over €11m from Collaborative projects have enabled us to work From 2007–2013, CRANN PIs were projects and €1.8m from Marie with 25 different countries. International Engagement awarded three ERC Starting Investigator Sklodowska Curie awards. awards and were participating in 22 EU From 2013–2016 alone, 56% of AMBER projects, valued at €17m. publications have had authors based outside Ireland.

2013—2016 €28+MILLION FUNDING TOTAL 11 18 6 European Research Collaborative Marie Curie Council Awards Partnerships Awards €14,785,410 €11,725,092 €1,866,864

47.3 16 Jobs Fellowships

Austria Denmark Greece Netherlands Sweden Belarus Estonia Hungary Norway Switzerland Belgium Finland Israel Poland Turkey Bulgaria France Italy Portugal UK Czech Rep. Germany Luxembourg Spain USA

Australia Chile Germany Latvia Portugal Sweden Austria China Greece Lebanon Russia Switzerland AMBER PIs have been awarded more ERC funding than any other Belarus Czech Republic Hungary Luxembourg Saudi Arabia Taiwan Belgium Denmark India Netherlands Singapore Turkey research centre in Ireland and Professor Valeria Nicolosi Bulgaria Estonia Israel Norway Slovenia UK is Europe’s only 5 time ERC awardee Brazil France Italy New Zealand South Korea USA Canada Finland Japan Poland Spain

26 27 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Our ERC Awards

The main goal of the ERC is to Professor John Boland Professor Valeria Nicolosi Professor Valeria Nicolosi Professor Valeria Nicolosi Professor Valeria Nicolosi encourage high quality research in Europe through competitive funding. Award Type: Advanced AWARD TYPE: Proof of Concept AWARD TYPE: Proof of Concept AWARD TYPE: Proof of Concept AWARD TYPE: Consolidator 8 AMBER Investigators have won 11 awards since the Centre was RESEARCH TOPIC: Aims to develop RESEARCH TOPIC: Aims to determine the RESEARCH TOPIC: Aims to determine RESEARCH TOPIC: The aim of this RESEARCH TOPIC: This project aims to launched, which has provided 47.3 intelligent materials with properties that economic and technical feasibility of the technical and economic viability of proposal is to determine the economic develop micro-energy devices, both Full Time Equivalent posts (FTEs), evolve in response to external stimuli using readily scalable technologies for scaling-up ultra-thin, ink-jet printed and technical feasibility of using supercapacitors and batteries. 21 Postdoctoral researchers, 23 and to create novel easy-to-fabricate the development of inexpensive and high films based on liquid-phase exfoliated readily scalable technologies for PhD students, 2 Process Engineers devices capable of memory and performance ultra-thin, flexible films single atomic layers of a range of the development of inexpensive and and 1.3 Administrative staff. self-learning. of 2D nanosheets for supercapacitors nanomaterials. These 2D materials high performance solutions for heat manufacturing for the aerospace and have immediate and far-reaching dissipation for the high-end automobile Professor Nicolosi’s 5th ERC award automotive industry. potential in several high-impact industry, as well as other markets. was awarded pre-AMBER in 2011. technological applications such as microelectronics, composites and energy harvesting and storage.

JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 9.5 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 1.1 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 1.1 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 1.1 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 5

Professor Wolfgang Schmitt Professor Daniel Kelly Professor Fergal O’Brien Professor Jonathan Coleman Dr. Micheál Scanlon Professor Aidan McDonald

AWARD TYPE: Consolidator AWARD TYPE: Consolidator AWARD TYPE: Proof of Concept AWARD TYPE: Advanced AWARD TYPE: Starting AWARD TYPE: Starting

RESEARCH TOPIC: Addresses the RESEARCH TOPIC: Envisions a future RESEARCH TOPIC: Adult articular RESEARCH TOPIC: Aims to develop RESEARCH TOPIC: Innovations in RESEARCH TOPIC: The chemical, question of how novel, bio-inspired where 3D bioprinting systems located cartilage has a limited capacity for methods to transform large volume solar energy conversion are required pharmaceutical, and materials metallo-supramolecular systems can be in hospitals will provide ‘off-the-shelf’, repair so when damaged it can lead suspensions of exfoliated nanosheets to meet humanity’s growing energy industries rely heavily upon prepared and exploited for sustainable patient-specific biological implants to to joint degeneration and ultimately into bespoke 2D inks. The ink will be demand, while reducing reliance on chemicals from oil and natural energy applications. The efficient treat diseases such as osteoarthritis. osteoarthritis. This project aims to used to print patterned or large area fossil fuels. Solar energy conversion gas feed-stocks that require conversion of light into chemical energy This project will use 3D bioprinting deliver microRNAs (miRNAs) to stem 2D nanosheet networks with controlled devices are typically made from considerable functionalisation would be one of the greatest scientific to generate anatomically accurate, cells using nanomaterials. The idea structure, allowing us to tune the inorganic materials and involve high prior to use. This project will take a achievements with unprecedented biomimetic constructs that can be used of using miRNAs as therapeutics electrical properties of the network processing costs, occasionally the Nature-inspired approach to design impact for future generations. to regenerate both the cartilage and is appealing as they can influence during printing. use of toxic materials and an inability and prepare powerful oxidation bone in a diseased joint. expression or silencing of multiples of to generate a large and significant catalysts, a potentially sustainable, genes so is potentially more effective source of energy due to manufacturing cheap, and green route to these than delivering single genes alone. limitations. This project aims to high-commodity chemicals. develop “soft” novel materials self- assembled at liquid-liquid interfaces capable of achieving solar energy conversion without solid electrodes.

JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 6 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 5 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*:1 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 7. 5 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 5 JOBS CREATED (FTES)*: 5

28 *includes PhDs, post-docs, technical and administrative posts. 29 CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Non-European funding National Institutes of Health (NIH) AMBER has a small but growing Professor Anne Marie Healy, AMBER, engagement with institutions and Head of the School of Pharmacy and funding agencies outside of and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Collaborative Projects: the European Union, currently Trinity is a collaborator in NIH funded “I attribute my recent successes in competitive funding comprising 5% of our total funding. programmes worth €8.8million. NIH The Graphene Flagship is one of the world’s foremost medical awards from both the Royal Society Fellowship Scheme The Graphene Flagship was launched US Ireland R&D research centres based in the United by the European Union in 2013. With and the ERC to the investment made in my research group, Marie Curie Partnership Programme States. Annemarie was awarded a budget of €1 billion it represents a through both funding and professional staff support by Dr. Cathal Kearney, originally a Professor Daniel Kelly from AMBER €600,000 in research funding in 2016 to new form of joint, coordinated research AMBER at the start of my academic career in 2013.” Dublin native, completed a PhD was part of a €1 million project funded develop an innovative new dry powder initiative on an unprecedented scale. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from 2013-2016 under this programme inhaler for the treatment of lung disease. The overall goal of the Graphene PROFESSOR AIDAN MCDONALD Boston) and Postdoc (Harvard which is facilitated by the National It could help millions of patients with Flagship is to take graphene from University, Boston) in the USA before Science Foundation (NSF) and National cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic academic laboratories into European returning to RCSI and AMBER as a Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). society, facilitating economic growth Senior Research Fellow in 2014. In and Science Foundation Ireland. The and creating new jobs, in the space of TRANSPIRE 2015, he was awarded a Marie Curie project aimed to develop a biomaterial ten years. It is a combined academic- In 2016, an AMBER led consortium Reintegration Fellowship, which has to repair damaged ligaments, with industrial consortium consisting was awarded €4.4 million under enabled him to combine techniques a particular focus on regenerating of more than 150 partners in over the European-funded “Future and learnt in the USA for delivering drugs the complex interface between the 20 European countries. Professors Emerging Technologies – Open” (FET locally within the body at precise times ligament and bone. The project brought Jonathan Coleman and Georg Open) programme. They are the first with expertise at RCSI on collagen- together 5 different research groups Duesberg from AMBER are both part group in Ireland ever to coordinate such based biomaterials. These collagen- (Professors Tammy Haut Donahue and of the consortium. Funding provided a project, from the most competitive based biomaterials can be used to Ketul Popat, Colorado State University; to both by the Flagship has totalled science funding programme in the EU. provide a “scaffold” for cells to grow new Professors Nicholas Dunne and Helen International Networking €1,320,043 (to end March 2017), FET Open funds visionary research tissue on and, functionalising these McCarthy Queen’s University Belfast; employing 2 postgraduate students and innovation for radically new future Royal Society University scaffolds with carefully timed drug Professor Daniel Kelly, Trinity College As the only 5 time European and 1 research fellow. This will expand technologies, at an early stage, when Research Fellowships delivery allows doctors and researchers Dublin), and to date has resulted in 4 Research Council (ERC) awardee in to 5 postgraduate students, 2 research there are few researchers working in a The Royal Society Research Fellowship to orchestrate cell behaviour(s). These collaborative journal papers. Professor Europe, Professor Valeria Nicolosi fellows and 1 technical support, with a field. AMBER’s share of the €4.4m was scheme is for outstanding early career novel medical devices are initially Kelly’s lab received €250,000. has had numerous high profile further €180k in funding due in 2018. €1.7m. The funding was awarded to scientists across life and physical being developed to heal diabetic engagements politically in Europe. the TRANSPIRE project, which is led by sciences in the UK and Ireland. Just wounds but the research should be AMBER received a Centre-to-Centre In November 2016, Professor Valeria Professor Plamen Stamenov, AMBER 45 fellowships were awarded in 2016. applicable to growing many different Award under the US–Ireland Research Nicolosi presented her work to the and involves collaborators in Germany, Successful candidates in Ireland are tissues. The Marie Curie fellowship has and Development Partnership European Parliament Committee on Norway and Switzerland. TRANSPIRE funded by Science Foundation Ireland. enabled him to attend international programme in 2016. AMBER will Industry, Research, Telecoms and (Terahertz RAdio communication using conferences in the UK and the US, and, collaborate with the NSF Engineering Energy in Brussels. Prior to that she high aNistropy SPIn torque REsonators) Professor Aidan McDonald, AMBER as part of the Marie Curie he acquired Research Centre, Translational spoke to the general Parliament. will develop a new class of magnetic and Trinity’s School of Chemistry, was additional short term travel fellowship Applications of Nanoscale Multiferroic materials which should enable new awarded a Fellowship in 2016, valued funding (European Foundation for Systems (TANMS), and the Centre From Left to right: The European and exciting terahertz (1000 gigahertz) at €730,000, which will enable him to the Study of Diabetes) to undertake for Nanostructured Media (CNM) at Commission Vice-President Jyrki Kataien, technologies, which could underpin the progress his work on understanding research at Tufts University (Boston, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) on the responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment next wave of the Big Data revolution. metal-containing enzymes that USA), where he learnt to work with project, Ultra-Low Energy Electric Field and Competitiveness (May 2015) / Professor Personal and substance security play a pivotal role in human health. patient-derived stem cells. The ultimate Control of Nonvolatile Magnetoelectric Valeria Nicolosi with Professor Jean Pierre screening, medical spectrometry and This fellowship adds to Aidan’s ERC success of the Marie Curie for Dr. Memory Devices. This collaboration Bourguignon, ERC President / Professor imaging, geophysical and atmospheric starting grant, awarded in 2015. Kearney is that it led to him acquiring aims to develop materials which Mick Morris in discussion with NSF research and the Internet of Things will a permanent Lecturer position at can be used to manufacture high Director France Cordova and Professor all benefit from ultra-fast data transfer. Dr. Richard Hobbs was awarded a Royal RCSI, which begins at the conclusion performance memory cells. Science Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI. Society Fellowship in 2016 that will of the fellowship in April 2017. Foundation Ireland is investing Economic provide him with €550,000 over 5 years €800,000 into this collaboration allowing him to start his independent over the course of 36 months. research career in the areas of International Engagement nanofabrication and nanochemistry.

Societal

30 31 concluding remarks CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

The measure of a centre is that its The last 10 years has seen a remarkable Our research program spans multiple As we look forward to the next decade, impact is ‘more than the sum of its development in Ireland’s reputation as areas of societal impact from our ambition is to grow by building on parts’. There is no doubt that this a global leader for materials science developing materials for improved what has been a remarkably successful has been achieved through the research. CRANN followed by AMBER treatment of cardiac disease and foundation. We are at an exciting foundation of CRANN and its successor have been at the focal point of this diabetes to novel materials for carbon time in our research program where AMBER. Through centre funding we progression. Today, the AMBER centre dioxide capture and storage. Many we see the translation of some of our have created a strong core team to is a true national centre, spanning 6 of our engagements with foreign early stage research towards pre- support our researchers, established Universities, engaging in collaborative based multinational companies have commercialisation and clinical trials world-class infrastructure to compete research with 36 companies and led to an expanded local mandate where we are poised to make increased with internationally leading centres, international engagements across for R&D activities bringing with economic and societal impacts. We will attracted world class junior and 25 countries. The investment in state it increased investment and high continue to foster new talent to enable established researchers, elevated of the art infrastructure coupled value jobs. Finally over the past 10 the next generation of Irish researchers the ability to compete for funding to the international reputation of years we have been active in the and provide a pipeline of highly skilled nationally and internationally as well our researchers has underpinned education and training of the next researchers for academia and industry. as enhancing the scientific reputation this success allowing the Centre to generation of scientists through We will continue to work with partner of the country. Importantly we have compete for research investment with our primary and secondary school companies to develop a research led made major economic contributions global leaders such as Cambridge and programs and through supporting economy that will anchor, grow and to the country through innovation led Stanford Universities. Throughout this the careers of our postgraduate attract companies and we will continue research programmes. These include report we have provided examples and postdoctoral researchers. to use our research to innovate new creating spin-out companies, enabling of how CRANN and AMBER have technologies and products. We are well SME growth, carrying out highly impacted the Irish economy and positioned to become internationally successful medium and long-term broader society through for example respected thought leaders in materials collaborative research programmes our research across health, ICT and science and use our expertise to with multinationals based here and the environment. Our analysis has address societally important Grand abroad. Moreover, the centre has made indicated that our PIs have a higher Challenges. Finally, we will engage with a considerable economic contribution than average level of participation in our stakeholders, business and policy to the country in terms of employment commercialisation (through taking out makers to develop AMBER into the and investment. patents and licencing research outputs) leading, industry informed, materials and industry collaboration activities research centre internationally. as well as people based activities such as giving invited lectures, compared to previously published data on Irish and UK academics.

32 33 industry testimonials CRANN/AMBER IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 2007–16

Ascenix Biotechnologies

“This kind of niche, targeted program “My interaction with AMBER has been “ AMBER researchers are working “Glantreo is committed to expanding “ AMBER has benefitted the Irish “ AMBER is a meeting point of science, worked very well for Adama Innovations, wonderfully collaborative – they with DePuy Ireland to support their our co-operation with the AMBER research ecosystem by providing access research and commercialization. and allowed a very small start-up to work hard to understand the needs R&D programmes on materials and centre. We currently have one active to cutting edge research facilities and With its infrastructure, expertise mature its technology and explore of my company and then construct process technologies for existing project with the centre through UCC internationally respected researchers and culture, AMBER has helped further markets. We would not have a relationship that targets those and future orthopaedic devices. and see multiple opportunities for us and scientists at a very affordable Solvotrin build value by translating had the resources to devote to these needs, while staying true to their Orthopaedic implants, such as hip to work together on future projects. rate for companies that are serious both basic and applied science into R&D efforts, which are of longer mission and goals, creating a very and knee systems, make a dramatic Our company is innovation driven about innovation and expanding their a practical, value-added product.” term strategic value to the company, synergistic environment. In addition, contribution to the quality of life and working with the AMBER team horizons in the white hot competition of without the AMBER program.” they work hard to leverage their close for millions of patients globally. The gives us access to the expertise today’s business world.” relationships throughout the business materials and coatings used in and facilities needed for developing community in Ireland and beyond to and on these devices are critical in new technologies and products.” assist with streamlining the overall delivering clinical benefit and improving value proposition achievement that patient outcomes. DePuy Ireland’s has the AMBER / partner technical collaboration with AMBER continues collaboration at its core. Lastly, they to grow and provides DePuy Ireland understand start-ups and the unique with access to the Centre’s wide range challenges they face, interacting of expertise and facilities. Alongside “Henkel have worked with AMBER “Sigmoid’s national and international “TGE was able to attract and recruit the with patience, understanding, and technical advances, the collaboration researcher Professor. Yurii Gun’ko in the reputation as a leading research- world class academic talent needed flexibility that entrepreneurial has also provided the opportunity past and have been actively looking at based, innovative company is greatly for the Trinity Green Energy project situations demand. In particular for for a number of AMBER researchers opportunities for collaboration recently increased through a number of project because of AMBER. Their people and my company, working on renewable- to continue their R&D careers at in multiple areas, particularly in the outputs: publication in scientific reputation is the beacon that attracts based chemicals that benefit the DePuy Ireland post their studies.” development of novel materials for 3D papers, presentations at national the best international scientific talent environment and the overall economy, printing. We see significant overlap in and international conferences and and this allows business to get the the effort contributes to laying the the expertise at AMBER and in what intellectual property strengthening. best possible commercial result.” groundwork for a renewable business our company is doing in Ireland and The interaction between the R&D ecosystem that brings sophisticated our plans for future research and teams of Sigmoid and Trinity College jobs, increased investment, and general development. We look at AMBER as a has been very fruitful. It helped public benefits to Ireland and the EU.” “The quality of toolset and potential strategic partner and hope expand the knowledge-base of the understanding of the research to further develop our relationship Sigmoid research team in this field personnel in that equipment with the centre in the future.” of research but also contributed to capability and how to get the most inform formulation development out of the equipment are what we in-house. The project management, see as key. Flexibility and willingness out-reach and engagement with the to engage have been excellent.” team leaders at AMBER is exceptional. Likewise, the dedication and openness “ AMBER has been an essential player to ideas and developing concepts, both in our peripheral nerve product basic and applied is world-class.” development strategy for a number of years. The new product lines developed “ AMBER has been a valuable partner are a quantum leap in performance in the execution of the Glanbia R&D towards existing platforms. We strategy. We especially value the ease have benefitted from the academic of engagement and the proactive and team’s experience and ability to “test creative approach of the AMBER team.” drive” new approaches outside our normal R&D structure. Site visits by the academic team to our U.S. facilities have been invaluable.”

34 35 associated investigators 2007—2016

Dr. Ramesh Babu Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Shane Bergin Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Werner Blau Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor John Boland Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Louise Bradley Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Conor Buckley Bioengineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Mike Coey Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor William Coffey Engineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Paula Colavita Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Jonathan Coleman Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Graham Cross Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Stephen Daniels Electronic Engineering Dublin City University Professor John Donegan Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Sylvia Draper Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Georg Duesberg Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Dr. Garry Duffy Anatomy NUI Galway Dr. Rachel Evans Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Mauro Ferreira Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Sylvia Giordani Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor James Gleeson Mathematics & Statistics University of Limerick Professor Yurii Gun’ko Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Anne Marie Healy Pharmacy Trinity College Dublin Professor Martin Hegner Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. David Hoey Bioengineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Justin Holmes Chemistry University College Cork Professor Greg Hughes Physical Sciences Dublin City University Professor Paul Hurley Chemistry Tyndall Institute Professor Amir Khan Biochemistry & Immunology Trinity College Dublin Professor Danny Kelly Bioengineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Vojislav Krstic´ Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Ed Lavelle Biochemistry & Immunology Trinity College Dublin Professor James Lunney Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Rocco Lupoi Mechancial Engineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Mike Lyons Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Aidan McDonald Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Iggy McGovern Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Ken Mok Biochemistry & Immunology Trinity College Dublin Professor Michael Morris Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Bruce Murphy Bioengineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Valeria Nicolosi Physics & Chemisty Trinity College Dublin Professor Fergal O’Brien Anatomy Royal College of Surgeons Prof Kevin O’Connor Biomedical Science University College Dublin Dr. Garret O’Donnell Mechanical Engineering Trinity College Dublin Dr. David O’Regan Physics Trinity College Dublin Sir John Pethica Physics Trinity College Dublin Dr. Adriele Prina Mello Medicine Trinity College Dublin Professor Marek Radomski Medicine Trinity College Dublin Dr. Aran Rafferty Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Stefano Sanvito Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Wolfgang Schmitt Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Siddhartha Sen Physics Trinity College Dublin Professor Igor Shvets Physics Trinity College Dublin Trinity College Dublin

Professor Plamen Stamenov Physics Designed At Detail.ie Professor David Taylor Mechanical Engineering Trinity College Dublin Professor Miles Turner Physical Sciences Dublin City University Professor Yuri Volkov Medicine Trinity College Dublin Professor Graeme Watson Chemistry Trinity College Dublin Professor Hongzhou Zhang Physics Trinity College Dublin

36 37 AMBER

CRANN Institute Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2, Ireland

+ 353 (0)1 896 3030 @ambercentre @cranntcd

ambercentre.ie crann.tcd.ie

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