MSc in Key Enabling Technologies (KETs)

Gerard O’Connor

Patricia Scully

Expertise in Photonics, Micro- / Nano-electronics and Advanced Manufacturing.
New academic establishing research activity at NUIG. Dr Scully is actively recruiting KETS Masters students for September 2019, NUIG scholarships 1.5KEuros available for first class candidates by 16 August.  See LinkedIn page for project details.
Patricia Scully Research Profile.

Yury Rochev

Manus Biggs

Jessamyn Fairfield

Noel Harrison

Darren Molloy, 2016/17

Project Leader

Amatech Group 

Darren developed a laser based process to fabricate antennae and heater elements to create a wireless heater component for a microfluidic device.

 Antennae based microheater left with thermal image right

“During the course, I found that the level of practical experience working in the high-tech environment greatly beneficial. The course has a strong focus on innovation and working in an industry-style setting. The work placement module provided opportunities to meet and connect with companies related to my career.

Since finishing my M.Sc. the knowledge and experience gained has undoubtedly advanced my career. I am now a project leader for the R&D department and feel more equipped to handle the challenges of the job. I have been able to incorporate new methods and processes that were developed through the M.Sc. programme. This has also opened doors to the possibilities of doing a PhD in the future, and has given me the confidence to pursue further education."

 Ciaran Feeney 2015/16

Manufacturing Engineer

Valeo, Galway.

Ciaran’s project investigated

laser hydrogel film interactions using ultrashort pulses for selective structuring. The project created a patterned thermally responsive polymer for future therapeutic applications.

 Laser patterned PNIPAM thin coating.

“I decided to study a MSc. in KETs as the strong focus on research and independent laboratory work very much appealed to me. I also relished the chance to work in a high technology environment where I had the opportunity to work with advanced laser systems and characterization tools.

Throughout the programme I gained an appreciation for how research is translated into the processes used in the creation of products. It helped me to bridge the disconnect between how the experimental work I performed in my research impacts the end user application. This was an understanding that was absent in my undergraduate experience and one which I think isn't emphasised enough in science degrees. I now realise the importance of creating value at the various stages in the chain of activities and this in turn influences my decision-making and actions in my day to day work.

I'm now currently employed in the rapidly expanding autonomous driving industry. The pace at which technologies change in the sector requires us to be adaptable and able to adopt the new techniques developed in R&D. In this environment, I've found the MSc. in KETs to have been massively beneficial as it has equipped me with the appropriate mindset in an industry where the need to need to apply the technology developed internally is crucial for staying competitive.”

Lisa Faherty 2016/17

Research Assistant,

School of Physics,

University of Galway.

Lisa’s research project developed ultrasonic spray deposition processes for biomaterials.

Thermal and high speed imaging of ultrasonic spray tool.

“After graduating from my undergraduate degree I knew I had a strong interest in the medical devices but didn’t know how to enter the area. The MSc. KETS programme seemed like a perfect fit. The research focus of the programme allowed me to develop my critical thinking and research skills and the modules available also helped me to expand my skill set and allowed me to learn about other KETs research currently in progress in Ireland.

Through my project I discovered a great interest in the area of additive manufacturing and I gained experience and knowledge in advanced manufacturing and characterization techniques. I enjoyed the ability to take a recently purchased spray coating system and investigate its strength and weaknesses. This project allowed me to thoroughly understand ultrasonic spray coating and dip coating and allowed me to develop a good understanding of the fundamental principles involved in the coating of materials.

I believe the investigative, characterization and independent research skills I have developed are key to entering the medical device area. I am currently further exploring this interest in advanced manufacturing techniques as a Research Engineer on a European research project.”

Peter McGlynn 2015/16

PhD Researcher

CÚRAM Medical Devices

University of Galway

Peter’s MSc project developed and analysed the creation of microheaters on thin glass materials.

Reconfigurable fabrication of variable temperature microheaters

“Following the completion of a B.Sc. in Applied Physics, I was looking for an opportunity to gain more laboratory and research experience, particularly in the fields of advanced manufacturing and materials for medical devices. The M.Sc. in Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) provided this opportunity and allowed me to learn and gain experience in industrially relevant advanced manufacturing processes and characterisation techniques.

The course appealed to me as the research is driven by innovative and competitive strategies which were studied during the programme; this provides significance to the work being carried out and has provided me with knowledge to succeed in industry. The project involved the use of various advanced laser and characterisation systems for the fabrication of a microheater platform. It gave me the chance to work in collaboration with esteemed researchers in Spain where the platform was investigated for cell culture applications. The work carried out during the programme lead to a collaborative research publication and established a funded PhD research opportunity which now allows me to continue research into manufacturing techniques for the medical device industry.”

Maureen Fitzpatrick 2015/16

Engineer, Analog Devices,

Limerick.

Maureen’s project developed the application of a mechanically inspired laser scribing process for thin flexible ceramics.

 Mechanically inspired laser scribing of thin flexible substrates.

“The leading-edge research that was being carried out in the National Centre for Laser Applications at the School of Physics in NUIG was what first attracted me to the MSc KETs programme. I was fairly indecisive about which career path I wanted to pursue upon finishing my undergrad at McMaster University (Canada). I knew I was passionate about photonics and taking on a postgraduate degree in the field was definitely on the cards, but I was nervous about not going into industry and getting experience in a workplace. The MSc KETs programme; was the perfect compromise –a one year programme to attain a research Master’s enabling me to discover my research potential in the most efficient manner available.

I was given the freedom to define my own project and with the guidance of my supervisor, Ger O’Connor, was able to make sure this project aligned with the direction that other research in the field was converging towards. Every week I carried out experiments in a few different labs with the assistance of technicians, my fellow MSc KETs candidates, and other more experienced students; which helped maintain the momentum of the project and shorten the time to getting results. I was also able to make contributions to the scientific community by giving an oral presentation at the European Materials Research Society conference in France and by participating in a successful submission of a paper publication to a reputable journal. These were goals that I communicated to my supervisor at the start of the year and he was extremely helpful in seeking out these opportunities for me.

The research Master’s definitely helped me realise that if desired, I felt I was capable of taking on a PhD. However, despite being awarded a prestigious Irish Research Council Enterprise PhD Scholarship, I decided to take a position as an electronics engineer at Analog Devices in Limerick. Even though this job isn’t in the same field as the MSc KETs, the programme taught us transferrable skills, like how to set up and execute experiments as well as how to make good business decisions, which I know will be helpful in any career I choose moving forward.”

Ciaran Feeney,
Class 2015/16

Hydrogel Film Laser Interaction with Ultrashort Pulses for Selective Structuring

Peter McGlynn,
Class 2015/16

Development of Integrated Thin Film Heating Elements for Thermal Activation in Custom Multifunctional Components

Maureen Fitzpatrick,
Class 2015/16

Mechanically Inspired Laser Scribing of Thin Flexible dielectrics

Ellen Keenan,
Class 2015/16

Physical Interpretation of Infrared Imaging of Wounded Tissue

Emmet Gallagher,
Class 2016/17

Laser Processing of PMMA to Enable Fabrication of PDMS Microfluidics for Bone-on-a-Chip Applications

Lisa Faherty,
Class 2016/17

Development of a MultiCoater System for the Creation of Uniform PEGDA films

Darren Molloy,
Class 2016/17

A Laser Based Process to Fabricate Antennae and Heater Elements to Create a Wireless Heater Component for A Microfluidic Device