Completed Projects
Recently Completed Projects
- An Investigation of Compressed Air Energy Consumption and Efficiency in Automated Assembly Production
- Universal Re-usable Energy Absorption Devices (UREAD)
- An Investigation into the Micro-Machining of Biocompatible Polymer Materials
- Process Monitoring of Micro Machining Operations
- The Development of a General Purpose Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Strain Sensor
- Enhanced Boiling Heat Transfer Coatings
- Implementing Additive and Cold Spray Techniques for the smart manufacturing of valve components (IMPACT)
- Developing cold spray as the next generation additive manufacturing
- AERIALIST - Advanced Aircraft Noise Alleviation devices using Metamaterials
- Supersonic-Assisted Laser Ablation
- The Technical and Commercial Development of Cold Spray Applications in Ireland
- Supersonic Spray Advanced Modelling - SSAM
- Advanced Additive Manufacturing Applied to High Tech Control Valves
Other Completed Projects
High velocity mist jet cooling of machining processes: Improving the environmental impact of metal cutting
Project Coordinator(s)
Prof Andrew Torrance
Dr Garret O'Donnell
Research Students
Mr A. Bareggi
Funding Body
Science Foundation Ireland
Design and manufacture of a novel heat pipe-based hydronic heating system
Project CoordinatorsDr Garret O'Donnell
Dr Tony Robinson
Research Staff
Mr Kevin Kerrigan
Description
The research involves optimizing a novel heat exchanger design which incorporates heat pipe technology to transfer heat energy into a household room in a more efficient manner than current designs. Such an optimization is undertaken from both a thermal and ‘Design for Manufacture’ DFM perspective, in order to ensure that the potential for commercialization is maximized upon completion of the design. The thermal optimization involves researching radiation and forced and natural convection of finned tube geometries in order to develop a design tool with which to investigate various configurations and geometric parameters. The DFM optimization involves the application of DFM principles on an ongoing basis, as well as analysis of various designs from a manufacturing and assembly view point. The research incorporates computational heat transfer tools, design prototyping via both 3D CAD Modelling tools and physical models, rig building, Prototype testing and commercial assembly.
Other research interests: Machining processes and biomedical devices
Funding Body
Enterprise Ireland
Investigation the microform rolling process through experimental and FEA approaches
Project CoordinatorProf John Monaghan
Research Students
Mr P. Ashmore
Description
This project involves analysing the affect different tool geometries have on the workpiece during the micro-form rolling process and the defects that occur in the workpiece as a result of the tooling. Experimental work is carried out on an EWM AF3 thread rolling machine and FEA work on DEFORM 3D.
Funding Body
Industry
Analytical modelling and experimental investigations into the use of metallic foams
Project CoordinatorProf John Monaghan
Research Students
Mr R. Thackaberry
Description
A combination of both compression and indentation tests will be performed on Aluminium foams of varying densities. The results of these tests will then be compared with those obtained by FEA simulations in an effort to validate the computer model.
Funding Body
Industry
Investigation of the toughness of polymer-clay nanocomposites for plastics recycling
Project CoordinatorDr Biqiong Chen
Research Students
Ms Oana Istrate
Funding Body
EPA
Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites
Project CoordinatorDr Biqiong Chen
Research Staff
Ms Emer Walsh
Biopolymer-matrix composites
Project CoordinatorDr Biqiong Chen
Research Staff
Mr Shuo Liu
Funding Body
TCD
Analysis of acoustic emission signals from a micro-drilling process
Project CoordinatorDr Garret O'Donnell
Research Staff
Mr Donal Lynch
Description
This research project involves the processing and analysis of acoustic emission signals from micro machining processes using frequency analysis and wavelets.
Investigation of energy efficiency in polymer processing
Project CoordinatorDr Garret O'Donnell
Research Staff
Mr Peadar Golden
Description
The polymer processing sector is coming under increasing pressure to reduce energy due to the rise in energy and raw material costs, unstable oil prices, the rapid economic growth of China and India, and increasing EU legislations. The main problem however, is that there are no points of reference to use in order to optimise energy usage in the polymer processing sector. This research will address this issue by undertaking a systems analysis of the polymer process of blow moulding, developing a methodology/model for decision support in order to optimise energy usage.
Funding Body
Irish Environmental Protection Agency
Development of in-process quality monitoring system for abrasive material removal processes
Project CoordinatorDr Garret O'Donnell
Research Students
Ms Emma Brazel
Description
As Irish based industry faces an increasingly competitive environment, companies are forced to consider reducing process chains by including process measurement within machines where possible. Using a combination of in-line measurement including power monitoring, this research work aims to develop a robust process monitoring methodology for abrasive machining in the biomedical implant sector.
Funding Body
IRCSET Enterprise Partnership Scheme with DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Company
Characterisation and optimisation of energy efficiency in hybrid discrete and continuous manufacturing operations
Project CoordinatorDr Garret O'Donnell
Research Staff
Mr Giovanni Borza
Description
The research involves the implementation and use of an energy management system for an Irish based Bioengineering plant. The aim is to develop a methodology for measuring and characterising energy usage in combined continuous and discrete manufacturing processes.
Funding Body
IRCSET Enterprise Partnership Scheme with DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Company
Monitor and control during machining of polymers
Project CoordinatorDr Garret O'Donnell
Research Students
Ms Dorota Skupinska
Description
The current research work challenges the case of optimal cutting conditions and surface quality during machining of composites and polymers. Other research includes Tool Condition Monitoring systems and sensor technology.
Layer-by-layer assembly of novel bone-mimetic hybrid membranes
Project CoordinatorDr Biqiong Chen
Research Staff
Dr Chaoying Wan
Funding Body
EU FP7