News and Events

Science Foundation Ireland Strategic Research Cluster Awards

Prof Miles Turner, Director, The National Centre for Plasma Science & Technology and DCU's School of Physical Sciences, will lead the Science Foundation Ireland Strategic Research Cluster entitled Precision (€4.3m).

The "Precision" Research Cluster is being conducted in partnership with UCD and seven companies drawn from the semiconductor and biomedical sectors: Intel, Lexas Research, Impedans and Straatum, Holfield Plastics as well as campus companies with few employees but large potential for growth.  These companies are united by their interest in using plasmas to manufacture innovative products at low cost.  The Precision SRC aims to help them do this, while expanding the realm of fundamental knowledge and adding to Ireland's pool of highly talented scientists and technologists.

Prof Turner said "The strategic aim of the Precision SRC is to develop a knowledge-base and a human capital base to support industries adopting plasma technology for nano-manufacturing in Ireland.  These high technology industries are major contributors to exports and economic growth. Electronics, for example, recently accounted for about 5% of employment in Ireland, but about 40% of exports by value.  Growth in the semiconductor device industry is expected to be about 15% annually for the foreseeable future".