Biomass for renewable heat production

Development of a biosensor for time and cost efficient in situ detection of soil pollution

Molecular basis of bacterial-plant interactions for the promotion of plant growth

Perceptual call quality awareness indicator

Plant microbial interactions for sustainable bioenergy crop production and phytoremediation

Serum amyloid A, HDLs and their antibacterial role

Testing the utility of waste compost to support the establishment of bioenergy crops on marginal land

The Driver Education Centre is a start-up company based in the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre at the Institute of Technology, Carlow (IT Carlow). The company provides driver education programmes for individuals who have been disqualified from driving or who are returning to driving after illness or injury. A driving simulator is a key component of these driver education programmes. Its location at the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre has allowed the company to access a high level of technological and business expertise as well as the R&D facilities and know-how at IT Carlow.

The Driver Education Centre wished to improve their driver education programme by expanding and improving the driving scenarios presented by the driving simulator and by providing virtual access to customers. Software development expertise was needed to address these requirements. IT Carlow provided two students from the Department of Computing and Networking to work with the company on 6-month student placements. With appropriate guidance and oversight in place, the students worked with the company to develop, test and implement software to give enhanced capability to the driving simulator, and improve the driver education programme.

As part of the technical solution, the students have developed a non-fixed database that supports the custom-creation of driving scenarios for the driving simulator. This allows driving scenarios to be changed depending upon the specific training requirements. The students also delivered virtual access. This allows clients to use the driving simulation programme from a remote location. In follow-on work, IT Carlow is also helping the Driver Education Centre in creating driving lessons that will be available for download from the iTunes website. For the company, the student placements have resulted in a much-improved driver education programme as well as increased ease of access to a broad customer base that extends outside of the region. It has given the students valuable experience of the workplace and an opportunity to put their software development skills to practical, commercial use. The placements have also contributed to the Institute’s ability to offer programmes that are closely aligned with the needs of industry.

“Since the inception of the company we have enjoyed strong support from IT Carlow. We have 2 computer programming students on work placement at present, one of whom creates driving scenarios for our simulators and the other who is developing a virtual world, both students are ahead of schedule and can only be described as professional and extremely knowledgeable in their fields. It has been our pleasure to build this relationship and hope it shall continue into the future.”Brenda Bolger, Driver Education Centre

External Services ManagerBrian OgilvieEnterprise & Research Incubation CampusInstitute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlow, IrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5223E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VascoCare Medical Ltd. is a start-up company based at the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre at the Institute of Technology, Carlow (IT Carlow). Established in 2008, Vascocare’s mission is to develop innovative products for the prevention of pressure sores. Pressure sores are caused by an obstruction of blood supply to the skin after prolonged pressure. Left untreated, pressure sores can quickly become ulcers. Up to 4% of the UK healthcare budget is spent on aftercare of pressure sores.

Pressure sores can be prevented through the use of cushions or gel pads. These “patient-positioning products” relieve pressure on vulnerable areas of the body. However, products currently available on the market have limitations such as the uneven redistribution of pressure, leaking of the gel contents or hygiene risk.

VascoCare Medical Ltd. was working on the identification and development of new materials and novel designs for improved treatment of pressure sores. As part of the enterprise support service provided by IT Carlow, the company was given access to a range of state-of-the-art industrial design research facilities and equipment. This allowed the company to develop a range of lightweight, hygienic prototype patient positioning products. The prototypes were shown to distribute pressure evenly from the affected area in patients. They hatve helped the company to identify a wide range of medical applications such as in hospital and trolley mattresses, wheelchair cushions and operating tables. In addition, the technology has potential applications beyond the prevention of pressure sores, including use in veterinary, dental and beauty environments. The enterprise support provided by IT Carlow enabled VascoCare Medical Ltd. to access private investment that is supporting the development and manufacture of new, innovative patient positioning products. It is anticipated that the production of these innovative positioning devices will contribute to the future sustainability of the company and lead to a number of employment opportunities for industrial design graduates.

“There are huge benefits from setting up your business in the Enterprise & Research Centre at the IT Carlow, knowledge base and information you have access to in expert personnel, information technology and specialised resources goes a long way to achieving excellence in your business model.”Michael Lawler, Director of Design & Business Development, VascoCare Medical Limited

External Services ManagerBrian OgilvieEnterprise & Research Incubation CampusInstitute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlow, IrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5223E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IBC Associates is a start-up company based in the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre at the Institute of Technology, Carlow (IT Carlow). The company develops systems aimed at improving the bio-degradation of fats, oils and grease during wastewater disposal.

EnviroCORE is a strategic research centre based at IT Carlow. EnviroCORE carries out research in microbial technologies for waste treatment. It also opens up its laboratory facilities to partner companies and provides technical support and mentoring in microbiology.

Fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are a large component of wastewater from the food and restaurant industries. High concentrations of FOGs in wastewater can impede sewage treatment. If removed prior to wastewater treatment, the efficiency and safety of the waste treatment process is significantly improved. FOGs can be removed by pre-treating the wastewater with bacteria which biodegrade the fats into components that are more easily broken down during the subsequent sewage treatment. However, the bacteria used in this pre-treatment become less effective over time and this can limit the efficient breakdown of FOGs.

IBC Associates planned to develop a system that will improve the viability of bacteria that biodegrade FOGs during the pre-treatment of wastewater. Although the company had extensive experience in microbiology, it required the use of laboratory facilities to carry out microbiological analysis. Using the laboratory facilities and equipment available at EnviroCORE and leveraging EnviroCORE’s scientific expertise, IBC Associates developed a novel gel-based matrix that promotes bacterial viability during the pre-treatment of FOGs. The product has been demonstrated to keep the bacteria alive indefinitely and is currently undergoing tests to confirm its efficacy within sewage treatment systems. The innovative product has potential benefits in waste water treatment systems, waste disposal in restaurants and in septic tanks. It is anticipated that it will be brought to market in the near future.

"I personally don’t think that I could have brought my business to where it is today without the help of the Institute of Technology, Carlow. Thanks to all of this support my idea has become a product which people now want to buy."Dr. Guiomar Garcia Cabellos, Research Director, IBC Associates

External Services ManagerBrian OgilvieEnterprise & ResearchIncubation Campus Institute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlow, IrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5223E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EnviroCOREDr. David DowlingInstitute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlow, IrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5507E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

InfernEco is an Irish start-up company born from a concept of converting waste to worth. Every year millions of tons are added to the growing mountain of world waste and there is now a global effort to reverse this waste problem before it proceeds past a critical point. InfernEco believe that all waste can be recycled and re-used economically for very practical purposes, creating long-term sustainable employment that benefits people and communities.

In 2008, InfernEco came to the Enterprise & Research Incubation Centre at the Institute of Technology, Carlow with an idea for an innovative, efficient and environmentally friendly fire block. The company spent a year on the Institute’s Enterprise Platform Programme, during which they received business support and mentoring, access to funding and introductions to valuable networks. As a result of the support from the Enterprise & Research Incubation Centre, the company was able to progress the design and manufacturing method of their lead product.

In March 2010, InfernEco entered into a joint venture with Bord na Móna to launch its “FireMagic FireMaker” product. Kerosene-free, quicker to ignite and generating heat more quickly, FireMagic is a key new product in Bord na Móna’s eco-friendly range of solid fuel solutions. It is economical to use and provides a convenient substitute for other fire making products, guarantying the intense glow of a full, real fire within 15 minutes of lighting.

In 2010, “FireMagic FireMaker” became Bord na Móna’s biggest new product development, representing a total investment of over €1 million. The product was launched in November 2010 and took 7% of the ignitions market in the first seven weeks. After 12 weeks over 1 million units had been sold and “FireMagic FireMaker” was shortlisted for a national award in the innovative sector – the winner of which will be revealed in May 2011.

The “FireMagic FireMaker” is to be launched on the British market in September 2011 and plans to launch it on the American market are also in place. InfernEco are preparing to introduce two new innovative products to the Irish marketplace in November 2011 and are planning to continuously develop new products on an ongoing basis.

“Working with the Enterprise & Research Incubation Centre at IT Carlow was a very pleasurable experience, a means of comfort when doubt set in and a confidence growing experience that is essential to the success of any start up company. It is extremely difficult to start a business as a lone individual, and many indeed fail, but success is a far better prospect with the support and backing of the enterprise developments facilities at IT Carlow.”Shamus Malone - Managing Director, InfernEco

“The IT Carlow Enterprise Platform Programme (EPP) is a one-year full-time professional training and enterprise support programme aimed at entrepreneurs who have a well thought out innovative business idea or technology that has the potential to be transformed into a viable Start Up company. The EPP facilitated InfernEco, who had a concept which showed huge potential, and allowed it to be taken and developed from an idea into a commercial and investorready business using the resources and the expertise at the Institute.”Brian Ogilvie - Enterprise Development Manager, Institute of Technology, Carlow

External Services ManagerBrian OgilvieEnterprise & Research Incubation CampusInstitute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlowIrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5223E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Green Energy Growers’ Association (GEGA) consists of a number of regional Green Energy Service Companies (GESCOs) that are dedicated to the local production and processing of bio-energy fuels. The GESCOs are currently beginning to expand into integrated “Field to Furnace” supply chains, where they contract with producers to purchase biomass for conversion to energy.

Developing the energy production process is the key to supporting low-cost regional energy generation and supply. The national GESCO Network has carried out large-scale trials of various agricultural biomass crops such as miscanthus, which shows a higher potential as a fuel source, when compared to other biomass.

Though miscanthus is being used as an energy source in mainland Europe, the different climate and scale of use means that there is a requirement for technical data, industry standards and processing and combustion information for Irish conditions.

The GESCOs have experienced significant barriers to the commercial implementation of miscanthus as a viable biofuel in Ireland. They approached the Institute of Technology,  Carlow to assist them in designing an efficient, controllable process for the generation of miscanthus-fuelled biomass energy with financial return.

GEOCore is a strategic research centre based at IT Carlow. It conducts research focusing on developing a capability in modelling, testing, investigation and analysis techniques to optimise building energy and systems performance and to bring all built environment elements together in a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with industry.

In partnership with the GESCOs, GeoCore developed a best practice framework for the processing of miscanthus as an energy source. It is anticipated that when this framework is developed to its full potential, the National GESCO Network will be in a position to offer a large-scale indigenous “secure, sustainable and carbon positive” energy supply to Ireland’s energy consumers.

The Centre also worked with one of the GESCOs, Kilogen Ltd to develop a prototype for the processing of miscanthus for large scale storage. GeoCore assisted the company with the construction, installation and testing of the prototype and provided recommendations for its implementation.

GEOCore are continuing to work with the members of GEGA to develop a process for the local production and processing of miscanthus as an alternative energy source for Ireland.

“Kilogen considers it very important for its business to work with an accredited external research partner, in order to gain and develop knowledge in a structured and scientific way. We have been very happy with our relationship with IT Carlow, which has created an interesting and ongoing dialogue, as well as producing some very useful outputs. The complete independence of the Institute is also of great importance and the work carried out on our behalf represents excellent value for money.”Bill Madigan - Director, Kilogen Ltd.

“This project allowed an active research group at the IT Carlow work with a progressive company and to apply its expertise in helping to develop the sustainability and growth of the business. The researchers benefited from seeing their recommendations being implemented and the positive effect it will deliver for the company.”Dan O’Sullivan - Researcher, GEOCore, IT Carlow

External Services ManagerBrian Ogilvie

Institute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlowIrelandT: +353 (0)59 9175223

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GEOCoreDan O’SullivanInstitute of Technology, CarlowKilkenny RoadCarlowIrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5436E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Envirocore research centre at IT Carlow carries out research and innovation in sustainable bioenvironmental technologies in niche areas of:

The centre has received over €3.5mn in funding from diverse sources including HEA, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture and Food, IRCSET, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. The Centre has produced over 60 peer-reviewed publications, produced 26 industry reports, filed 2 patent applications and worked directly on innovation projects with 10 companies.

Dr David DowlingHead of School of ScienceInstitute of Technology, CarlowT: +353 (0)59 917 5507E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DesignCORE at IT Carlow works with regional and national industry in the development of innovative and sustainable products for national, and export markets. The centre’s expertise includes:

Adam deEytoDesignCOREInstitute of Technology, CarlowT: +353 (0)59 917 5000E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GAMEcore at IT Carlow carries out research in software development and networking architecture for interactive applications.  The research focuses on a number of applications, including Networks, Games Engines, Serious Games for Strategy, Sports and Health.

GameCORE has received €1.3mn in funding, primarily through Enterprise Ireland, IRCSET, Higher Education Authority and European Programmes.  Academic collaborators include University of Salford (UK) and NUI Maynooth.  In addition, researchers at GameCORE have worked on several innovation projects with several local companies.

Dr David DenieffeHead of School of EngineeringInstitute of Technology, CarlowT: +353 (0)59 9175410E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte’s research focuses on the development and application of biotechnological methods in order to provide solutions to environmental problems. Specifi cally, her group works to develop methods of bio-monitoring environmental change, establish biological pest control systems in sustainable agriculture and conserve important pollinator species such as the bumble bee Bombus terrestris.

Dr. Kakouli-Duarte started work in IT Carlow as an Assistant Lecturer and currently holds a Lecturer’s position. In her years at IT Carlow, she has secured approximately 1.4 million of external competitive research funding from funding bodies such as the EPA, the DAFM, IRCSET and the HEA (TSR). This enabled her to establish the Molecular Ecology  and Nematode Research Group, which in turn was catalytic for the founding of EnviroCORE, the most active and productive centre for research and innovation in IT Carlow, which focuses on the wider area of environmental research. 

In progressing her group’s research agenda, 2 PhD and 2 MSc scientists have graduated, while a further 6 postgraduate students are currently being supervised. Dr. Kakouli-Duarte’s group has so far produced 7 peer reviewed publications in international journals, 43 oral and poster presentations in specialist national and international conferences and 2 technical reports. 

In addition, she has been the main motivator and chief scientific organizer of 2 international symposia on nematodes as environmental indicators – in 2007 in Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK and in 2012 in Ghent University, Belgium. She has been invited to organize, chair and convene many thematic sessions in international congresses and has participated in numerous national and international committees and working groups. She is a reviewer in 7 specialist international journals and acts as PhD external examiner in NUIM, NUIG, Ghent University, Belgium and King’s College London, UK. Dr. Kakouli-Duarte’s international reputation was greatly enhanced in 2009, when she co-edited the first volume on nematodes as environment indicators. This was a landmark publication in the field and the only textbook available in this niche area internationally. In addition to raising her own profile as a leading international expert, this achievement also helped to promote the wider EnviroCore research centre and IT Carlow to potential funders and collaborators worldwide.

Dr. Kakouli-Duarte aims to continue and further the research work she has initiated in IT Carlow. Her long-term goal is to establish the first national diagnostics centre, specialising in DNA-based plant protection and environmental diagnostics. She also aims to establish a campus spin-off company offering services in environmental bio-monitoring and/or waste management. 

“I arrived in IT Carlow nearly a decade ago and found a “virgin” ground, so to speak, in order to develop my own environmental and sustainable agriculture research programme. Although I work in a sector that, in my view, is underfunded and underestimated at national level, I was nurtured and encouraged in IT Carlow to develop my full potential as a researcher. While undertaking my research, I face many obstacles but these challenges manage to enhance my resolve and stamina for a very concerted and focused effort in my mission in carrying out my work.”

Dr. Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte Institute of Technology, Carlow

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Dr.Thomae Kakouli-DuarteEnvironmental Biotechnology/ Environmental Ecology Group Institute of Technology CarlowKilkenny Road, CarlowIrelandT: +353 (0)59 917 5545E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jem Textiles was set up in 1997 and is owned and managed by Ms. Jacinta Edge-Moody. She designs and creates luxurious fabrics for interior designers, architects and international fabric houses, using hand printing, appliqué and embroidery creating unique and aesthetic pieces. These fabrics are used in both the international contract and domestic markets.

With the changing market conditions, Jem Textiles was keen to explore innovative methods, using new technologies, to develop their product lines and bring them to the market place to expand the business. However, the company was unsure how technologies, traditionally used in other industry sectors, could be adapted to benefi t their craft designs. Lacking the resources and access to specialised equipment or expertise to achieve this, Jem Textiles turned to DesignCORE at IT Carlow to help.

DesignCORE is an industry facing applied research centre that works across different sectors of the economy, including the craft industry. DesignCORE’s philosophy and expertise in rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing technologies encourages the development and implementation of new product development methodologies within small to medium-sized enterprises. The Centre’s facilities provide access to digital design technologies, introduce industrial design principles and encourage experimentation and engagement as process.

Jem Textiles and DesignCORE collaborated on a number of research design projects, putting in place an augmented approach that merged the industrial design and craft design methodologies. By building on traditional craft methods, modern materials were combined with digital techniques and incorporated the company’s textile and interior knowledge to develop and produce innovative designs. By then deploying DesignCORE’s rapid manufacturing techniques, fabric designs were translated to acrylic, opening up a potential new product range to take to market.

The collaborative research activities between DesignCORE and Jem Textiles were supported by Carlow County Enterprise Board (CCEB) through the Industrial Design Partnership Programme. The collaboration resulted in a new approach to the design development process, combining craft and industrial design  methodologies, through the development of an innovative lighting design using laser cut acrylics, which are side lit with LEDs. The partnership also produced a new product range combining 3D printing with fibre optics, expanding Jem Textiles product portfolio and increasing their exposure in the market place, both in Ireland and abroad. The new designs developed were chosen by Pantone as part of their Radiance Mood Board for 2013 Trends, while another design was featured in the Spring issue of What’s Hot in Irish Interiors.

Following the collaboration, Jem Textiles has increased their product lines and exhibited two new lighting ranges at 100% Design, the UK’s largest design trade event in London. The partnership has resulted in expanded business opportunities for their new designs, ensuring they have a stronger footing in the marketplace, improving the viability of the business going forward.

"Before engaging with the Institute, my work involved predominatelyhand drawn designs which were transferred onto fabric by hand painting using old traditional skills. Production methods were slow and costly, making it difficult to make a living. In the previous year, I had been trying to combine my bespoke fabrics with fibre optics and LED lighting, wishing to expand my technical abilities, while creating a very unique product. Working with the Institute provided a fantastic opportunity to embrace digital design with manufacturing techniques. Their attributes of visualisation, ease to adapt ideas, great communication skills and their in-depth knowledge of digital design and process made the collaboration easy. This type of collaboration allows craftspeople and designers opportunities to develop their products making them affordable and available to a wider market. Engaging with the Institute was a very positive and enlightening experience and has been instrumental in changing the course of my business with the expansion of the business in new products I design and make.”

Jacinta Edge-Moody, Jem Textiles

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Hilary DempseyDesignCoreInstitute of Technology CarlowKilkenny Road, CarlowIrelandT: +353-59-917 5000E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Microgen Biotech is a research-orientated spin-out company from IT Carlow that provides bioremediation solutions for the cleaning of contaminated soil,groundwater and toxic sediment.

The company uses an exclusive combination of natural soil degrading bacteria and site specific organisms coupled with biopile engineering in their unique treatment process. The company was established by Dr Xeumei Germaine, a PhD graduate from IT Carlow, and focuses primarily on the Chinese market.  

Microgen Biotech’s bioremediation products compose of bespoke pollutant degrading microbial consortia, concentrated in a novel biodegradable bead form. Currently in the European and US markets, microbial based bioremediation products are applied as liquids. The microbes often have very low survival rates when applied in this way and thus do not perform the bioremediation process effectively.

Microgen Biotech’s technology allows site-specific microbes to adapt quickly to their soil environment and facilitate a slow release system for the introduction of huge numbers of highly active pollutant degrading cells, ensuring a highly effi cient remediation process.

EnviroCORE at IT Carlow is involved in strategic applied research and education in innovative environmental biotechnology with a view towards sustainable economic and social development. Through collaboration with the researchers and technical expertise in EnviroCORE, Dr Germaine identified a number of bacteria strains. She believed that these strains, developed via her own work as a student and by other researchers at IT Carlow, could be applied to industrial bioremediation projects in China. Microgen Biotech was set up as a spin-out company to commercialise these strains in addition to providing technical know-how and site-specific project management through collaborations with Chinese companies.

To help further develop her business acumen, Dr Germaine participated on the IT Carlow New Frontiers programme for entrepreneurs which focused on structuring the business model and developing an investor ready business plan for the new enterprise. Following completion, Dr Germaine was awarded assistance from Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund in recognition of the potential of the new business. Microgen Biotech is currently in negotiations with a number of Chinese companies to secure contracts to develop the infrastructure necessary for bioremediation projects and to provide their microbial bead technology, product development and project design services. Microgen Biotech chose to initially enter this market as China has many environmental issues which severely affect its biophysical environment, eco-system functions, and impact adversely on human health.

The Chinese government has acknowledged the seriousness and scale of the environmental problems and has made national commitments to tackle these issues. As a result of recently implemented government policy and regulation, it is predicted that the commercial remediation industry in China will experience major growth. 

As a spin-out, Microgen Biotech is located at IT Carlow’s Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre and uses the Institute’s laboratory facilities to conduct its ongoing research and commercialization activities. 

Companies currently providing remediation services in China are using methods which are extremely costly, may destruct natural habitats, can cause secondary pollution and often prove infeasible for large contaminated sites. The technology and processes devised by Microgen Biotech provide a cheaper and more environmentally sustainable solution.

 Testimonial

“Working with IT Carlow has been extremely helpful for MicroGen Biotech. Our relationship with the Institute facilitated ease of access not only to the scientific expertise, but also to the other experts and supportive advice required for a start-up including financial, business and engineering, as well as top class physical facilities.”

Dr Xeumei Germaine Microgen Biotech

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Brian OgilvieResearch and Commercialisation Support ManagerInstitute of Technology CarlowKilkenny Road, Carlow IrelandT: +353-59-917 5000E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.