Researchers at NUI Galway are working on two major research projects for the Defence Forces to increase their security and capability.
Research teams have secured funding for two projects, AltFuel4DF and SafeGuard-Bio, aimed at improving fuel independence and safeguarding against biological threats.
The AltFuel4DF project led by Dr Rory Monaghan, and in collaboration with IT Carlow focused on creating low carbon fuels from waste.
It aims to develop ways to convert waste products like rubbish and residues from forestry and agriculture into sustainable low-carbon fuels, in order to improve the energy independence of the Defence Forces.
Part of the project will analyse fuel use to establish where there is the greatest need for low-carbon fuel, whether in ships, planes, or land based vehicles.
SafeGuard-Bio is a project which aims to develop a platform capable of detecting multiple biological threats from a single sample.
Led by Professor Lokesh Joshi and Dr Stephen Cunningham, this is in part a result of a decade long collaboration with the Defence Forces and Galway based medtech company Aquila Bioscience.
The solution has potential far beyond the security field, including aspects of public health and environmental monitoring for better awareness of infectious agents.
Prof Jim Livesey, Vice President Research and Innovation at NUIG said that collaboration is a “vital element” of science research.
“As a public university it is profoundly important for our excellence to be put to the test in developing solutions for those who serve on the frontline.”
These two projects are funded under the SFI-Defence Organisation Challenge, which aims to deliver new technology for the Defence Forces which also has a wider societal impact.
Prof Livesey said that they have huge potential, and show the value researchers place on responding to society’s needs.
The NUI Galway projects are among just 10 selected as part of the SFI-Defence Organisation Innovation Challenge.
