SEAM Technology gateway celebrates 10 years of providing support to Irish Industry

Attended by over 100 industry delegates from around the country, representatives were also present from Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Government departments and various academic institutes.  So far, 2019 has been a big year for SEAM Technology Gateway, based in Waterford Institute of Technology, as it celebrates 10 years providing support and expertise to Irish industry.  In recognition of this achievement, an industry-focused celebration was hosted on Friday 22nd March in Waterford Institute of Technology.  The event focused on highlighting the many existing and new capabilities that SEAM can offer as well as showcasing the special relationship which exists between the Gateway and industry.  The event also included the launch of the new Additive Manufacturing Training Centre (3DWIT) based in WIT.  Read More.....

Ministers mark the 10th anniversary of the South Eastern Applied Materials (SEAM) Research Centre

" The collaboration in evidence here at SEAM is a superb example of what these new Regional Enterprise Plans are fundamentally about.  The Regional Enterprise Plan for the South-East that I am launching today sets out a number of key strategic areas where regional stakeholders working together will provide a basis for future enterprise development and job creation that is sustainable in the longer term. " 

Over €75m announced for 27 Ground-breaking Projects under Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

SEAM is the lead partner on the E-BAMBI (Enhanced Biocompatibility of Additively Manufactured Biomedical Implants for Improved Clinical Outcomes) project along with the consortium comprising of DIT, Stryker, Schivo Medical and Graph Engineering.  This work has major implications for the medical device industry and ultimately for improving patient care with the proposed implants coated for drug elution, reducing the risk of infection for patients receiving the implants. 

Taoiseach said:

The creation of this fund is particularly timely when we consider the vast and rapid technological advancements that are taking place.  Today everything is faster, more efficient, and more easily accessible.  We must adapt to a future of greater digitalisation and automation.  Today’s school children will be employed in jobs and industries that don’t exist yet.  Technology will eliminate or transform existing occupations.  We are currently developing a new Plan, the Future Jobs Initiative, to meet these challenges and ensure we assist industry to create and sustain good jobs for our people in light of future challenges and opportunities.  The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is central to the Future Jobs Programme.  It’s our way of stimulating private investment in new technologies and ways of doing business and building stronger links between higher education, multinationals and Irish SMEs. 

Dr Ramesh Raghavendra, Director of SEAM and lead partner of the DTIF E-BAMBI project said: “We are thrilled to be funded under the highly competitive DTIF call – the E-BAMBI Consortium has the capacity to disruptively innovate the medical device market.  Our project has a wide-reaching impact on patient care and critically, for the commercialisation of the technology we will create for global impact.  Furthermore, this E-BAMBI project would meet the growing need for engineering and scientific competence for building an additive ecosystem in Ireland”. 

WIT’s Vice President of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies, Dr Mark White, added “SEAM’s role in securing this funding is a testament to the leadership, quality, relevance and impact of research being undertaken in WIT.  WIT is committed to research excellence in Ireland and leading impactful research in the South East region.  The E-BAMBI project is a perfect example of the calibre of research underway in the Institute.  Furthermore, the consortium for the E-BAMBI project, consisting of WIT, DIT and Industry partners, Schivo, Stryker and Graph Engineering, exemplifies the collaborative, engaging approach adopted by WIT.  We pride ourselves on delivering applied research that has real-world value, not just in the South East region or in Ireland, but globally.” 

Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said: “With the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, the Irish Government is supporting exactly the kind of fund that Ireland needs right now as we embrace the opportunities and challenges that disruptive technologies innovation bring to our workplaces and homes.  These projects represent exciting collaborations happening between Ireland’s cutting-edge research base and our vibrant, dynamic enterprise and start-up community, reflecting the excellent skills we have here.  I am delighted to support projects that will help to position Ireland as a Global Innovation Leader and lead the way in driving disruptive technologies innovation.” 

Minister John Halligan and SEAM visit ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre on the 24th of April 2017

Dr Ramesh Raghavendra and Minister John Halligan pictured at ESTEC

"I travelled to the Netherlands early this morning for a trade visit to ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre.  Ten Irish companies travelled with me, with a view to maximising their participation in European Space programmes and the Satellite Communications market.  Amongst them was Dr Ramesh Raghavendra of Waterford Institute of Technology's SEAM, the South Eastern Applied Materials Research Centre.  SEAM is doing great work at WIT and I can confirm that they are in active discussions with the European Space Agency exploring opportunities to adapt their manufacturing capabilities for the growing space market.  I certainly hope today's visit will be a productive one for this great Waterford operation." 

- John Halligan, Minister of State for Training, Skills, and Innovation

SERVICES

SEAM provides a wide range of services such as metrology analysis, failure analysis, material characterisation, mechanical property analysis and contamination identification, all designed to meet the needs of industry. 

RESEARCH

SEAM focuses on cutting edge research in a number of key areas and is currently developing novel materials and devices for the biomedical sector.  SEAM is also strongly involved in industrially driven research and is currently working on a number of Industry-Academia Partnership Projects. 

TECHNIQUES

SEAM has a number of niche technologies for materials and failure analysis as well as a suite of equipment for traditional analysis techniques.  SEAM also has access to a number of additional techniques through collaborative centres.