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UCC researchers to develop innovative solutions for major emergencies
Large-scale modular shelters for rapid deployment and the development of a communications and risk assessment tool for major emergencies are two University College Cork (UCC) research projects that are awarded funding today to support the development of innovative defence and security systems.
Research Ireland and the Department of Defence invited academic research teams to work with the Irish Defence Forces to develop innovative solutions to challenges across a range of areas that will have beneficial application and strong positive impact potential for Irish society. The recipients of this Defence Innovation Challenge based funding programme was announced today by Tánaiste Simon Harris T.D. and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless T.D.
The awardees from UCC are:
- Professor Guangbo Hao, School of Engineering & Architecture, has received €211,195 in the Advanced Shelter Concepts Challenge for his project Large-scale modular shelter for rapid deployment. Team members include Dr Kevin Cronin (Co-PI), Dr Denis Kelliher (academic collaborator), Ms Orla McKeever (academic collaborator), all from School of Engineering & Architecture at UCC, and Capt. Paul Lyons (Defence Forces liaison).
- Dr Karen Neville, Cork University Business School, has received €187,542 in the Disruptive Ideas Challenge for her project entitled ‘Predicting & Preparing for Risk of Emergencies. Team members include Dr Nora McCarthy (Co-PI), from College of Medicine, Dr Simon Woodworth (academic collaborator), Ms Niamh Daly (academic collaborator) both from Cork University Business and Mr Kealan McMoreland (Department of Defence liaison) from the Office of Emergency Planning.
Members of the Air Corp, Naval Service, Ordnance Corp as well as the Civil Defence and Office of Emergency Planning will be an integral part of each research team, providing organisational, operational and mission context support.
Challenge-based funding is a solution-focused approach to research funding that uses prizes, strict timelines, teamwork and competition to direct research activities at ambitious societal problems. The aim of the Research Ireland-Defence Innovation Challenge is to develop new technologies, aligned with national defence policy, that have strong potential to deliver significant beneficial societal impact for Ireland.
The programme comprises three phases (following application): Concept (3-months), Seed (9-months) and Prize Award (up to 2-years). All successful teams at application stage will be awarded funding of up to €220k. During the Concept Phase, teams will have access of up to €20k of this award. Up to 5 teams will progress to the Seed Phase. These finalist teams will then compete for an overall Prize Award of €1M.
Announcing the funding, Tánaiste Simon Harris T.D. said: "I am delighted to announce this €3.2 million investment, which will help develop new and innovative technologies in our Defence Forces. This funding is not only designed to benefit our Defence Forces personnel, but also wider society as a whole. I welcome the fact there are members of the Defence Forces, Civil Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning embedded into each research team."
Minister James Lawless T.D. said: "Today’s announcement builds on and reinforces the partnerships we have developed between the research community and the Defence Forces, Civil Defence and Office of Emergency Planning. It demonstrates the value and potential of collaborative research in addressing the challenges faced by our Defence Forces and Irish society as a whole. I congratulate the 10 teams receiving funding and wish them success as they work to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges they are addressing over the coming months."
Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation said: "I would like to congratulate the two UCC teams on their awards and their progression in this national challenge programme. These innovative awards have the potential to deliver key benefits for society, through the integration of their technological solutions into the Irish defence and security forces and with national defence policy."