News Release
Innovation Successes for Ulster at 25K Awards
Dr Patrick Dunlop from CleanTech Global
Researchers from the University of Ulster scooped two ‘Best in Category’ prizes at the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) 25K Awards.
Dr Patrick Dunlop, Dr Robert Hamill, and Dr Andrew Crangle, from the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC), and Professor Brian McClelland, from the School of Art and Design, won the CleanTech Award for their solar water purification device.CleanTech Global has integrated product design with engineering science to produce efficient and affordable solar disinfection devices.
“We use solar energy to provide drinking water for the developing world and other niche applications,” explains Dr Dunlop.“The sun provides more energy to the earth’s surface each day than humans have ever used. Through the development of nano-structured materials and smart sensors, novel yet inexpensive devices have been developed which could significantly reduce the mortality rate of children in the developing world.”
Masters student Kyle Boyd won the newly introduced Digital Media category with his innovative e-learning tools to enhance disability awareness.His website: http://www.disabilityheroes.com/ is an innovative access point where people with a disability can meet, share experiences and learn through animation and imagery delivered via the web.
“Young people and adults will be able to learn about their disability and the different ways it can take affect. As most people who do not have a disability fail to understand exactly what it is, our websites will offer useful e-learning tools that can create awareness about different disabilities,” says Kyle.A joint entry between Ulster and QUB took the BioTech category prize. Protocypher provides analytical services to hospital clinicians so that use of high cost drugs can be rationalised.
The £25K Awards are facilitated through the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) and the Northern Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship (NICENT) to identify, qualify, prepare and present the best new knowledge based ideas from the university research base in Northern Ireland.Dr Cecilia Hegarty from NICENT at the University of Ulster said: “This year more than ever we have observed strong links between the commercial potential of the ideas coming forward and the social benefits of these technologies.”
The 25K awards, which are sponsored by Bank of Ireland and invest NI, took place in the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House, NISP, Belfast.For further information on the 25K Awards contact Dr Cecilia Hegarty at: cb.hegarty@ulster.ac.uk
For further information, please contact:
Martin Cowley
Telephone: 028 71675083
Email: Martin Cowley
