Key Enabling Technologies - Structured

Key Enabling Technologies are recognised by the European Union to be the building blocks for future product and process technologies. Europe’s future competitiveness depends on how its labour force will apply and master the fusion of two or more key enabling technologies on advanced manufacturing test-beds. This interdisciplinary programme prepares technologists for this societal challenge.



The six key enabling technologies are:



Photonics

Advanced Materials

Industrial Biotechnology

Advanced Manufacturing

Nanotechnology

Micro- / Nano- electronics



The MSc programme provides students with structured training in Scalable Innovation and Laser-enabled bioprinting. This training is underpinned by advanced courses in Optical Design, Advanced Materials, and Tissue Engineering. The programme is particularly focused on digital additive and subtractive processes—targeting personalised medical devices and sensors—pivotal for addressing future key healthcare challenges. Students will gain hands on experience on state of the art manufacturing research platforms enabling them to demonstrate their research potential.



The programme is an ideal opportunity for launching a career in research for industry or academia; it is informed by the goals of three key Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres, CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices, I-FORM Centre in Advanced Manufacturing and the IPIC Centre in Photonics Technologies.



Strategic Focus



Students work on individual research projects aligned with a team-based challenge. All projects will converge towards the central theme encompassing the application of multiple key enabling technologies to create electrically, optically and thermally activated medical device concepts using an additive (inkjet & spray) and subtractive (laser) advanced manufacturing test-bed.



Applicants interested in the integration of flexible microfluidics, with laser-enabled printed electronics and soft biomaterials, are particularly encouraged to apply for academic year 2018–19. The programme is ideally suited to a career in biomedical engineering science.



New Development



New Science Foundation Ireland funded Laser-Enabled Additive and Subtractive Pilot Manufacturing Test-bed on which future MSc training will be undertaken:

Students with a 2.1 honours degree, or higher, in science or engineering (Level 8) will be considered for this programme.

Structured MSc, full-time 1 year

Structured MSc, part-time 2 years

Graduates from this programme find employment in advanced manufacturing industries or continue on to pursue PhD studies centred on realising the next generation of biomedical devices. The programme is strategically positioned to produce graduates capable of realising a new generation of medical and electronic devices based on biomaterials activated by electrical, optical, and thermal stimulation. Hands-on and taught modules will provide expertise in printed electronics and biomaterials giving students access to many opportunities in the development of future medical and pharmaceutical devices, and in tissue engineering.