The South Eastern Applied Materials (SEAM) Research Centre has marked its 15th anniversary with the launch of Ireland’s largest Industrial CT and X-ray Imaging Solutions Centre and the opening of the Materials Sustainability Laboratory at South East Technological University (SETU).
The milestone celebrations took place on Friday, 21 February during SEAM’s Industry Day, which welcomed industry and academic delegates from across the country to SETU’s Cork Road Campus in Waterford.
SEAM, Ireland’s leading Technology Gateway Centre, based at SETU’s Applied Technology Campus, plays a pivotal role in providing materials engineering solutions to a wide range of industrial sectors.
The newly unveiled €2.2 million, high-power (450kV) CT scanner, funded under a Research Ireland Infrastructural Call Programme, strengthens SEAM’s analytical capabilities, particularly for large and dense samples such as EV batteries. This advancement enables SEAM to rebrand its CT division as the ‘Industrial CT & X-ray Imaging Centre of Ireland’.
In tandem, the €1.6 million Materials Sustainability Laboratory, funded through Enterprise Ireland’s Capital Infrastructural and Innovation Partnership Programme, will support companies to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices. The facility aims to help companies reduce waste, pollution, and CO2 emissions, aligning with Ireland’s sustainability and green transition goals as outlined in the Government’s ‘Project Ireland 2040’ strategy.
Minister James Lawless, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, officially unveiled the new facilities, stating, “Today is the culmination of several years of planning and execution and, also, the start of a new phase in SEAM’s journey, as its services and capabilities increase.
“Today, in many respects, is a call to action to industry and other partners to consider the impact that SEAM can have on your operations and the help that it can provide through these great new facilities.
“SEAM has been blazing a trail for this region over the past 16 years, providing assistance to industries in the South and South-East region and beyond – supporting over 325 Irish based companies, including both multinationals and SMEs and executing over 4,000 directly-funded projects over that time.
“What we see here today is an excellent example of work that is progressing across Government, with different Departments and agencies progressing the initiatives for which they are ultimately responsible and accountable for but working to a common agenda to further our national interest.”
Minister Mary Butler TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health, and Minister John Cummins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, were among the invited guests.
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, in delivering the welcome address, remarked, “Today’s launch marks a key milestone for SETU and the SEAM Research Centre. The state-of-the-art Industrial CT and X-ray Imaging Centre and the Materials Sustainability Laboratory advances both cutting-edge imaging capabilities and sustainable innovation.
“Since 2009, SEAM has been at the forefront of applied research and industry collaboration. As Ireland’s top Technology Gateway Centre, SEAM provides advanced materials engineering solutions across multiple sectors.”
“Aligned with SETU’s Connecting for Impact strategy, SEAM Research Centre serves as a bridge between academia and industry, fostering partnerships, and delivering solutions that drive economic and societal progress. Today’s launch celebrates SEAM and reflects the invaluable support of Enterprise Ireland, Research Ireland, the European Union and our industry partners,” Prof. Campbell continued.
Dr Ramesh Raghavendra, SEAM Research Centre Director, expressed pride in SEAM’s growth and continued impact, stating, “Our ongoing commitment to create materials characterisation infrastructure of excellence at SETU has been further strengthened by today’s launch. The Industrial CT X-ray imaging centre’s comprehensive capabilities is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering innovation across industries ranging from manufacturing to material science.
“Meanwhile, the opening of materials sustainability laboratory will support companies in their green transition initiatives. This infrastructure will not only benefit industries across diverse sectors but also provide a significant boost for postgraduate and post-doctoral researchers in advanced manufacturing and materials sustainability.”
Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO, Research Ireland, added: “Today is a major milestone in terms of industrial research and development in this country. The launch of these large-scale facilities is testament to the potential impact of research for economic progress and societal well-being. Some of our greatest successes come from collaborations – universities, industry partners, and government – working together to solve real-world challenges. I want to commend SEAM, SETU, and all industrial and other partners involved in bringing these facilities to life.”
Marina Donohoe, Head of Research, Innovation and Infrastructure, Enterprise Ireland, also commended SEAM’s contributions, stating, “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support the Materials Sustainability Laboratory at the SEAM. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting businesses in the transition towards a low-carbon economy and it is encouraging to see more and more businesses coming onboard to address sustainability challenges by working with SEAM to develop low carbon materials solutions.
“Over the past 15 years the SEAM has made a huge contribution to innovation in sustainable and durable manufacturing practices. That work will become even more important over the coming years, and I am delighted that SEAM will be leading research in this vital area.”
SEAM Research Centre is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern, and Midland Regional Programme 2021-27.
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