SEAM centre at SETU paving the way forward in technological research
The members of the team at SEAM in Waterford
Proudly celebrating its 15th anniversary, South Eastern Applied Materials (SEAM) Research Centre, at South East Technological University (SETU), is the leading Technology Gateway Centre in the country offering cutting edge equipment and tailored solutions to help companies remain competitive.
Launched in 2009, SEAM provides innovative engineering and material solutions for research and industrial partners seeking assistance with issues that cannot be solved by utilising their on-site resources.
They can include customised solutions such as bio-medical devices, pharmaceuticals, micro-electronics, precision engineering and construction.
Since 2021, SEAM has been ISO 9001 accredited, and is currently assisting over 300 Irish based industries from a broad range of sectors such as medical, pharmaceuticals, micro-electronics, precision engineering, food and energy.
SEAM excels in its unique capacity to foresee, comprehend, and promptly address industry demands with professional agility, offering competitive customised solutions. Furthermore, it serves as a convenient one-stop destination for completing tasks efficiently. The research centre’s team members are motivated daily by the clients they work with and in turn want to help them enhance their competitive position and sustain long-term success.
SEAM Centre Director, Dr. Ramesh Raghavendra, is proud of the success of the centre and is excited for two new launches later in the year.
“Our relentless effort to create materials characterisation infrastructure of excellence at SETU continues,” he said.
“The excellent infrastructure we are creating here in Waterford is not only assisting industries in Ireland but also students of SETU and other academic institutions, as they get exposure to these niche technologies and avail of opportunities to carry out research and training activities,” he added.
To coincide with the 15th anniversary celebrations, which will take place in September, SEAM is delighted to launch the Industrial CT and X-ray ImaGing Centre.
The dedicated materials research and development centre has secured €2.2m funding from Science Foundation Ireland to procure an exclusive high-power, high resolution CT scanner, the first of its kind in Ireland.
For the first time SEAM is also beginning to help the cement industry in reducing their CO2 emissions, according to Dr. Raghavendra, as the industry faces a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Constantly looking for ways to support and innovate in industry, SEAM is also delighted to launch a new laboratory in December to assist businesses to achieve their goal of carbon neutrality.
“We have secured over €1.2m funding from Enterprise Ireland to establish a ‘Sustainability Materials Characterisation laboratory’,” said Dr Raghavendra.
As more and more companies face challenges of increasing costs of energy supplies, CO2 emission reduction requirements and difficulty in acquiring proper supply of raw materials, SEAM is endeavouring to support them in achieving their green transition by determining the best approach to use and reuse materials more efficiently, as well as minimising power consumption and CO2 emission.
Dr Raghavendra said: “By examining how materials are utilised throughout their life cycle, the proposed Sustainable Materials Characterisation Laboratory will help companies reduce emissions. This lab is expected to be launched towards end of this year.” Throughout the years, since its launch in 2009, SEAM has brought in funding in excess of €55 million.
That funding has benefited the university, its students and positively impacted both SMEs and multinational companies throughout the country.
“I am proud to say that SEAM has been a good and effective vehicle for conveying and transferring the benefits of various Government funded research programmes to industries through partnering and collaborating with them,” said Dr Raghavendra.
“Going forward we look forward to creating more impact for both students and industries,” he added.
According to Dr Raghavendra, the success of SEAM and its position within the industry is due to its committed team.
“Thanks to my great team of dedicated staff who have helped SEAM to grow as a highly reputable applied materials research centre in the country,” he said.
“We currently have 20 full time staff with a few more expected to join later this year.” SEAM can be contacted at: 051-845648 or email Ramesh.raghavendra@setu.ie www.seam.ie
