SEAM Research Centre unveil new state-of-the-art facilities
Marina Donohoe, Divisional Manager-Research & Innovation Enterprise Ireland, Professor Veronica Campbell President SETU, Minister James Lawless TD Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Dr Ciarán Seoighe Deputy CEO Research Ireland and Dr Ramesh Raghavendra SEAM Research Centre Director. Photograph: Patrick Browne
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).
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, 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 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.
“SEAM has been blazing a trail for this region over the past 15 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.
Dr Ramesh Raghavendra, SEAM Research Centre Director, expressed pride in SEAM’s growth and continued impact, stating, “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.”
Minister John Cummins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Minister Mary Butler TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health, and
were among the invited guests at the official launch last week.
