Research Opportunities at the College of Sciences & Health
Self Funded Opportunities
The College of Sciences & Health invites self-funded candidates to apply for one of the research projects listed below. Interested candidates are invited to make contact with the relevant supervisor(s) for further information. To download an application form, click here.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
1. Development of Performance Test Procedures and Devices for Cardiac Diagnostic Ultrasound SystemsDiagnostic
Ultrasound is a rapidly developing imaging modality accounting for approximately 25% of all imaging procedures worldwide. Rapid advances in ultrasound technology in recent years have resulted in the introduction of novel techniques for obtaining unparalleled anatomical images and quantitative functional information. However, such developments have posed serious difficulties in assessing the performance of these systems, which is particularly relevant when one considers that patient management is often dictated by the diagnostic information furnished by medical ultrasound.
Of particular concern is the current lack of adequate test devices for qualitatively and quantitatively assessing the performance of the newer Doppler techniques on these systems, such as Colour Flow and Tissue Doppler. This project will aim to develop both measurement techniques and devices to address this shortcoming. It will suit a highly motivated physics or engineering graduate who is keen to contribute to this exciting field of medical imaging. The project will enable the student to develop a deep understanding of ultrasound physics and to gain experience working with state-of-the-art ultrasound imaging techniques and test systems. Furthermore, through the collaboration with Dr. Fagan (who will co-supervise the project with Dr. Browne), the student will benefit from the opportunity to carry out a significant part of their research in St. James’s Hospital, thus giving them the opportunity to interact with a variety of clinical specialists and to work with a range of state-of-the-art ultrasound cardiac equipment in a hospital environment.
The MU Group has an active program of research in medical ultrasound, with three current Ph.D. students and occasional undergraduate, and has collaborations with a number of Medical Physics Departments throughout Ireland. The advertised research project is a collaboration between Dr. Jacinta Browne, who heads the MU Group, and Dr. Fagan from the Centre for Advanced Medical Imaging in St James’s Hospital.
Subject Area: Physics
Student Requirements: In addition to having the minimum requirements specified by the Dublin Institute of Technology, the student to be recruited should be a self-starter with an interest in studying disease progression within the cardiac system using medical ultrasonic techniques. The student should have a strong background in physics and physical science or engineering.
Supervisor(s): Dr Jacinta Browne (jacinta.browne@dit.ie ) and Dr Andrew Fagan
2. Purification of Water Using Carbon Nanomaterials
There is a growing demand for potable water throughout the world. A conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey on the 14th of March 2009 which was attended by some of the worlds leading scientists to try and combat this global crisis. While most of the world is water the issue is to turn the freely available water into water fit for human consumption.
Current methods used in the purification/decontamination process are, distillation, reverse osmosis and filtration. To date the filtration system is the most cost effective available. This project proposes to devise and use a new nanofilter to purify water. It is proposed that this new improved filter may allow steps in the current filtration method to be bypassed thereby increasing the amount of water available in a shorter space of time with no additional energy requirement which would be very desirable given the current global energy crisis. Organic synthesis is required to produce the filter and spectro- and microscopic techniques will be used to assess the effectiveness of the filter on both fresh and salt water samples.
Rationale: Dublin City Council has announced that the city is at a 90% capacity for water supply. Contamination of new and existing water tables has been cited as the issue for our current quality and quantity of our potable water. Filtration removes contaminants such as pesticides, chlorine and salt and is the most effective method to date. The process requires several stages and is very slow but little to no water is wasted and the energy cost is minimal. The process allows the passage of essential minerals for human consumption. This project proposes to explore a new filter, a nanofilter and to look at the removal of contaminants from the Dublin water supply. The nanofilter will be compared to the traditional filter for efficiency.
Methodology/Techniques: Students on this project will gain experience in spectroscopic techniques such as UV/Vis (test for carbonyls and bacteria, algae), fluorescence (for carbonyls and bacteria), infra red (for various contaminants), HPLC (for solvents analysis), ICP ((inductively coupled plasma) for heavy metals), Ion chromatography (for heavy metals), confocal microscopy (for algae). The students will also gain experience in synthesis with regards to preparation of bucky paper.
Subject Area: Environmental Nanoscience
Student Requirements: Degree in science
Supervisor(s): Prof Hugh J. Byrne (hugh.byrne@dit.ie), Dr Theresa G. Hedderman, Ms Anne E. Shanahan
3. Biological Evaluation Studies of Ruthenium Complexes
For many years therapeutic inorganic chemistry research at DIT has been pioneered by the Inorganic Pharmaceutical and Biomimetic Research Group (IPBG) through work focused on synthesis and characterisation of Metallodrugs (Silver and Copper) as potential therapeutic drugs. Recently this group, using facilities of the Materials Synthesis and Applications (MSA) Laboratory in the Focas Research Institute have extended their studies to include synthesis and characterisation of Ruthenium complexes. The aim of this study is to bring that research one step forward and carry out chemical and biological evaluations of ligands and metal complexes to determine if the presence of metal centres enhances the therapeutic effect. Ruthenium complexes have been prepared with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione type ligands as shown in figure 1. The aim of this work is therefore to use the previously synthesised phendione ligands and their respective Ru(II) complexes as potential active therapeutics. Figure 1 The structure of mfmp, fmp and NO2-mp ligands.
The objectives are to:
- Determine the therapeutic activity of a range of ligands of 1,10- phenanthroline derivatives such as mfmp, fmp and NO2-mp
- Determine the therapeutic activity of a range of Ru(II) analogues of mfmp, fmp and NO2-mp
- Compare the therapeutic efficacy with/ without the metal present
- Compare the efficacy with work carried out by other researchers in the area.
A number of studies will be carried out in this project to confirm if the ligands and their respective complexes are intercalating with DNA and the cytotoxicity studies. The proposed workprogramme integrates DNA studies through the use of absorbance, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies in combination with cellular studies on a variety of tumour cell lines in collaboration with experts in the Radiation and Environmental Science Centre (RESC) also based in the Focas Research Institute. In this way the postgraduate student will enhance the expertise of both groups via knowledge transfer.
Subject Area: Biological Evaluation of Inorganic Complexes
Student Requirements: BSc in Science (preferably Chemistry or Biology)
Supervisor(s): Dr Christine O’Connor (christine.oconnor@dit.ie) and Dr Mary McNamara
4. Intelligent Speech Interfaces
The goal of this project is to improve on the current state-of-the-art in speech interfaces for computer games. Speech based interfaces are increasingly seen as the future future of human-computer interaction. Speech is an intuitive, non-intrusive form of communication, and, for situated applications such as video games, robotics, in-car information systems, and other location based servies, spoken interfaces offer a convenient, flexible and safe interaction means. But interaction with any state-of-the-art speech-based system soon demonstrates that we are some distance from the goal of natural speech interfaces.The project will begin by examining the state-of-the-art in speech interfaces with the intention of determining the speech interfaces system on top of which to build the proposed system (rather than having to develop this system from scratch). The next phase will be to determine the set of factors which can be adjusted in order to improve the language understanding of current state-of-the-art speech interfaces and the design the speech understanding algorithms. This will be followed by an extensive testing phase.
Profile of Student to be Recruited: The required student will have a minimum of an honours degree in computer science or a related subject.
Supervisor(s): Dr John Kelleher (john.kelleher@dit.ie)
5. Machine Translation from Chinglish to English
The goal of this project is to develop a machine translation system that will translate Chinglish to English. The term Chinglish refers to written or spoken English which is influenced by Chinese. A famous example of Chinglish is the warning sign "To take notice of safe: The slippery are very crafty" meaning "Caution - slippery path".Importantly, the errors in Chinglish are systematic: the particular types of errors that occur in Chinglish arise from the fact that the speaker or writer is a native Chinese speaker. For example, it is because Chinese does not use the definite and indefinite article (the and a) that Chinese speakers often make errors regarding when and which article to use when they are speaking or writing English.The fact that the types of errors that distinguish Chinglish from English are systemic means that we can create computational model of these errors and develop machine translation systems that will automatically correct them.The development of such a system has broad commercial applications: there are an estimated 300 to 500 millions users and/or learners of English in the People’s Republic of China many of whom would be interested in using such a system. Another area of application is in western Universities where staff often spend a lot of time correcting the Chinglish submitted to them by their Chinese students.
Profile of Student to be Recruited: The required student will have a minimum of an honours degree in computer science or a related subject
Supervisor(s): Dr John Kelleher (john.kelleher@dit.ie) and Dr. Brian MacNamee
6. Toxicological profile of nanomaterials used in motor tire manufacture: Assessing the risk to human and environmental health.
Three-million tyres are placed on the Irish market annually generating an estimated 35,000 tonnes of used tyres. In addition there is a considerable amount of unaccounted waste in terms of tyre disintegration, crumb and dust. While waste tyres are not hazardous it is acknowledged that they can cause environmental pollution if disposed of irresponsibly. The problem is compounded by the absence of reliable data on waste-flows for tyres, with old tyres re-used in agricultural and marine environments. The crumb obtained from recycled tyres has also many uses, in playgrounds, in equine bedding or on sports fields. However advances in the tyre manufacturing process may be presenting new risks. The incorporation of engineered nanoparticles (ENP) as fillers in tyres can offer enhanced tyre-to-road grip with increased durability and strength. However the incorporation of ENP also raises a number of concerns for human and environmental health. The concerns stems from the lack of toxicological data on ENP. The ENP commonly used in tyre manufacture are forms of nano-carbon black and nano-silica based systems. Over the life-cycle of the tyre these materials could potentially leach out giving rise to ecological or occupational exposure.
This project aims to establish a toxicological profile of ENP used in tyre manufacture and assess the risk to human and environmental health using a range of cell culture techniques. Particular attention will be paid to lung cell lines as a gauge for occupational exposure while acute toxicity in three environmental test species (Bacteria, Algae, Invertebrate) will be used to gauge ecotoxicity. All toxicity work will be supported by physicochemical characterisation. The results of the study will be used to formulate a risk assessment of ENP in motor-tyres. The work will be carried out in the DIT-Nanolab based in the Focas Research Institute which has extensive experience in nanotoxicology.
Subject Area: Nanotoxicology and nanomaterials
Student Requirements: Honours BSc in a relevant science discipline, including physics, chemistry or biology. A background in toxicology or cell/tissue culture would be an advantage but is not essential.
Supervisor(s): Dr Gordon Chambers (gordon.chambers@dit.ie), Dr Alan Casey.
7. Identification of signalling pathways involved in radiation induced bystander effects.
Radiation induced bystander effects are currently the subject of intense investigations in radiation research, particularly for applications in radiotherapeutic cancer treatment. Although the bystander effects have been well described, the signaling processes involved in the bystander phenomenon still remain unclear. It is not known whether the magnitude of the bystander effect is determined by the signal produced by the irradiated cells or by the response of the exposed cells. Previous studies suggest a role of reactive radical species and as mitochondria are the main source of free radicals in cells, they may play a functional role in the bystander effect. Though various mitochondrial signaling molecules, such as nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), NO, cytokines, have been implicated in bystander effects, the precise mechanism or molecule which is involved in signal production has yet to be ascertained. The aim of this research proposal is to understand the pathways activated during bystander signalling which lead to cell death or survival. Cytokines and reactive oxygen species released in the conditioned medium will be screened and the expression of cell signaling proteins will be determined in both the directly irradiated cells and the bystander cells.These studies will aid in our understanding of the radiation induced bystander effect and in determining the means for regulating these effects. Importantly, for radiotherapy, these studies could help us understand how bystander effects could be turned down in normal cells surrounding a tumour and how they could be turned up in tumour cells, so that the tumour cells could be killed more effectively.
Subject Area: radiation biology
Student Requirements: BSc in biological or physical science
Supervisor(s): Fiona Lyng(fiona.lyng@dit.ie)
8. The purification of water using nano-filters.
Dublin city council has announced that the city is at a 90% capacity for water supply. Contamination has been cited as the cause for the quality and quantity of water with respect to new and existing water tables. This project proposes to look at contaminants and the removal of them in the Dublin water supply. The traditional filtration method involves screening (filter large dirt), settling (tiny particles), filtering (sediment and small particles), disinfecting (O3, UV, Cl). Filtration removes pesticides, chlorine and salt. The energy cost of filtration is minimal. Filtration is the most effective method for clearing contaminant elements. The only draw back is that the method is slow. This project proposes to develop a new nano-filter composed of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes and to measure it’s effectiveness and durability with the current filtration systems.
Subject Area: Environmental Nanoscience
Student Requirements: Degree in Science
Supervisor(s): Dr Theresa Hedderman (theresa.hedderman@dit.ie), Dr Hugh Byrne
9. Fish, fish oil supplements and functional foods: Attitudes and consumption patterns among young adults in 4 European countries
Fish and seafood products are an important component of the human diet due to their beneficial role in the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. This beneficial role of fish intake is due to its omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexapentaenoic acid (DHA). While it is recommended that we eat fish at least twice a week and include oil-rich fish at least once a week, consumption patterns are very low in Ireland with only 66% of Irish adults consuming fish in a seven day period. If we are to successfully increase intakes innovative way to this must be developed.
Objective: To study the total consumption of fish and omega-3 PUFA’s among young adults. In addition, to explore the attitudes and risk perception to fish and fish products and the extent to which they vary in four European countries.
Subjects and Setting: A sample of two hundred 20-30-year-olds will be recruited from universities in Ireland (Dublin), Portugal (Porto), Belgium (Gent) and Germany (Keurtin).
Methods: A validated FFQ will be used to evaluate the consumption of fish, and omega-3 PUFA’s. These will be correlated to levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in blood erythrocytes which will be measured in a sub sample (Ireland). Previously validated attitudinal questionnaires will be used in a quantitative study to establish the main perceived barriers and benefits to consuming fish. In addition, attitudes and risk perception to the use of farmed and transgenic fish will be determined as well as their perceptions to functional foods such as eggs and dairy foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. This study will provide us with a comprehensive picture of fish and omega-3 PUFA consumption, along with the attitudinal constraints and reasons for their consumption in four European settings with differing patterns of fish consumption.
Subject Area: Nutrition, Risk perception, Attitudes
Student Requirements: Student should have a BSc degree (2:1 honours) in Nutrition and/or dietetics. Ideally, they should also have experience in conducting and analysing quantitative studies.
Supervisor(s): Dr John Kearney (john.kearney@dit.ie) and Dr Kate Younger
10. Impact of choroidal neovascularization and its management on retinal sensitivity in neovascular age related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in developed countries. Increasing life span, coupled with the epidemic of obesity and other factors, mean that AMD prevalence is now increasing at an alarming rate. The novel intravitreal injections of anti vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for neovascular AMD have supplanted previous treatments in terms of efficacy and now represent the standard care for neovascular AMD.
Rationale: Visually consequential AMD can significantly impair a person’s ability to function independently, and consequently, has a dramatic and a negative impact on health related quality of life (HRQoL). Although good visual acuity (VA), as measured by traditional Snellen testing, is necessary for many activities, such as reading fine print, it is only weakly associated with ability to discriminate between visual targets or tasks requiring distance judgment. Currently, high contrast Snellen testing forms the only functional measurement of visual performance in AMD sufferers. Alternative, superior methodologies now exist but have failed to impact routine clinical care due to a paucity of high quality research into their clinical use and value.Contrast sensitivity, which measures a person’s ability to see low contrast pattern, has received considerable attention in recent years, and has potential to represent a more appropriate outcome measure for neovascular AMD. Contrast sensitivity (CS) appears to be more strongly correlated with a person’s HRQoL and health utility. A recent review suggests a reduction in CS may have important implications for HRQoL in patients with AMD. However, some studies have found CS to be negatively correlated with VA and so the respective contribution of VA, CS and retinal sensitivity in explaining HRQoL remains uncertain. Microperimetry, also known as fundus-related perimetry, allows for a detailed examination of macular function, yields a highly reproducible evaluation of retinal sensitivity at selected points, using a continuous eye tracking system. In AMD patients, this technology can be used to determine fixation characteristics and the presence of subtle scotoma, which can be useful in quantifying the impact of the disease on visual function, and in optimizing patient selection and the timing for treatment. Given the advent of novel contrast sensitivity and microperimetry methods for evaluation of functional vision, there now exists a need to evaluate the possible role of VA, CS and microperimetry in patients with neovascular AMD, both at presentation and following treatment with anti-VEGF therapy, and to investigate, which one of these parameters is best suited to reflect HRQoL as assessed by measure of quality of life by using national eye institute visual function questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).
Methods: An interventional case series of patients with newly diagnosed active choroidal neovascularization secondary to neovascular AMD will be recruited into this study. Diagnosis will be made in all cases on the basis of fundus fluorescein angiogram (FFA) and ocular coherence tomography (OCT), and the decision to treat with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy will be informed by the results of these investigations. At the baseline visit, and prior to treatment with anti-VEGF therapy, the following parameters will be recorded:
- best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)
- best corrected contrast sensitivity (BCCS)
- retinal sensitivity, as assessed by microperimetry (microperimeter MP1, Nidek Technologies Srl – Vigonza (PD) Italy, PR1 version) a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, and assessment of quality of life related to vision, using the National Eye Institute visual function questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).
All of these measures will be repeated on each visit during the patient follow up, which will be typically two weeks following each intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapy.
Benefits: The purpose of the study is to identify the most appropriate parameter, most reflective of health related quality of life related to vision in patients with neovascular AMD. As such this study may transform current modes of clinical practice in a fashion that will elevate patient care, while informing management decisions to yield enhanced outcomes, and ultimately improve patient quality of life.
Suitable Candidates: Optometrist or Ophthalmologist
Supervisors: Dr. James Loughman (james.loughman@dit.ie), Optometry Department, DIT, Mr. Stephen Beatty, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Institute for Eye Research, Whitfield Clinic & Waterford Institute of Technology
11. Development of a novel blue-blocking contact lens for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in developed countries. Increasing life span, coupled with the epidemic of obesity and other factors, mean that AMD prevalence is now increasing at an alarming rate. Blue light exposure has been implicated as a putative risk factor for the development of AMD.
Rationale: The blue light hazard is a well-known and widely accepted phenomenon, where high-energy blue light has the potential to cause damage to ocular tissue even from normal levels of exposure. The visual system has no means of protection against such visible light, which freely irradiates the retina and is responsible for photic damage and elevated levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. The retina, with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, high oxygen consumption and the production of hydrogen peroxide through RPE phagocytosis, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress. Given our increased life span and increased exposure to blue light (now constantly bombarding the eye from compact fluorescent, LED and other occupational and home light sources), the risk of ocular disease from blue light exposure needs to be urgently adressed. Intraocular lens implants, used during cataract surgery already employ the use of a blue blocking tint, as yet however their use is limited to patients presenting for cataract surgery and as such not available to normal healthy individuals. Contact lenses are a widely used optical appliance, designed to correct refractive error. No contact lens manufacturer currently produces a contact lens capable of providing the ocular health benefits (with particularly emphasis on AMD) associated with a blue blocking tint. The benefits of such a lens may also be expanded to include enhancement of visual performance and comfort through attenuation of the adverse effects of chromatic aberration and blue light scatter.
Methods: This study will conduct numerous investigations to facilitate the design and commercial distribution of the final contact lens product. These will include:
- Contact lens design – pilot investigations will determine the most appropriate type of tint, wavelength band-pass filter characteristics, contact lens material, fitting curves and oxygen transmission characteristics.
- Contact lens testing – the effect of a blue blocking contact lens on visual performance will be elucidated through a series of cutting edge functional evaluations including photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity, high contrast visual acuity, short-wavelength S-cone sensitivity, glare sensitivity, photostress recovery, colour vision and a visual function questionnaire developed by the project supervisor (JL) called the VFNq30.
Macular Pigment Optical Density - an indirect effect of the use of a blue-blocking contact lens may be an increase in the optical density of macular pigment detectable in the macular region of the retina. Macular pigment is known to be a powerful antioxidant and optical filter and is composed of the dietary carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. Its properties are ideal in terms of optimising visual performance and there is also a growing body of evidence to suggest that it has a potential role in preventing or delaying the development of AMD. Modern diets however are typically deficient in these essential carotenoids, with the direct effect that the average macular pigment optical density detected in Ireland and elsewhere in the developed world is often low. A contact lens device which blocks blue light will decrease the oxidative load on the antioxidant macular pigment, potentially resulting in a net increase in the macular pigment that remains present in the central retina. This will further enhance both visual performance and protection against AMD.
Benefits: This contact lens device will be a commercially unique, viable and attractive product. Existing contact lens companies will be keen to exploit this novel technology and intellectual property, and to be the first to capture this potentially vast market in our increasingly health conscious society. This truly is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to explore the cutting edge of contact lens design.
Suitable Candidates: Optometrist or Ophthalmologist
Supervisors: Dr. James Loughman (james.loughman@dit.ie), Optometry Department, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dr. John Nolan, Macular Pigment Research Group, Waterford Institute of Technology, Mr. Stephen Beatty, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Institute for Eye Research, Whitfield Clinic & Waterford Institute of Technology, Dr. Peter Davison, Optometry Department, Dublin Institute of Technology
12. An investigation into the needs of expectant parents in relation to breastfeeding education and their perceived requirements for postnatal breastfeeding support
The purpose of this project is to establish the needs of expectant parents for breastfeeding promotion, support and protection – in order to develop Best Practice Guidelines in Breastfeeding Education for antenatal courses provided by the HSE. National Perinatal Statistics (ESRI 2008) continue to show that Ireland has low breastfeeding initiation rates, while newly-produced research (Tarrant, 2008) indicates that parents in Dublin rarely meet the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months (WHO, 2001). Health professionals have an important role in health promotion and parent education (Tappen et al., 2006). Their knowledge and attitudes may be influential on parents’ infant feeding practices. Professional experience has highlighted that there are widely varying content and education practices of antenatal programmes with no one recognised “breastfeeding” component of an antenatal course. A provisional review of the literature indicates a lack of research in the area of antenatal breastfeeding education in Ireland. Much remains unknown about whether education is better in mixed or single-sex groups, whether practical breastfeeding skills are best demonstrated antenatally or in the immediate postnatal period, whether problem-solving techniques should be highlighted in the antenatal course, whether confidence-building techniques should be integral to the preparation for parenting. A particular gap in knowledge is in regards to the antenatal education needs of men, even though evidence exists of the importance of the father’s attitude towards breastfeeding. Conducting this research may identify practice implications for developing parent education, staff training needs for course delivery, requirements for materials in other languages and for poor literacy. This research proposes to establish recommendations for best-practice breastfeeding education programmes for parents-to-be. The study will be multi-phased, initially establishing the current antenatal education curricula in hospital and other health care settings. The main body of the research will explore the attitudes towards, and needs of, parents-to-be in motivation for success and confidence-building around breastfeeding.
Subject Area: Breastfeeding, Education
Student Requirements: Student should have a BSc degree (2:1 honours) in Nutrition, dietetics or midwifery. Ideally, they should also have experience in conducting and analysing quantitative/qualitative studies.
Supervisor(s): Dr John Kearney (john.kearney@dit.ie)
13. Augmented Reality Characters as Interfaces to Smart Environments
Augmented reality (AR) is a field of growing importance in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). AR applications add virtual objects into users’ perceptions of the real world, typically through the use of a video-see-through head mounted display. This allows novel HCI paradigms, for example: adding virtual schematic overlays directly to a mechanic’s view of an engine, adding virtual reconstructions of missing parts to a damaged artifact in a museum, prompting users with information about colleagues when they meet them, or presenting users with virtual characters as interfaces to robotic systems. As the hardware required for these kinds of interfaces becomes less obtrusive and less costly they are likely to become more and more prevalent, and open up new commercialisation opportunities.Building on work already done within the DIT AI Group (www.comp.dit.ie/aigroup) this project will investigate the use of AR-based intelligent virtual characters as interfaces to smart environments (indoor environments outfitted with sensors and effectors). The ultimate goal of the project will be to present users with a virtual presence in an environment that appears to inhabit this environment almost as a real person. The project will have two strands of work: to investigate and overcome the technical challenges associated with creating such interfaces, and to investigate the feasibility of using these kinds of interfaces in the field. The first of these strands will look at issues such as registration of virtual objects with the real world, user tracking, realistic rendering of virtual objects (including occlusion, shadowing, and lighting), and controlling the behaviours of virtual characters and their interactions with users. The second strand will perform user trials in a suitable environment (possibly the DIT campus) to examine how useful such interfaces are, and how much extra benefit they provide beyond traditional approaches.
Subject Area: Computer science, augmented reality, human-computer interaction
Student Requirements: The required student will have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in computer science or a related subject. Strong programming and mathematical skills are required, as is excellent written and spoken English. Familiarity, with computer graphics, computer vision and/or artificial intelligence, while not a necessity, would be desirable.
Supervisor(s): Dr Brian Mac Namee (brian.macnamee@dit.ie)
14. Development of Controlled Antimicrobial Release Technology (DECART)
The increasing trend to incorporate artificial devices into the human body has sharply focused attention onto the compatibility of the materials from which such devices are made with human physiology. To enhance their biocompatibility such devices are often coated with a polymer (organic, inorganic or a hybrid) that is capable of offering both physical and antimicrobial protection. It is known that the working lifetime of a medical device varies on its need, where pacemakers are expected to last for years while some catheters are only used for a few hours. Therefore there is a need for a variety of coatings to prevent potential bacterial infection, thereby avoiding premature device removal. In parallel these materials may also be capable of prevention microbially induced corrosion on stainless steel, which can be evaluated for application in the food production sector.
The use of silane based sol-gel chemistry has been exploited previously in CREST to develop coatings capable of inhibiting antimicrobial growth such as biofilms in the past using noble metal chemistry.
This proposal seeks to investigate the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with known antimicrobial and anticorrosion properties in combination with silane sol-gel precursors to deliver coatings capable of inhibiting microbial growth. It is expected that these coatings will be capable of combating pathogenic bacteria such as such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), E Coli (0157H), Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
Therefore the project will involve the following workpackages and lead to a PhD:
- Functional Polymer Synthesis
- Antimicrobial and Anticorrosion Screening
- Coating Formulation
- Antimicrobial Efficacy (in-use simulation)
Profile of Student to be Recruited: The ideal applicant must possess a 2.1 honours degree or a Master's degree in chemistry with some microbiological experiences.
Supervisor(s): Dr. Brendan Duffy (brendan.duffy@dit.ie), Research Manager, CRESTDr. Sarah Rawe, School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science
15. Therapeutic Evaluation Studies of Metallopharmaceuticals
For many years therapeutic inorganic chemistry research at the Dublin Institute of Technology has been pioneered by the Inorganic Pharmaceutical and Biomimetic Research Group (IPBG) through work focused on synthesis and characterisation of Metallodrugs (Silver and Copper) as potential therapeutic drugs. Recently this group, using facilities of the Materials Synthesis and Applications (MSA) Laboratory in the Focas Research Institute have extended their studies to include synthesis and characterisation of Ruthenium complexes. The aim of this study is to bring that research one step forward and carry out chemical and biological evaluations of ligands and metal complexes to determine if the presence of metal centres enhances the therapeutic effect. Ruthenium complexes have been prepared with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione type ligands. The proposed workprogramme integrates DNA studies through the use of absorbance, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies in combination with cellular studies on a variety of tumour cell lines in collaboration with experts in the Radiation and Environmental Science Centre (RESC) also based in the Focas Research Institute. In this way the postgraduate student will enhance the expertise of both groups via knowledge transfer.
Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry
Student Requirements: At least a 2.1 honour degree (or equivalent) in chemistry or biochemistry
Supervisor(s): Mary McNamara & Christine O’Connor (christine.oconnor@dit.ie)
16. Computational Approaches to Relativistic Models in Quantum Chemistry
A crucial role in various phenomena of high interest, e.g. photo-induced chemical reactions, femtosecond spectroscopy, or laser control of molecular processes, is played by electronic excited states. The current approach to excited states is questionable within most of the used structure models of Quantum Chemistry (QC), in particular Hartree-Fock (HF) and Kohn-Sham models, which are both successful in the description of ground states.
The multiconfiguration self-consistent field (MCSCF) model which fills the gap between the HF model and the full quantum mechanical model, seems to be the best-suited to excited states although, even today, the definition of an excited state remains unclear because nonlinear models, like MCSCF, have a lot of critical points that cannot be interpreted as approximations of the “true” excited states.
This multidisciplinary project develops a rigorous mathematical understanding of Relativistic Models in Quantum Chemistry. The project addresses the existence and uniqueness of a ground state and excited states, in (i) The HF model, and (ii) The MCSCF model. The aim is to introduce a variational definition of MCSCF excited states and to establish existence of quasi-relativistic excited states by giving constructive proofs which can be turned into algorithms and lead to numerical results for specific molecules.
Subject Area: Science Mathematics
Student Requirements: The student should have a good honours degree in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, or related discipline (2.1 or higher). Experience of mathematical modelling, quantum mechanics or calculus of variations is highly desirable.
Supervisor: Michael Melgaard (michael.melgaard@dit.ie)
17. Inverse Problems in Quantum Scattering
The geometrical approach to quantum scattering theory analyzes how particles described by wave packets (not plane waves) behave in space and time. On one hand this is governed by the kinetic energy $H_{0}(p)$, which may be e.g. $H_{0}(p) = p^2 /2m$ (nonrelativistic mechanics) or $H_{0}(p) = \sqrt{p^2 + m^2}$ (relativistic kinematics). On the other hand, the potential $V(x)$, which should decay in a suitably way at infinity, determines the interaction of the particle. They add up to the Hamiltonian $H = H_{0}(p) + V(x)$ which generates the time evolution. At high energies the interaction is relevant on a time scale which is short compared to the time needed for spreading of wave packets: during the interaction the kinematics is reduced to translation. Therefore, the scattering operator $S$ is well approximated by an expression in terms of the $X$-ray transform of the potential. The simple explicit expression depends on the kinematics. This yields reconstruction formulae for the unique potential in terms of the scattering operator at high energies.
The approach above has been shown to work for a class of (multiplicative) electric potentials (being bounded relative to the kinetic operator). The aim of this project is to widen the class of admissible electric potentials, if possible, e.g., to form-bounded potentials with severe local singularities. Other open problems concern Hamiltonians with magnetic forces.
Subject Area: Science Mathematics
Student Requirements: The student should have a good honours degree in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, or related discipline (2.1 or higher). Experience of mathematical physics, quantum mechanics or scattering theory is highly desirable.
Supervisor: Michael Melgaard (michael.melgaard@dit.ie)
18. Developing leadership competencies for leading strategic change in the Irish Institutes of Technology
The IOT sector has a pivotal role to play in the Knowledge Society and exploiting its intellectual assets is now regarded as fundamental in gaining international competitive advantage. The ability of the IOT sector to deliver on this role will largely depend on the quality of leadership at all levels within Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The nature of academic leadership is changing fundamentally however.
Trends which are demanding that traditional academic management approaches make way for new styles of leadership include the introduction of performance-related funding models, Performance Management and Development systems for staff under social partnership agreements and the increasing importance of collaboration within and between HEIs. Meaningful change is notoriously difficult to achieve within HEIs however, given a unique organisational culture which can present major barriers to strategic change initiatives. Academic leadership in higher education requires a distinct, complex and broad skillset which is in alignment with this culture. Leaders in higher education often emerge from discipline-specific backgrounds, with little prior management qualifications or experience and can be ill-prepared for the full spectrum of the demands of their roles. This project will determine the leadership competencies required to lead strategic change in the academic heartland of the Institutes of Technology (IOTs) and investigate how these competencies can best be developed. It will provide a unique perspective by triangulating the perspectives of academic leaders with those they are endeavoring to lead.
Subject Area: Management, Leadership studies
Student Requirements: Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, the graduate to be recruited for this project will have an honours bachelors degree in one of the following disciplines: management or social sciences (or equivalent).
Supervisor: Dr. Deirdre Lillis (deirdre.lillis@dit.ie)
19. Cosmological Parameters in the Reissner-Nordstrom Universal Expansion and Inflation Mechanisms
Our current theoretical models account for only 5% of the contents (matter and energy) of the Universe. The acceleration of the cosmic expansion is driven by a mysterious physical component called dark energy, which comprises no less than 72% of the contents of the Universe. Further 23% comprise of another mysterious fraction: dark matter. About 90% of the mass of each galaxy, including our Milky Way, consists of dark matter. This poses a fundamental problem in particle physics and cosmology: it is very important for our understanding to reveal the nature of dark matter.
In 1971, Hawking suggested that there may be a very large number of gravitationally collapsed charged objects of very low masses, formed as a result of fluctuations in the early Universe. A mass of 10^{14} kg of these objects could be accumulated at the centre of a star like the Sun.
The masses of these collapsed objects are from 10^{-8} kg and above and their charges are up to ± 30 electron units. Such objects are called DAEMONS (for dark electric matter objects) or CHAMPS (for charged massive particles). The theoretical study of daemons has revealed a classical mechanism for the cosmic expansion during the radiation-dominated era, based on the assumption that the Universe is a gas of two fractions: the first being the ordinary ultra-relativistic contents (described by an equation of state of an ideal quantum gas of massless particles) and the second consisting of daemons that provide the important mechanism of expansion due to their interaction with the "normal" component of the gas. This interaction has been theoretically described in geometric terms by the Reissner–Nordstrom metric with daemons modelled as zero-dimensional naked singularities inside spheres of gravitational repulsion. The Universe has been modelled as a van der Waals gas and the state equation determined.
Tracing the evolution of the daemons, a mechanism that accounts for the cosmic inflation has been found. This mechanism also accounts for a subsequent period of reheating phases and for the "graceful exit" of the inflation into expansion of a radiation-dominated Universe. The inflation mechanism is based on the accumulative effects of Coulomb repulsion at very short range, initially completely “cocooned” by Reissner–Nordstrom gravitational effects and subsequently unleashed by quantum tunneling (alpha-like Gamow decay).
The aim of the project is to align the theoretical parameters of the expansion and inflation models with astrophysical data and to make a computer-simulated model of the interaction of dameons with ordinary matter.
Supervisor: Dr. Emil Prodanov (emil.prodanov@dit.ie)
Making an Application
If you are interested in sending an application for one or more projects listed above, please click here.
To find out more about research activities in the College of Sciences & Health, please contact
Dr. Mary McNamara
College Head of Research
T: 01402 4781
E: mary.mcnamara@dit.ie