UL - University of Limerick

Current Research Projects

The Stokes Institute is the largest research centre on the University of
Limerick campus and currently has a compliment of over 30 full-time
PhD researchers and 25 post-doctoral fellows. Our principal areas of
research are in microscale mechanical engineering and biofluidics. The
primary application of our microscale engineering research is in
providing solutions to important problems encountered by the
electronics industry. Issues such as thermal management of systems
using microchannel and micro-fan cooling strategies, design for shock,
impact and vibration, reliability analysis, corrosion and electro-migration
studies and all aspects of accelerated life testing are fundamental to this
strand of research. The activities of the microscale engineering group
also include experimental aerodynamics with a focus on boundary layer
transition.

In biofluidics, we specialise in the design of complete microfluidic
systems for the medical diagnostics and bioprocessing sectors. Our goal
is to apply state-of-the-art proven technologies in solving some of the
typical problems faced by this industry. In medical diagnostics, our
primary focus is on the early detection of genetic cancers. We use the
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique to amplify the genomic
markers that correlate with a particular disease type. The aim here is to
produce fully automated systems that require only a very small patient
sample to produce a diagnosis at speed and low cost. We also develop
microfluidic devices for other aspects of biotechnology particularly for
point-of-care immunoassays, tissue culture and fermentation process
sampling and analysis. Additionally, the biofluidics group also has a
small team researching pressure induced strain in arterial by-pass grafts.


Funding and Collaboration

In its sixteen year existence, the institute has secured over €10 million in
research funding and has developed strong collaborative links with
leading research centres not only in Ireland but abroad. Through its
various research programmes, the institute currently collaborates with
Bell Laboratories in the United States, The Institute for Consumer Health
and Protection at the EU Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy and St.
Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Many of our researchers regularly
travel to conduct their research in these institutes. The Stokes Institute
places emphasis on the commercialisation of research and is
continuously involved in industrial projects with multinational
companies such as Nokia Mobile Phones, Lucent Technologies and
Airbus as well as local industry. Further information about our current
research activities can be obtained from our website www.stokes.ie.







Interested in Applying?

We are currently seeking enthusiastic and ambitious graduates to join
our team to work on our research projects. Due to the multidisciplinary
nature of our research, we welcome applications for doctoral study from
candidates with a good honours degree (Irish 2.1 or equivalent) from any
engineering or science discipline. All our scholarships are fully funded
(tuition fees plus a tax free stipend) for three years and lead to the award
of a PhD degree. Doctoral study at the University of Limerick is largely
driven by the researcher under the supervision and guidance of a faculty
member. At Stokes we provide all our postgraduate researchers with a
personal computer and their own individual desk space in the new
Engineering Research Building on campus. Furthermore, in addition to
offering excellent opportunities to work with our collaborators both at
home and abroad, the Institute pays some of the highest research
stipends in the University.


Pursue an IRCSET funded PhD at Stokes

Exceptional candidates who have or intend to receive a first class
honours degree this year are encouraged to apply for a postgraduate
scholarship from the Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and
Technology (IRCSET). IRCSET scholarships are valued at approximately
€72,000 over a three year period and provide full funding of tuition fees
for three years, in addition to substantial travel and consumables
budgets for your research project. Research stipends for IRCSET scholars
are also commensurate with typical entry level graduate salaries after tax
and PRSI. The Stokes Institute has a good success rate in securing
IRCSET funding and currently has 10 scholars pursuing doctoral study
under this scheme.

The closing date for applications for the first call of the 2007 IRCSET
Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is Wednesday 14th February. Full
details are available from www.ircset.ie/grant_schemes/postgrad.html.

For further information or an informal discussion about current research
projects and funding opportunities at the Stokes Institute contact:



Prof. Mark Davies
Director
Stokes Research Institute
Engineering Research Building
University of Limerick
Limerick
Ireland

Tel: +353 61 202 467
Fax: +353 61 202 393
Email: Mark.Davies@ul.ie