tyndall annual report 2010

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Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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Page 1: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

www.tyndall.ie

CO

MMUNICATIONS

ENERGY

HEALTH

ENVIRONMENT

Page 2: Tyndall Annual Report 2010
Page 3: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

report contents

www.tyndall.ie

Page 1

Message from the Chairman ......................................... 2

CEO Report ............................................................................. 3

1. 2010 Highlights ............................................................ 4

2. Research

2.1 Micro/Nanoelectronics ...................................... 12

2.2 Microsystems ........................................................ 14

2.3 Photonics ............................................................... 16

2.4 Theory, Modelling & Design ............................. 18

3. Technology Support ................................................ 20

4. National Access Programme ................................ 25

5. Outreach Programme ............................................ 29

6. Graduate Education ................................................. 30

7. Financial ........................................................................ 35

8. Tyndall Board .............................................................. 36

Page 4: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Message from the Chairman

T yndall National Institute saw a number of great technicalsuccesses during 2010, ranging from the demonstration of new

ways to speed-up the operation of photonic systems to a wearableradar system-on-a-chip for monitoring the heart. It is my belief thatinnovation, leading to the renewal of the Irish economy, will comethrough the transformation of Irish ideas and inventiveness into theexploitation of new market opportunities. This will depend uponthe coupling of excellent research and innovative discovery, such asyou will see reported here, with technology and product developmentby companies and entrepreneurs. Thus, our relationships with industry,and the translation by them of technology into exploitation, arejust as important to us as the excellence of Tyndall’s technical devel-opments.

I am therefore delighted to see the strength of our developing rela-tionships with major international companies such as Intel, UnitedTechnologies, Seagate and Analog Devices, as well as with indigenouscompanies such as Intune Networks, Firecomms, Eblana Photonics,Endeco, BiancaMed and Farran Technology. They are all mentionedin this year’s report, as just a few examples of the companies that useTyndall technologies and expertise. In 2010 the government, throughEnterprise Ireland, established two Competence Centre at Tyndall –in Microelectronics and Applied Nanotechnology. These industry-ledcentres will help to further-expand the links between Tyndall andindustry.

Technical success comes through having highly talented and moti-vated people in the organisation. The investments by the Irish HigherEducation Authority, Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Irelandand the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation have beenessential in creating an excellent working environment at Tyndall,which has attracted world-class researchers.

Page 2

� Helios Focused Ion Beam System.

I was delighted during the year to see the external recognition givento leading researchers Jean-Pierre Colinge and Eoin O’Reilly, and alsoto read about the awards won by Tyndall research students, many atinternational conferences. I offer my hearty congratulations to all ourPhD students who successfully passed their viva examinations duringthe year, and on achieving this important milestone in their careers.We have significantly improved our fabrication facilities during theyear and these now include a “training fab” to give our students andpost-docs hands-on training in basic semiconductor manufacturingtechniques. It can be accessed by third level students from all overIreland through the INSPIRE network and other training schemes.

I was impressed by the “can-do” attitude and teamwork displayedby all staff in response to the substantial damage caused to parts ofthe Institute resulting from the exceptional flooding affecting areasof Cork City in late November 2009. This is also a great tribute tothe skill and hard work of the technical and facilities staff who, inaddition, have also consistently delivered considerable energy savingsin recent years, culminating in winning the 2010 National Award forRenewable Energy Systems from the Sustainable Energy Authorityof Ireland.

As the Tyndall Chairman, I am very grateful to the members of theBoard, who have given their time so generously during 2010 tohelp the Institute develop and prosper. The hugebreadth of experience that they bring hasbeen invaluable, and the Institute’s successover the year could not have been achievedwithout their help and guidance. I am alsovery grateful for the support the Institutehas received from UCC and CITresearchers and their respec-tive Presidents Dr. MichaelMurphy and Dr. BrendanMurphy.

_____________________________Chairman, Tyndall

Page 5: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

CEO Report

I t is now 5 years since Tyndall was formally established as aNational Institute. The period has seen major changes in the

Institute, including an overall 25% growth in activity and a near-doubling of the number of graduate students based here, the latterin-line with targets set by the government in 2006. Tyndall hasbeen a major beneficiary of Irish government investment, which ismanifested in the excellence of our facilities and the high-quality ofour staff and students, who come from all over the world to workhere. The return on that investment has to be measured both in theexcellence of our outputs, and in terms of the ultimate benefits thesewill bring to the Irish economy. This is especially-so in today’s verychallenging economic conditions. You will see from this report that2010 was a remarkable year for Tyndall, with excellent resultsachieved in research, technology development, industry engagementand income, in spite of the very challenging environment. Tyndall’sprogress continues to be solidly-founded upon research excellencein science and engineering, demonstrated by the quality of ourpublications in key scientific journals and the prestigious awardsmade to our staff and students.

The quality of our outputs is an essential precursor to the raisingof research funds from a range of national and international agencies,and the enabler for the translation of research into exploitation.Our researchers produced exceptional results within the EU FP7

programme during 2010, winning €11.3m for our own research,plus an additional €3m for collaborating Irish industrypartners. We were also very pleased to announce impor-tant new research collaborations with companies such asIntel and United Technologies, and the establishment oftwo new Competence Centres hosted at Tyndall. In addi-

tion, the government announced the establishmentof an important and exciting new InternationalEnergy Research Centre, also to be hosted atTyndall, with the objective of working closelywith national and international experts on anindustry-driven energy research agenda. These vitalcollaborations with both indigenous companies andmultinationals ensure that our research programmesare closely aligned to industry and market needs, and

contribute substantially to the Institute’s sustainability.I am very grateful to all our industrial supporters andco-workers for their support.

One of Tyndall’s most important characteristics is itsability to translate basic research and knowledgeinto practical materials, devices and or/systemswhich do useful things. This depends upon having

available high quality facilities to model, design,

Page 3

fabricate, test and package materials and devices. The continuousenhancement of this infrastructure is essential if researchers, studentsand industry are to be provided with state-of-art laboratories. During2010, further funds to expand and develop our fabrication capabilitieswere secured under Cycle 5 of the Higher Education AuthorityProgramme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI 5). Thesewill be used to create a completely new type of “FlexiFab”, to allowTyndall researchers and their collaborators to work with a wide rangeof active materials in new forms and combinations. Researchers inall Irish third-level institutions can gain access to Tyndall facilitiesand expertise through the SFI-funded National Access Programme(NAP), which facilitated many projects during the year, ranging fromthe modelling of the atomic structures of complex oxides to thedevelopment of systems for the analysis of cancer biomarkers andsports performance factors.

Tyndall has been very active during the year in the training of peopleat all levels. Our outreach activities ranged from the highly successful“Science Snaps” competition for schools to our “UREKA” site, whichhosts undergraduate students from all over the world for focussedsummer project work. Many of these students subsequently returnedto undertake postgraduate work. During the year, we graduated 20PhD students and now have 136 post-graduate students based inthe Institute. Tyndall is also spear-heading two structured nationalgraduate training programmes, which are described in the report.

Our current and future success rests on our exceptional staff andstudents, who have helped position the Institute well for the future.During 2010, they have further-raised the bar for the Institute’saccomplishments and achievements, and I am deeply grateful for theircommitment. I would particularly like to thank the Tyndall Board, itsChairman Alastair Glass, and the members of our External AdvisoryBoard for their constant support and advice. Tyndall is closelydependent upon the support of our parent university, UCC, and ourpartners in CIT, and I am very grateful to our colleagues and friendsin both institutions for all they have done for Tyndall over the year.Many of the developments described in this report derive from theirwork. Finally, a particular word of thanks to Dr. Michael Murphy, theUCC President, for his constant support during the year, and to CITPresident, Dr. Brendan Murphy, for continuing to foster our importantcollaborations in the fields of photonics and energy. We look forwardwith justified optimism to another successful year in 2011.

__________________________________CEO, Tyndall

Page 6: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Sect

ion 1

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In November, Professor Jean-Pierre Colinge, recognised as a pioneeringfigure in the area of semiconductor research, was announced as winnerof Science Foundation Ireland’s “Researcher of the Year”. ProfessorColinge leads the Micro/Nanoelectronics Centre in Tyndall and was pub-lished in the renowned international journal ‘Nature Nanotechnology’during 2010 for his work on fabricating the world's first junctionlesstransistor. During a distinguished career to date he has published over360 scientific papers and books.

Tyndall PI Wins SFI Scientist of the Year

From Left to Right: Professor Roger Whatmore, CEO Tyndall National Institute;Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., ProfessorJean-Pierre Colinge, Tyndall National Institute and Frank Gannon, Director SFI.

2010 Highlights

Artist’s view and Transmission Electron Microscope photo-graph of a cross-section of a gated resistor.

Page 7: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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Photonics researchers at Tyndall, in collaboration withan international team of colleagues, have demonstrateda novel system that can accelerate the informationsuper-highway. This was published in the Septemberissue of Nature Photonics. It was achieved using a new optical signalprocessing technique developed by the Tyndall team. This uses a local laseroscillator to simultaneously track the carrier phase of the incoming signal whilesubstantially rejecting broadband noise and so providing a high quality phasereference which established a practical route to substantially reducing anynoise present on a modulated data signal.

Photonic Systems For Future High-Speed Internet

Research at Tyndall

SeagateTyndall has been working with Seagate to develop the next generation of high density hard drives through the Competence Centre in AppliedNanotechnology (CCAN). These devices will be enabled through the integration of optical technologies with current storage device architecturesand materials. Tyndall and Seagate have developed a roadmap to a fully integrated manufacturable solution and Tyndall has already designedand delivered a laser technology with a 50% reduction in the laser threshold.

FirecommsFollowing on from demonstration of 2.5 Gb/s transceiver modules for advanced photonics communications, researchers within the SFI-fundedStrategic Research Cluster, PiFAS, in collaboration with Firecomms, have completed the design of next generation, low cost 10 Gb/s modulesto support even higher data rates. These new designs enable both receiver and transmitter components to be assembled in an extremelycompact module that can replace conventional electronic and copper cable-based communication systems over short distances. Applicationsof this technology include replacement of copper wire with high speed optical fibre links in hand-held devices such as mobile phones andportable video systems.

Prof. Andrew Ellis (centre) and team members, Paola Frascella and Stylianos Sygletos,with Nature Photonics publication.

Novel Environmentally Friendly Material To Cool ChipsTyndall researchers, in collaboration with colleagues in the Stokes Research Institute in University of Limerick, have developed a unique nanowire-based thermal interface material which helps to remove the heat generated by today’s smaller and faster semiconductors. They have met thiskey challenge for the electronics industry by using their invention to fill in the small gaps between two contacting materials. This improves thethermal performance by 50% when compared with commercially-available materials.

UWB Microchip For Bio-Medical DiagnosticsTyndall engineers have developed an energy-efficient electrical impulse generator that produces extremely short pulses using advanced65nm silicon chip technology. This has been used to build a non-invasive radar system for viewing the mechanical activity of the heart. As wellas being used for biomedical diagnostics, the impulse generator may also be employed in transmitting information in the next generation ofwireless broadband systems.

High-k CapacitorUsing a newly-established metal-insulator-metal process at Tyndall, researchers have invented a new and scalable capacitor with the combinedproperties of significantly increased charge storage and stable linear behaviour, even at very high operating voltages. While being able to combinethese properties is unique, it is also significant that it is compatible with IC industry processing temperatures. The capacitor could enable thecircuitry within analog microchips to become smaller, faster and more energy efficient while maintaining stable and linear behaviour, potentiallyremoving a major bottleneck to the successful integration of analog and digital systems onto the same chip. The invention will have an ultimatemarket application spanning the entire IC industry, including a reduced power requirement for, and miniaturisation of portable communication,medical, space and automotive devices. The new technology is presently being further developed and commercialisation routes are underconsideration.

Industry Collaborations Delivering Value to Ireland

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SensLA number of prototype Geiger Mode Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs),flip-chip packaged on flexible substrates were developed by the company.They have been shown to meet the electro-optic performance specifica-tions required for applications in advanced medical imaging applications.SensL is currently demonstrating these prototypes to its customers,principally for use in advanced medical imaging applications. Based onthe flip-chip packaging process, developed within PiFAS, SensL expectsthat this device integration format will lead to new product types. Thecompany also presented the prototype at the 2010 Medical ImagingConference in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Wide Spectrum LED Light SourceA prototype wide-spectrum LED module has been demonstrated exhibiting a continuous emission spectrum from 350 nm to 700 nm. Themodule is designed to replace high-value lamps commonly used in medical and scientific instrumentation and is ideally suited for fibre coupling.Based on its technical novelty and commercial potential, a European patent application has been filed. There is currently no solid-state (LED)light source capable of broadband emission and, as a result, the technology has obvious commercial potential.

Flip-chip packaging of a Geiger Mode photodiode on flexible substrate.The packaged device is for use in medical imaging applications.

Announcements of New CollaborationsUnited Technologies Corporation located its newEuropean energy and research centre in Cork – currentlybased at Tyndall. This will create 37 new jobs overthe next four years through a €15m investment.

The establishment of a new International EnergyResearch Centre (IERC) was announced at Tyndallin April 2010. The centre will focus on the industry-led research and commercialisation of integratedsustainable energy systems.

Pictured from left to right are: Professor Roger Whatmore CEO, TyndallNational Institute; Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Communications, Energyand Natural Resources; J. Michael McQuade, Senior Vice President Scienceand Technology United Technologies Corporation; Barry O’Leary, ChiefExecutive IDA and Dr. David Parekh, UTC Vice President, Research, andDirector, United Technologies Research Center (UTRC).

Intel Corporation signed a 3 year, $1.5m advancedresearch collaboration with Tyndall in September2010. This establishes a direct research link withthe heart of Intel’s technology research group inPortland, USA.

Pictured from left to right are: Professor Roger Whatmore CEO, TyndallNational Institute and Mike Mayberry, Director Components Research,VP Technology and Manufacturing Group at Intel.

Pictured from left to right are: Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO / Registrar, RCSI;Dr Michael Murphy, President of UCC; Micheal Martin T.D., Ministerfor Foreign Affairs and Professor Roger Whatmore, CEO, Tyndall NationalInstitute.

Tyndall signed a collaborative agreement with theRoyal College of Surgeons (RCSI) which will combinethe respective strengths of the two institutions in ICTdesign hardware, clinical trial and market validation.Projects will focus on the development of technologysolutions for the global biomedical device and surgi-cal markets.

Page 9: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

In March the Microelectronics Competence Centre Ireland (MCCI) hostingwas awarded to Tyndall in collaboration with the University of Limerick.The Enterprise Ireland-funded Competence Centre was established toprovide technology and skilled people to microelectronics companies inIreland. The overall theme of the research is Digitally Assisted Analoguecircuit design. In the 5 year research and development programmethe following research areas will be explored: Radio Frequency Sys-

Microelectronics Competence

Page 7

EndecoUnder an EI Innovation Partnership agreement, Irish start-up, Endeco, and Tyndallhave collaborated on the development of a wireless electricity metering systembased on the Tyndall wireless sensor mote technology. This enables actuationand control of lighting and refrigeration systems in commercial premises.Under the collaboration, Tyndall has licensed an energy demand managementplatform that can enable power savings of 20-30%. The market for thisis projected to grow to in excess of €8bn by 2020. Endeco have securedadditional funding as a direct result of the successful demonstration of thissystem which will help lead to 30 new jobs at the company by 2012.

Full Flight Technology Tyndall has developed the world’s first in-flight archery ballistic measurementsystem. The “VELOCITIP” Ballistic System (patent pending) was jointly developedwith US company, Full Flight Technology (FFT). It was designed and made usingstate-of-the-art microelectromechanical systems technology and packaging.Bob Donahoe, founder of FFT stated that “Tyndall’s expertise in miniaturizedsystems integration, hardware and software product design and developmentwas critical to the successful realisation of the VELOCITIP system”.

BiancaMedDuring 2010, Tyndall worked closely with BiancaMed, a Dublin-based medicaltechnology company which develops and markets non-contact devices forthe monitoring of sleep and breathing in the home. Tyndall has supported aBiancaMed engagement with a major Japanese customer with aspects ofthe assembly, testing, and reliability evaluation of one of the company’s newproducts. The product enables convenient non-intrusive monitoring of sleepquality for young infants and other patients who may be at-risk from sleepingdisorders such as sleep apnea.

Tyndall Spin-Out, Firecomms, AcquiredIn December, the Chinese ZJF Group acquired Firecomms, a spin-out fromTyndall. ZJF have identified the research collaborations between Tyndall andFirecomms, on low-cost 10Gb/s transceivers, as being critical to the futuregrowth of the company.

The acquisition provides for a €5m investment in R&D in the Cork-basedcompany, together with the expansion of the Firecomms engineering teamfrom 18 to 30 people over the next year. The deal will also facilitate the rapidexpansion of Firecomms operations in mainland China.

Electronic Tip for Capturing Arrow In-Flight Data.�

John Lambkin, CTO Firecomms and Peter O’Brien, Tyndall, collaborate on the development of low-cost transceivers.

Wireless building energy metering system.

BiancaMed Researcher Ciara Leong testing samplesin the Environmental Test Laboratory Tyndall.

Technology Support to Start-up Companies

Page 10: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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National Industry-Led Competence CentresEstablished at Tyndall

Microelectronics Competence Centre Ireland (MCCI)The hosting of the Microelectronics Competence Centre Ireland (MCCI) was awardedto Tyndall during 2010 in collaboration with the University of Limerick. The EnterpriseIreland-funded Competence Centre was established to provide technology and skilledpeople to microelectronics companies in Ireland. The overall theme of the research is

digitally assisted analogue circuit design, where digital techniques are used to improve the power consumption, cost and reliability of analoguecircuits which do not perform as well in newer chip manufacturing processes. In the 5 year research and development programme the followingareas will be explored: Radio Frequency System-On-Chip, Power Management, Data-converters and Clocking. This research will enable newapplications such as next generation cellular networks, high definition wireless video and healthcare in the home as well as facilitating lesspower hungry consumer products for mass market production.

Competence Centre for Applied Nanotechnology (CCAN)2010 saw the establishment of the Competence Centre for AppliedNanotechnology (CCAN) in Tyndall, the hosting of which was awardedto Tyndall in December 2010 (and co-hosted by CRANN at Trinity

College Dublin). CCAN is an industry-led, collaborative centre enabling member companies and research providers to work together to developnanotechnology-enabled products and solutions for the ICT and biomedical industries. Future CCAN research projects will develop opportunitiespresented by combining ICT and biomedical expertise of the members. CCAN’s current industrial members include leading multinationalsand SMEs from the ICT and biomedical industries such as Analog Devices, Proxy Biomedical, Intel, Medtronic, Seagate, Creganna-Tactx Medical,Aerogen and Audit Diagnostics.

TyndalI Selected to Host ICGEE Graduate SchoolThe goal of the International Centre for Graduate Education in Engineering (ICGEE) Graduate School isto develop the infrastructure required to provide a National Graduate Education Programme that relieson resource sharing between academic partner institutions and delivers the programme to the highestinternational standards. ICGEE has developed and deployed a set of advanced level courses coveringboth technical and transferable skills training for engineering graduate students. DCU was the latestinstitution to join the graduate school in 2010 and it is hoped to continue the expansion to include allIrish Higher Education Institutions.

Tyndall Collaborate with Industry to Develop Unique Transition Year Work Experience ProgrammeTyndall and Cork Electronics Industry Association (CEIA) developed a unique Transition Year Work Experience Programme run in March 2010.In the pilot programme eighteen students from thirteen schools took part in workshops, career talks, campus visits and a team based innovationcompetition combined with an industry placement day in one of seven engineering companies in the Cork area. The programme is expandingin 2011 following positive student/schools feedback and increased demand for places.

Education & Outreach

Doctoral Programme In Micro- And Nano-Technology

An international engineering graduate education centre producing a new cadre of world-class engineering doctoral graduates trained to participate and play future leadership roles in the diverse, globally-engaged 21st century engineering workforce and innovation society.

Page 11: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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Tyndall Collaborates in New European Research ProgrammesTo date, Tyndall has secured 47 projects (13 as coordinator), worth over €19m to Tyndall since the launch of FP7. The total value of theseprojects is approximately €176m within which Tyndall collaborates with over 270 partners from 27 countries and has already delivereda number of exciting outputs described in the research sections throughout the report.

“BIANCHO”BIANCHO will research, develop, test and demonstrate novel photonic components, including highly efficient uncooled lasers. The newcomponents will significantly reduce power consumption in telecomm networks by using novel dilute bismide and nitride alloys of GaAs andInP to eliminate intrinsic loss mechanisms. The device properties are also highly beneficial for high speed photodiodes as required in transceivers.www.biancho.org

“Heart-e-Gel” This project will utilise an Electro Active Polymer (EAP) for novel, less invasive treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as abdominal aorticaneurysms. An EAP has the ability to occlude (close), fill, and seal, vessels and cavities. Leading material and microelectronics scientists,surgeons and medical device companies from five different countries, including Irish company Creganna, will work with Tyndall researchers todevelop and test these treatments. www.heartegel.eu

“C-3PO” C-3PO will develop a new generation of colourless (wavelength agnostic) components in fibre-to-the-home terminal equipment and novel,reflective “IP-over-DWDM” router interfaces. These will not require cooling and will reduce power requirements. The project proposal, whichis coordinated by Tyndall, received an evaluation mark of 15/15 by the international referees and was placed first in the evaluation list.www.greenc3po.eu

Conferences Hosted by Tyndall

The UK Nitride Consortium 2010 Annual 12th & 13th January

Theory and Practical Use of Quantum ESPRESSO 14th – 18th June

ACAM Workshop on Empirical Methods for Nanostructure Simulation and Design 21st & 22nd June

Electronics Materials Conference Workshop 23th – 25th June

Wafer Bonding Symposium at the Electrochemical Society Fall Meeting 11th – 15th October

International Workshop on Power Supply On Chip 13th – 15th October

Nanoweek 30th November – 4th December

Tyndall hosted and/organised several conferences throughout 2010:-

International VisitsOn 29th June 2010 the President of the Brazilian Universities Association,Professor Carlos Alexandre Netto, representing over 50 Universities throughoutBrazil, led a delegation to Tyndall. This included representatives from the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, Fiocruz (the most prominent science and technology healthinstitution in Latin America) and the Brazilian Embassy, Ireland. The delegationreceived a tour and overview of Tyndall and during the visit met two of Tyndall’sBrazilian researchers.

Other international visits of note during 2010 included His Excellency Mr. KimChang Yeob, Korean Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and HisExcellency Julian King, British Ambassador to Ireland.

From left to right: Cristian Bonatto, Tyndall PhD; Professor Carlos AlexandreNetto, President of the Brazilian Universities Association; Dr. Fatima Gunning,Tyndall and Michael Grufferty, Tyndall.

Page 12: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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What People Are Saying About Tyndall“Intel and Tyndall have been working closely together for some time on a range of different technologies. Thisnew agreement forms a direct relationship with Intel’s internal research group in Portland. Through their publica-tions and technology, Tyndall researchers have demonstrated their ability to innovate and invent technologies thatcan advance the frontiers of semiconductor technology. We at Intel are excited to enter into this advanced researchagreement with Tyndall and look forward to a productive collaboration with the team here.” Mike Mayberry, Intel Director Components Research, VP Technology & Manufacturing Group – on the occasion of the announcement ofthe $1.5m advanced research collaboration between Tyndall and Intel.

"Establishing a hub for European collaboration in Ireland will help accelerate technologies addressing renewableenergy, energy efficiency, and integrated building systems. Taking advantage of Ireland's agility, as well as Europe'scommitment to 'clean' technology, we intend to demonstrate emerging technologies on a scale ranging fromindividual buildings to district-wide applications."David Parekh, Vice President, Research, and Director, United Technologies Research Centre – on the occasion of the announcement byUTRC on setting up its European HQ at Tyndall.

“Our initial research in Tyndall was brought to a level of maturity before we spun-out the technology in 2001.Since then we have always maintained a deep and highly productive collaboration with the Photonics group inTyndall. The ZJF Group is very aware of the depth of resources available at Tyndall which will continue to play akey role in our future R&D investments.”John D. Lambkin, CTO and co-founder of Firecomms

“We have been at a critical stage in our development and had a need for access to test facilities and associatedexpertise at Tyndall. These facilities and expertise are not otherwise available on the island of Ireland. Our experienceat Tyndall was indeed world class and in my view, Tyndall represents a very valuable national asset (not just forexpertise but also attitude) – this will certainly make a great difference to our success.”Colin Lawlor, CEO, BiancaMed Ltd.

“This unique collaboration between RCSI and Tyndall, the first of its kind in Ireland, will enable the applicationof fabrication techniques and products traditionally used in ICT hardware to be used in healthcare applications,to ultimately improve patient care and outcomes and enable faster recovery time for patients due to less invasivesurgery, as well as reducing healthcare costs.” Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO / Registrar, RCSI – on the occasion of the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between Tyndall and RCSI.

AwardsRenewable Energy Systems Award for Tyndall In November 2010, Tyndall won the Sustainable Energy Authority of Irelandnational award for Renewable Energy Systems. The award recognises thesustainable approach to the heating of the new research building, which usesenergy recovered from the substantial data centre cooling load (provided fromthe existing site chilled water system), giving a significant saving on energycosts and substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the building.

Royal Irish Academy HonoursProfessor Eoin O’ReillyIn May 2010 the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) admittedTyndall Theory Centre Head, Professor Eoin O’Reilly, asa member in recognition of his academic achievement.He is widely recognised for his pioneering ideas andanalysis of semiconductor laser and optical devices.

His ideas have had significant impact in optical communication and widerphotonic applications. At Tyndall, he directs a world-leading research groupwith programmes ranging from fundamental semiconductor physics throughto the engineering of semiconductor lasers.

Tyndall data centre.�

Page 13: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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Research

Tyndall will deliver new opportunities for Ireland’s economic growth through excellence in research and development, and postgraduate education & training, and by delivering innovative ICT solutions to society’s grand challenges in communications, energy, healthcare and the environment.

Our Mission Statement

CO

MMUNICATIONS

ENERGY HEALTHENVIRONMENT

Page 14: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Sect

ion 2.1

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Micro/NanoelectronicsIntroductionResearch in Tyndall’s Micro/Nanoelectronics centre is focused on the development of materials, processes and characterisation techniquesfor today’s microelectronics industry leading to the future nanoelectronics industry. The semiconductor industry is continuously scaling down thedimensions of transistors in order to develop faster and more energy-efficient microchips. The frantic pace at which this is happening poseschallenges that require the development of new materials, novel device structures and advanced characterisation techniques.

The creation of ultra-small semiconductor devices such as nanowire metal oxide semiconductor transistors, junctionless transistors or nanowiresensors requires four main components:• The careful formation and characterisation of thin semiconductor and dielectric layers.• The patterning of the layers into nanometre-size structures.

One exciting feature of nanoelectronic devices is the emergence of quantum effects. Quantum effects occur in silicondevices when their dimensions are smaller than ten nanometers – which is about the size of a small protein molecule,or one hundred atoms across. These effects have a measurable impact on the electrical characteristics of nanoscale

transistors. To predict them, we have developed a simulator that accounts for the quantum effects which occur when electronsare “confined” between barriers which are very close together. This takes account of the way electrons “tunnel” throughbarriers – a peculiar quantum effect where electrons can actually be partly on bothsides of a barrier at the same time. The simulator predicts that nanowire transistorswith a particular geometry could be switched using less voltage, and thus less energy,than classical devices. This revolutionary concept is being developed further by industrialand academic partners within the EU FP7 Project “SQWIRE” (Silicon Quantum Wiretransistors) coordinated by Tyndall. Quantum confinement effects manifest themselvesas oscillations or “wiggles” observed in the transistors’ conductances when the gatevoltage is increased. Ground breaking research carried out in Tyndall, in collaborationwith the University of Incheon in South Korea, has demonstrated these conductanceoscillations in junctionless nanowire transistors. Such effects, which are currently onlyobserved at cryogenic temperatures, should become observable at room temperatureas the dimensions of semiconductor devices are scaled down further.

Exploring the Quantum World

Mai

n Hi

ghlig

ht

Electron Microscope Images of a Multifingered Silicon Nanowire Transistor

SEM image of a device with threeparallel nanowires sharing a commongate electrode.

Three-dimensional reconstruction ofthe contact between the thin siliconfilm and the metal inter-connect inthe source via. This reconstruction wasmade using an electron-microscopetomography technique. Electron-microscope tomography reconstruc-

tion of the multifingered silicon nanowiretransistor. The left and right nanowires are“dummy” nanowires that are not connectedto the source and drain.

Simulated energy-resolved distribution of densityof states in a silicon nanowire transistor. The redripples represent the energy values allowed toelectrons as they travel from source to drain.

Page 15: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

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• The precise control of the interfaces between the different materials. • The in-depth characterisation of the fabricated devices.

To help meet the challenges of nanoelectronics device fabrication, Tyndall is developing a number of advanced tools and processes in the areasof atomic layer deposition, nanowire synthesis and wafer bonding. It is also developing leading techniques in the field of high-k dielectricdeposition and characterisation. The structural and optical properties of the materials are assessed using powerful characterisation tools suchas electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and ellipsometry, while the electrical properties of the devices are explored using the complete suiteof electrical characterisation facilities at Tyndall.

See Section 3.4 on Technology Support Services to discover more about the full range of characterisation tools available at Tyndall.

Also Working On:-

A new way to make nanostructures on a “large” scale (microns)has been developed using “bottom-up” techniques exploitingmaterials that organise themselves spontaneously into regularpatterns. Researchers at Tyndall, in collaboration with UCC inCork and CRANN in Dublin, have used the self-organising proper-ties of diblock copolymer compounds to form masking templates.These can then be used to etch silicon into nanostructures. Thistechnique allows for the formation of semiconductor-on-insulatornanowires with a very tight pitch, thereby increasing the currentdrive towards nanowire transistors.

Nanopatterning Techniques Enable Formation of Nanowire Transistors

TEM image of silicon-on-insulator nano-wires etched using a self-organiseddiblock copolymer mask template.

Colloidal photonic crystals, also called artificial opals because theylook like the gemstone, which is a natural photonic crystal, aremade by the periodic self-assembly of nanoscale-objects, such astiny spheres suspended as a colloid in water. Photonic crystals havea “photonic bandgap”, which allow them to block the transmissionof certain wavelengths of light in particular directions, while trans-mitting others. These optical properties will enable the design ofnew types of filters, sensors, flexible displays and various opto-electronic devices. Growing such self-assembled structures has alsorequired the development of new ways to impregnate polymersinto the material that prevent it from cracking when it dries out.

The Synthesis of Optically Active Materials based on Advanced

Growth Techniques

Colloidal photonic crystal with a spherical assembly of colloidal particles.

• The Formation of Silicon-Germanium Heterostructures for Infrared Imaging ApplicationsCareful control of the surface chemistry of germanium and siliconis used to wafer bond the two materials without forming aninterfacial oxide layer. These heterostructures are then used forthe fabrication of avalanche photodiode detectors capable ofoperating in the infrared.

• Radiation Sensors for AstronautsTyndall is working on the development of radiation sensors that willbe built into active personal dosimeters for European Space Agency(ESA) astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Threetypes of Tyndall sensors, RADFET and two specially designed silicon

diodes, will be incorporated in the mobile phone size dosimetersworn by the astronauts inside the ISS and during space walks.First devices will be delivered to ESA in early 2011.

• The Development of Heavy N-type Dopingfor Germanium TransistorsIn germanium the formation of low-resistance highly-doped n-typeregions, and low-resistance contacts to same, are key bottlenecksin the realisation of scaled germanium devices. Research is on-goingto understand the physics underpinning dopant solubility, activation,diffusion, and defect formation in germanium, as well as the reali-sation in optimised devices including thin germanium nanowirestructures and photon detectors which will eventually produce highspeed micro chips.

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MicrosystemsIntroductionResearch in the Microsystems centre places particular emphasis on the development of innovative materials, devices and microsystem hardware

platforms to address key society challenges. The centre is engaged in multi-disciplinary, collaborative programmes with both industry and

academia. Research areas include: building energy management and remote water quality monitoring; wearable electronics for physiological

monitoring and motion sensing in health and sports performance; implantable electronics for in-the-body diagnostics and therapeutics and

portable devices for point-of-care diagnostics. The centre made significant progress during the year in delivering value through the transfer

of technology to industry.

Wearable wireless sensors have recently received significant attention in the research community where they

are emerging as a realistic alternative to wired systems, even in critical applications where human safety is

paramount. The market for these solutions is set to grow to more than 400 million devices by 2014, where

the demand will come from the professional healthcare, home healthcare and sports and fitness markets. In order to place

Tyndall squarely at the forefront of this rapidly growing field of research, the Wireless Sensor Systems (WSS) team has developed

an end-to-end solution in “Smart”, reconfigurable, wearable, wireless inertial measurement.

In parallel with the design, development, characterisation and calibration of the constituent hardware and software

components, the WSS team is actively deploying these solutions, in both the wearable sports science and healthcare spaces.

Sports applications which have been investigated to date include tennis, darts, golf and archery while the healthcare application

has focused on monitoring of elderly patients in a convalescent home. To facilitate technology transfer, the WSS team has

developed a smart user-friendly platform which simplifies system configuration and data collection.

Smart Reconfigurable Wireless Inertial Measurement

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Smart Reconfigurable Wireless Inertial Measurement UnitPrecision Biomechanical Modelling of Darts Player

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A technology license was signed with Irish start-up Endeco, (formerly Wirelite Sensors), in the area of wireless systems for energy demand

management (EDM); and US company Full Flight Technology licensed an inertial sensor system for the first arrow-mounted microsystem device

to provide information about an arrow’s flight characteristics for archery. The centre also achieved notable success in the EU FP7 Programme

winning more than €2.5m from 6 projects. The centre is coordinating the Heart-eGel project on cardiovascular microsystems and has engaged

Irish companies in the projects including Arup, Creganna, Decawave, Lincor Solutions, Resourcekraft and Yougetitback. Through the Life Sciences

Interface (LSI) Group, the centre established a strategic partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland to bring novel biomedical

microsystems to the clinical community.

Also Working On:-

Today's semiconductors are smaller, run faster, process moreinformation and generate more heat as a result. Removing thisheat is a key challenge in today’s consumer electronics products.Tyndall researchers, in collaboration with the Stokes ResearchInstitute, in University of Limerick, have developed a novel nano-technology-based thermal interface material (TIM), which hasdemonstrated a 50% better thermal performance than the com-mercial state-of-the- art. It is a nano-wire-based material whichreduces the thermal contact resistance between the Silicon chipand heatsink by filling in the micro-voids that are normally presentdue to the micro surface roughness between two contactingmaterials. The nanoscale diameter of individual wires enables theTIM to conform with the surface roughness to make proper thermalcontact. Furthermore, each individual nanowire connects directly,along its length, from the heat source to the heat sink. In this way,these novel materials transfer the heat more efficiently thantraditional particle-filled TIMs.

High Performance Thermal Interface Material

SEM image showing top surface of Thermal Interface Material composite.

A team of researchers from UCC’s School of Pharmacy and Tyndallhave collaboratively developed a novel, transdermal drug and vaccinedelivery system. The ‘ImmuPatch’ device is fabricated using a propri-etary micromoulding process that replicates the shape of Tyndall’sultrasharp silicon microneedles. Designed to beworn in the style of an adhesive patch, ImmuPatchincorporates an array of polymer microneedlesthat dissolve upon insertion into the skin, therebyrapidly and painlessly delivering a drug or vaccinecargo which addresses the global healthcarepriority of needle-free drug delivery.

Microneedles Drug Delivery System

The ImmuPatch transdermal delivery system is amicroneedle-based technology that can incorporate anumber of different therapeutic agents on the samelow-cost, dissolvable, adhesive patch.

700um tall silicon microneedles painlessly perforate the outer skin layersand will be used in a wide range of biomedical applications.

• Indefinite Lifetime Wireless Sensor Node from Energy Harvesting Novel power management circuits enable Tyndall’s wireless sensornodes to operate continuously for smart building applications using acredit card sized solar cell under normal indoor lighting conditions (12hours/day of moderate light (350Lux) and no lighting over weekends).This eliminates the need for the regular replacement of batteries.

• High Current Sensor for Future Electric CarsA novel contactless electric current sensor for monitoring electric carbattery energy flow is being developed within the EU FP7 ENIAC E3Car project coordinated by Infineon Technologies. Tyndall researchershave used the sensor to measure currents of more than 500 Amps.

• Nanocatalysts for Zero Carbon Emission Micro Fuel Cells The Electrodeposition and Micro-power team has demonstrated theuse of nano-porous gold catalysts for fuel cell applications. Thematerials catalyse fuel oxidation reactions at potentials closer tothe theoretical value thereby delivering greater energy efficiencythan has been demonstrated previously.

• Magnetics-on-Silicon for Power Suppy on ChipTyndall researchers in the area of Magnetics-on-Silicon havedesigned, developed and demonstrated a technology to meet thespecifications required by the next generation of power supplyon-chip. The micro-inductor fabricated at Tyndall could save up to50% of the footprint space of a full-solution dc-dc converter.

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PhotonicsIntroductionThe Photonics centre at Tyndall comprises internationally recognised research teams carrying out R&D and commercialisation activities spanning

the areas of semiconductor materials and devices, photonic integration and packaging, through to advanced photonic systems for telecommu-

nications applications. They not only develop new technologies for the communications, healthcare and energy sectors, but also advance scientific

knowledge in photonics through cutting-edge research, for example into the fundamental quantum processes in semiconductor materials and

cooled atomic vapours.

Fibre optic communication systems have traditionally carried data using binary amplitude modulation – switching the

light on and off. Next generation systems will achieve higher overall data capacities by modulating both the amplitude

and the phase of the optical field. However, this will make them susceptible to nonlinear phase noise, an interaction

between amplitude and phase fluctuations that occurs in optical fibres caused by the Kerr effect. Now, a collaboration involving

researchers in the Transmission & Sensors group at Tyndall and colleagues from the EU-FP7 Phasors consortium, which includes

Dublin-based Eblana Photonics, has shown the first practical solution to this problem.

The team’s ingenious technique exploits the same Kerr nonlinearity to ‘squeeze’ the phase fluctuations back into the amplitude

domain in a fibre-based, phase sensitive amplifier. This is combined with an injection-locked laser to remove the amplitude

noise. The result is a ‘clean’ regenerated signal, ready either for onward transmission or for further signal processing. The

research was published in the September 2010 issue of Nature Photonics and was also featured on the Journal’s front cover.

All-Optical Phase and Amplitude Regenerator

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Testing the phase and amplitude regenerator.

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The two primary SFI-funded programmes within the centre receive more than 25% matching support from their industry partners, BT Ireland

and BT Design (UK), Intune Networks, Firecomms, Eblana Photonics and SensL. In addition, new SFI funding was obtained for III-V and III-Nitride

semiconductor growth together with new EU FP7 funding for programmes in ultra high capacity fibre transmission, ‘green’ photonics for low

power optical networks and LED arrays for retinal prosthesis.

During the year, the centre was also active in its support for Irish industry, helping to gain €1.1M of EU funding for Eblana Photonics and

playing a key role in enabling Firecomms to grow through its acquisition by the ZJF Group.

Also Working On:-

• Miniaturised Oxygen-Sensitive Fluorescence DetectorTyndall’s unique high brightness, low divergence micro-LEDtechnology has been used in a recent collaboration with Dublin CityUniversity to develop a miniaturised oxygen-sensitive fluorescencedetector for monitoring the breath quality of patients with lungconditions. There are plans to use the micro-LED technology againwithin a follow-on project in a clinical setting.

The extraordinary growth of internet traffic already requires inter-faces in the core of the network operating at 100 Gbit/s and thereis no sign that the rate of expansion will reduce. Manufacturingoptical transceivers to deliver these phenomenal rates, for anacceptable cost and power consumption, requires the integrationof multiple photonic devices within a single compact package.Tyndall researchers, together with colleagues from TCD, havedeveloped a suite of key building blocks for future integratedtransceivers, including high speed data modulators and photo-receivers. The team is currently working with Irish Industry tocommercialise the technology.

Photonic Integration – More Functionsin a Smaller Package

Flip-chip packaging photonic devices.

A collaboration between the CIT-led Photonic Device Dynamicsgroup at Tyndall and researchers from UCLA and the Universityof Arkansas has succeeded in converting type I semiconductorquantum dots to type II by “tuning” their antimony content. Thisbreakthrough is a step towards more efficient solar cells and pho-todetectors. More of the captured energy is retained with thesedots because the photo-excited electrons quickly move away fromthe “holes” they leave behind, reducing the chance that they willlose the energy by falling back to their unexcited states.

Capturing More Light with Tuned Quantum Dots

Measuring the re-emission decay time of quantum dot materials.

• Metal-Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy SystemTyndall has recently installed a new state-of-the-art metal-organicvapour phase epitaxy system for the growth of group-III nitride semi-conductors. Researchers will use the reactor to grow novel materialsfor applications in visible and ultraviolet optoelectronics, and forhigh-power, high-frequency switches.

• Short Pulse Self-Mode-Locked LaserThe Laser Physics group has developed a new type of short pulse,self-mode-locked laser based on indium phosphide ‘quantum-dash’material. The lasers have low timing jitter and wide optical spectrummaking them ideal sources of highly coherent microwave signals.

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Theory, Modelling & Design

Researchers in the Photonics Theory group have developed

new techniques to analyse and design semiconductor quantum

dot (QD) nano-structures. Their work has identified several novel

devices which can be obtained using QDs. including polarisation

insensitive optical amplifiers needed in optical communication

systems. They have also shown that the formation of gallium

nitride based QDs should give efficient LED emission for the first

time in the yellow-amber part of the spectrum. Their work is also

guiding the growth and development of QD-based materials

and devices by other reseachers in Tyndall.

Continuing the improvements in speed andperformance of today's electronic devices isas much about using new materials as about

scaling down to nanometre dimensions. A crucial chal-lenge is whether the new materials can be synthesizedat these length scales within the stringent qualityrequirements of semiconductor fabrication lines. Suchnew processes for nano-scale deposition were success-fully developed in the EU FP7 "REALISE" project, a10-partner project coordinated by Tyndall. Tyndallresearchers contributed to the project by modellingprecursor chemicals, simulating growth reactions andmeasuring the dielectric performance of the thin films.Using the new materials in memory cards and USB flashdrives allows a three-fold improvement in data storagecapacity. The partners also targeted the decouplingcapacitors that are used in mobile phones and otherwireless devices. Such capacitors fabricated in the projectare three times smaller than the current record, with thebonus of double the working lifetime and, in termsof surface area on the chip, should cost 70% less toproduce. According to the European Commission, "thisproject can be considered as a real success".

Engineering III-V Quantum Dots

Analysis of Quantum Dot Structures.�

Realise co-ordinator Simon Elliott.

Simulating the Deposition of New Materials

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htIntroductionReseach in the centre investigates leading edge concepts and develops these ideas through to design and implementation. Successes during

2010 included significant research achievements, both in the fundamental understanding and the application of the science, and resulted in

strong engagement and recognition by the wider scientific and commercial communities. An example of this success is highlighted by the

completion of a license agreement with Intel for the TIMES software developed by the Electronics Theory group. This software models current

flow in advanced nanoscale devices, and was recently used to identify the benefits of junctionless transistors for future generation electronics.

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New research funding achieved during the year includes five EU FP7 projects, two of which are coordinated by centre researchers, as well as

two SFI principal investigator awards.

The challenge for 2011 is to take full advantage of these successes and ensure the development of future projects in photonics, nanoelectronics

and microsystems that continue to address the challenges associated with communications, energy, healthcare and the environment.

• Photodriven Hydrogen Production by Water SplittingElectronics Theory group researchers have shown for the first timethrough simulations, that composites of titanium dioxide clustersdeposited on a titanium dioxide surface are novel material systemsfor hydrogen production by water splitting using sunlight. Thesesystems show great potential for the development of novel materialswith targeted properties including light absorption, chemical reactivityand protective coatings.

• Injection-Locked Frequency Dividers (ILFDs)ILFDs are becoming more popular in wireless communication systemsto control frequency selection. One of the problems with ILFDs ishow to make them lock over as wide a range of frequencies aspossible. The Circuits & Systems group has developed a new designmethodology for ILFDs which solves this problem and is expectedto make it easier to design high performance microchips for wirelessapplications.

Researchers in the Circuits & Systems Group havewon the race to demonstrate the implementationof an efficient ultra-wide-band (UWB) monocycle

pulse generator that is fully integrated in 90nm CMOStechnology. The circuit produces very short radio pulses toenable both long range radar detection and high data rateUWB wireless communications. This invention makes itpossible to implement radar sensors on silicon chips forlonger range detection and to download data wirelesslyfrom the internet over longer distances. This ground-breaking microchip produces monocycle pulses withthe highest reported peak-to-peak voltage and energyefficiency in standard silicon technology. The device is30 times more efficient than the best solution currentlyavailable. Tyndall’s pulse generator is a key building blockfor implementing low-cost UWB pulse radar in silicon

technology. It will enable the development ofa range of novel wireless applications, fromsecurity to innovative non-invasive diagnostictools in medicine. Commercial avenues for ex-ploitation are now being explored.

Impulse Generator Microchip

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Also Working On:-

Close-up of Compact Radar Source.�

• Atomic Scale Simulation of Junctionless Transistors Collaboration within Tyndall has highlighted the benefits of ajunctionless design at the sub-5nm scale as a solution to end-of-roadmap technologies where current scaling breaks down, and showsthat there are some interesting twists and quantum surprises fordevice physics at this length scale.

• Optical Synthesis of Terahertz & mm-Wave Frequencies The Photonics Theory group researchers have designed and demon-strated passively mode-locked, discrete mode (DM) lasers thatgenerate both sinusoidal and pulsed intensity output with modulationfrequencies from 100 – 160 GHz. These results are based on technol-ogy that has been licensed to Irish company, Eblana Photonics andindicate that DM lasers have significant potential as ultrastable sourcesfor a wide range of applications. These include wide-bandwidth,wireless communications, optical sampling and THz generation byphoto-mixing.

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This year saw further expansion to the laboratories and facilities

at Tyndall. A major upgrade and move of the MEMS fabrication

activity into the new research building has delivered the ex-

pected synergies, resulting in improved cleanroom conditions and energy

efficiency. The move also provided much needed increased cleanroom and

lithography areas within the lab. During the year, Tyndall upgraded and

replaced equipment that was damaged during the exceptional flooding

in November 2009, including the Electron Microscopy facility SEM and

both Focused Ion Beam systems. The Nanotechnology group’s SEM was

also replaced and the TEM and the E-beam lithography systems were

completely refurbished. A new training fabrication facility was commis-

sioned during the year and is now open to all third level students in

Ireland. In addition, work is almost complete on the installation of an

MOVPE reactor for the growth of III-N materials.

“A major upgrade and move of the MEMS fabrication activity into thenew research building has delivered the expected synergies, resultingin improved cleanroom conditions and energy efficiency”

A patterned wafer prior to dicing and packaging.�

During the year the MEMs fabrication and Compound Semiconductor

processing activities relocated to a new purpose built, state-of-the-art-

cleanroom. The co-location of silicon MEMS and Compound Semicon-

ductor fabrication in the same cleanroom area presents a unique

challenge to the engineering staff. New protocols, using equipment

differentiation rather than a laboratory segregation policy, have been

implemented to prevent contamination problems. The increased clean-

room space has allowed for a more open access policy where all

researchers working in Compound Semiconductors now have complete

access to the cleanroom and all of the equipment therein.

Wafer Fabrication

Technology Support

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Plans are underway to establish a unique “FlexiFab” research laboratory

within the new research building at Tyndall. Based jointly on the principles

of “More than Moore” wafer processing with “Beyond Moore” concepts,

the FlexiFab will operate in conjunction with enhanced test facilities for

analogue & mixed signal circuits in the 60GHz range. State-of-the-art

semiconductor wafers (silicon, III-V’s), will be post-processed in the facility

with other inorganic and biomaterials, to give new device and sub-system

capabilities. Examples could possibly include Bio/ICT convergence devices,

III-V photonics-on-active silicon to facilitate high density magnetic record-

ing and nanoelectronic devices using germanium and graphene. Open

access protocols will allow efficient use by research students, academia

and industry of these uniquely-flexible design, fabrication and test

facilities. The facilities will also support the two industry-led Competence

Centres established at Tyndall. This FlexiFab will be unique internationally

and will have the capacity to handle a wide range of materials, and will

enable Tyndall influence new developments in nanoelectronics within

Europe.

FLEXIFAB

Training on the E-beam evaporator in the training fab.�

Installation of the horizontal furnace in the new cleanroom.�

A new training and teaching laboratory, funded under Cycle 4 of the

Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI4), which will

facilitate a complete semiconductor fabrication experience, was opened

at Tyndall during the year. The Training Fab will be made available to all

students and staff within Tyndall regardless of whether research projects

are fabrication based or not. The equipment includes an etcher, PECVD,

E-beam evaporator, photo lithography and measurement equipment such

as the Tencor Profilometer. As part of Tyndall’s continued national access

policy, the opportunity for hands-on processing experience within the

training fab will be made available to all postgraduate students in Ireland.

Training Fab

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The EMAF came of age in 2010 following re-location to new laboratory

space and the addition of state-of-the-art new tools. The facility has a

objective to deliver state-of-the-art electron microscopy and analysis

through optimised characterisation protocols. The tools of the facility are

available to research users throughout the wider Irish and international

research community as well as to industry. A core staff of experienced

technical professionals and microscopists are available to assist users

as required. The unit provides a comprehensive understanding of the

crystallography and structural analysis of a wide range of materials and

devices, and also develops research in advanced electron microscopy.

The facility was funded from programmes under Science Foundation

Ireland and the HEA.

Electron Microscopy & Analysis Facility (EMAF)

Sample chamber of the Helios Focused Ion Beam system.�

Loading a sample for SEM analysis.�

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Page 23

Tyndall’s Photonic & Electronic Packaging Facility.�

Technology Development, ComponentAnalysis and Electronic Packaging Tyndall’s long association with the European Space Agency (ESA) continued

successfully during 2010 with significant project activity in several major

areas. Tyndall provides technical support to the Agency’s test centre,

ESTEC, located in Noordwijk, The Netherlands and is a Microelectronics

Technology Support Laboratory (MTSL) to ESTEC. In 2010, the Tyndall

MTSL carried out tasks including: the analysis of radiation effects on

power MOSFETS, the design analysis of integrated circuits, construction

analysis on Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices for the GREAT2 programme,

the construction analysis of hybrid microcircuits, and the characterisation

of point-of-load power supplies and the supply of RADFET dosimeters.

Throughout 2010, Tyndall has also been engaged in several longer-termresearch & development projects with ESA including:

• The evaluation of the reliability of interconnect technologies for SiCsolar cell shunt diodes intended for very high temperature operatingenvironments (350ºC).

• An Investigation of dielectric charging in capacitive MEMS devicesin IR Radiation environment (DIMER)

• The development of a highly conformal iridium coating on high aspectratio silicon pore optics using atomic layer deposition to improvethe efficiency of the X-ray optics design of the International X-rayObservatory (IXO).

European Space Agency (ESA) Support Services

Tyndall’s DTE Group provides IC design evaluation, technology analysis

and characterisation expertise to clients. It also provides expertise in

Intellectual Property (IP) and assists with patent assertion. As part of its

patent infringement service to clients, DTE systematically extracts the

design and technology detail of suspect designs. A report is then compiled

for the client to present evidence of patent infringement to.

During 2010, the Head of DTE, successfully represented Tyndall’s technical

evidence at the ITC in Washington DC on behalf of a major European

company. The total value of our IP investigative work for clients exceeds

€150 million to date. Tyndall’s DTE Group performs this work mainlyfor major European and US companies, and it is also a potent resource

for the protection of Tyndall’s IP portfolio.

Design Technology Evaluation (DTE)

Richard Fitzgerald and Ted O’Shea evaluate an IC design.�

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Photonics Packaging & Integration:Addressing Industry Needs

366GHz Mixer Fabricated in a Gallium Arsenide Membrane.�

Laser welding of an optical fibre in a high speed butterfly package.� Fibre coupled 10 Gbit/s photoreceivcer with flip-chip packaged electronics on acoplanar waveguide ceramic submount.

Tyndall & Farran Technology DevelopState-of-the-art Terahertz SchottkyDiode for ESAIn a collaborative development project with Farran Technology, funded

by ESA, Tyndall’s III-V fabrication group have further enhanced their

Schottky MMIC technology by transferring commercial MMIC technol-

ogy to a gallium arsenide membrane substrate. The demonstrator mixer,

operating at 366GHz, performed on par with best published mixer

results, whilst the 183GHz mixer equalled the performance of the

standard Farran equivalent. UMS, the manufacturers of the commercial

device, are also very pleased with the work because of the implications

it has for extending the frequency range of their devices (nominally

77GHz).

With a growing demand for bandwidth, there is a need for photonic

systems that power fibre optic communication links to become cheaper,

faster and less power hungry than they are today. This need is best

addressed by integrating photonic devices on a common platform, similar

to the approach adopted by the microelectronics industry when it

developed the integrated circuit. Innovations in integrated photonics

are leading to increases in system performance, while the ability to

produce multiple functioning devices on a common platform can signif-

icantly reduce manufacturing costs. These technical developments also

benefit other industries that exploit the unique features of photonics,

including medical devices (imaging), biotechnology (diagnostics), con-

sumer electronics (data transfer) and energy efficient lighting (LEDs).

Many companies see exciting commercial opportunities offered by

integrated photonics and need access to prototypes developed under

production-like manufacturing conditions, which they can quickly evalu-

ate and demonstrate to potential customers.

Tyndall, through its strategic investment in an advanced photonics

packaging and integration laboratory, now offers opportunities for

companies to develop next generation photonic products for emerging

markets. Through its advanced facilities and highly experienced research

staff, Tyndall offers companies the ability to develop advanced photonic

prototypes from start to finish, ready for evaluation and demonstration.

To-date, photonic packaging and integration researchers have provided

support across a number of key industry sectors, including communica-

tions (Intune Networks, Intel, Firecomms, Eblana Photonics), medical

devices (SensL), biotechnology (Radisens Diagnostics, Audit Diagnostics)

and energy efficient lighting (Lita Lighting). These industrial collaborations

are expected to grow in both the indigenous and multi-national sectors,

as photonics becomes the technology of choice for an increasing range

of applications.

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Section 4

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National Access Programme

Tyndall’s National Access Programme (NAP) successfully completedits sixth year of operation in 2010. NAP is a Science FoundationIreland (SFI) programme that funds access to Tyndall’s state-of-

the-art facilities and expertise for all researchers acros the whole islandof Ireland. NAP is governed by an independent committee of 18 senioracademics representing the Universities and IT’s and is chaired by Prof.Mark Keane of University College Dublin.

SFI continued its support for NAP in 2010, and in December announced afurther 5-year support for the Programme. This continued support emphasisesthe importance of enabling access to the Tyndall national infrastructure. Italso reflects the positive impact and benefits gained by the wider communityby having access to the advanced facilities at Tyndall. In 2010 Tyndallreceived letters of support from all the Irish Universities and Institutesof Technology (ITs), including Queens University Belfast and the Universityof Ulster, that acknowledged and emphasised how access to Tyndallfacilities has been of significant benefit to their organisations.

Key metrics for the programme since its inception include: • Over 460 researchers from all 9 Universities (including QUB and

UU) and 6 IT’s have submitted 328 proposals and of these 244projects have been approved to date. Over 1,500 researchers haveattended NAP talks and Open Days and 220 researchers have spentover 470 access days at Tyndall performing collaborative research.

• The publication output has been very strong and a total of 394publications have resulted to date, 88 of these in high qualityscientific journals.

• NAP has contributed to Irish scientific education by encour-aging postgraduate students to avail of the facilities andexpertise at Tyndall; 30% of participants are postgraduatestudents and 51 completed PhD and Masters theses haveacknowledged NAP. Outputs from NAP projects are also beingused within taught Masters programmes.

• The results from NAP projects have been used by researchers to leveragefurther research funding. NAP projects have led to larger projects fromSFI, Enterprise Ireland and EU funded programmes. The creation ofintellectual property may also generate further funding and to datefive related patent applications have been reported.

Dublin Institute of Technology

Dublin City University

Trinity College Dublin

University College Dublin

Institute of Technology , Tallaght

BlanchardstownInstitute of Technology

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Carlow Institute of Technology

“This NAP proposal allowed access to a modelling technique, infrastructure and most importantly, expertise that was not available at the PIs home institution. It formed an essentialpart of the overall research into the hybrid materials under investigation. Both the project results and the professional interaction were top-quality”

Dr. Colm O’Dwyer - UL - Project title: Modelling Curvature in Lamellar Vanadium Oxide-Thiol Bilayer Nanostructures (NAP 223)

Sligo Institute of Technology

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

University of Ulster

Queen’s University Belfast

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Athlone Institute of Technology

National UniversityIreland Galway

Galway Mayo Instituteof Technology

Limerick Institute of Technology

University of LimerickInstitute of

Technology Tralee

Tyndall National InstituteUniversity College Cork

Cork Institute of Technology

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Irish Third Level Institutionsparticipating in the National Access Programme

Waterford Institute of Technology

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Page 26

NAP223 Modelling Curvature in Metal-Oxide Nanostructures

Dr. Colm O’Dwyer, University of Limerick (UL)

Nano-materials have been widely studied in recent years and researchersin UL have been researching the nanoscale properties of metal-oxidenanostructures for a range of applications such as energy storage, sensorsand photovoltaics. One of their research strands is to understand theimpact of adding additional organic layers to the nanostructures andthe impact on the atom-scale structure of these bilayers, in particularthe bending and change of shape that is introduced. There were nosimulation models available to understand this phenomenon but throughNAP, UL researchers could work closely with the Tyndall ElectronicsTheory group and a new simulation model was developed. This modeldemonstrated previously unknown mechanisms for organic moleculeinsertion within layered materials and the model could now predict, forexample, how much bending was possible while still maintaining a stableorganic-inorganic layered structure.

The future benefits of this work and the knowledge gained on the atomicarrangements means that research can continue on the developmentof new candidate materials with controlled flexibility at the nanoscaleand molecular level.

NAP205Raman Spectroscopy as a Non-Destructive Methodology to MonitorStem Cell Differentiation and Cellular Processes In Vitro

Dr. George Burke, University of Ulster (UU)

A critical issue in stem cell therapy is monitoring how the cells behave duringstem cell culture in-vitro. Current techniques take a long time and can resultin the destruction of the cells. In UU researchers are investigating a newway to monitor cell responses that is non-destructive and gives a real-timeanalysis of what is happening in the cells. The cells of particular interestwere for bone growth from adult stem cells and, in particular, repairing bonethat is not healing. The ultimate goal would be to remove stem cells from apatient with a broken bone that is not healing; grow new bone and thenre-implant the new bone into the patient. The method chosen to monitorcell growth was Raman spectroscopy and, using the highly specialisedequipment and expertise available at Tyndall, this project demonstrated thatRaman is a suitable method that could track the key stages and confirmedbone growth in the cells under study. Excellent results were achieved andit is expected that Raman will become part of the UU laboratory’s processcontrol hardware and could potentially have widespread applications inhospitals and pharmaceutical applications.

Dr. Lindsay McManus (UU) and Dr. Mircea Modreanu (Tyndall) usingthe Raman spectrometer for bone growth analysis.

Modelling of Curvature in Vanadium Oxide Nanostructures.�

Page 29: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 27

NAP246Synthesis & Characterisation of Gold Nanoparticles for Environmental Research

Prof. David Sheehan, University College Cork (UCC)

Nanomaterials are becoming more widely used in arange of applications and it is important to under-stand if they pose a toxic threat to biological systems.Researchers in UCC are well established experts inusing mussels as demonstrators for potential toxicityeffects on humans. Changes in profiles of proteinsin the mussels, which is a multi-organ animal, cangive significant information on whether materialsare damaging the cells and what the mechanismfor transfer is. The toxicological effects of gold nano-particles were seen to be highly dependent on thesize of the nanoparticles, but it is difficult to purchasenanoparticles with customised and highly controlledparticle dimensions. In this NAP project the nano-technology team at Tyndall were involved in synthesising nanoparticles of particular dimensions (e.g. 5nm) so that a full evaluation of the effectsof the specific sized particles could be undertaken. As a result of this project, the UCC researchers were able to publish key results in nanotoxicologyand contribute to an EU-wide research programme in this field.

Synthesised Gold Nanoparticles�

NAP226Fabrication of Integrated Microfluidic-Electrochemical Arrays for Multiplexed Detection of Cancer Biomarker Proteins

Prof. James Ruisling and Dr. Dónal Leech, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Early cancer detection is the focus of the BiomolecularElectronics Research Laboratory in NUIG. Their researchinvolves the detection of cancer biomarker proteinsin human samples and tissue. They have developedthe biological techniques to identify the biomarkers andare now developing next generation devices with veryhigh sensitivity that would give very fast responsetimes and could ultimately enable automated diseasedetection and monitoring. To fabricate the deviceprototypes NUIG undertook this NAP project withthe Life Sciences Interface group within the Micro-systems centre to design and fabricate a miniaturemicrofluidic device that can draw in the sample fluidand then pass it over the electrode array. The advantageof this multiple electrode approach is that it elevatesthe success rate for cancer prediction which is oftenpoor with a single biomarker. As well as enabling higher sensitivity the miniaturised device will allow ultra-low detection limits in minimal samplevolumes. The devices have been successfully fabricated using a low-cost process and are currently being tested at NUIG.

Microfluidic Device for Cancer Biomarker Detection�

65mm

Page 30: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 28

NAP251Physiological Sensing System for Fitness and Health

Dr. Shirley Coyle, Dr. Fernando Benito-Lopez and Prof. Dermot Diamond, Dublin City University (DCU)

Physiological monitoring of athletes is useful toboth assess and improve their performances. In thisNAP project, DCU researchers developed a wearable,real-time wireless device for non-invasive performancemonitoring. The composition and amount of fluid lostthrough perspiration or sweat can be used to measureelectrolyte and dehydration levels so that an optimumbalance can be achieved between too little andexcessive fluid in-take. Existing techniques for fluidmeasurement require complex measurement and post-sample analysis, whereas the system developed in thisproject is wearable and very straight-forward to use.The WSS team at Tyndall adapted the Tyndall 25mmwireless sensor mote platform for this application anddesigned a completely novel integrated muliti-layeredPCB for the sensor. DCU provided the micro-fluidic chip that enables the fluid to be drawn on to the sensor and the overall packaging of the device.The next stage of this work will be to refine the sensor to measure more functions and conduct a large scale clinical study using the device.

Wireless Physiological Sensing Device.�

NAP270Fabrication of 3D System-in-a-Package (SIP) Devices Using Circuit Board Folding

Liam Moore and Dr. John Barrett, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)

As electronic systems have reduced in size andincreased in complexity it has resulted in an increaseddemand for advanced packaging technology andin particular for 3-D packaging solutions. Current3-D systems are complex and expensive whereasresearchers in CIT are developing a low-cost 3-D“system-in-a-package”. This project focussed ondesigning a PCB board-bending technique using thepackaging facilities available at Tyndall and criticallyusing the Reliability Evaluation Laboratory to validatethe test results and confirm that the circuitry was stillfully functional. The final stage of the project was tobuild a 1cm cube with sensors mounted on the outsideof the cube and the circuitry on the inside andthis successfully demonstrated a low cost solution.This technique has the advantage of using low-costassembly methods with no degradation of deviceperformance. CIT will continue to develop this processfurther with the ultimate goal of developing a mini-aturised 5mm cube.

3-D System-in-a-Package.�

Page 31: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Section 5

Page 29

Through our outreach activities, we aim to encourage a greaterinterest in science amongst students from first to third levels,and to communicate our research to a wider audience. Tyndall

continues to increase its collaborations both locally and nationally inan effort to amplify our impact.

BT Young Scientist & Technology ExhibitionIntel invited Tyndall to exhibit on their stand at the BT Young Scientistand Technology Exhibition demonstrating the ‘sand to microchip’ story.Visitors to the stand were shown how the element silicon, extractedfrom sand, is the starting point for making the microchips that powerour electronics, from computers to mobile phones.

Transition Year Work Experience ProgrammeTyndall and Cork Electronics Industry Association (CEIA) teamed up todevelop a unique TY Work Experience Programme. In the pilot programmerun in March 2010 18 students from 13 schools attended workshops,career talks and campus visits, combined with an industry placement dayin one of 7 engineering companies. Tyndall and CEIA also produced ateachers’ wall planner of outreach activities for the academic year whichwas sent to all schools in the Cork region.

Science CaféTyndall collaborated with local partners to create a Cork Science Caféwhere members of the public cane come, on a monthly basis, to hearand discuss science in an informal setting. Topics addressed by Tyndallresearchers included the applications of nanotechnology in healthcareand the environment and our research with the European Space Agency.

Debating Science IssuesTyndall collaborated with 7 research centres nationwide to run the2009 - 2010 Debating Science Issues competition for secondary schoolsfunded by the Wellcome Trust. Students debated topical issues suchas nanotechnology, stem cell research and animal testing.

Science Snaps Science Snaps, Tyndall’s annual science photography competition, ranfrom September to November 2010. The competition was expanded toinclude a public category as well as the student categories and hundredsof entries were again received, a selection of which were exhibited inDublin and Cork during Science Week 2010.

Discovery ExhibitionThousands of local school children visited Tyndall’s popular stand atthe annual Discovery Exhibition in Cork City Hall in November. The standfeatured interactive demonstrations on sensors, light, nanotechnologyand electronics.

SFI UREKA Programme(Undergraduate Research Experience & Knowledge Award)Tyndall hosted 12 national and international undergraduate studentsfrom Ireland, Aisa and the US to participate in SFI-funded research duringthe summer of 2010.

Transition Year students in an electronics workshop at Tyndall.�

Outreach Programme

Winning students at the Munster final of Debating Science Issues 2010.�

Page 32: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Sect

ion 6

Page 30

Tyndall’s graduate community continued to excel during theyear, with 20 candidates successfully passing their PhD vivasand Tyndall students competing for and winning several presti-

gious prizes. At the end of 2010, there had been a slight increase instudent numbers compared to 2009, with 125 PhD and 11 Mastersstudents, based at Tyndall. The graduate student body currently consistsof students from 22 different countries. The overall breakdown of nation-alities is: 42% Irish nationals, 27% from EU countries other than Ireland,and 31% from outside the EU. The gender balance is currently 71% maleand 29% female.

We continue to host students from a range of academic departmentsand institutes. The composition of the student body well suits Tyndall’sresearch mission. Notably, the number of PhD candidates researching

topics in chemistry has increased substantially in recent years, leading toa healthy balance between our core disciplines of electrical engineering,microelectronics, physics and chemistry.

Graduate Education

Students by Academic Department/Institute 2010.�

Page 33: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 31

The graduate supervision procedure introduced by Tyndall has becomeone of the models used by University College Cork in formulating itsguidelines for supervision teams and structured reporting for PhDstudents. We continue to work with our academic partners to refine ourprocedure and to ensure a consistent implementation for all graduatestudents hosted at Tyndall.

Tyndall is spearheading two National Graduate Education Programmes:INSPIRE (Integrated Nanoscience Platform for Ireland) and ICGEE (Inter-national Centre for Graduate Education in Micro- and Nano-Engineering).Significant effort is being invested in developing a nanoengineeringcurriculum that can be shared between all Irish Universities and Instit-utes of Technology, and to develop a model where sharing of modules(sets of lectures) can be seamlessly exchanged between participatinginstitutions. The INSPIRE and ICGEE consortia jointly organised the“Fabrication to Application” school which took place at Tyndall during2010. More than 50 graduate students participated at the event, duringwhich leading national and international experts shared their knowledgeon the latest topics in research including Nanofabrication, Nanoelectronics,Nano for Health applications, Photonics for ICT, Applications andIntegration (micro-machines) and Business & Innovation. Experts alsoprovided insights on how laboratory concepts and ideas were beingbrought to manufacture or used to launch new and innovative venturesby industrialists.

Tyndall Graduate Education management is currently working withour academic partners in UCC to develop custom PhD training. Our goalis to enhance technical training that matches the nature of Tyndall’s crossdisciplinary PhD projects and to introduce students to concepts in inno-

vation and entrepreneurship. The proposal is at an advanced stage andwe anticipate all Tyndall-hosted students will participate in structuredPhD training in the near future.

“Tyndall’s graduate community continued to excel during the year, with20 candidates successfully passing their PhD vivas and Tyndall studentscompeting for and winning several prestigious prizes.”

Page 34: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 32

What Our Students Say About Tyndall...Merid LegessePhD Student, Theory, Modelling & Design CentreGraduate Degree: MSc Materials Science, Addis Ababa University, EthiopiaPhD Research: Simulation of Nanowires for Photovoltaics

“I have been here one semester, I enjoy the interactions with my peers and my supervisors. I havelearned so much just through my involvement with people from various backgrounds. I have metmany new friends that I not only interact with inside of the Tyndall, but outside as well.”

Micki MitchellPhD Student, Micro/Nanoelectronics CentreGraduate Degree: Bsc (Hon) in Medical Biotechnology, Sligo Institute of TechnologyPhD Research: Development & Optimisation of Photonic Crystal based Nanosensors

“I found this project online. Tyndall has a very good reputation internationally and there is some fabulous work going on. I would advise potential students to think carefully about the research project -you will invest a lot of your time and energy, make sure it's what you want to do and enjoy doing!”

Lorenzo MereniPhD Student, Photonics CentreGraduate Degree: Masters in Electronic Engineering, University of Firenze (Florence), ItalyPhD Research: Site Controlled Quantum Dots

“I had heard about Tyndall as I was already in Ireland and Tyndall kept popping up as a centre of excellence for research. For me, the best things include the lab facilities and the availability of a wide range of equipment. As well as that, Tyndall provides a friendly environment!”

Seán O’ConnellMasters Student, Microsystems CentreGraduate Degree: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, UCCMasters Research: Development of a Multi Radio Platform for Wireless Sensor Networks

“After completing my undergraduate degree I participated in a CLARITY Internship in Tyndall. This enabled me to see first-hand the research being undertaken here. I was extremely impressed by the diversity of the research projects and the experience helped develop my interest in my chosen area of study.”

Page 35: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 33

Student Awards & PrizesThe annual Tyndall Postgraduate

Poster Competition attracted 30

entries this year. The event is organ-

ised by the Postgraduate Student

Committee and judged by the Tyndall

Board. First prize was awarded to

Karen Dawson. Karen Dawson, a

PhD student in the Nanotechnology

group, won 1st prize for her research

on: “Direct Electrochemical Detection

of H2O2 at Single Gold Nanowire

Electrode Sensors”. Karen also received joint 1st prize at the INSPIRE/

ICGEE summer school poster competition.

Azrilawani Ahmad, PhD student

in the Life Sciences Interface group

won the best poster presenter

award at the United Kingdom-

Malaysia-Ireland Engineering Science

Conference (UMIES) held in Queens

University Belfast, Northern Ireland in

June 2010. Her poster was entitled

“Cytotoxicity Monitoring of Benzo[a]

-pyrene using Impedance Cell-based

Biosensor”.

Ki-Yeol Byun, a PhD student in the

Advanced Materials Systems group,

won the European Materials Research

Society Young Scientist Award at

the 2010 E-MRS Spring meeting,

in recognition of his outstanding

paper on “Post-Si CMOS Electronic

Devices: The Role of Ge and III-V

materials”.

Mark Daly, a student in the Quantum Optics group, won the Institute

of Physics in Ireland Rosse Medal for graduate research for his poster

on “Laser Cooling and Trapping of Neutral Alkali Metals”.

Francesco Dicorato, a PhD student

in the Life Sciences Interface group,

won first prize for his poster at the

INSPIRE postgraduate workshop in

UCD. His poster was entitled: “Devel-

opment of a Modular Integrated

System with Amperometric Detection

for Capillary Electrophoresis”.

Brice Jamieson, a PhD student in the Microelectronics Applications

Integration group, won the best commercial ‘pitch’ of PhD research, as

part of the PG6006 Commercialisation Skills for Research module.

This generic skills module gives PhD students an understanding of the

relationship between research and commercial opportunity. Brice, with

a presentation entitled “Power Supply on a Chip – Next Generation

Inductive Components”, won the best presentation prize, which was

sponsored by the Cork City Enterprise Board.

Chi-Woo Lee, a PhD student in the Silicon Research group, received

the best paper award at the IEEE NANO 2010 workshop in Korea for

his research on“Nanowire Zero-Capacitor DRAM Transistors With and

Without Junctions”

At the 12th International Conference of

Advanced Materials & Technologies,

Olan Lotty and Colm O’Regan of

the Supercritical Fluids group were

presented with prizes for their posters

entitled “Controllable Synthesis of

Single Crystalline Uniform Arrays of

Silicon Nanowires”, and “Electro Micro-

scopy Analysis of Nanoscale Materials”

respectively.

The 2010 BOC Gases Bursary Award was presented to Eamon

O’Connor, a PhD student with the Silicon Research group. Eamon

was presented with the award for his work on “High Dielectric Constant

Thin Films on III-V Semiconductors for Future CMOS Processes”.

Aileen O’Mahony, a PhD student in the Advanced Materials Systems

group, was awarded a student travel grant to present at the 218th

meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS). Aileen’s research concerns

Atomic Layer Deposition of High-k Oxides for application in electronics.

Colm O’Regan�

From left to right: Professor Roger Whatmore, CEO Tyndall; Eamonn O’Connor PhDstudent receiving BOC Gases Bursary Prize from Mr. Gerry O’Donovan, BusinessDirector, BOC Gases.

Karen Dawson�

Azrilawani Ahmad�

Ki-Yeol Byun�

Francesco Dicorato�

Page 36: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Page 34

Anna Paschero, a PhD student in

the Life Sciences Interface group,

won an award for her oral presenta-

tion at the NanoBioTox conference

in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Anna

is investigating the development of

an integrated sensor platform to

monitor cell behaviour for screening

of anti cancer drugs.

Laura Russell, a PhD student in

the Quantum Optics group, was

awarded the Shell and Institute of

Physics Very Early Career Woman

Physicist Award (for UK and Ireland)

in recognition of her scientific

and outreach contributions. Laura’s

research explores the behaviour of

“cold” atoms using pioneering new

micro-optic technology.

Amy Watkins, a student in the Quantum Optics group, received the

2010 Incubic/Milton Chang Travel Award from the Optical Society of

America. She was awarded this for her research on “Atom Optics

Tools: Optical Nanofibres, Microspheres and Microbubble Resonators”.

Ran Yan, a PhD student in the Silicon Research group, received the

best paper award at the 10th Electron Technology Conference ELTE 2010

for her research on “Performance Analysis of SOI Junctionless Nanowire

Transistors”.

Liqiang Zheng, a PhD student

in the Heterogeneous Systems Inte-

gration group, received an Excellent

Paper award at the International

Symposium on Embedded Systems

Design and Applications (ESDA) 2010

for his work on “Miniaturization of

Wireless Sensor Network Nodes”.

PhD Theses 2010Mark CrowleyElectronic & Optical Properties of InAS/GaAs Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Mary McCarthyPhase Estimate Receiver for Full-Field Detection

Courtney Collins Liquid-Liquid Extraction and Detection of Drug Molecules

Pawel Sajewicz Investigation of Loss Mechanisms in Edge Emitting Semiconductor Laser Diodes

Ronan Meere Magnetics on Silicon for Power Supply-on-Chip

Zbigniew OlszewkiDielectric Charging in RF MEMS Capacitive Switches

Rathnait LongA Study of the Electronic and Structural Properties of the High-k/In0.53Ga0.47As System

Yan LaiAntimony as Source/Drain Extension Dopant for Relaxed and Strained Si MOSFETs

Saeid DaneshgarObservations Concerning the Locking Range in LC Injection-Locked Frequency Dividers

Kamil GradkowskiInfluence of Coulomb Interactions on Emission Dynamics in Semiconductor Quantum Dot Systems

Tamjid ChowdhuryElectrodeposited Copper Composites for Advanced IC Interconnect

Iris ChoiQuantum Key Distribution on Multi-User Optical Networks

Brice Jamieson Integrated Magnetics for Future DC-DC Microprocessor Power Delivery

Ran (Ruby) YanA Study of Doping Schemes and Fluctuations in Nanoscale SOI Devices

Wenbin ChenElectrical Characterisation of Novel High-k Materials

Jakub Baran A Theoretical Study of Organometallic Molecules on Metal Surfaces

Chi-Woo Lee Physics and Characterisation of Silicon Nanowire FETs

Shane O'Donoghue Characterisation and Optimisation of Passively Mode-Locked QuantumDot Semiconductor Lasers

Cleitus Antony 10Gb/s Burst Mode Transmission in Long Reach Passive Optical Networks

Boyang DingDevelopment of Heterogeneous and Hybrid Opal-Based 3-DimensionalPhotonic Crystals for Extended Light Moulding and Trapping

Anna Paschero�

Laura Russell�

Liqiang Zheng�

Page 37: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Section 7

Page 35

Financial

Income & Expenditure Summary

INCOME 2010 2009 €’000 €’000

Government Grant 3,000 3,415

Research 27,963 28,528

UCC Contribution 2,235 2,231 33,198 34,174

EXPENDITURE 2010 2009 €’000 €’000

Remuneration Costs 16,192 17,343

Equipment and Infrastructure 5,013 7,495

Consumables and Related Costs 6,338 6,765

Other Operating and Deferred Costs 5,655 2,571

33,198 34,174

Page 38: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Sect

ion 8

Page 36

Tyndall Board

Back Row (From Left to Right)

Mr. Brendan Cremen (UCC), Mr. Ian Quinn (Creganna-Tactx Medical), Mr. Martin Cronin (Forfás),

Mr. Martin Shanagher (Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation) and Mr. Kevin Fielding (Alta Berkeley)

Front Row (From Left to Right)

Prof. Jim Merz (University of Notre Dame), Dr. Alastair Glass (Chairman), Prof. Roger Whatmore (CEO, Tyndall)

and Ms. Geraldine Kelly (rXi Ventures)

Missing from Photo: Professor John McCanny (Queens University Belfast) and Dr. Danielle Merfeld (General Electric)

Page 39: Tyndall Annual Report 2010
Page 40: Tyndall Annual Report 2010

Tyndall National Institute,

University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland

Telephone: +353 21 4904177 • Email: [email protected]

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