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Contract Research Unit (CRU)

Contract Research Unit

About

The ATU Contract Research Unit (CRU)  as part of the Research Office provides a dedicated outreach Research & Innovation support to regional enterprises, communities and individuals.

We offer

Advice on funding initiatives available

Assistance with funding applications

Providing or sourcing the technical skills to develop your project

Key Focus Areas

Design

Design assistance for new or improved products or processes

Analysis & Optimisation

Analysis and optimisation of resource, energy & waste streams

Innovative Waste/Recycling systems

Innovative Waste reduction/recycling systems

Renewable Energy & Sustainable

Renewable energy and sustainable technologies

Prototyping

CAD design and 3D prototyping

Research Development & Innovation

Enterprise Ireland Innovation Supports

Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland’s public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small businesses.

€10,000 Voucher for Innovation Projects

Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland’s public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small businesses. Innovation Vouchers worth €10,000 are available to assist a company or companies to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider. ATU Sligo is a registered Knowledge Provider with Enterprise Ireland and has completed numerous projects for SMEs based in the north-west region through the Innovation Voucher Initiative and other higher value collaborative Innovation Partnership funding programs. Full details of these funding schemes can be found at  http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Research-Innovation/Companies/Collaborate-with-companies-research-institutes/Innovation-Voucher.shortcut.html

If your company has an innovative idea, product, process or service development that you think could benefit from a €10,000 Innovation Voucher, our Contract Research Unit is here to help and discuss your requirements in confidence. Projects range from development of a brand new product to the introduction of a more sustainable process or work practice. With access to ATU Sligo’s extensive engineering & science expertise, we can help your business benefit from R&D assistance.

If your company has an innovative idea, product, process or service development that you think could benefit from a €5,000 Innovation Voucher, our Contract Research Unit is here to help and discuss your requirements in confidence. Projects range from development of a brand new product to the introduction of a more sustainable process or work practice. With access to ATU Sligo’s extensive engineering & science expertise, we can help your business benefit from R&D assistance.

We offer:

  • Advice on funding initiatives available
  • Assistance with funding applications
  • Sourcing the expertise to develop your idea

Research & Development supports:

  • Design assistance for new or improved products or processes
  • CAD design and 3D prototyping
  • Analysis of resource, energy & waste streams
  • Sustainable construction e.g. new or improved building materials/methods
  • Innovative Waste reduction/recycling systems
  • Renewable energy and sustainable technologies

 

Do you have a RD&I need?

The Contract Research Unit (CRU) as part of the Research Office of IT Sligo provides dedicated technical Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) support to regional enterprises, communities and individuals.

The Contract Research Unit (CRU) as part of the Research Office of ATU Sligo provides dedicated technical Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) support to regional enterprises, communities and individuals.

You may have a new concept, an idea sitting on a shelf, a project in development or you may simply be looking for a solution to a new or ongoing problem.  Our core technical team are here to help you.  Contact one of our staff and we will work with you to define your needs and recommend the next steps.

Contract Research Unit
Room G1004, Innovation Centre, Atlantic Technological University Sligo.

CRU Projects​

Below is a list of some of the projects the CRU are involved in:

SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC)

Regional coordinator for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme for the Border and West Regions.

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AMS-FLOW

AMS-FLOW (Anchor and Mooring Selection for Floating Offshore Wind) offers improvements to met ocean characterisation methodologies to ensure a precise understanding of design conditions and advancements in anchor and mooring performance.

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Lower Carbon Lower Cost

A collaborative project between ATU CRU, Local Enterprise Offices in Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. To help SMEs to lower their carbon footprint.

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AgroRES

The main objective is to develop measures that encourage the production and use of RE in the agricultural and rural sector. AgroREs will support this sector by solving its energy needs in a sustainable, economic viable and socially responsible way.

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Local Energy Agencies for Peripheral Regions

This project proposes to create 3 Local Energy Agencies in the North and West of Ireland to support “integrated home renovation services”. Our target region includes counties Donegal, Leitrim & Sligo west county Galway.

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SYMBIOMA

The project aims to kick start a circular transformation and make a measurable contribution to delivering the boost in economic development, environmental services and entrepreneurial innovation in rural areas.

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REDWoLF

The RED WoLF project will increase renewables’ usage and reduce carbon emissions for homes with photovoltaic solar panels, ‘smart’ technology through which the houses hybrid storage systems will be able to communicate with the grid.

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CEANGAL

Community Based Decentralised Renewable Energy Systems and Supporting Structures for Improving Electricity Access in Low-Income Countries

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Northwest Energy Communities Start-up

The project is designed to work directly with active communities that have not yet focused on energy. Its aim is to encourage those communities to become energy citizens and play an active role in their own energy future.

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CREST

CREST, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies.EU funded cross-border project aiming to help companies in the region to develop or adopt new renewable energy and sustainable technologies, through the provision of targeted support and facilities.

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Case Studies

Voya Seaweed Baths
VOYA mix heated mains water with cold sea water for their seaweed baths, adding to the mineral qualities of the bath and enhancing the customer experience. The seawater is currently pumped into a tank at the rear of their facility, using a submersible pump on the seafront when tide and weather conditions permit. An innovation to the process is possible by drilling a well to draw seawater from the salt water intrusion which is commonplace in coastal zones.
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Northwest Aluminium (NWA) LTD
NWA sought expertise to further develop their dry ridge roofing system for a range of roof types including plain tile and slate mediums. This required a build -up of the fixing mechanism to be represented in a 3D format for ease of understanding to the end user. The existing drainage gasket was also optimised to present its functionality when fixed.
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ATA Air Tools
ATA have sought assistance form the Contract Research Unit to research design optimisation of the key components and performance of the motor, specifically the turbine, the power output and rotational speed.
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Biofriendly
The aim is to improve the system performance without changing the overall size of the current product, in order to avoid significant retooling costs. Contract Research Unit investigated and examined design and treatment process improvements which have the potential to provide a measurable improvement in the performance.
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Glenfarne Wood Products
Developing an outdoor Eco-classroom product to suit the Preschool and Primary School market. Introduce additional add-on features to enhance ecological, energy, waste management, biodiversity and sustainability awareness and to act as interactive teaching aids.
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McCauely Wood Fuels
Drying wood chip fuel to meet potential market demand for MC < 30%. Contract Research Unit (CRU) carried out research of relevant wood chip drying technologies to identify suitable solutions for the MWF facility. These include research of capital and operating costs and financial incentives.
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Merenda
Merenda continually strive to optimise their internal processes and develop new techniques and product lines. One of Merenda’s specialist products involves the application of a primer coating to one side of an ABS polymer sheet. The ABS sheet is delivered to the priming line from a continuous roll. The liquid primer is delivered to a set of two rollers. One of the rollers has a compressible surface which spreads the primer over the ABS sheet, and this operation is currently manually controlled. Merenda sought to incorporate a cost effective primer thickness measurement system to provide enhanced control and cost management of this product.
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Tubbercurry Engineering
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and consumption and a walk-through energy audit of the factory. The audit found that the offices could benefit from retrofitting. In particular, roof and wall insulation. The company could also reduce their carbon emissions by investing in solar PV and an electric fleet of vehicles. The Lower Cost, Lower Carbon initiative funded an internal factory and office lighting upgrade.
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Triskell Seafood
Triskell Seafood Ltd installed a 12.375kWp roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system which consisted of 33 PV panels and a 10kW inverter. Lower Carbon Lower Cost provided Triskell Seafood Ltd with technical support from Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) and financial support from the Local Enterprise Office Sligo. ATU CRU carried out an energy audit which included a solar PV assessment on Triskell Seafood Ltd’s facility. The audit found that there was potential for solar PV to reduce energy consumption on site.
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Théa Pharma
Théa Pharma has carried out a high-quality building upgrade for their new office and administration centre in Castlebar. Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) met with Théa to review technology options for the building systems.
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Strand Campus
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and an inspection of the Campus. The campus was built in the 1990s and could benefit from significant retrofitting. Specifically, roof & wall insulation, heat pump/s to replace the oil boiler, glazing and solar PV should be considered. The Lower Carbon Lower Cost initiative funded an internal and external lighting upgrade. 72W 600 SQ fluorescent luminaires were replaced with 28W 600 SQ LED panels.
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Sligo Glass
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of their energy bills and a walk-through energy audit of their factory and fleet of vans. Several recommendations were made where they could reduce their carbon footprint, including recycling waste glass and a move to an electric fleet of vans. An internal LED lighting upgrade was carried out. In addition to reducing electricity costs, a significant improvement in light quality has been observed.
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My Kitchen by Sham Hanifa
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and an inspection of the new café. My Kitchen could benefit from installing solar PV panels, LED lighting and installing a Heat Recovery system to extract heat from vented air to provide hot water. A solar PV analysis and research into suitable heat recovery systems were produced as part of Lower Carbon Lower Cost. The project supported the installation of LED lighting.
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McSharry TRACK
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills, a walk-through audit and an assessment of potential actions that could reduce their carbon footprint. A lighting survey was included. McSharry’s have a large premises with offices, workshops, a warehouse, and a number of yards. Areas, where carbon savings could be made include a solar PV installation and a switch to electric vehicles (EV).
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Kilgallon Stairs
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) reviewed the Kilgallon Stairs’ carbon impact by looking at their energy, water, waste and materials. The ATU CRU carried out a bills analysis, solar analysis and a basic building audit. Considering the work already carried out the primary opportunity identified was to focus on the electrification of their fleet. Kilgallon Stairs was provided with a specification for an EV charger.
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Hawk’s Well Theatre
The Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and an energy inspection of the theatre. The theatre management is very energy conscience and through the Lower Carbon, Lower Cost programme we explored ways to reduce space heating emissions, waste e.g. alternatives to disposable plastic cups that are used to dispense drinks from the bar, and water consumption. In collaboration with management and the technical team, the most suitable LED light replacement for 1200-watt bulbs was sourced.
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Call of the Wild
Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and an inspection of the business. The main opportunity identified for Call of the Wild to reduce their costs and carbon footprint was a lighting upgrade to replace their existing fluorescent tubes with LED fittings. ATU CRU carried out an analysis which indicated this upgrade would achieve a potential reduction of over 40% of total electricity use in the business, i.e. a saving of approx. 8,000 kWh annually, saving the business over €1,900 each year (based on electricity unit costs in 2021).
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Blackshell Farm
Atlantic Technological University Contract Research Unit (ATU CRU) carried out a review of the energy bills and an inspection of the netting facility. An electricity monitor was installed to accurately measure the electricity demand. This enabled a well-matched specification for a Solar PV system to optimise the use of the generated electricity at the facility, thereby maximising the return on investment.
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Case Studies

Contract Research Unit Webinars

Click on the videos below to play the webinar or for a full list of all our webinars please visit our Youtube channel.

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Contract Research Unit Team

Mel Gavin

RD&I Coordinator

✉️ mel.gavin@nullatu.ie

Leo Murray

RD&I Engineer

✉️ leo.murray@nullatu.ie
☎ +353 (0)87 2729224

Paul McNama

RD&I Engineer

✉️Paul.McNama@nullatu.ie

Ken Russell

RD&I Engineer

✉️ken.russell@nullatu.ie

Eve Hughes

Community Energy Engineer

✉️Eve.Hughes@nullatu.ie

Patrina McCarthy

CRU Research Administrator

✉️patrina.mccarthy@nullatu.ie

Peadar Geelan

Retrofit Ready Trainer

✉️  Peadar.Geelan@nullatu.ie

 

Dr John Bartlett

Head of Research

✉️ john.bartlett@nullatu.ie

 

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ATU Contract Research Unit

Room G1004, Innovation Centre, Atlantic Technological University Sligo.