Three University of Limerick-led teams will compete in the National Challenge Fund competition aimed at solving problems relating to Ireland’s Green Transition and Digital Transformation.
The National Challenge Fund calls on researchers to identify problems related to Ireland’s Green Transition and Digital Transformation and work with those directly affected to solve them.
Three teams spearheaded by UL researchers and two other teams involving UL personnel will focus on problems relating to innovation in the energy sector, cyber tech, and the impact the digital transformation will have on society and on ways to ensure a healthy environment.
Dr James Sweeney, Department of Mathematics and Statistics will lead the project entitled ‘Real-time prediction of GREEN electricity generation potential from renewables for optimised GRID management (GREEN-GRID)’. Collaborating with Prof. Vikram Pakrashi in UCD.
Dr Matthias Vandichel, Department of Chemical Sciences will be leading the project ‘GEOTHERMAL: Sustainable Geothermal Energy as zero-fuel alternative for heat pumping, storage and power generation’, along with his colleague Prof Vivek Ranade.
Dr Meghana Kshirsagar, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems will be leading out on ‘Unleashing the Power of AI and Digital Twins in Emergency Care: A vision for the future (ALTER)’ collaborating with Dr Alison O’Connor, School of Engineering
Prof Thomas Newe, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering will be working with a team lead Prof Donna O’Shea from the Munster Technological University on ‘Cyber Shock – Building Ireland’s Cyber Resilience against Cyber Attacks’.
Professor Maurice Collins, School of Engineering, will be collaborating with a team lead Dr Yuanyuan Chen from Technological University of the Shannon on ‘Traceless: Developing fully biodegradable tree-supporting products with controlled release of fertilizers and pesticides to avoid microplastic and chemical pollution’.
The teams will spend an initial six months working to refine their ideas.
Congratulating the recipients Professor Norelee Kennedy, Vice President for Research at UL, said: “This announcement highlights UL’s commitment to making important contributions to the grand challenges that we, as a society, are facing. The successful UL teams are using their creativity and innovation to develop solutions to these challenges. Through our Wisdom for Action Research Strategy, we are expanding the supportive environment for research-led activities so that teams can realise their potential and deliver impactful, excellent research.”
Announcing the successful teams Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris said: “These teams have presented ingenious ideas and committed their talents to working for the benefit of the people of Ireland.
“We see examples in the news most days of why Ireland needs to work at the green transition and digital transformation and ensure that our innovation and research prepare the country for the future.
“In fact, the solutions being worked on in all eight challenges in the National Challenge Fund have the potential not just to improve life here in Ireland, but across Europe and around the world.”
Science Foundation Ireland Director General Philip Nolan added: “SFI is very pleased with the response to the National Challenge Fund calls and we are happy to be supporting these teams as they embark on an intense period of engaged research, refining and validating their solutions. We have learnt from our previous challenge-based funding that teams can make huge strides in very short periods of time.
“The individual problems these teams have identified tally closely with some of the submissions we received from the public during the Creating Our Future campaign, so I look forward to seeing these ideas developed in ways that can improve everyday life in Ireland.”
The National Challenge Fund is divided into four broad categories:
- Digital for Resilience – a challenge to gain deeper insights and better understanding of the origins and potential impacts of future environmental, social or economic scenarios, and prepare for future shock events
- OurTech – a challenge to strengthen the connections between people, their communities and with government
- Energy Innovation – a challenge to develop solutions that will accelerate Ireland’s transition to a clean and secure energy system
- A Healthy Environment for All – a challenge to restore and maintain a resilient environment that ensures clean and healthy air, water and soil for humans, animals, and plants
It was established under the government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The fund is coordinated and administered by Science Foundation Ireland.