| 1999 |  |
YEAR BOOK |
| 1999 | |
YEAR BOOK |
Institute of Technology, Tralee
Noel Mulligan
Institute of Technology, Tralee - a Centre for Applied Research and Product Development
Farming on the waves may become farming below the waves. The Chemical and Life Sciences Department of the Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT), is a Centre for Research and Development on what can be loosely describe as the National Resources Area. Surrounded as we are in the southwest with what are substantial natural land and marine resources, it is perhaps not surprising that the Institute has found lots of opportunities to develop its expertise and research infrastructure in this area. From research into environmental issues, waste management, food, agriculture and marine resources, the emphasis has been of an applied nature and often involves significant levels of product development and commercialisation. Product development and the industry focus of ITT activities are also reflected in its undergraduate courses, where for example a new BSc in Analytical Science with Product and Process Development has been launched. Research undertaken by ITT is supported through a diverse range of grants, including Enterprise Ireland Applied Research Programme grants and the Marine Institute Marine Research Measures Awards. Located close to the sea, in a region with significant marine resources by international standards, research into fisheries and aquaculture resources figures highly. Investigations of the importance and impact of fisheries, aquaculture and sea-angling resources have recently been undertaken. Development of aquaculture technology is included here, with two projects aimed at assisting salmon farming at sea. One project involves the design and development of a submerged fish cage system, while another research initiative will see the production of a devise to allow fish cage nets to be cleaned in situ, with major benefits to the environment and profitability. Marine algae resources represent a particular area of research where significant successes are being achieved. Kerry has a large coastline and extensive seaweed resources. Research into the extraction of alginates has lead to projects on the use of extracted gels in the development of hydroseeding technology. This can be used to facilitate the recolonisation of disturbed and poor soil terrain with grasses to prevent erosion, and has a wide range of applications from restoring overgrazed mountain pastures to reinstatement of land works associated with mining and major road developments.
In Tralee, algal gels are being used in the development of food ingredients and also in the medical devices area, where they have uses in the treatment of bedsore, in prostheses and in cosmetic surgery. All these areas are leading, or already have led, to commercialisation. The Institute has expertise in animal breeding programmes, particularly where it comes to aquatic species, and has been successful in getting funding for salmon breeding research. Another aquaculture species, the mussel, is also the subject of a study. The commercial value of mussel stocks in Tralee Bay is suffering because of the presence of a pest, known as pea-crab. The project will identify methods of relieving the negative impact of pea-crabs on the mussel stock. As well as having significant marine potential, the southwest has also benefited from its unique climate, which has favoured the growth of a new industry, namely the production of foliage for the bouquet business. ITT has a number of applied research projects that are addressing the new industry’s research priorities in the areas of propagation, breeding, cultivation, pest controls, quality and harvesting. Not only are cultivated varieties being studied but also new product development initiatives are being pursued using wild grown varieties such as Lodgepole Pine, Holly and Rhododendron. The environment continues to be the focus of much attention in the area of applied research. Oil pollution control technology developed over the years is now being commercialised after earlier R&D identifying the oil absorption properties of waste bird feathers and a method of using feathers for oil spill control. Continuing the theme of environmental protection, the Institute is introducing the "Constructed Wetland Systems" approach to wastewater management. This follows years of R&D into biofiltration systems for waste-water from industry and domestic sources.
Wetland plants can control wastewater in an attractive arrangement of ponds. The theme of pollution control is also the central theme to the R&D project on the identification of new locally sourced media for use in air bio-filtration used in the control of off-gases from waste-water treatment. As well as developing food ingredient applications for seaweed extracts, applied research relevant to the food industry includes three other studies currently underway. The development of tests for freshness based on Histamine determination should yield a new rapid test kit that can be commercialised. In-process real time determination of glucose is being researched in a project where a new electrode sensor is being developed for the food industry. A project to find added value uses for yeast left over from brewing is also underway. The Institute’s successes, as well as being supported and facilitated by national funding sources, have grown substantially out of the co-operation with private sector enterprises which confidently provided the matching funds necessary to allow grants to be won. For further information, contact: Dr N. Mulligan;
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