U2B Issue 3 Page 4

The University’s new Ł20 million Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC) was launched at the Magee campus. It will play an important role in Northern Ireland’s global competitiveness, according to Nigel Dodds, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

It’s the largest single research investment in the 150-year history of the campus, and will attract scientists of international calibre from across the world, positioning Northern Ireland as a world leader in intelligent systems research, including the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics.

The multi-million pound Centre is a major expansion of the existing Intelligent Systems research group on the campus in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems. The project represents the culmination of a four-year development and appraisal process, and will lead to approximately 100 top researchers being located in the Centre when recruitment is complete.

Invest NI has offered the University Ł7.2 million of funding, Ł1.1m of which is from the Centres of Excellence programme, with a further Ł6.1 million from the Integrated Development Fund, coordinated by Ilex, the urban regeneration company for the city.

Professor Martin McGinnity, Director of the Centre, said: “Our work sounds very theoretical – but there are many sectors of industry where our research work and findings are immediately applicable. Here at Magee we’ve always had a close relationship with industry – and that’s a link we intend to expand as the Centre grows in strength and international recognition.”

For more details please contact Professor Martin McGinnity, Director, Intelligent Systems Research Centre, telephone 028 7137 5616 or email tm.mcginnity@ulster.ac.uk

The Heart of the Matter

Bluescope Medical Technologies has partnered with the University to research and develop a revolutionary system for heart and lung function monitoring, which is set to offer significant improvements in the accuracy of diagnosis provided by conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) systems.

The initial research project has been funded by Lisburn City Council through the Innovation Promoters Programme. The Programme aims to stimulate innovation among businesses through technical support and expertise provided by the University.

Dr Dewar Finlay, School of Computing and Mathematics, said: “Although the ECG is a well established tool for the detection of cardiac abnormality, there is still considerable research effort being directed at finding new ways of optimising and making this approach more accurate. The aim of the current work is to use more information than would be recorded using the conventional 12-lead ECG to provide a more accurate diagnosis.”

Dr Peter Donnelly, Bluescope Medical Technologies, concluded: “The University has brought a body of research and considerable knowledge to supporting Bluescope’s technology platform and product portfolio and we can certainly see a long-term partnership developing.”

To find out how the University can develop your business, contact Elaine Lackermeier, UU Business Liaison Office, telephone 028 9036 4802 or email e.lackermeier@ulster.ac.uk

LOOPLAA Switched On

Rachel O’Neill, a local creative entrepreneur who uses quirky and unusual materials to create exciting contemporary textile and lighting pieces, recently took part in NESTA’s (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) Insight Out Programme.

The programme was managed and delivered in Northern Ireland by the University’s Cultural Development department and is an initiative that has been specifically designed to help graduates from the creative industries develop innovative business ideas. The initiative is sympathetic to the mindset of those from the creative industries, seeing the development of a new business as a design project and not just as a financial exercise.

LOOPLAA Through the Insight Out Programme Rachel has developed her lampshades into an exciting kit called LOOPLAA. The idea for a kit spawned from peoples reactions to her work through exhibitions and commissions. The Programme allowed incubation time for the development of LOOPLAA, and with expert advice from Programme mentors, Rachel secured Ł5,000 in a Dragon’s Den type bid and has used the money to launch the LOOPLAA product range.

Rachel said: “Each piece in the LOOPLAA range is bold and adventurous, using materials which lend themselves to being pushed into lots of different environments, creating evocative mood-enhancing lighting.”
To build the profile of the product launch, Rachel designed chandeliers to ‘light up’ the catwalk for Belfast FASHIONWEEK, Northern Ireland’s annual fashion showcase. The event took place this year in the Baby Grand at the Opera House and LOOPLAA was key to the creation of a stylish and contemporary environment to host the fashion extravaganza.

If you have a project you would like to discuss, contact the Business Liaison Office, telephone 028 9036 8019 or email enquiry@ulster.ac.uk