The EU's first Digital Wellbeing Award programme for primary and secondary schools was launched today, with a school in Rush, Co. Dublin, becoming the first to be awarded the accolade.

The Awards framework has been developed by Digital Schools Awards in conjunction with webwise.ie along with the backing of major tech companies HP and AMD for this unique education-industry partnership.

St Joseph's Secondary School, Rush, took part in the pilot programme for the initiative and in doing so became the first school to be awarded the Special Recognition Badge. Today's launch is putting a call out to all national and secondary schools in Ireland to join the Digital Wellbeing Award initiative.

What is the Digital Wellbeing Award

Open to register and free to all schools in Ireland, the awards programme underscores Ireland's commitment to fostering healthier digital habits. To achieve the award, schools must show that they have set out and adopted a whole-school digital well-being strategy. Through practical support and access to resources, the programme will help participants to build positive attitudes and behaviours and to be able to anticipate, recognise, recover and learn from online risks.

Special Recognition Badge

To attain a Special Recognition Badge for Digital Wellbeing, schools must complete a self-assessment to identify their expertise. Where gaps in the knowledge exist, Digital Schools Awards will provide the necessary guidance to achieve accreditation. The stand-alone badge will be available to all schools that demonstrate a strategic approach to cyber resilience and internet safety.

Digital Wellbeing at Grassroots Level

Recent research by the UCD School of Medicine looking at the level of digital skills among children aged 10 and 11 found those with a safe and positive understanding of technology and smart devices enjoyed overall higher levels of contentment compared to their less digital-savvy peers.

The Digital Wellbeing Awards will help schools to support students with the knowledge and tools to be responsible and confident online.

According to Anna Doody of the Digital Schools Awards, "The Digital Wellbeing Awards framework provides the roadmap, resources, and support to help each and every school build tailored practices that promote healthy technology use and a positive digital culture. It's so important that schools embrace a digital wellbeing programme that works for their students and teachers, and we are looking forward to a much-expanded level of participation in the upcoming year."

Paul McKiernan, Lead Security Advisor EMEA, HP, said: "In this European Year of Digital Citizenship Education, HP is proud to support the Digital Wellbeing Awards. Through this national awards scheme, students graduate not only as proficient digital users but also as ethical and responsible digital citizens. We encourage all schools to get involved in these awards and take advantage of the fantastic support being offered."

Donal Harford, Sales Manager EMEA, AM,D said: "The possibilities are virtually limitless for what we can achieve through advancements in science and technology over the next few decades. School pupils across Europe are the next generation of innovators and it is through programmes such as the Digital Wellbeing Awards that we can educate and inspire them to safely explore their interests and careers in digital technology."

Looking Ahead

The Digital Wellbeing Programme represents a significant investment in the future of Ireland's youth. As students learn to harness technology for their benefit while maintaining balance, Ireland continues to lead the way in creating a healthier, more mindful digital culture. This is a journey not a jump and will reap huge benefits in the years to come as children who have experienced digital wellbeing in schools present enhanced digital literacy, healthier digital habits, improved career readiness and the ability to adapt to technological developments.

To register for the Digital...

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI platform for business transformation, today unveiled a series of new agentic AI innovations to autonomously solve the most complex enterprise challenges. This latest breakthrough on the ServiceNow Platform acts as the AI agent control tower - one central location to analyze, manage, and govern the rapidly evolving world of agentic AI across every corner of a business. These advancements build on ServiceNow's two-decade expertise in driving exponential productivity across every person and every process by handling complex and ambiguous tasks that traditional automation cannot solve.

ServiceNow's powerful new AI Agent Orchestrator ensures teams of specialised AI agents work together across tasks, systems, and departments to achieve a specific goal. In addition, thousands of pre-built agents across IT, customer service, HR, and more, plus the new AI Agent Studio for building fully customised agents, are ready to take action and drive exponential productivity at scale. Unlike others, ServiceNow AI Agents and their capabilities are built directly into the single, trusted ServiceNow Platform, so customers' existing investments in workflow, automation, and data power agentic AI from day one. With access to billions of pieces of information and fueled by millions of automations, knowledge sources, and tools, ServiceNow AI Agents redefine productivity without limits.

IDC1 projects that 50% of organisations will use enterprise AI agents configured for specific business functions in 2025. While this promises a future where AI agents lift the burden of repetitive tasks and give people time back to focus on what really matters, many of today's agents are simply chatbots and not agentic. These single function AI agents fall short of this vision and further add to the hornet's nest of complexity - fragmented processes and siloed information stuck in outdated systems.

Because ServiceNow built agentic AI directly into its platform, ServiceNow AI Agents have access to billions of pieces of information and millions of automations across customers' instances. This enables the AI agents to quickly learn the company's knowledge and start using it right away to take effective action. ServiceNow AI Agents understand and adapt to business needs and take autonomous actions to get work done. With its single architecture, single data model, and single platform, ServiceNow's approach to agentic AI helps drive faster, smarter results across every business process.

"In a future with millions of AI agents acting as your new digital workforce, ServiceNow serves as the AI agent control tower, bringing order to chaos," said Amit Zavery, president, chief product officer and chief operating officer at ServiceNow. "Agentic AI without unification creates more complexity within an enterprise. The ability of ServiceNow AI Agents to work together on tasks that draw from multiple systems and departments truly stands out. With a single location to orchestrate agents and prevent sprawl, our AI agents collaborate like active participants at work, acting as true extensions of their human counterparts."

Conducting the AI orchestra

In this new world of agentic AI, the ServiceNow Platform serves as the AI agent control tower - a connection layer across every corner of a business - enabling ServiceNow's new AI Agent Orchestrator to elevate the way organisations operate, transforming groups of AI agents into a symphony working toward a common goal.

Unlike single function AI agents that complete only simple conversational tasks, the new ServiceNow AI Agent Orchestrator enables inter-agent communication and centralised coordination. This ensures AI agents can efficiently share information and hand off tasks regardless of where the process starts, making them indispensable for managing complex workflows.

For example, onboarding a new customer or triaging a network security incident are regular occurrences for many businesses, but they are not simp...

Hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power over the past week after Storm Éowyn battered Ireland, unleashing record-breaking winds across the country.

Some 140,000 homes are still without power this week, with ESB crews working around the clock to restore power as soon as possible to the worst hit areas.

It is predicted that more storms like Éowyn could hit Ireland in the future due to climate change, which would mean widespread electricity outages could become much more frequent.

So this begs the question - is there anything we can do to keep the electricity on after huge storms cause widespread blackouts?

On Tuesday, a Roscommon woman came up with one solution, which would allow people in rural areas to survive off the grid.

Rachel Connolly, a resident of Castlerea, told the Taoiseach that to cope with future storms, the government should provide a full grant for homes in the West to buy a residential wind turbine, two solar panels and a battery.

Renewable energy expert Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie explained that Ms Connolly was correct to point out how renewable energy can help households to keep the lights on during an outage.

"What Rachel suggests is that the government provides each resident with renewable energy systems to generate electricity, which can be stored in a battery," said Mr Kelly.

"This would mean that even if there was a widespread power outage like we saw on Friday, each home would have backup electricity stored in their battery."

"Even a small solar system of four solar panels and a battery would help keep the lights on during a power outage, and also save you hundreds per year on your electricity bills," he said.

"The battery stores excess electricity which is produced during the day, and this power can then be used later in the day, at night, or during a power outage."

Mr Kelly explained how much it would currently cost to install a small solar system comprising four solar panels on your rooftop, along with a solar battery.

"Four panels would cost in the region of €4,250 to €4,770, after receiving a grant of around €1,220."

"A solar battery could cost around €1,700 extra, taking the total cost to around €5,000."

"Although this is a significant investment, these panels could save households over €450 per year, which means that after just 12 years, it will have paid for itself.

"The great thing is that after this 12-year period, your panels will continue to produce free electricity for another 15 years."

"However, most households choose to get more than four panels, as 8 to 12 panels would save you much more per year on energy bills, and also pay for themselves in much less time."

"For example, 10 panels would qualify you for the maximum €1,800 solar grant, and this could potentially pay for itself in under 6 years."

Guest post by Matthieu Courtecuisse, founder and CEO of the global consultancy firm Sia

Some companies have already turned their eyes towards the next phase of the AI revolution, the next frontier that will follow generative AI: robots of all kinds - humanoids, drones, satellites.

CES 2025 featured one of these pillars: autonomous cars. But beyond the show and the prototypes, a concrete advancement deserves our full attention. Throughout 2024, San Francisco's autonomous taxis became one of the city's attractions. San Francisco is one of three US urban centres to have deployed the service by Waymo, Google's subsidiary, with its white fleet of driverless vehicles, sporting an unusual appearance, bristling with cameras on the roof.

Only 18 months after its launch to the general public, Waymo climbed to the top ranks of ride-hailing services in November, capturing a 20% market share - exactly matching that of Lyft, Uber's main American competitor, which lost 10 points in the process, dropping to 55%. This performance is remarkable for two reasons. First, the success of a traditional ride-hailing or taxi service relies on network effects, which in this case are measured by wait times for a ride. For now, Waymo's wait times remain noticeably longer than those of its local competitors. Second, there is no price difference, even though the service is significantly more technologically advanced.

The speed of adoption is justified by factors related to service quality, such as vehicle cleanliness, driving, safety and even the silence of the driver. Once the network effect is addressed, Waymo will be on track to become dominant, with no similar competitors, creating a ripple effect on municipalities in other countries eager to be among the next to adopt the service. At the Dealbook summit organised by The New York Times in early December, Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced the deployment of Waymo in about ten American cities, including Austin, Atlanta, and Miami. All these factors explain Waymo's latest valuation, approximately $45 billion, which served as the benchmark for its $5.6 billion funding round last October, led by its French CFO.

Pichai also emphasised that Waymo's only competitor is Tesla, with its Autopilot platform, which is currently available only in its public version with a driver. To avoid falling behind, Elon Musk's company might launch its Robotaxi model, the Cybercab, earlier than planned. This futuristic, two-seater, driverless car without a steering wheel is expected to hit the market in 2027 at a price of around $30,000. A

mazon, on the other hand, is expected to remain focused on developing fleets of autonomous trucks, whether for long-distance transport or last-mile delivery. In China, Baidu - the country's equivalent of Google - launched its "Apollo Go" service last summer in Wuhan. With 500 vehicles, it is currently the largest experiment of its kind in the world, offering rides at a 50% discount compared to human-driven taxis.

These upheavals are disrupting traditional ride-hailing and car-sharing services, which lack the financial and technological resources of the "Magnificent Seven" (Google, Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon).

The first strategic option is to form partnerships, as seen with Uber and Waymo collaborating on the deployment of autonomous taxis in Austin and Atlanta. The second option involves consolidation. Current valuations place Uber at $120 billion, Didi at $20 billion, Bolt at $8 billion, Lyft at $5 billion, and Careem slightly below that. The third option is to broaden the range of services. Rumors are circulating about a potential merger between Uber and Expedia, which itself is likely to be affected by advancements in AI-driven services.

For automakers, the rise of autonomous taxis is pushing them to accelerate their efforts in service-oriented and partnership-driven approaches. This shift has become even more evident since GM abandoned its autonomous car project, C...

The ADAPT Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology at Trinity College Dublin Announces a Public Lecture with International Expert Professor David Hickton this March

Trinity College Dublin and the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre today announced an upcoming visit of an internationally renowned expert in cybersecurity, Professor David J. Hickton of the University of Pennsylvania, in March. Professor Hickton will deliver a public lecture titled: "The Disruptive Danger of Disinformation in the Age of AI" on Wednesday 5th, March, at 5 pm in the Swift Theatre in Trinity College Dublin's Arts Building.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration here: https://forms.gle/rSNvsQaJXaccQpd66.

Professor Hickton, a former U.S. Attorney and Founding Director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, will deliver this lecture as part of his March visit to Trinity College Dublin. During his time in Dublin, he will also engage with faculty, researchers, and students, along with policymakers and other stakeholders, through workshops, guest lectures, and roundtable discussions. During his visit, Professor Hickton will also assume the role of Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin.

This timely public lecture will examine the pervasive influence of disinformation in an era defined by rapid technological advances and the rise of generative AI. Professor Hickton will explore the historical roots of disinformation, its role in undermining trust in institutions and science, and the urgent need for global cooperation to address these challenges. The lecture will also discuss potential pathways to address this growing crisis, balancing free speech with the urgent need for regulation.

Professor Hickton's visit builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last year between Trinity and the University of Pittsburgh, establishing a partnership to drive innovation in AI safety and governance. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of the digital age," said Professor John Kelleher, Director of ADAPT. "We are honoured to welcome Professor Hickton to Dublin and look forward to the rich insights and contributions he will bring."

To learn more about Professor David Hickton and his work, please visit:

https://www.cyber.pitt.edu/people/david-j-hickton-jd

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In an era where digital transformation is crucial to business success, staying ahead of the technology curve is more important than ever. That's why Ergo is proud to announce that it has recently achieved the Dell "Converged/Hyperconverged Infrastructure Services -ACP Azure" Deployment Services Competency, making it the first Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Azure certified partner in Ireland.

But why does this matter?

This certification is a testament to Ergo's ability to combine Dell's industry-leading infrastructure with Microsoft's powerful Azure cloud platform, enabling it to support businesses as they navigate their hybrid cloud journeys with unparalleled expertise. By securing this accreditation, Ergo joins an exclusive group of the world's leading IT solutions providers, further solidifying its position as a trusted partner for businesses looking to accelerate their digital transformation strategies.

The achievement also underscores Ergo's ongoing commitment to leadership in Ireland's rapidly evolving technology sector. Over the past thirty years, Ireland has attracted some of the world's biggest tech giants while also nurturing a thriving indigenous tech ecosystem. As a result, Ergo, Ireland's largest homegrown IT solutions provider, now stands proudly among these success stories. It has always been at the forefront of technological advancement, and this certification represents yet another milestone in its continuous pursuit of excellence.

Achieving the Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Azure certification required a significant investment in skills development across Ergo's engineering teams. Engineers undertook extensive training and passed rigorous assessments, ensuring they possessed the expertise needed to support complex hybrid and public cloud environments. This accomplishment was the result of strong collaboration across multiple business units, including Core IT Infrastructure, Hybrid Cloud, and Azure teams, each playing a pivotal role in the overall success of this initiative.

The successful attainment of this certification reinforces Ergo's commitment to continuous learning and development, as well as its ability to provide end-to-end cloud deployment services. With this certification, Ergo is uniquely positioned to assist organisations in optimising their hybrid, public, and multicloud environments, as well as on-premises systems, ensuring they can maximise the value of their cloud investments.

Commenting on Ergo's new certification, Tom Digan, EMEA MS Azure Cloud Lead (Europe North & DACH) at Dell, said:

"Achieving the Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Microsoft Azure certification highlights Ergo's exceptional ability to deliver integrated, high-performance solutions that address even the most complex business challenges. Over the years, Ergo has set a high standard for excellence in the planning, design, and deployment of Dell solutions. We are excited to continue working closely with one of Ireland's leading IT solutions providers as they drive innovation and digital transformation across the country."

John Murphy, Head of Hybrid Cloud at Ergo, emphasised that empowering customers through technology is central to Ergo's work:

"Obtaining the Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Azure certification highlights Ergo's steadfast commitment to innovation and excellence. By integrating Dell's state-of-the-art infrastructure with Azure's robust cloud capabilities, we are able to offer businesses the expertise and support they need to navigate their hybrid cloud journeys and accelerate their digital transformation strategies with confidence.

This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at Ergo, who remain resolute in their commitment to ensuring our customers are prepared for success today while strategically planning for tomorrow."

As Ireland's digital landscape continues to evolve, Ergo remains committed to staying at the forefront of technology, delivering best-in-class cloud solutions that d...

Wise, the international money app, today unveiled new research on the impact of scams in Ireland. It reveals that the majority of Irish people (77%) believe scam attempts increased significantly last year, with almost half of consumers (45%) targeted in the last three months of 2024 alone.

This comes as the Irish government has proposed new legislation, recommending measures such as the publication of a National Economic Crime Strategy and the development of a shared fraud database to tackle the dramatic increase in scams.

The survey of 2,000 Irish adults, conducted by Censuswide, reveals that in addition to becoming more frequent, scams are also getting harder to identify. Eighty-two per cent of Irish people think scams have become more sophisticated, and while almost three in five (58%) feel well-informed about new types of scams, most (84%) are concerned for vulnerable family or friends.

The new study shows that phone calls, text messages, and emails are the most common channels used by scammers and indicates that their tactics change depending on their target. Two in every five (39%) of 16-24 year olds received scam text messages, which is disproportionately more than any other age group.

In an effort to address this growing threat, nearly half (46%) of Irish people believe that scam awareness should become a core part of the school curriculum. Furthermore, an overwhelming 98% agree that children should be taught some form of scam awareness from an early age.

Despite expressing greater confidence in their scam-spotting abilities, men reported significantly higher average losses (€2,168.73) compared to women (€1,151.22). This is further compounded by the fact that men are less likely to admit to their family members that they have been scammed, potentially limiting the support and advice they receive.

Additionally, the report highlights a widespread lack of awareness, with 54% of Irish people unsure of where to seek assistance if they fall victim to a scam. This combination of overconfidence, reluctance to share experiences, and limited knowledge of support resources exacerbates the impact of sophisticated scams on the population.

"Education and awareness are key to combatting financial crime," said James Clements, Wise's scams and financial fraud expert. "There is no shame in being a victim of financial crime and we would encourage anyone affected by a scam to report it to their financial provider. At Wise, helping customers to protect themselves moving forward is a top priority and we are continually investing heavily in scam prevention.

"There are also convenient steps that consumers can take to protect themselves. Although three in four Irish people regularly check their financial statements for fraudulent behaviour, only a quarter (24%) have set up fraud alerts with their financial provider or credit card company, and just one in 10 (11%) have registered with identity theft monitoring services."

Over the past year, the most common scams consumers have encountered include impersonation scams (43%), online shopping scams (34%), and rental scams for things like holiday homes (15%). Though 64% say encountering scams has changed their online behaviour, nearly half (47%) of Irish consumers still make impulse purchases regularly, and less than half take preventative measures to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

"It's important for people to remain vigilant of scam attempts, especially when looking for the best deals. Our research shows most consumers find January more financially stressful than other months. Consumers can't be blamed for looking out for a bargain buy or a cheap holiday abroad as a pick-me-up. However, this can make them more vulnerable to fraudsters. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is, so it's important to look out for common red flags and to take effective preventative measures," explains Clements.

In response to the rising threat of sophisticated scams, Irish consumers have identified key ...

A new survey by Chadwicks Group, Ireland leading builders' merchants reveals that six out of ten (61%) young adults aged 16-24 are worried that AI will impact future career opportunities, and three quarters say that they are inclined to select a field that cannot be replaced by AI.1

The research was carried out among 200 young adults aged 16-24 and 250 parents to examine attitudes to the rise of AI and its role in shaping future career choices.

According to the Chadwick Group study, almost three quarters (73%) of parents would prefer their child to choose a career path that is not replaceable by AI and over a third (37%) are concerned it will reduce the number of jobs available to their children in the future. Another key concern for parents is the impact of the technology on their child's imagination and creativity. A fifth (22%) worry it will impact their ability to generate original ideas (22%) and 18% fear it will stifle creativity.

With AI being implemented across a broad range of sectors, both parents and young people believe there are some industries that are least likely to be affected. Almost half of parents (48%) and 38% of young adults believe that working in construction and having a skilled trade is not replaceable by AI. Medicine and teaching also appear to be considered future proof with 52% of parents and 41% of 16-24-year-olds citing medicine as an irreplaceable field, while 38% of parents and 40% of 16-24-year-olds think teaching roles will not be replaced.

While both cohorts surveyed have concerns around AI and its impact on future careers, both groups believe AI will have a positive impact on the future overall with 42% parents and 59% of those aged 16-24 sharing this view.

Commenting on the findings of the research Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group said:

"Our research reveals that both parents and young people have concerns about the impact of AI on future careers with almost 3 in 4 parents (73%) wanting their child to find a career path that is not replaceable by AI. Similarly, 75% of 16-24-year-olds say they are inclined to try and select a career that cannot be replaced by AI. These trends are reshaping how we think about work and have, in my view, opened the door for skilled trades to emerge as a secure, future-proof alternative.

"At Chadwicks Group, it is critical to us that we use our profile within the industry to foster growth in the construction sector. Tradespeople are the backbone of our economy, building the homes, schools, and infrastructure that our society depends on.

"We have a variety of initiatives in place to support more young people entering construction. We have a scholarship programme with the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at TU Dublin as well as a partnership with the University to support the construction of the new state-of-the-art Centre, which will redefine and revolutionise the teaching and learning of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) in Ireland. We also plan to announce further initiatives to support apprentices in the trades in the coming months."

See more stories here.

Trinity College Dublin and the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre has announced an upcoming visit of internationally renowned expert in cybersecurity, Professor David J. Hickton of the University of Pennsylvania, in March. Professor Hickton will deliver a public lecture titled: "The Disruptive Danger of Disinformation in the Age of AI" on Wednesday 5th March at 5pm in the Swift Theatre in Trinity College Dublin's Arts Building. The event is free and open to the public. Registration here: https://forms.gle/rSNvsQaJXaccQpd66

Professor Hickton, a former U.S. Attorney and Founding Director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, will deliver this lecture as part of his March visit to Trinity College Dublin. During his time in Dublin, he will also engage with faculty, researchers, and students along with policymakers and other stakeholders through workshops, guest lectures, and roundtable discussions. During his visit, Professor Hickton will also assume the role of Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin.

This timely public lecture will examine the pervasive influence of disinformation in an era defined by rapid technological advances and the rise of generative AI. Professor Hickton will explore the historical roots of disinformation, its role in undermining trust in institutions and science, and the urgent need for global cooperation to address these challenges. The lecture will also discuss potential pathways to address this growing crisis, balancing free speech with the urgent need for regulation.

Professor Hickton's visit builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last year between Trinity and the University of Pittsburgh, establishing a partnership to drive innovation in AI safety and governance. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of the digital age," said Professor John Kelleher, Director of ADAPT. "We are honoured to welcome Professor Hickton to Dublin and look forward to the rich insights and contributions he will bring."

To learn more about Professor David Hickton and his work, please visit: https://www.cyber.pitt.edu/people/david-j-hickton-jd

See more stories here.

Research conducted by members of South East Technological University's (SETU) Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment's (engCORE) over a two-year period (2022-2024), has produced a novel, disruptive, smart surface technology which will have groundbreaking impacts on the international concrete industries. The research was carried out in partnership with FLI Global, and supported by the Design+ Technology Gateway.

Funding innovation

The project was funded through the Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP). This programme is a hugely impactful venture which encourages Irish-based companies to work with Irish knowledge providers to develop and commercialise innovative research, delivering impactful societal change.

Research Partnership

This research was conducted between SETU's campus in Carlow and FLI Precast Solutions premises in Kilnock, Co. Carlow. The research team included Dr David Culliton and Dr Phuoc Huynh, both lecturers in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Dept. and members of engCORE at SETU, and Alex Flynn, FLI Precast Solutions. Billy House supported the team as a member of the Design+ Gateway.

On the importance of the research partnership, David Culliton said, "For SETU to partner with FLI Global, we can directly contribute to the work of organisations and industry, impacting the wider community regionally, nationally, and even globally. This is a key aspect of SETU's strategic and research plans."

Sustainable Smart Surface Technology

Led by engCORE researchers, the project produced a sustainable Smart Surface Technology refurbishment solution addressing the complex issue associated with leak-failures in large, subterranean concrete liquid containment installations.

The research created a flexible surface technology that provides mechanically robust, long-term protection for the internal facade of these installations protecting them from corrosive and erosive effects of the contained liquid. The addition of bespoke remote leak-detection monitoring technologies assures system-integrity and long-term efficacy.

Global collaboration

Speaking about the importance of the project, David Culliton, who was recently presented with the 'Engaged Research and Impact Award: Research Impact: Industry and Commercialisation 2025' at SETU's annual Research Excellence Awards, said, "It was hugely enjoyable to work on this project in partnership with FLI Global and Dr Phuoc Huynh, an expert in concrete who joined us for this project from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam. Cement and construction are vital to our society, from transportation infrastructure to residential and corporate construction projects.

Contributing to a greener future

David continued, "Large, disused underground water/liquid retention infrastructure is a substantial national and international concern and potential resource. Research into the development of smart refurbishment technologies to re-introduce these unremovable structures into everyday use is so important as we work to achieve a greener future."

Real-world impact

Richard Whyte, Design+ Business Development Manager, commented, "It has been hugely rewarding to witness the work of this research project between SETU and FLI Global. Our goal at Design+ and through the Innovation Partnership Programme is to continuously support our talented researchers at SETU in their capacity to partner with industry to contribute to transforming their data findings into real-world impact."

The DESIGN+ Technology Gateway is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-27. Based at SETU's campus in Carlow. It has a proven track record in knowledge transfer and delivering innovation solutions to industry. It engages with companies on a one-to-one basis and through innovation programmes. Companies from multiple sectors can access a vast range of research expertise and development support. ...