DCU Engineering Graduate Stories: Paul Sheridan

Paul Sheridan’s journey has not been a conventional one. He is a Chartered Engineer working as a Technical Commissioning Programme Manager on major building projects, focusing on “smart building systems”. His Master’s in Computer Engineering from DCU has given him confidence and expertise in his career.

From Celbridge, Co Kildare, Paul left school after his Junior Certificate, which he describes as “a pretty chaotic time” during which he was deeply affected by the suicide of a friend and suffered from anxiety and other mental health issues. He went on to work as a labourer on construction sites at 16. Later he started an apprenticeship as an electrician, and then studied for an Electrical Engineering degree at TU Dublin without needing his leaving certificate. Due to the recession, he moved to the UK where he worked for Red Engineering and later WSP.

Returning to Ireland in 2020, Paul joined Accenture's Capital Projects team. His involvement with DCU began when the School of Engineering invited him to speak about his professional experience at an open day for students considering the Master’s in Computer Engineering; this led him to enroll himself in the programme. He says “I actually did the presentation to recommend people to join the course and at the same time I was looking at the prospectus and thinking I could do this course, I really need to do this course! So, as soon as I finished doing the presentation, to tell everybody else to do it, I applied for it.”

After completing degrees from other Universities, Paul was impressed with DCU's approach, especially around engineering education which felt like "a different standard." Throughout his studies during the pandemic, the course transitioned to online seamlessly. Despite struggling with Maths elements of it, Paul found that practical application carried more weight than mastering pure theory. Overall, Paul says “I’m comfortable. I can sit there and talk data with anybody, I can talk about building integration, or talk about Raspberry Pi, or whatever it might be. So, I think just the kind of the blend of practicality and the blend of kind of real-time application of what you're learning there. It's just above and beyond what I experienced previously.”

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How a new app could show you green travel routes through Dublin

DCU’s Dr Mingming Liu discussed on RTE Brainstorm how urban areas, while convenient for transportation, suffer from high levels of pollution due to the concentration of cars and trucks emitting harmful substances. Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter pose serious health risks, especially for pedestrians and cyclists who are closer to these pollutants. Long-term exposure to such pollution can result in respiratory issues, allergies, and even cancer, highlighting the urgency to mitigate exposure.

To address this issue, a team of researchers utilised the Google Air Quality dataset to develop a prototype app aimed at reducing exposure to pollutants. By analysing real-world data on air quality in Dublin, the app suggests routes for walkers and bikers that avoid areas with high pollution levels. The data, collected by Google's electric Street View car equipped with air-sensing technology, offers insights into which areas have cleaner air, enabling users to make healthier transportation choices.

The app features a user-friendly interface where individuals can input their starting and ending points to receive route suggestions based on either the shortest distance or the least pollution. The algorithm behind the app considers factors like time of day and distance, ensuring that users can easily understand and follow the suggested routes. Performance evaluations demonstrate significant reductions in air pollution impact, offering benefits such as improved respiratory and cardiovascular health, reduced long-term health risks, and a positive environmental impact through decreased pollution overall.

Read more here.

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What's being done to take 'forever chemicals' out of our drinking water?

Dr. Eadaoin Carthy and Dr. Ruairi Brannigan talked on RTE Brainstorm about perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," and how they pose a significant threat to water sources globally, including in Ireland. These synthetic compounds, known for their durability and resistance to degradation, have been extensively used in various industrial and consumer products since the mid-20th century. Despite their utility, PFAS's persistence in the environment raises concerns about their long-term impact on health and ecosystems.

Studies have detected PFAS in water bodies, soil, air, plants, and wildlife across Europe, particularly in areas with industrial activity such as manufacturing plants and military bases. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health effects, including hormonal disruption, compromised immunity, and reproductive issues. The widespread presence of PFAS in the environment underscores the urgent need for regulation and mitigation strategies to protect public health and the ecosystem.

Efforts to address the PFAS contamination crisis are underway at both the European and national levels. The European Commission has proposed prohibiting the production and use of PFAS chemicals, with ongoing assessments of the proposal's potential impacts. Additionally, regulatory measures such as restricting PFAS in potable water and firefighting foams are being considered in the United States and various EU member states. The push for stricter regulations and the classification of PFAS as a grouped chemical class signals a growing recognition of the need to minimize exposure and prevent further contamination of water sources.

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Interview with Dr Éadaoin Carthy, School of Mechanical Engineering

What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of a career in engineering?

A career in Engineering is so much more than the “design, build, test” model that most people consider it to be. Engineers are creative thinkers, problem solvers, team players and fantastic communicators. It’s no shock that they are highly sought after for a diverse range of jobs. They are innovators who make tangible changes to society.

Today, climate change is one of the biggest challenges we are facing. Our reliance on fossil fuels has led to rising CO₂ levels which is having a catastrophic effect on our planet. This challenge is being met head-on, with engineers designing and creating renewable energy sourcing technology such as off-shore wind farms and more efficient electric vehicles. Looking into the future, technology such as the Hyperloop is being developed which has massive potential to reduce air travel. It should come as no surprise that some of the biggest CEOs in the world have a background in Engineering.

A degree in Engineering offers amazing opportunities to travel because it’s a globally recognised qualification. It’s a highly collaborative and social industry which offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to civilisation. An engineering degree is a passport to incredible opportunities around the world, often where you might least expect it.

What is your primary area of research?

My research is in the area of centrifugal microfluidics. This includes design, integration and automation of bioanalytical methods for rapid sample to answer systems. Microfluidic platforms are an exciting area because they have huge applications in a large variety of sectors, including healthcare, agriculture and food safety. This is an area of research with the ability to have a huge impact on society. Centrifugal microfluidics is a really exciting area to work in, not only because they can automate assays, but they can be tested on portable instruments which makes them a robust, bioanalytical system for on-site, rapid detection.

What sparked your interest in this area of research?
My initial interest was sparked by my third year microfluidics labs I took as an undergraduate student here in DCU. I was fascinated by the prospect of creating a 3D model on CAD and being able to create physical microfluidic platforms using the available manufacturing processes, such as laser ablation and UV lithography. This was the first time I stepped foot into a lab where I could carry out experimental design from start to finish and apply critical thinking to analyse data and reiterate experiment protocols. Here, I was introduced to many talented Postdoctoral Researchers working on projects such as HIV therapy monitoring. To think that I could be a part of such amazing work was really exciting.

I have since gotten the opportunity to work on a variety of diverse projects, including plant pathogen and rapid E-coli detection, an automated Covid-19 device and qPCR platforms and instrumentation.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career in engineering?

I highly recommend Engineering as a career path for anyone who likes to be challenged and wants to make an impact. Whether it’s Mechanical, Biomedical, Electronic or Sustainable Engineering you are interested in, the career opportunities are endless.

DCU now offers a new course in Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering which offers students the opportunity to balance theory and practice and conduct many projects looking at tackling issues related to sustainable development goals, all whilst gaining skills as a Mechanical Engineer. I would advise prospective students to attend our Open Days and to come and speak to the Academic and Research staff to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goal of becoming a highly-skilled Engineer. You can also contact us directly in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering if you have any further questions.

Find out more here: https://www.dcu.ie/DC194

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Interview with DCU Alumna Sarah O’Gara

I excelled at maths-based subjects in school and generally enjoyed problem-solving tasks, but I didn’t know what career I wanted. After going to the DCU open day, I decided on the common entry engineering course. After the first year, I chose to study Electronic and Computer Engineering, but couldn’t have made that decision without first taking the common entry option.

Learning for the world of work

Modules and assignments at DCU were designed to help us understand key engineering topics relevant to the world of work. They helped me understand the importance of deadlines and creating robust plans to achieve goals.

Since doing the course, I’ve had more confidence. As a DCU student, I got to publish a paper in the Irish Machine Vision & Image Processing Conference and speak in front of a group of industry experts.

From work placement to career

I am now a software development engineer for Aws In-Memory Database Services, a role I secured having done my DCU INTRA work placement at AWS. The experience was extremely useful as it exposed me to a working environment and taught me valuable skills in project management and delivery.

If you like problem solving and challenging yourself to think outside the box for solutions then you’ll likely find the course great. And if I had a problem, I found every lecturer and student I talked to in DCU was super helpful.

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DCU successfully tests laser component of next generation atomic clock for space navigation

DCU researchers Seán Ó Dúill and Prof Liam Barry, in collaboration with commercial partners from Ireland and Switzerland, are spearheading a project funded by the European Space Agency focused on advancing atomic clock technology for satellite missions and the International Space Station. Working alongside Eblana Photonics and Enlightra, the team has successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking laser technology that promises a more efficient and compact implementation of atomic clocks, addressing a crucial need identified by the European Space Agency.

The innovation, recently published in the Journal of Optics and Laser Technology, represents a significant leap forward in optical and photonic technologies, which play pivotal roles in addressing global challenges across various sectors. Prof. Liam Barry, Director of the Laboratory, emphasised the importance of optical sources for the next generation of atomic clocks, crucial for precise timekeeping and global positioning, while also highlighting the development of new laser characterisation facilities to educate future scientists and engineers.

Atomic clocks, vital for satellite-based navigation systems like Galileo and the Global Positioning System, rely on hyper-accurate timekeeping capabilities. The introduction of optical atomic clocks, with performance levels surpassing microwave clocks, offers unprecedented precision. The successful demonstration of a new calibre laser at DCU, designed for optical atomic clocks using strontium atoms, represents a significant advancement, particularly for space-based applications where size, weight, and power constraints hold great importance. 

Read more here.

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Interview with DCU Student Dale McLoughlin

Whenever I imagine my future career, I see myself working with people who share the vision of a sustainable future that works for all of our planet. This is why I chose Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering, combined with my attraction to the way engineering means tackling problems with both creativity and critical thinking.

This course has exceeded my expectations. The year group is large, but the academics do a fantastic job of attending to each of our needs. There could be 200 or more students at a lecture, but during labs, numbers are far smaller so it’s easy to ask questions and speak with academics and classmates.

My favourite part is the project work. I enjoy seeing my studies come into fruition in real-world applications, and seeing progress gives us a lot of encouragement to push ourselves to do more.

Looking ahead to real-world experience
I’m specialising in Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering now I’ve finished the Common Entry into Engineering, and I’d love to specialise further into hydrogen power when the time comes. I’m also looking forward to my 10-month work placement in third year. 

If someone is debating doing this course, my advice would be to do some research and explore the world of engineering. A lot of the coursework revolves around platforms, programmes, and resources that are readily available online.

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The ALIGN Project Secures €460,000 to Tackle Energy Poverty in Ireland and Europe

The SEAI National Energy RD&D Funding Programme supports innovative energy projects in Ireland. It has awarded €20M to 40 new research projects, including small, medium, and large-scale initiatives and academic fellowships. The programme aims to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and promote multidisciplinary research approaches.

Dr Lorna Fitzsimons and Dr Reihaneh Aghamolaei are part of the ALIGN project which addresses energy poverty through interdisciplinary solutions. This collaborative initiative involves several universities and research institutes led by Dr. James McGrath at Maynooth University. 

Speaking about the ALIGN project, Dr Lorna Fitzsimons said: "Decarbonising the Irish residential heat load is an essential part of the journey to climate neutrality, but it must encompass the principles of the just transition framework. This exciting project combines building energy engineering, economics, and the social sciences to investigate and mitigate energy poverty challenges in Ireland." 

In addition, Dr. Reihaneh Aghamolaei said “In addressing Energy Poverty, a critical challenge lies in comprehending the complexity of interconnecting factors, including improving energy performance, financial support schemes, and behavioural changes. This novel project will implement advanced data-driven methods for evaluating Energy Poverty strategies, considering these trade-offs.”

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DCU Mechatronics Alumna Aoife Lynch

Aoife Lynch, who was part of the Irish team that brought home a silver medal at the World Athletics relays in 2021, says she would “absolutely” recommend DCU.

In February 2021, Aoife graduated with a BEng in Mechatronic Engineering. Athlete Aoife Lynch said the college is “constantly adding new course options to the list and produce the most employable graduates in the country due to the INTRA integrated work experience programme.”

Having secured a sports scholarship, she said, “if you enjoy sport, it's also one of the leading Irish universities across a variety of categories and elite levels.”

Aoife, from Castleknock, Dublin, decided to study engineering as it was one of the broader STEM courses offered in Ireland and, “I had seen how much opportunity there is for women entering a STEM-related degree. I chose DCU due to their dedication and success in track & field, and the club's success at National level.”

She was awarded a Sports Scholarship in first year which helped with funding for fees and travel to races. She chose not to live on campus given her proximity to home. She said, “I actually found the transition from school to college very difficult in terms of balancing academics with sport, due to the demanding nature of the course. I found it really difficult to juggle everything, athletics, and academics, so it took me some time to get back up to the level I had hoped to carry in from school success.”

She credited the support received from Paul Byrne, the head of DCU Athletics, saying, “he really checks in with everyone on an individual basis. We had individual meetings at the start of each semester to check everybody was settling back into college life and training was going well. He was a massive part of keeping myself feeling included in DCU athletics when I wasn’t on campus all the time, it was a big help.”

Before her exams in 2021, she flew to Poland with fellow Alumni Sophie Becker. They were in action for Ireland at the World Athletics Relays in Poland and “I ran the race and (we) came second. It was mind-blowing.” Like other students, her entire final year was done remotely but she said, “I adapted really well to the routine of studying and working from home, and it balanced extremely well with my ability to train in the mornings/mid-day rather than after a long day of college.”

“It was unusual visiting an empty campus once or twice throughout the year, but I've since been able to stay in touch with all my college friends since restrictions have eased.” Aoife is working as an IT Consultant for a software company Azyra, “who kindly sponsored my final year project and subsequently invited me to work with them after final year. I love the job that I'm in and they're extremely encouraging and understanding of my sporting pursuits.”

Reflecting on her time with DCU she said, “I couldn’t have asked for any more from my personal dealings with the college and the Athletics club, I came out of college feeling ready to tackle full-time college and life.”