ProfessorDenis Dowling

My core research work is focused on the engineering of materials to enhance their performance. Application areas include medical devices, solar energy devices and packaging. Amongst my research areas are:
* Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) - this includes the printing of metals and polymers as well as continuous fibre reinforced composites. In the case of metal additive, a particular focus is on in-process monitoring during the printing of the metal particles along with the use of machine learning to identify processing trends. For polymer additive the research focus includes the printing of fibre reinforced composites along with high temperature engineering polymers.
* Functional coatings - evaluation of how nm and micron thick coatings can influence a diverse range of surface properties including cell adhesion, polymer to polymer or metal adhesion (particularly composites) and coatings for photovoltaic applications. These coatings are deposited by both PVD and PECVD techniques. A particular research focus is on the deposition of coatings using atmospheric plasma systems.

 
More broadly, I have been very actively working through the I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to support the development of manufacturing in Ireland. This includes the establishment of extensive research collaborations with companies, as well as helping to establish joint research initiatives between academic and applied research centres. I have also been very actively involved in establishing education and public engagement programs to introduce primary, secondary, and Youthreach schools to 3D printing, model design, and sustainability.