ACADEMY NEWS – Academy visit to University of Limerick Bernal Institute – 3rd September 2024
The University of Limerick hosted a site visit to the Bernal Institute on the 3rd September 2024 and the visit coincided with a regular quarterly meeting of the Academy’s Southern Region and the Western Region.
The Bernal Institute is named after John Desmond Bernal one of Ireland’s most influential 20th Century scientists from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. His research included the first x-ray diffraction pattern of a protein and ground breaking work on the structure of viruses and proteins, which lead to the foundation of molecular biology. The development fundamentally changed the focus of biochemical research and the understanding of biological activity.
The visit was hosted by Prof. Conor Mc Carthy FIAE and the visit to the Composites research facility was guided by Prof. Ronan O’Higgins, head of the School of Engineering at UL. It was truly inspiring to see the research work on composite materials and automated manufacturing systems for producing composite fuel tanks and pipes. Also very inspiring to see the AmpEire, the National Rechargeable Battery Fabrication and Test Facility by Ray O’Brien of the Bernal Institute.
Thirteen people attended the in-person site visit and the afternoon Regional meeting was joined by four via VC
It was inspiring to be in the company of Ed. Walsh FIAE, who was a founding member of UL among his many other accomplishments.
The IAE Southern Regional meeting was chaired in the afternoon by Brendan Murphy (Chair) and the Academy Executive team included Seamus McKeague IAE President, Tom Leahy immediate past President and Tim Corcoran Treasurer.
Professor Padraic O’Donoghue FIAE, who is the new Chair of the Academy West Region also attended with members from the IAE Western Region. We were delighted to have Luuk van der Wielen FIAE of the Bernal Institute at our meeting also. There was a very full agenda, which reflected the depth and detail of the work of the Academy and how Academy fellows live and deliver on the Academy mission of providing thought leadership in a time of great change.