A GRADUATE of a Mid West institution has been awarded an Irish Research Council medal, becoming the first student from a technological university to do so.
Aaron Maloney, a PhD student at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), was awarded the Irish Research Council’s Jane Grimson Medal of Excellence for his research, which focuses on ‘UV Stabilization and Recyclability of High-Performance Polymers for In Space Additive Manufacturing’.
His research represents a significant leap forward in the realm of space technology, addressing challenges associated with the sustainability and durability of materials produced in the harsh conditions of space.
“I’m driven by the opportunity to innovate in advanced industries and make a real-world impact,” the medal awardee said.
“The interdisciplinary nature of this work and its potential to shape the future of aerospace continually inspire my research efforts. It will reduce the need for costly resupply missions, enabling on-demand manufacturing of spare parts, for maintenance in case of emergency and as required.”
TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane added: “TUS is leading the way in polymer engineering as our researchers and educators share their internationally recognised expertise with students and industry.”
“Our new APT (applied polymer technology) building is increasing our research capacity in the area even further with the inclusion of lab and industrial-scale equipment, in addition to 55 new desk spaces.”
“By providing opportunities like these for highly skilled research professionals, TUS continues to not only future-proof national skill needs but also provide opportunities for skilled researchers like Aaron to produce work that has real-world impact, while also being quite literally out of this world,” Professor Cunnane said.
Aaron is a graduate of the TUS BEng Polymer and Mechanical Engineering undergraduate degree, which is designed to give students the key skills to work across fields including biomedical, greentech, and the polymer sector. Before commencing his PhD, he completed two summer internships in Applied Polymer Technology (APT).
