National Centre for Sensor Research
The NCSR’s vision is to promote sensor technology to benefit society and Ireland’s economy.
A sensor measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal that can be read by an observer or an instrument. The National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) is:
world renowned
large-scale
multidisciplinary research facility
focused on the science and applications of chemical sensors and biosensors
Chemical sensors and biosensors provide the basic information about our chemical and biological environment. In doing so, they lead to a better quality of life through more accurate medical diagnoses, more efficient energy use, more effective industrial processes, safer food, and a cleaner environment.
The NCSR is a state-of-the-art facility situated on the campus of Dublin City University, comprising custom-designed laboratories, a range of specialist support units and equipment, and dedicated technical and administrative staff. The NCSR hosts over 250 researchers and several large-scale research initiatives including the Centre’s for Science Engineering and Technology, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute and the Insight Centre, the strategic research cluster, Irish Separations Science Cluster, the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform of Ireland and the Marine and Environmental Sensing Technology Hub (MESTECH).
The NCSR was established in 1999 with funding of €12 million from the Higher Education Authority (PRTLI Cycle 1), most of which was for infrastructural development buildings and equipment. This provided the space and equipment necessary for hosting large-scale projects, and was a significant factor in the subsequent successes of NCSR researchers in attracting very substantial external funding. To date this funding has exceeded €100 million. This funding has facilitated large scale long term collaborations with both national and International academic institutions and a significant number of industrial partners. The Centre now has over a decade of experience in industrial-academic collaborations where sensor technology plays an important role in societal change.
Environmental
Water Quality monitoring – optical and electrochemical sensors for the determination of disinfectants, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and organic pollutants.
Waste water/sewage analysis using non-contact optical techniques for the determination of BOD, COD, TOC colour and turbidity.
Miniaturised industrial chemical sensing (uTAS) system for industrial and domestic water monitoring.
Determination of pesticides and heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium.
Air Quality-detection of solvent vapours: remote and localised sensing of explosive hydrocarbons and waste stack emissions.
Antibody-based sensors for phenolic compounds.
Integrated monitoring systems.
Remote sensing systems for the longterm remote determination of phosphate with in-situ data logging and GSM-based transmisson to replace ‘integrated monitoring systems’.
Biomedical
Point of care applications for cost effective muliparameter patient monitoring.
Low density microarrays based on antibodies, proteins and DNA for disease diagnosis and monitoring.
Micro instruments, sensors and sampling systems for minimally invasive analysis.
Development of tumour markers and human antibody assays.
Determination of enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase.
Custom bioprocess development.
Isolation and purification of biomolecules.
Development of novel sensors for the detection of illicit drugs.
Fundamental Materials, Separation Sciences, Imaging and Characterisation
Novel chromatographic materials
Separations technologies
Assay development
Biomolecular manipulation
Nanotechnology materials
Advanced spectroscopy techniques
Imaging
Image processing
Located at the main entrance of Dublin City University, the NCSR is based in ca 3,200 sq meter custom-designed buildings with clean-rooms, synthetic and biohazard facilities, application-specific project laboratories and support units. Within this infrastructure, NCSR maintains significant high end instrumentation that facilitates a multidisciplinary approach to sensor development and commercialisation. Equipment themes include surface characterisation, microfabrication, biological characterisation, analytical characterisation, photonics and electrochemistry.
Laboratory
Bespoke BDI/Fraunhofer Project Cleanroom - 760 sq ft positive pressure cleanroom space with gown up area, interlock doors, class 100 (ISO 5) and class 1000 (ISO 6) environments.
Bespoke BDI/Fraunhofer Project Cleanroom - 460 sq ft positive pressure cleanroom space with gown up area, class 1000 (ISO 6) and class 10000 (ISO 7) environments.
Uniflo Bespoke BDI/Fraunhofer Project Cleanroom - 2.4m Recirculating fumehood in class 100 cleanroom
Accu Science Bespoke BDI/Fraunhofer Project Cleanroom- 2m stainless steel solvent wet bench in class 100 cleanroom
Accu Science Bespoke BDI/Fraunhofer Project Cleanroom - 2m stainless steel acid wet bench in class 100 cleanroom
Steril Polaris - Vertical laminar flow recirculating bio-safety cabinet.
The unit operates in negative pressure offering sterile conditions to the product and protection to the user
New Brunswick Scientific U725 Innova S201 - Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer (-80°C)
New Brunswick Scientific U535 Innova - Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer (-80°C)
GeSIM µ-CP S251 - GeSim microcontact printing instrument, combines a motorised x-y stage, alignment optics, and a PDMS stamp in the form of a diaphragm
Workshop
Optimum D320x920 - Optimum D320x920 Lathe. Completely equipped screw cutting and bar lathe with oil-quenched feedgear mechanism
Datron CAT3D-M6 - Datron CAT3D-M6 Micro Machining centre for highly accurate machining of small, precision components
Babyplast 6/10 - Babyplast Injection Moulder
Titan 110 - Large format laminator with 1090mm laminating width
Univex 350 - Univex 350 High Vacuum Electron Beam Deposition System
Dimension SST 768 - Stratasys Dimension 3D printer, capable of printing 3-dimensional fundamental structures, as well as highly-resolved pre-commercial prototype structures.
Agilent Agilent/HP 4395A/1D5 - Agilent Network / Spectrum
/ Impedance Analyzer
ncsr.ie/equipment/
Notice: Please contact international@erc-assoc.org if you represent this Research Institution and have identified any required additions or modifications to the above information.