Wireless communication booster and ‘smart magnet’ win invention awards

Groundbreaking research in the area of life sciences and information technology was recognised at the Invention of the Year Awards at University College Cork last night.

Top awards went to a device to enhance wireless communication signals and an invention to assist surgeons in gastroentral procedures.

The ICT Invention of the Year was presented to Professor Peter Kennedy of Tyndall National Institute for the patented modulator for high-performance frequency synthesiser.

According to UCC, this invention is a disruptive technology with global application that will change the way frequency synthesisers, which provide wireless communication signals, will operate.

It has already attracted the interest of leading global players in the electronics industry, has been licensed by Analog Devices and is currently being prototyped at their plant in Limerick.

“It has been hugely exciting working with Peter, and seeing his technology out-perform all current market-leading frequency synthesisers” said Anita Maguire, vice president for research and innovation at UCC.

“The international interest in this invention has been very significant, and we expect the product to be in commercial production by 2013,” she added.

Patients with digestive disorders requiring insertion of feeding tubes are expected to benefit from the “smart magnets” developed by Dr Padraig Cantillon Murphy and David Cronin at Bioelectromagnetics Group in the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department of UCC.

Awarded Life Sciences Invention of the Year, the Smart Magnet gastroenteral feeding tube placement kit is designed to assist surgeons in gastroenteral procedures, and dramatically decrease the likelihood of complications and death.

“Working with surgeons in Cork University Hospital, and with the support of the Technology Transfer Office, we developed this novel solution which will greatly assist gastroenteral surgery, and will reduce the risk of complications for patients with feeding tubes inserted using Smart Magnet technology,” explained Dr Padraig Cantillon Murphy.

Sponsored by intellectual property group Purdy Lucey, the Invention of the Year Awards recognise research being undertaken at UCC in commercialising projects in disciplines ranging from life sciences and pharmacology to ICT and engineering.