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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Dr. Nathan Quinlan
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padraig Molloy
Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Informatics
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Research group / centre website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/mechbio/
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/mechbio/staff/staff_pm.html
http://www.nuigalway.ie/mechbio/staff/staff_njq.html
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Project Description:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUI Galway has a long track record in the design
and analysis of components of offshore oil recovery systems. Specifically, the PIs are currently
active in research on offshore wave power, fluid dynamics (computational and experimental) .
Research facilities include a 10 m × 1 m wave tank and particle image velocimetry.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Recovery of oil-spills from water, particularly flowing water, is technically challenging and has
received a good deal of attention since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
This project’s objective is to research a new design of forced-oscillation oil recovery boom which
can recover and separate surface oil from a body of water. The conceptual design is focused on
minimising the energy cost and environmental impact and disruption associated with clean-up.
The project will investigate the boom’s hydrodynamics and behaviour under wave, wind and
forced oscillation by mechanical means. Concepts also include pumping and moving mass systems
for use in the boom. The project will design, analyse, build, and tank test a prototype device. The
concept may also be used for the removal of solid floating debris such as plastics from bodies of
water.
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
NUI Galway projects should emphasise features that are not typically available in Brazil – specific equipment,
multi-disciplinarity, aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research
groups etc.
There is a strong track record of offshore technology research in Mechanical Engineering and Civil
Engineering at NUI Galway. There are good hydraulic laboratory and computational tools
available within the College of Engineering and strong links with the National Hydraulics and
Maritime Research Centre in Cork. The total combined group of College academics and
postgraduate researchers active in the marine area is typically around 10. Additional R&D activity
is undertaken under the University’s renewable resources group.
http://www.nuigalway.ie/energy/renewable_resources_group.html. NUI Galway is home to the
Ryan Institute for marine and environmental research.
Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Molloy have strong links with engineers, scientists, and companies in this field
of study. Given the innovative elements of this project, high impact factor publications will be
produced.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Dr. Padraig Molloy, padraig.molloy@nuigalway.ie
Dr. Nathan Quinlan, nathan.quinlan@nuigalway.ie
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Mechanical Engineering,
Civil Engineering
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
X
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): Y
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _____
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _____