Biography – Dr Denis Dowling
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Denis has over 20 years experience in working in all aspects of materials science. He was responsible
for setting up the Surface Engineering research group at Enterprise Ireland in 1990. He transferred
this activity to UCD in 2004. Denis has managed a large number of both EU, SFI, EI and industry
funded research projects. A specialist area of interest include the use of plasma treatments for the
surface modification of materials. Amongst the applications areas of the deposited coatings are in
medical devices, solar energy, food packaging and on engineering components. Denis also has an IMI
post graduate diploma in business strategy and has worked as a consultant assisting companies to
develop their R&D activities. He has over 90 papers in peer reviewed journals, over 60 other
publications and 5 patents. He is the Irish representative on the COST Materials, Physical and
Nanotechnology technical committee. He is also the chairman of the Irish branch of the Institute of
Metal Finishing.
Areas of Research
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 Functional coatings - evaluation of how nm thick coatings can influence a diverse range of
surface properties including cell adhesion, polymer to polymer or metal adhesion
(particularly composites) and coatings for photovoltaic applications. These coatings are
deposited by both PVD and PECVD techniques. A particular research focus is on the
deposition of coatings using atmospheric plasma systems.
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Tribological coatings - wear resistant and low friction coatings on tools and engineering
components. These coatings are deposited by magnetron sputtering.

Microblast coatings - Deposition of coatings from powder particles entrained in air jets with
(CoBlast) and without the addition of an abrasive. A particular focus is the low temperature
deposition of hydroxyapetite coatings on medical implants.
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Personal Homepage
http://www.ucd.ie/surfaces/staff_Denis_Dowling.htm