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.
