Actuate Lab @ University of Limerick

Upcoming Event: CBDD-2024 Meeting

Computational Biophysics and Drug Design (CBDD24) Meeting - 22 Aug 2024

The Computational Biophysics and Drug Design Meeting aims to bring together researchers, students and academics interested in the intersection of computational biophysics methods and drug discovery. This event will feature talks, discussions, and networking opportunities focusing on the latest advancements and applications of computational techniques in biophysics and pharmaceutical research.

New Publication Alert: Accounts of Materials Research

Getting the Lead Out: Biomolecular Crystals as Low-Cost, High-Performance Piezoelectric Components

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/accountsmr.2c00124

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British Biophysics Society Biennial Meeting 2022

The group was represented at this year’s BBS Biennial meeting by Dr Sarah Guerin.

The event was hosted by Professor Peter Crowley in Galway University. Sarah delivered a talk on Leadership and Collaboration at the Early Career Researcher Grant Writing Satellite Meeting, followed by a research talk in the main meeting entitled Density functional theory predictions of the electromechanical properties of biomolecular crystal actuators.

On Monday 18th July we hosted our first Summer Research Day for our current undergraduate researchers.

Jack, Juliette, Emma & Petra all presented on relevant papers to their research, from sulfa drugs to programming languages. Over the course of the day we looked at research communication skills, Actuate Lab research goals, and project planning. We had a video conference with four 3rd year Applied Physics students who are currently on their industry placement (co-op), who shared their tips for placement interviews and working in industry.

Actuate Lab had a fantastic Bernal Research Day this April 21st.

We had entries in the Image competition thanks to postdoc Ciarán O’Malley, and a first-time Thesis-in-3 performance by PhD student Tara Ryan. Suman Bhattacharya came away with 3rd place in the Postdoc Pitch. Group leader Sarah was MC for the day’s internal competitions, and was awarded Senior Researcher of the year 2022!

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Converting Ideas into Impact

The Actuate Lab is a Research Group based in the Department of Chemical Sciences & Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick, Ireland, run by Dr Sarah Guerin. Our focus is on advancing eco-friendly materials for sensing and actuation, with a particular focus on the modelling, growth, and integration of molecular crystals. Our research is currently funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). We work closely with the SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals on the modelling and in-silico design of drug products.

Crystal Design | Machine Learning | Data Analytics

Modelling

We use high-accuracy first-principles modelling to screen, predict and rationalize the material properties of crystals, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), and other molecular assemblies from the nano to the macroscale.
Our advanced computational methods simulate and optimize the structural, electronic, and mechanical characteristics of materials, enabling informed design choices and accelerating the discovery of novel materials with tailored functionalities for diverse applications including energy storage, electronics and more.

MATERIALS DESIGN | CRYSTAL ENGINEERING

Materials

We grow biomolecular crystal assemblies for use in sensors, actuators, and nanogenerators. These low-cost, eco-friendly materials have high sensitivity and scalability, driving innovation in diverse technological fields.
Our research focuses on optimizing crystal growth techniques to enhance performance and efficiency. The resulting biomolecular crystals exhibit remarkable stability and versatility in various applications.

Energy Harvesting | Medical Device

Technology

We integrate our green crystalline films into functional devices for medical device, energy harvesting, and structural health monitoring applications. These films serve as the backbone for cutting-edge technologies, offering sustainable solutions across diverse industries.
Our research endeavors focus on advancing fabrication techniques to optimize device performance and durability. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to pioneer new applications for biomolecular crystals in emerging fields.

Welcome to Actuate Lab

University of Limerick