The Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork collaborated in 81 European Union research projects with a total budget of €212 million in 2012, €34 million of which went to the institute.

The projects brought together almost 400 partners from 30 European countries, according to Tyndall’s annual report, published today.

The institute has secured a total of €42 million in funding under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for research since it began in 2007.

Tyndall is coordinating one in three of the projects it is participating in, which it claims “validates its European leadership role in ICT research”.

Key achievements for Tyndall in 2012 include the expansion of United Technologies Research Centre Ireland, which has grown to 30 staff since 2010, and the renewal of a collaboration and IP agreement with Intel for an additional three years.

Similarly, the multinational semiconductor company Analog Devices have renewed their contract with Tyndall to provide product characterisation support and evaluation services to its Limerick plant over the next three years. ]

There are currently 24 researchers from companies associated with Tyndall working in-situ at the institute, representing eight industrial partners across the medtech, electronics, energy, materials and communications sectors.

Speaking at the launch of the 2012 annual report today, Tyndall's recently appointed chief executive Kieran Drain said the institute would continue to engage intensely with industry.

“We now look to preparing our contribution as a key player in the next phase of EU research and innovation, Horizon 2020,” he added.