A 16-year-old student from Co Cork who devised an advanced mathematical code to safeguard information sent electronically has been made the 1999 Esat Telecom Young Scientist of the Year.
Sarah Flannery, of Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney, used the science of cryptography to devise a new algorithm which makes possible a new encryption of computer messages.
The algorithm means that a computer-user can send a coded message over the Internet knowing that it cannot be deciphered by anybody except the person it is intended for.
Sarah's work deserves the description "brilliant" and should be published as a scientific paper, the judging panel found.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who announced the winner last night at the RDS, congratulated the 1,000 participants, their teachers and their parents for their role in this year's "pursuit of excellence, which is the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition".
He said the Government was determined to give Irish students "the best facilities and opportunities possible to develop their technical skills".
The judging panel found the winner had successfully tackled encryption of messages, which is of immense interest to users and suppliers of telecommunications and computer networks, and increasingly important in e-commerce. Using her own programmes, she established the security of the new algorithm "and established that the chances of breaking the new code are extremely small".
The Best Group prize was won by Christine McCrudden (16) and Caitriona Lagan (16), of Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast, who challenged widely-accepted views on the behaviour of a marine parasite fluke. The judges found their research technique had application in the teaching of science at third level and were impressed that the girls have already had a scientific paper accepted for publication.
The Runner-Up Individual prize was won by a Leaving Cert student from Abbey Vocational School, Donegal. David Folan (17) examined the factors affecting the lifecycle of the wild "hedgehog" mushroom, notably its close relationship with the birch tree.
Two 14-year-olds, Conor Meehan and Hugh Hurley, of Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Co Cork, won the Runner-Up Group award for their modified water barometer, which they showed to be more sensitive than mercury barometers. Hugh is a brother of Raphael Hurley, the 1998 Young Scientist of the Year.
The Intel Award for Technology Excellence was won by Vincent Foley (17), who is in the same class in Blarney as Ms Flannery. They both have the same science teacher, Mr Sean Foley. Sarah won this prize last year.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Esat Telecom chairman, Mr Denis O'Brien, said his company was extremely proud to sponsor such a showcase of innovation, enterprise and technology. "The drive and enthusiasm of the students, together with the commitment of teachers and parents, proves that young people are indeed the driving force of Ireland as we embrace the new millennium."
Ms Flannery received a specially-commissioned trophy, £1,000, and entry to the EU Science Contest. She said she had not expected to win but someone had suggested she "get a patent [on her research] before 4 p.m."
She said her project was prompted by her interest in the practical application of maths and took a year to complete. The algorithm was developed from an idea given to her by a mathematician, Dr Michael Purser. She named it after him and the famous mathematician Cayley. She had used computer models to "attack" her security system but they did not succeed in breaking it.
The winners of yesterday's Irish Times/Esat Young Scientist Simplex Crossword Competition were: Bronagh O'Neill, St Joseph's Presentation College, Lucan, Co Dublin; Ruth Allen, St Joseph's College, Summerhill, Athlone; and Simon Halpin, Terenure College, Dublin. The winners receive a £15 gift voucher for Golden Discs.
