Winners of the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards 2017

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The awards are jointly presented by the Royal Irish Academy and the American Chamber of Commerce to recognise excellence in research innovation across three categories:

1. An Irish Higher Education Institute or Research Centre with US corporate links
2. The Irish operations of a US Multi-National Corporation
3. An Irish Microenterprise/ SME with US corporate links

An Irish Higher Education Institute or Research Centre with US corporate links

Winner: UNIVERSITY of LIMERICK

The Biomaterials research team in the Department of Mechanical, Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Limerick in collaboration with Research and Development staff at Stryker, have developed the first auto mixing, injectable Hydroxyapatite-forming bone repair material used in neurosurgical procedures, and manufactured in Limerick.

DirectInject® is the first syringe loaded dual paste injectable Calcium Phosphate Cement product for use as a bioactive cranial bone substitute material during neurosurgical procedures. FDA cleared and CE marked for clinical use, the material is designed to be injected directly into the bone defect and upon injection undergoes an in situ setting reaction sealing the defect and over time integrating with the native skeletal structure. The clinical innovation includes ease of use for physicians, elimination of manual cement mixing process with attendant, and the potential for significant time savings from decision to use to implantation.

The Irish operations of a US Multi-National Corporation

Winner: IBM RESEARCH

IBM has developed new techniques to help care professionals better understand the complex social, behavioural and clinical issues that vulnerable populations are facing. Using tools that work together with the user, understanding context, anticipating their needs and supporting their workflow, this work shifts the focus on helping people, rather than solving acute problems.

The Watson Care Manager team is distributed across the US and Ireland. This collaboration has enabled the creation of a hub for research, innovation and development in Ireland, with a focus on the US market. Over the past years, there has been significant cross-fertilisation of ideas between US customers, the Research Lab in Ireland, Cúram and Watson Health, leading to significant innovation and unique market offerings.

An Irish Microenterprise/SME with US corporate links

Winner: 3D4MEDICAL

3D4Medical’s comprehensive educational tool, Complete Anatomy, is a cloud-based platform on which the user can explore the human anatomy in 3D. The user can zoom into minute detail, rotate body parts and examine at any angle, cut through various structures and witness how the various systems of the body interact with each other. Complete Anatomy is transforming medical teaching and learning around the world, with educators using the platform to create and deliver lectures that are tailored to the student.

Complete Anatomy and Lecture Builder are currently being used in over 100 medical schools worldwide, including five Ivy League schools in the US and more than 25 of the top 50 medical schools in the world.

The call for expressions of interest in the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards 2018 is now open. Please email innovate@ria.ie to register your interest.