27th May 2020: AMBER, SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research, based at Trinity College Dublin, is offering a free consultancy service to aid companies or medical institutions with material science-based challenges related to COVID-19.

AMBER, in conjunction with CONSULT Trinity, part of Trinity Research and Innovation, have launched the initiative today.

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a vast and expanding range of challenges for societies worldwide. AMBER scientists are offering their expertise and support to companies and medical institutions during the crisis. Their world-leading scientists have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can assist industry with materials challenges in diverse areas such as surfaces, diagnostics, manufacturing, PPE, infection control and materials for medical devices.

What AMBER will provide:

Through this service, AMBER will provide companies with a consultancy report to address their challenges. The report will include best available research, literature reviews, and advice from our team of experts. With heavily restricted lab access at our partner institutions, further lab work, testing or analysis to respond to companies’ queries will be reviewed by the AMBER business development on a case-by-case basis.

How the process works and what companies need to do:

Interested companies should complete an online form in the first instance or contact Dr Keith Alden, Business Development Manager on 087-3640382 or Keith.Alden@tcd.ie. AMBER will provide feedback on all requests within 2 working days. After this interested companies will be asked to sign a contract agreement and will be matched with expert scientists who will complete a report within 10 days of contract agreement. More information is available on the AMBER website.

Professor Michael Morris, Director at AMBER, SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research, said: “Across the world we are adjusting to a new normal and particularly challenging circumstances for industry. At AMBER we have now put measures in place to support industry through an open access, free consultancy mechanism. We have some of the best scientific minds in Ireland that can provide industry with cutting-edge scientific advice to support them in addressing challenges related to COVID-19. We are delighted to collaborate with CONSULT Trinity at Trinity Research and Innovation who are central in supporting this programme.”

Dr Declan Weldon, Deputy Director of Trinity Research and Innovation, said: “CONSULT Trinity offers a highly regarded and effective consultancy support service to our industry clients. We offer a mechanism to connect industry with experienced academics who can apply their unparalleled knowledge in solving a specific challenge or completing a task. We are delighted to partner with AMBER in developing this COVID-19 rapid response mechanism to support industry in addressing specific materials science challenges.”