The Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is one of Europe’s leading centres for Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) research and development. It is the largest facility of its kind in Ireland. Tyndall, formally known as the National Microelectonics Research Centre, was established in 2004 to provide a critical mass of researchers that would support the growth and development of a smart knowledge based economy in Ireland.

Tyndall’s research is guided by, and applied to, finding commercialisable solutions for the needs of society in:

• Communications
• Energy
• Environment
• Health

through the development of new technology in the fields:

• Photonics
• Micro/Nanoelectronics
• Microsystems
• Theory Modelling and Design
• Wafer Fabrication

Research is Tyndall’s core activity and the many scientific and technological breakthroughs reported are testimony to the quality of research conducted at Tyndall. However, it is the application of that research and Tyndall’s track record of industry engagement and licensing of technology to industry that sets it apart from other research providers. Education of the next generation of researchers is also of vital importance to the national economy. Tyndall is host to some 125 PhD students who make a major contribution to Tyndall’s research output before going on to take their expertise and skills into further research and into industry. The fabrication, packaging and test facilities at Tyndall are extensive and are also used to provide technology support services to industry and other academic research centres.

Tyndall is primarily funded from competitively won research income from national and international funding agencies such as the EU, SFI, EI, ESA, HEA and through direct contracts with industry.  The institute also receives an annual grant from the Department of Job, Enterprise and Innovation as well as an annual subvention from UCC.