Stephen Rhatigan

Together with sponsor Catalyst Analog Devices, Tyndall celebrates the winners and finalists of the 2019 Postgraduate Publication of the Year .

Dr. Fatima Gunning, Senior Staff Researcher & Acting Head of Graduate Studies at Tyndall, praised the entries, saying: "This was an exceptionally competitive year with outstanding articles and publications in a cross-section of high-impact journals showcasing Tyndall’s research breadth and excellence."

Mike Morrissey, Technology Manager, Analog Devices echoed this:

“The long-term and strategic partnership between Analog Devices and Tyndall provides continuity of innovative research capability as well as access to a diverse and world-class talent pipeline. We are delighted to sponsor the Postgraduate Publication of the Year as it exemplifies the excellent deep-tech research Tyndall is renowned for and is aligned with core technologies of mutual interest for communications, energy, agri-tech and advanced manufacturing”

To help inspire other postgraduate students, both in Tyndall and those around the globe, we decided to profile this generation's future research leaders.

Stephen Rhatigan

Finalist

What encouraged you to submit your application to Postgraduate Publication of the Year?
The subject of the paper addresses a number of “grand challenges”, with implications for environmental, energy, transport, and water. The paper was published in a leading journal and was the product of a large collaboration by researchers from three countries and five institutes/universities. I thought that these factors made it a good candidate.
What inspired you to choose the subject of your paper?
This paper was the product of a collaboration with researchers in IT Sligo, Spain and the UK. Together, we combine theory and experiment to better understand and optimise materials which absorb solar energy and use that energy to drive chemical reactions. I chose this area of research because the physics and chemistry are interesting and because the applications of the technology will have a huge environmental impact.
What’s your paper about and how did you prepare for it? What role did research excellence play in your approach?
The paper describes a study of a photocatalyst material. A photocatalyst is a light-activated catalyst, i.e. a material which uses light to drive chemical reactions. Applications of photocatalysis include: conversion of solar energy to fuel; water purification/disinfection; and self-cleaning building materials. The material we studied is titanium dioxide (TiO2) – a cheap, non-toxic and abundant photocatalyst. A large part of my research is aimed at finding ways to enhance the efficiency of TiO2. An efficient, stable photocatalyst material will have a massive impact on the energy and transport sectors.
The selection for Postgraduate Publication of the Year is extremely competitive. What is your advice for those aspiring for nomination next year?
Have a go – the hard work is already done in getting the paper published.
What is the single most significant support Tyndall has been able to offer you in achieving your research goals?
People are Tyndall’s greatest asset and my supervisor, Michael Nolan, is the most significant support in my research. I have also had the opportunity to travel to workshops, conferences and placements in Ireland and Europe and this has helped me develop as a researcher.

Research Publication Link

“Effect of Cu doping on the anatase-to-rutile phase transition in TiO2 photocatalysts: Theory and experiments”, Ciara Byrne, Lorraine Moran, Daphne Hermosilla, Noemí Merayo, Ángeles Blanco, Stephen Rhatigan, Steven Hinder, Priyanka Ganguly, Michael Nolan and Suresh C. Pillai, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 246 (2019) 266–276