Tyndall scientists win Intel awards for research efforts

24 Apr 2012

Intel Ireland general manager Eamonn Sinnott; Dr Paul Hurley, senior staff researcher and head of High-K Research at Tyndall; and Dr Kelin J. Kuhn, Intel fellow, technology and manufacturing group director, Advanced Device Technology, pictured at Tyndall

Two researchers from Tyndall National Institute in Cork have been recognised by Intel in its first-ever Outstanding Researcher Awards. The duo are the only researchers outside of the US to glean the inaugural awards.

Tyndall’s Prof Jim Greer, who is head of electronics theory and graduate studies, and Dr Paul Hurley, senior staff researcher and head of high-k research, have been recognised by Intel in its 2012 Outstanding Researcher Awards.

Intel said today that Hurley and Greer are the only two researchers outside of the US to receive its inaugural award. It created the award to commend outstanding contributions by researchers funded by Intel’s Semiconductor Technology Council and associated Strategic Research Sectors (SRS).

Greer was awarded for his research contributions in simulation and metrology. He was nominated by Intel researchers for his work on atomistic modelling. Intel said his work has contributed to a “fundamental understanding” of junctionless transistors and carbon nanotubes.

Hurley received his Intel award for his research contributions in the measurement and analysis of high dielectric constant thin films on compound semiconductors. The award was made through the Ireland SRS.

Mike Mayberry, vice-president of the technology manufacturing group and chairman of Intel’s Semiconductor Technology Council, said the SRS had evaluated the insights, industrial relevance, technical difficulty, communication and potential student hiring associated with each of the researchers’ work, before deciding to award them.

It was back in 2010 that Intel and Tyndall National Institute formed a US$1.5m research collaboration. The deal cemented a direct collaboration between Tyndall and the heart of Intel’s technology research group in the US.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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