Conchur O’Bradaigh

Professor Conchúr O'Bradaigh is Head of the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. His research interests focus on lightweight fibre-reinforced polymer composites, used in transport, energy generation and infrastructure, with particular research interests in the development of novel manufacturing processes for economic production of composite structures, based on both thermoset and thermoplastic polymers, and the mechanical properties of these novel materials. Specific research topics that he is currently involved in, include: development of novel, powder-epoxy based composites for renewable energy applications; design and characterisation of novel composites for wind and tidal energy applications; heat transfer and consolidation flows in thick-section epoxy laminates; effect of seawater ingress on the fatigue properties of fibre reinforced composites; design and development of cost-effective composite tidal turbine blades; efficient fatigue testing of large composite structures; novel out-of-autoclave manufacturing techniques for aerospace composites; liquid moulding of automotive thermoplastic composites using in-situ polymerised materials; cryogenic performance and permeability of advanced thermoplastic composites; design of space cryogenic fuel tanks from thermoplastic composites; rotational moulding of polymer liners for cost-effective space fuel tanks; automated tape-placement of advanced thermoplastic composites; lightweight materials for wave energy convertor. He has raised over £15.5 million in research funding at university and start-up companies, with support from industry, national Governments and European sources.