Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Since taking up my academic post in 2013 my research has, primarily, focused on the development of sustainable materials for a circular economy, specifically in the arena of polymer products and bio-based polymer alternatives.
The quantities of waste being generated across the EU, indeed globally, represent a huge cost for society and a burden on the environment. Concurrently they present a valuable stock of resources that can and should be exploited. One particular industry ripe with opportunity is the agri-food sector which, in my opinion, contains an array of waste streams or by-products where increased added value can be attained.
The long term research potential in waste recovery, processing and revalorisation is extremely high as demonstrated by increasingly stringent local and international legislation. This is providing impetus for improved resource efficiency with a strong emphasis being placed on food and drink, the built environment and manufactured goods.
My current projects include “Consumer and Manufacturing Driven Alternative Packaging Solutions from Agri-Food Waste Streams” funded through the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and “Advancing Creative Circular Economies for Plastics via Technological-Social Transitions (ACCEPT Transitions)” funded through EPSRC.
Particulars
My IMechE accredited Masters Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (QUB 2000-2005, including a 13 month industrial placement with BS Tooling Ltd) provides me with extensive knowledge in a range of core engineering disciplines. It has proved to be an excellent foundation on which I have begun to build a research and academic career.
My PhD (QUB 2005-2008) entitled “The Development of Bone Substitutes Based on Biomimetic Structures” was a multidisciplinary endeavour to develop manufacturing processes to replicate the unique architecture of human bone. My approach was to seek out abundant and replenishable natural sources with architectures similar to bone and attempt to replicate them. Sources included calcified algae, coral, and various marine sponges. Attaining an architecture which encourages bone ingrowth is crucial, but is by no means the sole requirement to create a successful bone substitute. Biocompatibility and mechanical stability are also essential. Reconciling these, sometimes competing requirements, was a challenge I enjoyed hugely.
Four post-doctoral research projects (listed) provide me with broad material processing, characterisation, product development and project management skills.
Development of Sustainable & Energy Efficient Concrete Via Integration of Industrial Waste Materials (FP7 Research Fellow, QUB, Oct 2012-July 2013)
Development of CP Cement incorporating Human Derived Collagen and Demineralised Bone (Research Fellow, Liverpool NHS Blood and Transplant Unit/QUB, Sept 2011-Sept 2012)
Development of a Novel Antibiotic Loaded Bone Cement (Research Assistant, QUB, March 2010–August 2011
Biomedical Device Development - A Novel Pre-filled Orthopaedic Mixing and Delivery System (Research Assistant, QUB, Jan 2009 - Feb 2010
Teaching
Level 1: Introduction to Product Design Engineering and Mechanical Engineering (MEE1033 & 1034)
Level 3: Projects (MEE3030)
Level 4: Projects (MEE4040, 7012 & AER4002)
Achievements
Royal Academy of Engineering Grant to Present on the ‘Novel Development and Validation of Biomimetic Tissue Engineered Bone Scaffold’’ to the European Society of Biomaterials (ESB) in Lausanne Switzerland September 2009
Finalist: Engineers Ireland Biomedical Research Medal Sponsored by Georgia Tech Ireland (GTI) January 2009
First Place Best Oral Presentation UK Society of Biomaterials (UKSB) Conference June 2008
Finalist in Northern Ireland Science Park’s £25K Business Plan Awards 2008 ‘Orthocorp’ Ltd – Synthetic Bone
Northern Ireland BioEngineering Society (NIBES) Conference prize for Presentation Demonstrating the Most Novel Use of Materials April 2008
Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Travel Grant to work in Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, March-April 2008 Recognised as one of the finest tissue engineering labs in Europe, it specialises in culturing human cells onto three dimensional bone scaffolds
Stanford University Scholarship for ‘Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education’ Oct 2007.
First Place Sir Bernard Crossland Symposium Presentation Prize Queen’s Final 2006 Belfast
Second Place - Institute of Materials Lecture Competition UK Final April 2006 London
First Place - Institute of Materials Lecture Competition Ireland Final February 2006 Belfast
Finalist in Investment Belfast’s £25K Business Innovation Award 2005 - ‘Orthocorp’ Ltd - Cement Optimisation and Delivery Systems
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R1573NBE: Future Island-Island
Keeffe, G. (PI), Berry, E. (CoI), Calderon, E. (CoI), Campbell, E. (CoI), Cullen, S. (CoI), Cunningham, E. (CoI), Flood, N. (CoI), Jefferies, T. (CoI), Martin, P. (CoI), Millar, B. (CoI), Mulholland, C. (CoI), Shin, H. (CoI) & Smyth, B. (CoI)
11/03/2024 → …
Project: Research
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R3775MEE: Chile Newton Picarte Conicyt Regional Technology Programme
Martin, P. (PI) & Cunningham, E. (CoI)
06/05/2016 → …
Project: Research
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R5824MEE: Development of novel bio-polymer functional additives from poultry waste streams
Cunningham, E. (PI)
12/05/2015 → …
Project: Research
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R6627MEE: EIT 20137 - Consumer and Manufacturing Driven Alternative Packaging Solutions from Agri-Food Waste Streams
Cunningham, E. (PI) & Smyth, B. (CoI)
23/10/2019 → 31/12/2020
Project: Research
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R6605MEE: Consumer and Manufacturing Driven Alternative Packaging Solutions from Agri-Food Waste Streams
Cunningham, E. (PI) & Smyth, B. (CoI)
03/01/2019 → 31/12/2019
Project: Research
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What is the most effective use of wastes from the poultry industry, as a bioenergy resource or filler for polymer production?
McGauran, T., Smyth, B. M., Hakawati, R., McCullough, G., Dunne, N., Rooney, D. & Cunningham, E., Jul 2016.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile849 Downloads (Pure) -
Sustainable routes for the plastics economy: A study of the scale of the problem, current legislation and solutions
Mehta, N., Bolaji, I., Firoozi Nejad, B., Billham, M., Cunningham, E. & Smyth, B., 2019. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
File87 Downloads (Pure) -
The endocrine disrupting potential of Bisphenol-A and its structural analogues using glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors.
Harper, E., Cunningham, E. & Connolly, L., 28 May 2018.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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Life cycle analysis of pyrolysis of healthcare plastic waste
Mehta, N., Osman Ahmed, A. O., Cunningham, E., Rooney, D., Anderson, C., Chau, C. & Smyth, B., Jul 2021, p. 93-94. 2 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
Open AccessFile155 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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ESRC Internal Business Boost Funding
Mehta, N. (Recipient), Dempster, M. (Recipient), Cunningham, E. (Recipient) & Smyth, B. (Recipient), 17 Jul 2019
Prize: Other distinction
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Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM) - Young Person's Lecture Competition - 3rd Place, World Final
Cunningham, E. (Recipient), 2006
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM) - Young Person's Lecture Competition - Best Presentation, 2006 Ireland Final
Cunningham, E. (Recipient), 2006
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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NxNW: Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) Programme
Bolaji, I. (Recipient), Cunningham, E. (Recipient) & Ervine, A. (Recipient), 10 Sept 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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NxNW: Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) Programme, Cohort G
Bolaji, I. (Recipient), Cunningham, E. (Recipient) & Ervine, A. (Recipient), 24 May 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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NI Manufacturing & Supply Chain Expo
McGauran, T. (Participant) & Cunningham, E. (Contributor)
13 Feb 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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The Future of Farming Symposium
Cunningham, E. (Invited speaker)
06 Dec 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing Open Innovation Forum for Food, Drink
Cunningham, E. (Invited speaker)
20 Nov 2018 → 21 Nov 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Second International Conference on Sustainable Materials Science and Technology (SMST2), Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Cunningham, E. (Keynote speaker)
18 Jul 2017 → 19 Jul 2017Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
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‘Safefood’ Knowledge Network 11th Expert Facilitator Meeting
Cunningham, E. (Invited speaker)
27 Nov 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Press/Media
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FoodSpark Online Magazine - The Unusual Materials that could Create Plastic-Free Packaging
06/03/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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R&D Today Online Magazine - The Problem of Plastic: Open innovation Forum Tackles Sustainable Packaging
21/11/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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BBC Newline - 3-D Printing Helping Manufacturing in NI
05/04/2017
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment