Dr David Culliton was recently awarded with the Research Impact for Industry and Commercialisation Award. Dr Culliton is a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and the Director of engCORE, based at SETU Carlow. His work spans smart and advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, electrochemistry, and surface engineering/degradation phenomena.
Dr Culliton has played a pivotal role in enhancing materials research infrastructure at SETU and significantly advanced the research capabilities within SETU's STEM faculties through securing large-scale infrastructure grants (including an environmental scanning electron microscope worth in excess of €800k), developing new postgraduate programmes, and fostering synergistic industrial research initiatives. These efforts have provided researchers with greater opportunities to engage in collaborative projects both nationally and internationally.
Dr Culliton has been at the forefront of advancements in disruptive technologies within materials science. His notable research and collaboration with FLI Global, a Waterford-based company, has focused on developing an innovative smart surface technology designed to refurbish large-scale subterranean liquid retention installations that have exceeded their life cycle and are otherwise unusable due to leakage. These installations are often impossible to remove because of high costs or their location beneath newer constructions, such as housing estates or commercial buildings. Dr Culliton's work with FLI Global has resulted in a patented solution to these structural challenges, enabling the reintroduction of these installations into mainstream use.
In addition to his work with FLI Global, Dr Culliton has been instrumental in the development and scalability of starch-based bioplastics. Working with Dr Adriana Cunha Neves, their research is focused on developing and designing these sustainable materials to ensure seamless integration into existing plastic manufacturing systems.
At national level, David was involved in ‘The Circular Bioeconomy 2020’ synthesis report (a collaboration between CIRCULÉIRE and Irish Bioeconomy Foundation). Regarding international collaboration and outreach, Dr Culliton is on the organising committee of the European Corrosion Congress 2026, which will be held in Ireland for the first time next year. He is also currently involved in four European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) actions, which are interdisciplinary research networks that bring researchers and innovators together to network, investigate key topics, advance knowledge, and strengthen the research and development sector.
Furthering his commitment to sustainability, education, and community engagement, Dr Culliton co-organised the EPA-funded Primary School Sustainable Packaging Challenge (the SPac Challenge). This initiative encouraged families to reduce their reliance on plastic packaging during their weekly shopping. Over 250 primary school students, their families, and communities participated in the challenge, gaining knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions moving forward.