About
Ian Kiernan
Postgraduate Researcher
DCU
Ian Kiernan is a postgraduate researcher in I-Form at DCU working in conjunction with the GAA to develop a new automated hurley and sliotar interaction testing system. His undergraduate degree was in Mechatronic Engineering from DCU in 2002, followed by his Masters in Computer Aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering also at DCU in 2004. Ian then worked in the semiconductor industry for 20 years working with Nikon Precision Europe GmBH on their photolithography equipment based at Intel Ireland. He has also worked at multiple Intel manufacturing sites worldwide, starting as a Field Service Engineer, moving into Applications Engineering, and finally as the Site Operations Manager, before becoming a doctoral candidate.
Technical Summary
Ian is working alongside the GAA to help develop a system to allow characterisation of hurleys. Currently the majority of hurleys are made using the base of the ash tree as has been the traditional way for many generations. Unfortunately, the availability of ash is declining rapidly due to a disease in ash trees called ash dieback. This disease was first reported in Ireland in October 2012 and is ”likely to cause the death of the majority of ash trees over the next two decades” according to Teagasc, the Agricultural and Food Development Authority of Ireland. This is a cause of concern for the future long-term use of ash as a material for hurleys with many manufacturers already looking at alternative materials.
The project will involve development of a robotic arm to, accurately and consistently, replicate the impact of the hurley and sliotar, and to allow measurement of the necessary characteristics of the hurley to help the GAA define these as new materials begin to be used for manufacture.