SERC and Crystal Air PCM Launch Joint Industrial Project

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) recently launched a joint industrial project with Crystal Air PCM Ltd, a Kildare based company that develops and supplies thermal energy storage that utilises Phase Change Materials (PCM) for heating and cooling applications.

SERC’s Level 3 Advanced Technical in Applied Science students and lecturers attended an online information session with Crystal Air General Manager John Valentine who gave an overview of the science behind PCM, their uses and Crystal Air PCM's products.

The project will involve the students working in collaboration with Crystal AIR PCM Ltd to research and develop an analytical method to quality control the Phase Change Materials used in their products.  

SERC’s Business Services, engineering and science departments are currently involved in an Innovation Boost (previously FUSION)project with the company, funded by InterTradeIreland.  The project focuses on designing, developing, optimising, and testing a heat storage device utilizing PCM to bring to market.

Karen Orme, Deputy Head of School of Applied Science, commented, “We are delighted to launch this collaboration with Crystal Air PCM Ltd. The introduction of the Advanced Technical in Applied Science course has given our students the time and facilities to take part in this valuable industrial project.

“PCM are one of the tools we can utilise to improve energy conservation. This research project illustrates to our science students how one scientific principle can be applied to many different products and will give them real world research experience, developing their employability skills alongside their scientific knowledge.” 

Andrea Kennedy, Business Development Manager stated, “It is fantastic to see this collaboration being built from initial work for industry in a cross-border innovation project with InterTradeIreland. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain experience and learn from John’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in this specialist area.”

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