2021
A summer internship in Earth Observation and Machine Learning. The group are specifically looking for final year undergrads with experience or interest in one or both of those fields. Minimum requirement: basic python coding and/or GIS software experience would be required, or good ability to learn new coding languages
The Unit for Linguistic Data is focused on the development of technologies for working language and data, some projects that we have include: 1) Resources and tools for working with under-resourced languages such as Irish and Indian languages 2) Development of dictionaries through machine learning 3) Blockchain and cryptographic approaches to data management and sharing 4) Real-world knowledge extraction from text 5) Chatbot systems for customer service applications
The Sustainable & Resilient Structures research group (https://www.nuigalway.ie/structures/) is based at the National University of Ireland Galway and was founded in 2008 by Professor Jamie Goggins. The Group applies leading-edge scientific and engineering methods to develop the improved infrastructure and built environment required for sustainable social and economic development. The Group is part of the SFI MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine and lead the Materials & Structures research area within that national research centre and have developed a world-leading large structures test cell in the Alice Perry Engineering Building. One of the key projects ongoing in the Group is the H2020 CRIMSON Project, where a novel tidal energy foil will be designed, manufactured and tested and will use recycled materials. There are a number of opportunities to get involved in the research in this project and other activities within the Group, depending on the background and skillset of the proposed intern.
In James McDermott’s group, students are working on Artificial Intelligence problems such as the Bongard Problems [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bongard_problem], where the goal is to get the computer to understand the difference between two sets of simple images. We are using methods such as convolutional neural networks to “look” at the images and extract information which could be useful for this. The intern could contribute to this by helping with data gathering, categorising different solutions to the problems, writing solutions for specific cases by hand, and inspecting the outputs of neural networks. Experience with Python would be very helpful.
Title: The Role of Hydrogen and Renewable Gases in the Global Energy Transition Summary: The internship will support ongoing collaboration between NUI Galway and the International Energy Agency to assess the technical and environmental sustainability of hydrogen and renewable gaseous fuels in countries’ energy transitions. The intern will join a multinational team and assist in the gathering, synthesis and dissemination of expert opinion from around the world on these fuels’ roles in decarbonisation. Strong quantitative engineering knowledge and excellent communications and presentation skills are needed for this internship.
Development of a demonstrator wireless power transfer system for outreach events. Wireless power transfer is an exciting technology that allows power to be delivered to devices through the air without needing a physical wired connection. This project will involve building a small demonstrator wireless power system consisting of inductive coils and associated circuitry that will be suitable for display at outreach events such as Open Day, etc.. There is an initial circuit design available, and the aim of this project is to develop it into a system that will be of interest to school students and their parents.
ANRU Research Group is focused on sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animals’ nutrition, health, and welfare. Our lab is located on the NUIG main campus, where the student will have the opportunity to learn practical skills in histology, nutritional, and feed analysis, as well as molecular sciences. The chosen candidate will be encouraged to develop scientific writing skills and data analysis. The successful candidate will be offered the opportunity for a six to eight weeks internship, with the option to extend it longer, in a collaborative and friendly research environment
Title: “Processing of astronomical images from the Galway Ultra Fast Imager (GUFI)” Outline: The student intern will install the necessary scientific software environment on her own computer (Astroconda & PyRAF) and then the GUFI data processing pipeline. She will learn how to run the pipeline and calibrate the data. She will process data from sources which vary in their light output, and produce light-curves showing this variation in comparison to surrounding stars. More in-depth analysis can be performed if the project duration is extended.
Title: Development of an open-source, low-cost operant chamber for neuroscience studies Abstract: Operant testing is widely used in behavioural neuroscience and neuropharmacology and is a useful tool in assessing cognitive changes in animal models. The current solutions all share the drawbacks of being proprietary, closed-source, and expensive. Recent developments in cheap, off-the-shelf microprocessor and 3D printing technologies mean it is possible to design and build a robust, purpose-built, open-source, and low-cost solution that could dramatically lower the bar to entry for researchers. The intern will be involved in design, physical construction, and proof-of-concept testing of such a solution. We will be using 3D modelling software such as Blender, as well as resin and ABS-based 3D printing technologies. The intern will also code software in python.
