Facebook parent company Meta has penned a four-year programme of research with research institute Tyndall. The partnership will see both companies work together to advance AR technology.
The programme is led by Tyndall’s professor Paul Hurley, who was recently appointed as Meta’s industrial chair in Semiconductor Technologies at Tyndall and the School of Chemistry at UCC. This announcement was made at UCC and was attended by the Tánaiste, minister for foreign affairs and for defence, Micheál Martin.
Professor William Scanlon, CEO of Tyndall National Institute said, “Meta’s work with Tyndall will further develop our semiconductor research programme and hopefully lead to new advances in display technologies and product innovations for the AR sector. The work further strengthens Ireland’s strategic importance to Meta and in particular, Tyndall’s research excellence in semiconductors and photonics.”
Tánaiste Martin said, “I want to warmly welcome this significant investment by Meta in the work carried out in UCC and Tyndall. Such a partnership involving a world-leader like Meta is a huge vote of confidence in the leading research taking place here in Cork.”
Tyndall’s role in advancing AR
The appointment showcases Meta’s research endeavours in the fundamental technologies that drive the widespread adoption of AR platforms. It also highlights the strategic significance of the company’s collaboration with Tyndall in Cork, emphasising the vital role played by their Irish research teams.
Professor Hurley said, “The optoelectronic efficiency of ultra-scaled devices such as micro LEDs is dominated by surfaces and interfaces. The goal of this research engagement with Meta is to investigate heterogeneous systems and determine their impact on efficiency, further informing critical technology adoption in future products.”
Hurley will lead a multi-disciplinary research team, including the appointment of a cohort of Tyndall PhD students, to help advance the state of AR technology alongside Meta.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
