http://hdl.handle.net/10468/348 2013-05-22T09:21:37Z 2013-05-22T09:21:37Z Byrne, Edmond P. http://hdl.handle.net/10468/635 2012-07-19T02:00:08Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Teaching engineering ethics with sustainability as context Byrne, Edmond P. Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the engagement and response of students to the teaching of engineering ethics incorporating a macro ethical framework whereby sustainability is viewed as context to professional practice. This involves incorporating a broader conception of engineering than is typically applied in conventional teaching of engineering ethics.Design/methodology/approach – A real life wicked problem case study assignment was developed. Students' understanding and practical application of the concepts were considered. A survey was conducted to gauge students' appreciation of the professional importance and their enjoyment of the subject matter. Findings – It was found that students appreciate and enjoy a macro ethical sustainability informed approach, but find it more challenging to apply in practice. Practical implications – The paper demonstrates an approach to the teaching of engineering ethics using a practical example, which can help broaden engineers' self-perceived role towards one where sustainability is context. It also shows how students can find such an approach to teaching ethics to be both enjoyable and relevant.Social implications – Engineers educated to perceive the importance of engaging with macro ethical issues as part of professional practice will be significantly better placed to inform public and industry policy towards greater good and engage with other professional and expert groups. Originality/value – In this paper, an approach to engineering ethics which diverges from the traditional is proposed. This can be of value to those involved in the teaching of engineering ethics, particularly those seeking to incorporate sustainability and other macro ethical issues.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z McGrath, Marie G. Vrdoljak, Anto O'Mahony, Conor Oliveira, Jorge C. Moore, Anne C. Crean, Abina M. http://hdl.handle.net/10468/364 2013-03-08T03:00:48Z 2011-08-30T00:00:00Z

Determination of parameters for successful spray coating of silicon microneedle arrays McGrath, Marie G.; Vrdoljak, Anto; O'Mahony, Conor; Oliveira, Jorge C.; Moore, Anne C.; Crean, Abina M. Coated microneedle patches have demonstrated potential for effective, minimally invasive, drug and vaccine delivery. To facilitate cost-effective, industrial-scale production of coated microneedle patches, a continuous coating method which utilises conventional pharmaceutical processes is an attractive prospect. Here, the potential of spray-coating silicon microneedle patches using a conventional film-coating process was evaluated and the key process parameters which impact on coating coalescence and weight were identified by employing a fractional factorial design to coat flat silicon patches. Processing parameters analysed included concentration of coating material, liquid input rate, duration of spraying, atomisation air pressure, gun-to-surface distance and air cap setting. Two film-coating materials were investigated; hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). HPMC readily formed a film-coat on silicon when suitable spray coating parameter settings were determined. CMC films required the inclusion of a surfactant (1%, w/w Tween 80) to facilitate coalescence of the sprayed droplets on the silicon surface. Spray coating parameters identified by experimental design, successfully coated 280 μm silicon microneedle arrays, producing an intact film-coat, which follows the contours of the microneedle array without occlusion of the microneedle shape. This study demonstrates a novel method of coating microneedle arrays with biocompatible polymers using a conventional film-coating process. It is the first study to indicate the thickness and roughness of coatings applied to microneedle arrays. The study also highlights the importance of identifying suitable processing parameters when film coating substrates of micron dimensions. The ability of a fractional factorial design to identify these critical parameters is also demonstrated. The polymer coatings applied in this study can potentially be drug loaded for intradermal drug and vaccine delivery.

2011-08-30T00:00:00Z Fitzpatrick, John J. Cronin, Kevin Byrne, Edmond P. http://hdl.handle.net/10468/354 2013-03-08T03:00:34Z 2011-06-21T00:00:00Z

Is attending lectures still relevant in engineering education? Fitzpatrick, John J.; Cronin, Kevin; Byrne, Edmond P. A case study was conducted on a group of undergraduate chemical engineering students to assess the relevance of attending lectures from a student perspective and to understand why these students attend and do not attend lectures with a view to developing approaches to teaching, which are of greater interest and benefit to student learning. The students were surveyed by means of a questionnaire-type survey, which collected both quantitative and qualitative data from them. The majority of students stated that lectures are still very beneficial to their learning and are not an out-of-date mode of education. The major reasons for lecture non-attendance were time priority and curriculum overload issues with other scholarly activities and poor quality teaching. The students provided a number of suggestions to improve lectures and lecture attendance, including the incorporation of active learning in lectures, linking lectures to assessment and adding extra value to what is already in the notes.

2011-06-21T00:00:00Z Byrne, Edmond P. http://hdl.handle.net/10468/355 2013-03-08T03:00:35Z 2010-11-01T00:00:00Z

Educating the chemical engineer of the future Byrne, Edmond P. Flavell-While, Claudia Edmond Byrne argues that sustainability needs to quickly become the context for 21st century chemical engineering education to enable engineers be fit for purpose to address significant challenges ahead. He provides some suggestions for helping achieve this.

2010-11-01T00:00:00Z