Conor O’mahony PhD

Dr. Conor O’Mahony is a Principal Researcher with the Tyndall National Institute, and an Adjunct Professor at Chongqing Technology and Business University, China. Involved in microsystems design and fabrication since 1998, he received the M. Eng. Sci. (2001) and PhD (2004) degrees at the National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC), Cork, Ireland, for work on surface micromachining technologies and capacitive radio-frequency MEMS switches.

He is currently leading a team focussed on the development of Micro Transdermal Interface Platforms (MicroTIPs) – high-value, wearable systems that combine elements of transdermal delivery, diagnostics, self-awareness, and communications capabilities. These ‘smart patches’ interact with the outermost skin layers in a minimally invasive manner, and will blur the lines between implantable medical devices and the current generation of wearable electronics.

Major projects currently underway by the team include EU H2020 funded project ‘ELSAH’, which will create microneedle-based diagnostic platforms; the Enterprise Ireland-funded ‘SmartPatch’ activity that is developing intelligent drug delivery systems, and a public-private partnership developing intelligent medical dressings for smart wound care. These projects form part of Tyndall’s ICT for Health strategy, following a technology roadmap towards the development of multifunctional ‘smart patches’ for theranostic applications.

He is a member of the Executive Board of Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, reviews for fifteen international technical journals, and has acted as external examiner at eight international universities. He has published over one hundred and eighty research papers in journals and at conferences and has given invited talks in Ireland, Europe, the US, Japan, and China. He was a member of the team which received the University College Cork Research Team of the Year Award 2012 and is a Senior Member of the IEEE.