Michael Morris AMBER Director

In his role as AMBER Director, Prof. Morris is responsible for the overall success of the Centre, with a primary focus on the scientific vision, future growth, and deliverables. He oversees the strategic development of the Centre and has responsibility for governance, ensuring that the agreed impacts of the Centre are achieved. Prof. Morris has a long-standing record of high-quality research at the interface with industry, including MNCs such as, DePuy, INTEL, Merck Millipore, PepsiCo, Alcon as well as SMEs such as Supernode. This experience spans Ireland, the UK, Europe via FP7 consortia, and the US. He brings leadership in engaging with industry and translating scientific knowledge from the University environment, to the factory floor and market-place. He is a founder of Glantreo, a SME spin out from Cork. Prof. Morris (H-factor 64) has been continually funded by Intel for approximately 20 years and has received three Semiconductor Research Grants during this period (first outside of the US).

His research group has two distinct themes. The first theme focuses on advancing the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices through self-assembly. This work centres on the development of self-organized block copolymers for the generation of precise surface patterns, which can be transferred to substrates or used as a template for creating transistors. He has developed key technologies in ultra-low dielectric constant materials and block copolymer (BCP) lithography. He has also been an advisor to the ITRS Emerging Materials Chapter for six years. Prof. Morris currently leads a $1.5 M research programme in the use of BCP techniques as a form of selected area deposition.

The second theme of his research centres on developing sustainability for materials and in particular the development of a circular economy using design, reuse, recycling technologies. A particular focus is the development of ultra-lightweight glass and other technologies to allow displacement of the (single) use of plastic for beverage bottles. A focus of this research also includes methods to measure and quantify circularity through indicators and life cycle assessments. Prof. Morris works with NSAI and ISO in the development of Circular Economy standards.