Welcome to Actuate Lab
University of Limerick
Converting Ideas into Impact
The Actuate Lab is a Research Group based in the Department of Physics & Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick, Ireland, run by Dr Sarah Guerin. Our focus is on advancing eco-friendly materials for sensing and actuation, with a particular focus on the modelling, growth, and integration of molecular crystals. Our research is currently funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). We work closely with the SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals on the modelling and in-silico design of drug products.
Modelling
We use high accuracy first-principles modelling to screen, predict and rationalise the material properties of crystals, MOFs, SAMs, and other molecular assemblies from the nano to the macroscale.
Materials
We grow biomolecular crystal assemblies for use in sensors, actuators, and nanogenerators. These low-cost, eco-friendly materials have high sensitivity and scalability.
Technology
We integrate our green crystalline films into functional devices for medical device, energy harvesting, and structural health monitoring applications.