Luminate Medical triumphs at the inaugural Engineering Excellence Awards

Luminate Medical, a Galway-based healthcare technology company, has emerged as the overall winner at the inaugural Engineering Excellence Awards 2024, with their innovative Lily device being named engineering project of the year.

The prestigious ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on October 23, showcased the finest achievements in Irish engineering, drawing 70 entries from 38 companies.

The Engineering Excellence Awards recognise the transformative power of Irish engineering across diverse fields. From groundbreaking construction and design to innovative industrial and manufacturing solutions, the awards honour outstanding achievements and inspire future generations.

The awards judges were particularly impressed by Luminate Medical’s comprehensive approach to excellence. “This winner truly wowed our panel who felt that every aspect of their operations was given the highest level of attention,” said the award citation.

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“Nothing was left to chance and no opportunity to excel, innovate and set the bar that little bit higher was missed by Luminate Medical. A very deserving and inspiring winner of this highly competitive award.”

Aidan Curley, senior manufacturing engineer at Luminate Medical, expressed his team’s enthusiasm. “All the team are ecstatic with the award. We were up against some huge companies, and as a start-up, it is amazing to be even in the mix with some of these big names,” he said.

Luminate Medical is revolutionising cancer care through the development of the Lily device, which prevents chemotherapy-induced hair loss, and Lilac, the world’s first preventative treatment for peripheral neuropathy. The company’s innovations aim to make cancer care more comfortable for patients while enabling at-home treatments.

The awards ceremony, which presented 18 trophies before an audience of 195 attendees, also recognised other outstanding achievements in the sector.

The event highlighted the robust health of Ireland’s engineering sector, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The sector employs approximately 40,000 people, and Ireland’s engineering expertise spans multiple disciplines, with particular strength in precision engineering and high-tech manufacturing.

Irish civil engineers are known for their expertise in sustainable building practices, transportation infrastructure, and urban development. The sector continues to evolve with increasing focus on sustainable construction methods and smart city technologies.

Judging coordinator Graham Heaslip, head of school of engineering at ATU Galway, noted interesting trends emerging from the awards entries:

Sustainability focus: Many entries are increasingly emphasising sustainable engineering practices. Projects that prioritise eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs are gaining recognition.
Innovation and technology: There is a noticeable trend towards integrating advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and automation in engineering solutions. This reflects a shift towards smart infrastructure and enhanced efficiency.
Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches: Successful projects often showcase collaboration across various disciplines. This teamwork can lead to more holistic solutions and innovative problem-solving.
Community impact: Entries that demonstrate a positive impact on local communities are particularly compelling. Projects that address social challenges or enhance public services are being celebrated.
Diversity in engineering: There is an increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the field. Recognising contributions from a broader range of backgrounds is becoming more prominent in award considerations.
Resilience in design: Especially in the wake of recent global challenges, projects that incorporate resilience - whether in infrastructure, urban planning, or environmental engineering - are receiving attention.

Heaslip says, “These trends reflect the evolving landscape of engineering and highlight the importance of innovation, community, and sustainability in the field.”

Cristina Paduano of B-Fluid, winner of the women in engineering award, commented: “I am honoured to have received the women in engineering award 2024. I would like to thank my clients and my team at B-Fluid Ltd. I will continue to ensure that my computational fluid dynamics simulations enable excellent project decisions.”

Kirby Group Engineering won the award for graduate training programme of the year. Barry O’Sullivan, group engineering manager, stated: “The recognition is huge. I mean for us, for all the hard work that’s been done, and in terms of attracting new talent. It showcases what we have to offer, the quality of our products, and the quality of our graduate programme, so it’s important to get that recognition”

WH Scott & Son Engineers was shortlisted in the mechanical engineering project category. Chief executive Patrick Doyle commented that the awards event was “a promising start”, and that the awards event in 2025 could use “more focus on highlighting each shortlisted project’s engineering achievements and the reasons behind their selection”.

The Engineering Excellence Awards 2024 were supported by Amárach Research, with The Irish Times serving as communications partner.

Engineering Excellence Awards judges

Graham Heaslip (judging coordinator) – head, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway-Mayo College, and head, school of engineering, ATU Galway
Michael Connelly – professor, University of Limerick (UL)
Matt Cotterell – head of school of mechanical, electrical and process engineering, Munster Technological University (MTU)
Daniel Clarke Hagan – programme chair/lecturer, ATU
Niall Hanley – contracts director, JJ Rhatigan
Alasdair Henderson – executive director, Royal BAM Group
John Mulvihill – associate professor in biomedical engineering, UL
Catherine O’Brien – precast operations director, Punch Consulting Engineers