Name: Dr. Ian Major

Qualifications: Graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BEng in Chemical with Polymer Engineering (2001) and a PhD in Polymer Engineering (2005) 

Areas of Interest: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

Dr. Ian Major is the Manager of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Platform (AMMP) at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), where he leads research in advanced materials and composites manufacturing. He is also a Principal Investigator within the Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) Gateway and a Funded Investigator with the Science Foundation Ireland AMBER Centre. Before joining TUS in 2013, Dr. Major was a Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast’s Polymer Processing Research Centre and the School of Pharmacy. Since then, he has established a thriving research group at TUS, focused on novel manufacturing methods and advanced materials, particularly in polymer processing and analysis. His work is highly interdisciplinary, with applications spanning medicine, construction, energy, automotive, marine, and aerospace sectors. 

A key focus of his research is affordability—developing cost-effective manufacturing solutions and materials to make advanced technologies more accessible. His work has been widely disseminated through journal publications and featured in media outlets such as The Sunday Times (“3D printers could create ‘magic’ polypill to cure all ills”) and Silicon Republic (“3D-printed pill forged at pharmacy could deliver drug cocktail in one go”). 3D printing is a major theme of his research, particularly overcoming its traditional limitation of slow production rates. His team pioneered a hybrid manufacturing technique that combines 3D printing with injection moulding, advancing the mass- customisation principle and supporting broader industrial adoption. 

Research Overview 
Dr. Major’s research addresses the development of sustainable polymers and composites, hybrid manufacturing technologies, advanced insulation materials, high-performance materials for extreme environments, and bio-based industrial materials. His work aligns with key pillars of the EU Green Deal, including clean energy, sustainable industry, and building renovation. 

Current Research Interests: 

• Sustainable polymers and composites for construction and energy 

• Hybrid manufacturing  

• Advanced insulation for sustainable buildings 

• High-performance materials for harsh environments 

• Biobased materials for industrial applications 

Relevant Industries: 

• Construction and retrofitting 

• Energy and marine sectors 

• Automotive and aerospace manufacturing 

Links https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian-Major-2  https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=en&user=LKnVWaoAAAAJ  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmajorpolymers/