Education & Research | 01 Nov 2010 : Directions at your fingertips and genetic algorithms-generated Sudoku puzzles are just some of the exciting new technologies that IT graduates at NUI Galway received awards for last Friday 22 October.
Graduate of the BSc in Information Technology from Cong, Co Mayo, Stephen Lenihan developed a software system that uses genetic algorithms to generate Sudoku puzzles. The algorithms were used both to generate the puzzles and to create varying difficulties by reducing the number of initial numbers given. Stephen was awarded the Best Project in the BSc in Information Technology.
On a more practical application, Steven Connolly from Achill, Co Mayo, Thomas Mitchell and Andrew Sweeney both from Ballinamore, Co Leitrim - all students in the MSc in Software Design and Development - used Web and smart phone technologies to develop a mobile application that allows users to get map-based directions for specific locations on campus, find friends and timetabled events, and receive point of interest alerts as they walk around the campus. All three were awarded the Best Project in the HDip/MSc in Software Design & Development, sponsored by Cisco Systems.
James Tomkins from Galway City and Jonathan Lynch from Tullamore, Co Offaly - both graduates of the BA in Information Technology - created a MIDI-based music tutor. This novel software application generates sheet music, played by the user on a MIDI instrument and the programme then provides feedback on the user's performance.
Both prized were sponsored by Cisco Syatems.
A special Entrepreneurship Prize was awarded to Sean Herald from Belfast for his Heat Tech idea - a Carbon Monoxide monitoring device with Bluetooth/SMS interface to alert a home-owner if their central heating boiler is operating inefficiently or dangerously.
Prof Gerry Lyons, Professor of Information Technology and Dean of the College of Engineering & Informatics at NUI Galway, said: "These projects are a proving-ground for research and commercial business opportunities. Partnering with a blue-chip global company like Cisco gives students the added motivation and ambition to deliver excellent work."
Pictured (l-r): Prof Gerry Lyons, Dean, College of Engineering & Informatics, Jean Tomkins (accepting on behalf of son James) from Highfield, Galway; Jonathan Lynch from Tullamore, Co Offaly and Dr. Edward Herring, Dean, College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies
Read more: http://www.techcentral.ie/article.aspx?id=15810&newsletter=195#ixzz14FF3RoCm
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