Dr Boland is a Principal Investigator in the RAPID Institute and Assistant Professor of Materials Science at Dublin City University (DCU) based within the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. His research focuses on the design, isolation, and characterisation of advanced and sustainable nanomaterials for emerging applications in flexible electronics, biointerfaces, and sensing technologies.

A central theme of his work is the use of liquid-phase exfoliation and scalable materials processing to unlock new functionalities in two-dimensional, hybrid, and bio-derived materials. By integrating these approaches with device fabrication and materials modelling, his group seeks to uncover how structure, mechanics, and electronic response interact across soft and hybrid systems; knowledge that underpins innovations in healthcare monitoring, sustainability, and next-generation manufacturing.

Dr Boland leads a diverse and collaborative research team that works closely with academic, clinical, and industrial partners to translate fundamental discoveries into real-world technologies. His group’s projects span topics such as sustainable bioelectronics, edible and degradable materials, nanocomposite sensors, and energy-relevant devices.

His research has been supported by national funding bodies, including Research Ireland, Gas Networks Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. Beyond his technical work, Dr Boland is deeply committed to mentoring early-career researchers, fostering inclusive and interdisciplinary research environments, and advancing DCU’s mission to deliver impactful, responsible innovation in materials science.