People
Altun Buse Karakullukcu
Research Engineer
Email: Buse.Karakullukcu@TUDublin.ie
Altun Buse Karakullukcu is a mechanical engineer and researcher specialising in plasma surface treatment, composite materials, and surface characterisation. She graduated from Kocaeli University in 2022 with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, building a strong foundation in materials science, manufacturing, and engineering analysis.
Following her undergraduate studies, Altun Buse gained early academic research experience through a research project at Trinity College Dublin between 2022 and 2023. This role provided valuable exposure to applied research methodologies and strengthened her interest in advanced materials and surface engineering.
From 2024 to 2026, she worked as an R&D Engineer at Plasma Bound, where she played a key role in the development and optimisation of atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment processes for composite materials. Her responsibilities included plasma surface characterisation, mechanical testing, data analysis and visualisation, technical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement (Kaizen) initiatives within the R&D laboratory. During this time, she developed expertise in a wide range of analytical and testing techniques, including Surface Free Energy analysis, Contact Angle Measurement, FTIR Spectroscopy, optical and surface microscopy, scratch testing, Dolly Pull-Off tensile testing, Single Lap Shear (SLS) testing, and Three-Point Bending testing.
In January 2026, Altun Buse commenced an MPhil research project at Technological University Dublin, investigating the impact of nozzle wear progression on the consistency and quality of atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment processes. Her research aims to improve process reliability and performance for industrial plasma applications through a deeper understanding of equipment wear mechanisms and treatment effectiveness.
In April 2026, she joined CREST at TU Dublin as a Research Assistant on the AD ASTRA project, a DTIF-funded collaborative initiative focused on advancing plasma surface treatment technologies for high-performance composite applications. Her work contributes to the development of innovative surface engineering solutions that enhance the performance, durability, and manufacturability of advanced composite materials.
Altun Buse combines strong experimental capabilities with advanced data analysis skills, utilising tools such as Excel and Python (Matplotlib) for data processing, visualisation, and interpretation. Passionate about bridging academic research and industrial innovation, she is committed to developing practical, science-driven solutions for next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies.