Matt Thompson

Matt Thompson is a Research Fellow and Sub Dean (CoS) at the ANU College of Science and Medicine. He also serves as Internship Convener and has been actively involved in research supervision and project leadership. His primary academic affiliation is with the Australian National University, where he focuses on nuclear fusion materials and plasma physics.

Thompson holds a PhD in Physics and specializes in reactor wall materials for nuclear fusion, grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), and plasma nanostructure fabrication. His research explores helium plasma interactions with materials like tungsten, investigating microstructural changes, bubble formation, and mechanical property degradation under fusion-relevant conditions.

His recent publications (2015–2025) emphasize helium bubble dynamics, tungsten recrystallization kinetics, and nanostructure formation via ion irradiation. Key trends include advanced materials characterization using GISAXS and EBSD, plasma-induced surface modifications, and fusion material durability under extreme conditions.

• Grants/Projects:
• Leading the 'Effect of helium bubble formation on the recrystallization and mechanical properties of tungsten' (2019–2021)
• Contributing to 'Understanding helium induced nanostructure formation' (2020–2023)
• Co-investigator in 'HILT.RP1.010 - Hybrid Hydrogen direct and plasma reduction of iron ore' (2023–2024)

Thompson collaborates extensively on fusion material research, particularly in plasma-material interactions and nanostructure evolution. He advises students on topics related to materials science and nuclear engineering.