Matthew Barr

Dr. Matthew Barr is a Senior ANFF Support Officer and Researcher at the University of Newcastle, affiliated with the School of Information and Physical Sciences. His work bridges organic electronics and scanning helium microscopy, focusing on printed solar technology, surface imaging, and material characterization. He completed his PhD on helium microscopy at the University of Newcastle, earning the Royal Society’s Jak Kelly Prize (2016) and showcasing his research at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (2019).

• Expertise: Apparatus design, nanomorphology control, synchrotron techniques
• Key Projects: Charge Around Australia documentary (2022), Coldplay Printed Solar Project (2024)
• Leadership: Instrument design for helium microscopy, equipment for large-scale solar installations

Research Trends: His 40+ journal articles emphasize organic solar cells, helium-based imaging, and nanoparticle engineering. Awards include the 2024 CESE Staff Excellence Award and multiple university and Royal Society recognitions.

• 2025: Development of solar simulator for Lumpy Skin Disease research
• 2020: Upscaling printed solar technology under NSW RAAP funding
• 2019: Synchrotron studies on eco-friendly materials

Teaching: Course Coordinator for Engineering Computations and Procedural Programming (2022-2023) and Engineering Physics (2024).