Our people
- Phone:
- +64 3 369 3999, ext. 92521
Address:
Chemical and Process Engineering
Level 4, Link Building
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
Biography
Matthew Cowan is a lecturer and Rutherford Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Canterbury.
Research interests
Matthew’s research revolves around improving the methods and technologies we use to purify all the building blocks of society. His overall goal is to reduce the amount of energy we need to use every day - so we have some spare for the things we want to do!
My whole passion is getting research to where people can use it. That’s the whole point.
Dr Matthew Cowan
In the news
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute researchers successful in latest MBIE round
September 20, 2024
The MacDiarmid Institute is pleased to share the following successes from its researchers in this year’s MBIE Endeavour Fund round.
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute researchers successful in latest MBIE round
Annual Report
Journal covers - Annual Report 2023
April 15, 2024
This year, research papers authored by MacDiarmid Investigators have been featured on the front cover of seven international scientific journals.
Annual Report
2023 Funding successes - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
Funding successes for our Investigators and their research programmes during 2023.
Annual Report
Patent applications - Annual Report 2022
April 20, 2023
One of the early considerations on the path to market for materials science is what should be patented and why.
Annual Report
Spin-outs formed in 2022
April 20, 2023
Matthew Cowan – University of Canterbury
Permeance Limited
Laura Domigan – University of Auckland
Opo Bio Limited
Franck Natali - Victoria University of Wellington
Liquium
Shane…
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2022
April 19, 2023
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2022. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Journal Covers - Annual Report 2021
June 2, 2022
This page lists the various scientific journal covers that featured MacDiarmid Institute Investigators work in 2021.
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2021
May 9, 2022
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2021. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Journal Covers - Annual Report 2020
April 14, 2021
This page lists the various scientific journal covers that featured MacDiarmid Institute Investigators work in 2020.
Annual Report
Reducing the energy costs of gas separation
March 30, 2021
Dr Matthew Cowan is developing technology he hopes will cut the amount of energy used to produce many consumer products.
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
How can materials science offer a greener future for our planet? - Annual Report 2019
May 28, 2020
In 2019, we focused our annual regional showcase on 'NZ Innovation for Sustainability.'
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2019. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute-led research recieves $4.1 million funding
November 5, 2019
MacDiarmid Institute-led advanced materials and nanotechnology research received $4.1 million funding through the 2019 Marsden Fund.
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute-led research recieves $4.1 million funding
Annual Report
Metal Organic Frameworks - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
An entire rugby turf in a teaspoon: the tiny crystal game-changers in combatting climate change.
Read more about Metal Organic Frameworks - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
New Associate Investigators - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
An overview of the research interests of each of our nine new Associate Investigators.
Read more about New Associate Investigators - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
This article from our 2018 Annual Report provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators over the past year.
Annual Report
Alumni stories - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Over 850 MacDiarmid Institute alumni are now using their expertise to make amazing scientific breakthroughs, mentor students, achieve commercial success, and be business leaders. Our alumni have amazing stories to tell.
Annual Report
MacDiarmid alumni videos - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
We created short (90 second) videos presented by 11 of our alumni for school students who are considering whether to continue with science, to show them some of the many different places (mostly outside academia) where science studies might take them.
Read more about MacDiarmid alumni videos - Annual Report 2018
Interface Magazine
Matthew Cowan: Silver ions to the rescue!
July 10, 2015
We’re often told that obliging industry to significantly reduce energy consumption and energy-related emissions would be bad for business and the economy. There may be some truth in that, but it also seems apparent that if there was the political and economic will, there would be the scientific ways.
Podcasts
Element of the Week - Silver (Ag)
June 21, 2019
Dr Matthew Cowan introduces the element Silver on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Xenon (Xe)
September 23, 2019
Associate Investigator Dr Matthew Cowan introduces the element Xenon on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week segment.
Sci Fi/Sci Fact: Cuendillar
May 28, 2024
Dr Matt Cowan discusses Cuendillar, or Heartstone, an almost indestructible substance from The Wheel of Time book.
Videos
Dr Matthew Cowan: improving solar energy
April 22, 2020
MacDiarmid Institute alumnus Dr Matthew Cowan discusses his research and the importance of failure in success.
MacDiarmid Alumni Videos
March 21, 2019
Ten MacDiarmid Institute alumni talk about their work in nanotechnology and materials science, showing their persistence, dedication, and curiosity.
Alumnus Matthew Cowan: the importance of failure in success
February 25, 2019
MacDiarmid Institute alumnus Dr Matthew Cowan discusses his research and the importance of failure in success.
Read more about Alumnus Matthew Cowan: the importance of failure in success
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