Professor Barry Ninham receives Matthew Flinders Medal

ANU Emeritus Professor Barry Ninham AO FAA has been awarded the Matthew Flinders Medal by the Australian Academy of Science for his work in the physical sciences, including technological innovations for the developing world. Professor Ninham and his colleagues designed world-leading technologies for desalination and for cleaning recycled water of bacteria, viruses, drugs, arsenic and nuclear waste. This technology is particularly relevant to third-world countries where access to clean water is challenging. Professor Ninham is the world's leading researcher on colloid and surface science, an interdisciplinary science combining physical, chemical and biological sciences. He is renowned for his work in the self-assembly of biological molecules and the theory of molecular forces. "This honour celebrates a truly spectacular research leader," said Professor Tim Senden, Director of the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering. "Barry is one of the most remarkable intellects I've met.