Work with CarbonMat
CarbonMat works with people and organisations through research partnerships, specialist interpretation, scientific review, and training in organic petrology and natural carbon materials.
Project Collaboration
CarbonMat works with researchers, universities, laboratories, companies and other organisations on projects involving coal petrography, dispersed organic matter, thermally altered coal and natural graphite.
How CarbonMat can contribute
Refining scientific questions and developing hypotheses
Designing analytical approaches
Interpreting petrographic and microstructural evidence
Integrating results from different analytical techniques
Examining uncertainties and alternative explanations
Contributing to reports, presentations and publications
Providing continued scientific input as a project develops
The exact role of CarbonMat will depend on the project. Some collaborations may involve a defined piece of interpretation or review. Others may require continued involvement from the early planning stages through to the final discussion of results.
Starting a conversation
Initial enquiriesare welcome. A short introductory discussion can be used to establish whether the project is a good fit. Where more detailed scientific input is required, including hypothesis development, analytical planning or assessment of existing data, this will form part of a paid scoping engagement or research partnership.
Scope of Work
CarbonMat contributes specialist knowledge, scientific interpretation and critical discussion. Routine sample analysis, instrument operation, certification, accreditation and JORC compliance are not provided.
Specialist Interpretation and Scientific Review
Not every scientific question requires a full research partnership. Sometimes the data already exist, but the interpretation needs another set of eyes.
CarbonMat provides independent interpretation and scientific review for projects involving coal petrography, dispersed organic matter, thermally altered coal and natural graphite. The work is based on images, analytical results, reports and other information supplied by the client.
How CarbonMat can contribute
Interpret petrographic images, data and analytical results
Review methods, classifications and scientific reasoning
Integrate evidence from different analytical techniques
Identify uncertainties, inconsistencies and alternative explanations
Comment on technical reports, manuscripts and presentations
Provide annotated images, written comments or technical memoranda
Discuss results through an online consultation
The scope and form of the work will depend on the question being addressed. It may involve a focused review of one dataset, a broader interpretation combining several lines of evidence, or continued discussion as the project develops.
The purpose is not simply to describe the results, but to examine what they support, where the limitations lie and whether other interpretations should be considered.
Training and Education
CarbonMat offers training in coal petrography, dispersed organic matter, thermally altered coal and natural graphite.
Training may be developed for universities, research groups, laboratories, companies or other organisations. It can be designed for people encountering these subjects for the first time or for those who already have experience and want to examine a particular problem in greater depth.
Training may include
Short courses and technical workshops
Online seminars and discussion sessions
Training in petrographic concepts and interpretation
Maceral identification and classification
Interpretation of thermally altered coal
Introduction to natural graphite and its microstructural evolution
Review and discussion of client-supplied images or datasets
Training tailored to a particular project, team or level of experience
The content, depth and format are agreed in advance so that the training is appropriate for the people attending and the questions they need to address.
Public courses developed by CarbonMat will appear under Courses. Tailored training for organisations, research groups and technical teams can be arranged through Work with CarbonMat.
Connect with CarbonMat
Ready to work together?
Send a short description of your material, objectives, and timeline.
I will review feasibility and outline a practical approach.