WINNERS BIOGRAPHIES

Mark Knackstedt

Knackstedt was awarded a BSc from Columbia University in Chemical Engineering (1985) and obtained a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Rice University in 1990. From 1990 been resident at the Department of Applied Mathematics at Australian National University (ANU); since 2005 he has been Professor of Applied Mathematics at ANU and Visiting Professor at the School of Petroleum Engineering at University of NSW (UNSW).

With his research group he has led a significant “Digital Materials” research effort (>25 staff & students) which has pioneered the study of real-world materials in three-dimensions via a two-pronged approach: sophisticated structural measurements with state of the art tomographic and microscopy methods coupled with sophisticated image analysis and numerical modeling tools. This combined development allows for a new numerical laboratory approach to the study of complex disordered materials. Numerical measurements performed directly on images can in some cases be performed with similar accuracy and considerably reduced complexity and cost than corresponding laboratory measurements.

This development provides petroleum engineers and geoscientists with a new image-based core analysis technology which can enhance conventional core analysis techniques and allows analysis of unconsolidated cores, sidewall cores and drill cuttings which are not suitable for conventional laboratory measurement. The importance to the industry is illustrated by the membership of an ANU/UNSW research sponsorship by leading oil and gas industry companies including Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Total. He is presently CTO of Digital Core, a private company set up last year to offer this advanced technology to industry at large.