Andrew R. Barron

Andrew R. Barron (born 20 May 1962) is a British chemist, academic, and entrepreneur. He is the Sêr Cymru Chair of Low Carbon Energy and Environment at Swansea University, and the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Foundation Chair in Chemistry at Rice University.^[1] He is the founder and director of Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI) at Swansea University,^[2] which consolidates the energy research at the University with a focus on environmental impact and future security.^[3] At Rice University, he leads a Research Group and has served as Associate Dean for Industry Interactions and Technology Transfer.^[4]

Most of Barron's work has revolved around the study of nanoparticles and their applications. Early on, he studied how the structure of a molecule could overcome thermodynamic control and create new solid state structures. Some of his early work also dealt with alumoxanes and ceramic nanomaterials.^[5] In the early 2000s, his research began to focus on carbon nanomaterials, the functionalization of fullerenes and single walled carbon nanotubes. Later, application of nanotechnology to energy problems became the focal point of his work. He has authored over 440 papers and 6 books, including a book co-authored with his wife, Merrie Barron, entitled Project Management for Scientists and Engineers.^[6][7]

Barron is the co-founder of Oxane Materials and Natcore Technology.^[8] He was a co-founder of the Rice Alliance.^[9]

Barron has received several awards for his research and work. He received the Humboldt Senior Scientist Research Award in 1997, the Welch Foundation Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research in 2002 and the Lifetime Achievement Award by Houston Technology Center in Nanotechnology in 2011. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.^[10]