Matthias Meyer

Matthias Meyer creates scientific art on his computer. Not just pretty pictures, but images that convey the science he is involved in. For example, in this picture, a green laser irradiates a molecule set in a metallic colloid base, shown as the rock-like spheres. This light causes the molecule to shine brightly and emit light of a different colour (shown in red), which can then be analysed to find out about the properties of the molecule. This technique is known as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is central to his work as a PhD student in the Raman Lab at Victoria University.

The journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) approached Prof Pablo Etchegoin's group in 2007 to submit a cover image to accompany one of their articles. Matthias offered to come up with something and after a brainstorm with the team, produced an image which PCCP chose to put on the cover. He has since had four more cover images published, two of which were commissioned by other research groups, and also designed the cover of a new book on SERS, written by Victoria University scientists.

Matthias grew up in East Germany and was 11 when the wall came down. He began drawing as a child and made his first comics when he was about seven years old – which he now describes in less than complimentary terms. He was quick to make use of computers in his art and tells of spending a lump sum he received as a child to buy a co-processor to run 3D calculations for his image programme.

He studied science in Berlin but after 26 years was desperate to get away – as far away as possible. He contemplated Australia, but discovered New Zealand was even further from Germany! Stumbling across Prof Pablo Etchegoin's group through the MacDiarmid Institute's website, Matthias made contact and was offered a position as a PhD student. He enjoys the small size of the group and appreciates Pablo's approachable style and hands-on attitude to lab work. He is full of praise for New Zealand and the group saying “everything is perfect and I have no regrets – coming here was the best thing I did in 26 years”.