Rate My Professor Michael Carr

Dr. Michael J. Carr is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering within the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with honours from the University of Newcastle in 2015. For his honours thesis, Carr investigated the production and technical specifications of the Rail Conveyor, an innovative overland conveyor technology. He subsequently pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering at the same institution, submitting his thesis titled "Identification, Characterisation and Modelling of Dynamic Adhesion for Optimised Transfer System Design" in April 2019. This work focused on developing strategies and models to predict and mitigate problematic behaviors of wet and sticky materials in materials handling systems. From June 2019 to January 2022, he held the position of Professional Officer in the Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, where he oversaw the design and construction of testing apparatus for both research projects and undergraduate experiments. Carr maintains active research affiliations with TUNRA Bulk Solids (TBS) and the Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies (CBSPT).

Carr's research specializations encompass belt conveying, bulk materials handling, discrete element modelling, engineering design, finite element analysis, mechanical engineering, and problematic ores. His fields of research include mechanical engineering not elsewhere classified (60%), engineering design (20%), and powder and particle technology (20%). He has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including "Belt Conveyor Design and Troubleshooting" (2023), "Optimisation of Overland Conveyor Systems using Large Diameter Idler Rolls" (2025), "Ultra-Efficient Haulage: First Rail-Running Belt Conveyor - To Carry 13,000Mtph in 2024" (2024), "Test Methods to Predict the Durability of Conveyor Belt Top Covers" (2023), and "Calibration Procedure of Discrete Element Method (DEM) Parameters for Cohesive Bulk Materials" (2019). Carr has received major awards such as the Citation for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Engineering Education from the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (2022), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Postgraduate Research Prize in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (2017), Morison Prize (Senior) in Mechanical Engineering (2014), and multiple University of Newcastle Excellence Awards in Teaching Excellence and Industry Engagement (2020-2021). His contributions have advanced energy-efficient bulk handling technologies and innovative engineering education practices.