Professor Bronwyn Laycock
Professor

Bronwyn Laycock

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 68882

Background

Professor Bronwyn Laycock has a diverse background in translational research, working not only in academia but also in industry and as a consulting chemist as well as at CSIRO. Her research activities have ranged from bio/degradable polymers, composites, organic and organometallic synthesis, waste conversion technologies, and pulp and paper chemistry, to general polymer chemistry. She is currently working across a range of projects with a focus on materials for circular economy applications and management of the transition to the new plastics economy. The application areas in her research program include biopolymers (particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates), polymer lifetime estimation and end-of-life management/conversion technologies, biocomposites, controlled release matrixes for pesticide and fertiliser applications, polyurethane chemistry, and biodegradable packaging.

She has a strong history of successful commercialisation and impact, being a co-inventor on CSIRO's extended wear contact lens program (recognised as its fourth most significant invention) - for which she was awarded a joint CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement 2009. As a Project Leader and Deputy Program Leader within the CRC for Polymers, she also managed a project that delivered an oxodegradable thin film polyethylene that was commercially licenced by Integrated Packaging. This work earned the team a Joint Chairman’s Award for research/commercialization (CRC for Polymers) and an Excellence in Innovation Award (CRC Association).

Availability

Professor Bronwyn Laycock is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Engineering Environmental engineering Functional materials Materials engineering Polymers and plastics

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma, University of Melbourne
  • Masters (Coursework), University of Melbourne

Research interests

  • Biodegradable polymers - Polyhydroxyalkanoates

    Polyhydroxyalkanoates are microbially synthesised biodegradable polymers that have properties comparable with polypropylene. They can be synthesised using mixed cultures from wastewater treatment plants and fermented waste carbon streams, and have very versatile properties depending on feedstock. Not only are they completely biodegradable, even in a marine environment, they are also water resistant (unusual for a biopolymer).

  • Controlled release formulations for agricultural applications

  • Biocomposites, particularly wood biopolymer composites

  • Starch based products for packaging applications

  • Polymer lifetime estimation and biodegradation

  • Reducing methane emissions from cows

Research impacts

Professor Laycock's research seeks to address some of the challenges around global sustainability and planetary boundaries, such as plastics sustainability, nutrient recovery and efficiency, controlled release formulations and sustainable materials for the circular economy, particularly bioderived materials for packaging, film and other applications, as well as plastics lifetime and impact estimation and end-of-life management.

Search Professor Bronwyn Laycock’s works on UQ eSpace

160 works between 1983 and 2026
All (160) Journal Article (106) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (27) Other Outputs (21)

61 - 80 of 160 works

2019

Journal Article

Mainstream ammonium recovery to advance sustainable urban wastewater management

Cruz, Heidy, Law, Ying Yu, Guest, Jeremy S., Rabaey, Korneel, Batstone, Damien, Laycock, Bronwyn, Verstraete, Willy and Pikaar, Ilje (2019). Mainstream ammonium recovery to advance sustainable urban wastewater management. Environmental Science & Technology, 53 (19) acs.est.9b00603, 11066-11079. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00603

Mainstream ammonium recovery to advance sustainable urban wastewater management

2019

Journal Article

Insights into the biodegradation of PHA/wood composites: micro- and macroscopic changes

Chan, Clement Matthew, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Insights into the biodegradation of PHA/wood composites: micro- and macroscopic changes. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 21 e00099. doi: 10.1016/j.susmat.2019.e00099

Insights into the biodegradation of PHA/wood composites: micro- and macroscopic changes

2019

Journal Article

Public attitudes towards plastics

Dilkes-Hoffman, Leela Sarena, Pratt, Steven, Laycock, Bronwyn, Ashworth, Peta and Lant, Paul Andrew (2019). Public attitudes towards plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 147, 227-235. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.05.005

Public attitudes towards plastics

2019

Journal Article

Influence of different nanocellulose additives on processing and performance of PAN-based carbon fibers

Jiang, Edward, Maghe, Maxime, Zohdi, Nima, Amiralian, Nasim, Naebe, Minoo, Laycock, Bronwyn, Fox, Bronwyn L., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Influence of different nanocellulose additives on processing and performance of PAN-based carbon fibers. ACS Omega, 4 (6), 9720-9730. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00266

Influence of different nanocellulose additives on processing and performance of PAN-based carbon fibers

2019

Journal Article

Understanding the effect of copolymer content on the processability and mechanical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/wood composites

Matthew Chan, Clement, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Ma, Yiming, Chen, Guo-Qiang, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Understanding the effect of copolymer content on the processability and mechanical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/wood composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 124 105437, 105437. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.05.005

Understanding the effect of copolymer content on the processability and mechanical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/wood composites

2019

Journal Article

The rate of biodegradation of PHA bioplastics in the marine environment: a meta-study

Dilkes-Hoffman, Leela Sarena, Lant, Paul Andrew, Laycock, Bronwyn and Pratt, Steven (2019). The rate of biodegradation of PHA bioplastics in the marine environment: a meta-study. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 142, 15-24. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.020

The rate of biodegradation of PHA bioplastics in the marine environment: a meta-study

2019

Journal Article

Degradation and stabilization of polyurethane elastomers

Xie, Fengwei, Zhang, Tianlong, Bryant, Peter, Kurusingal, Valsala, Colwell, John M. and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Degradation and stabilization of polyurethane elastomers. Progress in Polymer Science, 90, 211-268. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2018.12.003

Degradation and stabilization of polyurethane elastomers

2019

Journal Article

Understanding the mobilisation of a nitrification inhibitor from novel slow release pellets, fabricated through extrusion processing with PHBV biopolymer

Levett, Ian, Pratt, Steven, Donose, Bogdan C., Brackin, Richard, Pratt, Chris, Redding, Matthew R and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Understanding the mobilisation of a nitrification inhibitor from novel slow release pellets, fabricated through extrusion processing with PHBV biopolymer. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 67 (9) acs.jafc.8b05709, 2449-2458. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05709

Understanding the mobilisation of a nitrification inhibitor from novel slow release pellets, fabricated through extrusion processing with PHBV biopolymer

2019

Journal Article

Biomimetic peptide nanowires designed for conductivity

Creasey, Rhiannon C. G., Mostert, A. Bernardus, Solemanifar, Armin, Nguyen, Tuan A. H., Virdis, Bernardino, Freguia, Stefano and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Biomimetic peptide nanowires designed for conductivity. ACS Omega, 4 (1), 1748-1756. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02231

Biomimetic peptide nanowires designed for conductivity

2019

Book Chapter

The role of biodegradable plastic in solving plastic solid waste accumulation

Dilkes-Hoffman, L.S., Pratt, S., Lant, P.A. and Laycock, B. (2019). The role of biodegradable plastic in solving plastic solid waste accumulation. Plastics to Energy. (pp. 469-505) edited by S.M. Al-Salem. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-813140-4.00019-4

The role of biodegradable plastic in solving plastic solid waste accumulation

2019

Conference Publication

Adsorbents for the sequestration of the Pimelea toxin, simplexin

Gordon, Russell J., Hungerford, Natasha L., Laycock, Bronwyn, Ouwerkerk, Diane and Fletcher, Mary T. (2019). Adsorbents for the sequestration of the Pimelea toxin, simplexin. Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC) 2019, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 19 - 22 August 2019.

Adsorbents for the sequestration of the Pimelea toxin, simplexin

2019

Conference Publication

Are toxic Pimelea secondary compounds absorbed via the intestinal lymph?

Gordon, Russell J., Hungerford, Natasha L., Laycock, Bronwyn and Fletcher, Mary T. (2019). Are toxic Pimelea secondary compounds absorbed via the intestinal lymph?. 4th Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2019, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2019.

Are toxic Pimelea secondary compounds absorbed via the intestinal lymph?

2019

Book Chapter

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics from organic waste

Pratt, Steven, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Gapes, Daniel, Werker, Alan, Oehmen, Adrian and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics from organic waste. Biorefinery: integrated sustainable processes for biomass conversion to biomaterials, biofuels, and fertilizers. (pp. 615-638) edited by Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel and Jens Ejbye Schmidt. Springer International Publishing: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-10961-5_26

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics from organic waste

2019

Conference Publication

Biopolymer composites for slow release to manage Pimelea poisoning in cattle

Gauthier, Emilie, Ouwerkerk, Diane, Laycock, Bronwyn and Fletcher, Mary (2019). Biopolymer composites for slow release to manage Pimelea poisoning in cattle. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036097

Biopolymer composites for slow release to manage Pimelea poisoning in cattle

2019

Conference Publication

Modelling the controlled release of toxins in a rumen environment

Yuan, Yue, Gauthier, Emilie, Hungerford, Natasha L., Ouwerkerk, Diane, Fletcher, Mary T. and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Modelling the controlled release of toxins in a rumen environment. 4th Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2019, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2019.

Modelling the controlled release of toxins in a rumen environment

2018

Journal Article

Sorbents can tailor nitrogen release from organic wastes to match the uptake capacity of crops

Chin, A., Schmidt, S., Buckley, S., Pirie, R., Redding, M., Laycock, B., Luckman, P., Batstone, D. J., Robinson, N. and Brackin, R. (2018). Sorbents can tailor nitrogen release from organic wastes to match the uptake capacity of crops. Science of the Total Environment, 645, 1474-1483. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.135

Sorbents can tailor nitrogen release from organic wastes to match the uptake capacity of crops

2018

Journal Article

The morphology of crystallisation of PHBV/PHBV copolymer blends

Langford, Alexandra, Chan, Clement Matthew, Pratt, Steven, Garvey, Christopher J. and Laycock, Bronwyn (2018). The morphology of crystallisation of PHBV/PHBV copolymer blends. European Polymer Journal, 112, 104-119. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.12.022

The morphology of crystallisation of PHBV/PHBV copolymer blends

2018

Journal Article

Experimental data for extrusion processing and tensile properties of Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polymer and wood fibre reinforced PHBV biocomposites

Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Chan, Clement Matthew, Werker, Alan, Richardson, Des, Laycock, Bronwyn and Pratt, Steven (2018). Experimental data for extrusion processing and tensile properties of Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polymer and wood fibre reinforced PHBV biocomposites. Data in Brief, 22, 687-692. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.12.084

Experimental data for extrusion processing and tensile properties of Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polymer and wood fibre reinforced PHBV biocomposites

2018

Journal Article

Mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/wood flour composites: effect of interface modifiers

Chan, Clement Matthew, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2018). Mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/wood flour composites: effect of interface modifiers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135 (43) 46828, 46828. doi: 10.1002/app.46828

Mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/wood flour composites: effect of interface modifiers

2018

Journal Article

Early-stage photodegradation of aromatic poly(urethane-urea) elastomers

Zhang, Tianlong, Xie, Fengwei, Motuzas, Julius, Bryant, Peter, Kurusingal, Valsala, Colwell, John M. and Laycock, Bronwyn (2018). Early-stage photodegradation of aromatic poly(urethane-urea) elastomers. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 157, 181-198. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.09.020

Early-stage photodegradation of aromatic poly(urethane-urea) elastomers

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Biodegradable and bioderived coatings for controlled release fertilisers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    Controlling the lifetime of biodegradable polymers in natural environments
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    EAP - Biopolymers to deliver bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2028
    Fight Food Waste CRC - Transform Program
    Fight Food Waste CRC
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Research into extrusion processing of starch
    Manildra Group of Companies
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Review of proposed materials as replacements for nondegradeable running shoe soles
    Lean Apparel Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Opportunity for PHA Production from Corn - A Preliminary Concept Evaluation
    Lihua Starch Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    PHA Bioplastic from Qld Sugar - Pilot Plant Development Project
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of novel biodegradable packaging for marine products
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Value Adding Recycled Plastics - PET product development
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    A roadmap to tackle marine plastic pollution in Malaysia
    Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
    Open grant
  • 2021
    PHA Meat Tray Prototype
    The Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Biodegradable nappies from starch hydrogels produced using reactive extrusion
    Shoalhaven Starches Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Feedstock Trials - Technical assessment of pre-treatment and extrusion of sugarcane tops and trash
    Licella Holdings Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Addressing bio-composite technology gaps
    Composites Innovation Centre Manitoba Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Value Adding Recycled Plastics - PET Separation and Conversion
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Efficient CO and CO2 conversion to biopolymers using phototrophic bacteria
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Imaging in the nano-scale age: terahertz and millimetre wave microanalysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Improving beef production through management of plant toxins
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Tough bio-derived and biodegradable wood plastic composites
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Environmentally responsive biocomposite fertilisers
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Novel catalytic process for sustainable diesel production from waste (CRC-P administered by Eco Fuel Innovations Ptd Ltd)
    Eco Fuel Innovations Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    More profit from Nitrogen - New technologies and managements: transforming nitrogen use efficiency in cane production
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Automated fibre braiding facility for multifunctional structural materials (ARC LIEF project administered by RMIT University)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Fertilisers from piggery liquid effluent and solids via nutrient extraction and solid formulations
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Polyurethanes
    Defence Materials Technology Centre
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Development of biodegradable controlled release pesticides
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    High performance sustainable carbon fibres from Australian spinifex grass
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Advanced Macromolecular Thin Film and Materials Characterisation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Novel bioderived and biodegradable wood plastic composites from wastes
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Improving the efficiency and cost of carbon fibre production
    Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd - Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Generating advanced bioplastics from pulp and paper waste streams - technology for making PHA from C1 carbon
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Polymers for water and food security
    CRC for Polymers
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Polyolefin-biopolymer films for more sustainable agricultural production
    CRC for Polymers
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Chemical Engineering
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Polymer gas barrier property facility for development of smart membranes, packing and biomedical films
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Bronwyn Laycock is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Not currently available

  • Applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates in the circular economy

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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