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)

101 - 120 of 160 works

2017

Other Outputs

The urgent need to re-engineer nitrogen-efficient food production for the planet

Pikaar, Ilje, Matassa, Silvio, Rabaey, Korneel, Laycock, Bronwyn, Boon, Nico and Verstraete, Willy (2017). The urgent need to re-engineer nitrogen-efficient food production for the planet. Dresden, Germany: Dresden Nexus Conference.

The urgent need to re-engineer nitrogen-efficient food production for the planet

2017

Conference Publication

Stability of polyhydroxyalkanaote (PHA)-based wood plastic composites upon UV sunlight exposure

Chan, Clement Matthew, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond E., Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2017). Stability of polyhydroxyalkanaote (PHA)-based wood plastic composites upon UV sunlight exposure. 2017 Fibre Value Chain Conference and Expo, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 14-16 November 2017. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Appita.

Stability of polyhydroxyalkanaote (PHA)-based wood plastic composites upon UV sunlight exposure

2017

Conference Publication

Improving sustainability and performance of the rigid polyurethane foam by lignin with enhanced dispersion and dissolution

Hayati, Amir Nemati, Evans, David, Laycock, Bronwyn, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar (2017). Improving sustainability and performance of the rigid polyurethane foam by lignin with enhanced dispersion and dissolution. 2017 International Conference on Bionano Innovation, Brisbane, Australia, 24-27 September 2017.

Improving sustainability and performance of the rigid polyurethane foam by lignin with enhanced dispersion and dissolution

2016

Journal Article

Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing

Levett, Ian, Birkett, Greg, Davies, Nick, Bell, Aidan, Langford, Alexandra, Laycock, Bronwyn, Lant, Paul and Pratt, Steven (2016). Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4 (4A), 3724-3733. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2016.07.033

Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing

2016

Journal Article

Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives

Chan, Clement, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2016). Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives. Appita Journal, 69 (4), 352-360.

Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives

2016

Journal Article

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

Strong, Peter James, Laycock, Bronwyn, Syed Mahamud, Syarifah, Jensen, Paul, Lant, Paul A., Gene Tyson and Pratt, Steven (2016). The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane. Microorganisms, 4 (1) 11, 11. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms4010011

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

2016

Journal Article

Ambient climate and soil effects on the headspace under clear mulch film

Lisson, S. N., Tarbath, M., Corkrey, R., Pinkard, E. A., Laycock, B., Howden, S. M., Botwright Acuna, T. and Makin, A. (2016). Ambient climate and soil effects on the headspace under clear mulch film. Agricultural Systems, 142, 41-50. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.11.004

Ambient climate and soil effects on the headspace under clear mulch film

2016

Journal Article

Fluxes in PHA-storing microbial communities during enrichment and biopolymer accumulation processes

Janarthanan, Om Murugan, Laycock, Bronwyn, Montano-Herrera, Liliana, Lu, Yang, Arcos-Hernandez, Monica V., Werker, Alan and Pratt, Steven (2016). Fluxes in PHA-storing microbial communities during enrichment and biopolymer accumulation processes. New Biotechnology, 33 (1), 61-72. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2015.07.007

Fluxes in PHA-storing microbial communities during enrichment and biopolymer accumulation processes

2016

Conference Publication

Maximising value from biomass processing

Covey, G., Laycock, B., O'Shea, M. and Vuong, K. J. (2016). Maximising value from biomass processing. Fibre Value Chain Conference and Expo 2016: Pulp and Paper Bioenergy Bioproducts, Rotorua, New Zealand, 12-14 October 2016. Bundoora, VIC, Australia: Appita Inc..

Maximising value from biomass processing

2016

Conference Publication

Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives

Chan, C., Vandi, L., Pratt, S., Halley, P., Richardson, D., Werker, A. and Laycock, B. (2016). Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives. Fibre Value Chain Conference and Expo 2016: Pulp and Paper Bioenergy Bioproducts, Rotorua, New Zealand, 12 - 14 October 2016. Appita.

Processing and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites: effect of non-reactive additives

2016

Conference Publication

Synthetic Analogues of Microbial Nanowires

Creasey, R., Virdis, B., Nguyen, Tuan A. H., Solemanifar, A., Freguia, S. and Laycock, B. (2016). Synthetic Analogues of Microbial Nanowires. 55th Annual ASMR National Scientific Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 13-15 Nov 2016.

Synthetic Analogues of Microbial Nanowires

2015

Journal Article

Effect of soil environment on the photo-degradation of polyethylene films

Gauthier, Emilie, Nikolic, Melissa, Truss, Rowan, Laycock, Bronwyn and Halley, Peter (2015). Effect of soil environment on the photo-degradation of polyethylene films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132 (39) 42558, 42558.1-42558.10. doi: 10.1002/app.42558

Effect of soil environment on the photo-degradation of polyethylene films

2015

Other Outputs

Production of carbon fiber used as e.g. lightweight automobile component, involves spinning precursor fiber filament from solution comprising nanocellulose fibril, and carbonizing filament by pyrolysis at elevated temperature

Martin, Darren J., McFarland, Eric , Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar and Laycock, Bronwyn (2015). Production of carbon fiber used as e.g. lightweight automobile component, involves spinning precursor fiber filament from solution comprising nanocellulose fibril, and carbonizing filament by pyrolysis at elevated temperature. WO2015143497-A1.

Production of carbon fiber used as e.g. lightweight automobile component, involves spinning precursor fiber filament from solution comprising nanocellulose fibril, and carbonizing filament by pyrolysis at elevated temperature

2015

Journal Article

Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment

Arcos-Hernandez, M., Montano-Herrera, L., Janarthanan, O.Murugan., Quadri, L., Anterrieu, S., Hjort, M., Alexandersson, T., Karlsson, A., Karabegovic, L., Magnusson, P., Johansson, P., Bengtsson, S., Morgan-Sagastume, F., de Vegt, O., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Halley, P., Lant, P. and Werker, A. (2015). Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment. Water Practice and Technology, 10 (3), 546-555. doi: 10.2166/wpt.2015.063

Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment

2015

Journal Article

The effect of common agrichemicals on the environmental stability of polyethylene films

Yeh, Chung-Liang, Nikolic, Melissa A. L., Gomes, Brunell, Gauthier, Emilie, Laycock, Bronwyn, Halley, Peter, Bottle, Steven E. and Colwell, John M. (2015). The effect of common agrichemicals on the environmental stability of polyethylene films. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 120 7675, 53-60. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.06.007

The effect of common agrichemicals on the environmental stability of polyethylene films

2014

Journal Article

Fractionation of microbial populations in a PHA accumulating mixed culture and associated PHA content and composition

Janarthanan, Om Murugan, Yu, Yang, Laycock, Bronwyn, Werker, Alan and Pratt, Steven (2014). Fractionation of microbial populations in a PHA accumulating mixed culture and associated PHA content and composition. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 71, 53-58. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.04.055

Fractionation of microbial populations in a PHA accumulating mixed culture and associated PHA content and composition

2014

Journal Article

Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures

Laycock, Bronwyn, Arcos-Hernandez, Monica V., Langford, Alexandra, Buchanan, Jessica, Halley, Peter J., Werker, Alan, Lant, Paul A. and Pratt, Steven (2014). Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 131 (19) 40836, 1-19. doi: 10.1002/app.40836

Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures

2014

Journal Article

Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures

Laycock, Bronwyn, Arcos-Hernandez, Monica V., Langford, Alexandra, Pratt, Steven, Werker, Alan, Halley, Peter J. and Lant, Paul A. (2014). Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures. New Biotechnology, 31 (4), 345-356. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2013.05.005

Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures

2014

Journal Article

Erratum to “The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates” [Prog. Polym. Sci. 38 (2013) 536–583]

Laycock, Bronwyn, Halley, Peter, Pratt, Steven, Werker, Alan and Lant, Paul (2014). Erratum to “The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates” [Prog. Polym. Sci. 38 (2013) 536–583]. Progress in Polymer Science, 39 (2), 396-396. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2013.06.007

Erratum to “The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates” [Prog. Polym. Sci. 38 (2013) 536–583]

2014

Journal Article

The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates

Laycock, Bronwyn, Halley, Peter, Pratt, Steven, Werker, Alan and Lant, Paul (2014). The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates. Progress in Polymer Science, 39 (2), 397-442. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2013.06.008

The chemomechanical properties of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates

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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