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)

141 - 160 of 160 works

2005

Journal Article

The hazards of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and lay people.

Laycock, B, Covey, G and Grist, S (2005). The hazards of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and lay people.. Appita Journal, 58 (6), 433-441.

The hazards of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and lay people.

2005

Conference Publication

The hazard of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and laypeople

Laycock, Bronwyn, Covey, Geoff and Grist, Steve (2005). The hazard of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and laypeople. 59th Appita Annual Conference and Exhibition: Incorporating the 13th ISWFPC (International Symposium on Wood, Fibre and Pulping Chemistry), Auckland, New Zealand, 16-19 May 2005. Carlton, Vic: Appita Inc.

The hazard of peracetic acid bleaching: a comparative risk ranking between experts and laypeople

2001

Other Outputs

Aqueous Polyimide Process

Laycock, B., Hawthorne, D., Hodgkin, J. and Morton, T. (2001). Aqueous Polyimide Process. 6,333,391.

Aqueous Polyimide Process

2000

Journal Article

Hydrogel lens monomer constituents modulate protein sorption

Garrett, Qian, Laycock, Bronwyn and Garrett, R. Wayne (2000). Hydrogel lens monomer constituents modulate protein sorption. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 41 (7), 1687-1695.

Hydrogel lens monomer constituents modulate protein sorption

2000

Other Outputs

Process for manufacture of a porous polymer from a mixture

Chaouk, H., Meijs, G. and Laycock, B. (2000). Process for manufacture of a porous polymer from a mixture. 6,015,609.

Process for manufacture of a porous polymer from a mixture

1999

Other Outputs

Polymerizable siloxane macromonomers

Laycock, B. and Meijs, G. (1999). Polymerizable siloxane macromonomers. 5,981,615.

Polymerizable siloxane macromonomers

1999

Other Outputs

Cell growth substrate polymer

Meijs, G., Laycock, B., Griffiths, M., Cheong, E., Steele, J. and Johnson, G. (1999). Cell growth substrate polymer. 5,994,133.

Cell growth substrate polymer

1999

Other Outputs

Extended wear ophthalmic lens

Nicolson, P., Baron, R., Chabrecek, P., Court, J., Domschke, J., Griesser, H., Ho, A., Hoepken, J., Laycock, B., Liu, Q., Lohmann, D., Meijs, G., Papaspiliotopoulos, J., Riffle, J., Schindhelm, K., Sweeney, D., Terry, W., Vogt, J. and Winterton, L. (1999). Extended wear ophthalmic lens. 5,849,811.

Extended wear ophthalmic lens

1999

Other Outputs

Extended Wear Ophthalmic Lens

Nicolson, P., Baron, R., Chabrecek, P., Court, J., Domschke, A., Griesser, H., Ho, A., Hoepken, J., Laycock, B., Liu, Q., Lohmann, D., Meijs, G., Papaspiliotopoulos, E., Riffle, J., Schindhelm, K., Sweeney, D., Terry, W., Vogt, J. and Winterton, L. (1999). Extended Wear Ophthalmic Lens. 5,965,631.

Extended Wear Ophthalmic Lens

1999

Other Outputs

“Perfluoroalkylether macromer having two polymerisable groups”

Meijs, G., Laycock, B., Griffiths, M. and Cheong, E. (1999). “Perfluoroalkylether macromer having two polymerisable groups”. 5,962,611.

“Perfluoroalkylether macromer having two polymerisable groups”

1999

Other Outputs

“Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromer”

Meijs, G., Laycock, B., Steele, J. and Johnson, G. (1999). “Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromer”.

“Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromer”

1999

Conference Publication

Cell interactions with perfluoropolyether-based network copolymers

Johnson, G., Meijs, G. F., Laycock, B. G., Griffith, M. G., Chaouk, H. and Steele, J. G. (1999). Cell interactions with perfluoropolyether-based network copolymers. American Chemical Society (ACS) Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, 13-17 April 1997. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1163/156856299X00144

Cell interactions with perfluoropolyether-based network copolymers

1998

Other Outputs

“Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromere"

Nicolson, P., Baron, R., Chabrecek, J., Court, J., Domschke, A., Griesser, H., Ho, A., Hoepken, J., Laycock, B., Liu, Q., Lohmann, D., Meijs, G., Papaspiliotopoulos, E., Riffle, J., Schindhelm, K., Sweeney, D., Terry, W., Vogt, J. and Winterton, L. (1998). “Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromere". 5,789,461.

“Polymerizable perfluoroalkylether macromere"

1998

Other Outputs

Extended wear ophthalmic lens

Nicolson, P., Baron, R., Chabrecek, P., Court, J., Domschke, A., Griesser, H., Ho, A., Hoepken, J., Laycock, B., Liu, Q., Lohmann, D., Meijs, G., Papaspiliotopoulos, E., Riffle, J., Schindhelm, K., Sweeney, D., Terry, W., Vogt, J. and Winterton, L. (1998). Extended wear ophthalmic lens. US5760100 A.

Extended wear ophthalmic lens

1998

Other Outputs

Methods of forming an extended wear ophthalmic lens having a hydrophilic surface

Nicolson, P., Baron, R., Chabrecek, P., Court, J., Domschke, A., Griesser, H., Ho, A., Hoepken, J., Laycock, B., Liu, Q., Lohmann, D., Meijs, G., Papaspiliotopoulos, E., Riffle, J., Schindhelm, K., Sweeney, D., Terry, W., Vogt, J. and Winterton, L. (1998). Methods of forming an extended wear ophthalmic lens having a hydrophilic surface. US5776999 A.

Methods of forming an extended wear ophthalmic lens having a hydrophilic surface

1992

Other Outputs

The electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes : investigations into the mechanism of the electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes and the synthesis of optically active silicon centred allylic silacyclopentanes

Laycock, Bronwyn (1992). The electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes : investigations into the mechanism of the electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes and the synthesis of optically active silicon centred allylic silacyclopentanes. PhD Thesis, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.579

The electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes : investigations into the mechanism of the electrophilic cleavage of allylsilanes and the synthesis of optically active silicon centred allylic silacyclopentanes

1988

Journal Article

Syntheesis and stereochemistry of acidolysis of some cyclohept-2-enylstannames and -silanes

Kitching W., Penman K.G., Laycock B. and Maynard I. (1988). Syntheesis and stereochemistry of acidolysis of some cyclohept-2-enylstannames and -silanes. Tetrahedron, 44 (13), 3819-3831. doi: 10.1016/S0040-4020(01)86639-4

Syntheesis and stereochemistry of acidolysis of some cyclohept-2-enylstannames and -silanes

1988

Journal Article

Silylcuprate routes to cyclohex-2-enylsilanes

Laycock, Bronwyn, Maynard, Ian, Wickham, Geoffrey and Kitching, William (1988). Silylcuprate routes to cyclohex-2-enylsilanes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 41 (5), 693-700. doi: 10.1071/CH9880693

Silylcuprate routes to cyclohex-2-enylsilanes

1986

Journal Article

Stereochemistry of acidolysis of cyclohept-2-enyl-silanes and -stannanes

Kitching, W, Laycock, B, Maynard, I and Penman, K (1986). Stereochemistry of acidolysis of cyclohept-2-enyl-silanes and -stannanes. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications (12), 954-955. doi: 10.1039/C39860000954

Stereochemistry of acidolysis of cyclohept-2-enyl-silanes and -stannanes

1983

Journal Article

Allylsilanes from allylchlorides and silylcuprates

Laycock, B, Kitching, W and Wickham, G (1983). Allylsilanes from allylchlorides and silylcuprates. Tetrahedron Letters, 24 (51), 5785-5788. doi: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94201-1

Allylsilanes from allylchlorides and silylcuprates

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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