![Professor Peter Halley](/sites/default/files/profiles/333.jpeg)
Overview
Background
BIO:
Noun (n): I am a Professor in polymer processing in Chemical Engineering, a chief investigator in Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) centre, a chief investigator/director of external links of the ARC industrial transformation training centre (ITTC) in bioplastics and biocomposites, a chief investigator in food and beverage accellerator (FaBA).and a chief investigator in the solving plastic waste cooperative research centre (spwCRC).
Verb (v): I work at the translational research interface between universities and industry. Specifically my research involves rheology, processing and product design of bio-based materials, polymers and nanocomposite materials. I lead translational research projects in biopolymers and biofluid platforms for agrifood, biomedical and high-value manufacturing sectors which attract government and industry funding; and produce patents, licences. industrial know-how as well as fundamental papers.
History (h): I have worked in industry (SRI international, Sola Optical, Moldflow), have worked in five cooperative research centres (CRCs -Food Packaging, Sugar Innovation, Polymers, Fighting Food Waste, Solving Plastic Waste), have acquired and managed continuous government and industry research projects since 1994, was heavily involved in the spinoff of Plantic Technologies from the CRC food packaging in 2002 (and ongoing research support with them until 2016), and was involved in the research that led to the TenasiTech (TPU nanocomposite) spinoff from UQ in 2007.I am a fellow of the institute of chemical engineers (IChemE) and a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). I am on the editorial board of the Plastics, Rubbers and Composites, Starch, the Journal of Renewable Materials, Green Materials and Functional Composite Materials-Springer-Nature. I have experience on the boards of the UQ Dow Centre, the UQ RTA Centre, and the UQ-HBIS Sustainable Steel Innovation Centre. I won IChemE Shedden Uhde Award and Prize for excellence in Chemical Engineering (2004), the CRC Sugar innovation award (2008), the CRCPolymers Chairman’s award for research and commercialisation (2011), and have received the CRC Association Technology Transfer Award, twice, in 2002 and 2015.
Research:
Current projects are focused on developing new sustainable and bio-based polymers and biochemicals from formulation through to degradation/disposal, understanding processing of nanostructured polymers, developing smarter biopolymers and materials for biomedical, drug delivery, food and high value applications, understanding rheology and processing of a range of polymer, foods and liquids and is involved in new initiatives in circular plastics.
Teaching and Learning:
My teaching has spanned Introduction to Engineering Design, Engineering Thermodynamics, Polymer Engineering, Process Economics, Research Thesis and Engineering Management. I am developing new courses in Sustainability and the Circular Economy. My overall teaching goal is to be a relevant, well organised, enthusiastic and empathetic enabler of learning using multiple teaching and learning modes, and be highly connected to current industrial practices and cutting edge research.
International links
I have been a visiting or invited professor at ENSICAEN-University, Caen, Normandy, University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Strasbourg and Institut national des sciences appliquées (INSA) de Lyon in France. I have strong international collaborations with the US Department of Agriculture, Albany, USA; Colorado School of Mines, USA; AnoxKaldnes, Sweden; University of Bradford, University of Warwick, University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, UK, SCION, NZ; Michigan State University, USA, and many Australian universities.
Availability
- Professor Peter Halley is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, The University of Queensland
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Functional Composite Materials, Functional Composite Materials
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Green Materials, Green Materials
- Fellow, Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
- Journal Editorial Board Member, J Renewable Materials, J Renewable Materials
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Plastics, Rubber & Composites: Macromolecular Engineering, Plastics, Rubber & Composites: Macromolecular Engineering
- Fellow, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
- Senior Member, Society of plastics engineers, Society of plastics engineers
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Starch/Starke, Starch/Starke
Research interests
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Sustainable materials and polymers
Current projects are focused on developing new sustainable and bio-based polymers and biochemicals from formulation through to degradation/disposal, understanding processing of nanostructured polymers, developing smarter biopolymers and materials for biomedical, drug delivery, food and high value applications and understanding rheology and processing of a range of polymer, foods and liquids, and circular plastics.
Research impacts
I am is a leading international expert in bio-based polymers and translational polymer research. My initial work on Australia's first biodegradable thermoplastic starch polymers led to the establishment of spin-off company Plantic Technologies, more than $75 million in venture financing, sales of commercially-viable products and a continued research provider relationship with Plantic. I have has led translational research projects in biopolymers and biofluid platforms for agrifood, biomedical and high-value manufacturing sectors which have attracted more than $14 million in government and industry funding; and produced patents, licences and new industrial know-how.
Works
Search Professor Peter Halley’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Book Chapter
Real-world factors that impact polyolefin lifetimes
Nikoli, M, Colwell, J., Yeh, C.-L., Cash, G., Laycock, B., Gauthier, E., Halley, P., Bottle, S. and George, G. (2026). Real-world factors that impact polyolefin lifetimes. Lifetimes and Compatibility of Synthetic Polymers. (pp. ---) edited by James Lewicki. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley and Sons.
2024
Journal Article
Self-reinforced biodegradable thermoplastic composites
Colwell, John, Halley, Peter, Varley, Russell, Heidarian, Pejman, Mcnally, Tony, Peijs, Ton and Vandi, Luigi (2024). Self-reinforced biodegradable thermoplastic composites. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 7 (4) 128. doi: 10.1007/s42114-024-00939-x
2024
Journal Article
Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-<i>co</i>-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Self-Reinforced Composites via Solvent-Induced Interfiber Welding of Nanofibers
Heidarian, Pejman, Aziz, Shazed, Halley, Peter J., McNally, Tony, Peijs, Ton, Vandi, Luigi-Jules and Varley, Russell J. (2024). Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Self-Reinforced Composites via Solvent-Induced Interfiber Welding of Nanofibers. Biomacromolecules, 25 (8), 5039-5047. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00441
2024
Journal Article
Impact of citric acid on guar gum carboxymethylcellulose crosslinked blend films
Morais, Marcos Antonio Pereira, Silva, Mauricio, Barros, Maria, Halley, Peter, Almeida, Yeda and Vinhas, Gloria (2024). Impact of citric acid on guar gum carboxymethylcellulose crosslinked blend films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. doi: 10.1002/app.56162
2023
Journal Article
Degradation and lifetime prediction of plastics in subsea and offshore infrastructures
Oluwoye, Ibukun, Machuca, Laura L., Higgins, Stuart, Suh, Sangwon, Galloway, Tamara S., Halley, Peter, Tanaka, Shuhei and Iannuzzi, Mariano (2023). Degradation and lifetime prediction of plastics in subsea and offshore infrastructures. Science of the Total Environment, 904 166719, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166719
2023
Journal Article
A perspective on biodegradable polymer biocomposites - from processing to degradation
Laycock, Bronwyn, Pratt, Steven and Halley, Peter (2023). A perspective on biodegradable polymer biocomposites - from processing to degradation. Functional Composite Materials, 4 (1) 10. doi: 10.1186/s42252-023-00048-w
2023
Book Chapter
Characterization of 2D-Poly(glycerol sebacate) bioelastomer films through spectroscopic analysis
Maliger, Raju B., Halley, Peter J. and Cooper-White, Justin J. (2023). Characterization of 2D-Poly(glycerol sebacate) bioelastomer films through spectroscopic analysis. Advanced microscopy: a strong analytical tool for materials science. (pp. 61-76) edited by Merin Sara Thomas, Józef T. Haponiuk, Sabu Thomas and Anne George. Palm Bay, FL ; Boca Raton, FL, United States: Apple Academic Press ; CRC press. doi: 10.1201/9781003282044-4
2022
Journal Article
Editorial
Halley, Peter (2022). Editorial. Green Materials, 10 (4). doi: 10.1680/jgrma.2022.10.4.145
2022
Journal Article
Processing and rheological properties of polyol/cellulose nanofibre dispersions for polyurethanes
Haridevan, Hima, Chaleat, Celine, Pooley, Liam, Evans, David A. C., Halley, Peter J., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2022). Processing and rheological properties of polyol/cellulose nanofibre dispersions for polyurethanes. Polymer, 255 125130, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125130
2022
Journal Article
Halophyte biorefinery for polyhydroxyalkanoates production from Ulva sp. Hydrolysate with Haloferax mediterranei in pneumatically agitated bioreactors and ultrasound harvesting
Ghosh, Supratim, Coons, Jim, Yeager, Chris, Halley, Peter, Chemodanov, Alexander, Belgorodsky, Bogdan, Gozin, Michael, Chen, Guo-Qiang and Golberg, Alexander (2022). Halophyte biorefinery for polyhydroxyalkanoates production from Ulva sp. Hydrolysate with Haloferax mediterranei in pneumatically agitated bioreactors and ultrasound harvesting. Bioresource Technology, 344 (Pt B) 125964, 125964. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125964
2021
Journal Article
Advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics production from starch and lignocellulosic components
Abe, Mateus Manabu, Martins, Júlia Ribeiro, Sanvezzo, Paula Bertolino, Macedo, João Vitor, Branciforti, Marcia Cristina, Halley, Peter, Botaro, Vagner Roberto and Brienzo, Michel (2021). Advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics production from starch and lignocellulosic components. Polymers, 13 (15) 2484, 2484. doi: 10.3390/polym13152484
2020
Journal Article
Mechanical stability of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs)
Chan, Clement Matthew, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan and Laycock, Bronwyn (2020). Mechanical stability of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 28 (5), 1571-1577. doi: 10.1007/s10924-020-01697-9
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
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
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
2018
Journal Article
Mechanical and physical stability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites (WPCs) under natural weathering
Chan, Clement Matthew, Pratt, Steven, Halley, Peter, Richardson, Desmond, Werker, Alan, Laycock, Bronwyn and Vandi, Luigi-Jules (2018). Mechanical and physical stability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based wood plastic composites (WPCs) under natural weathering. Polymer Testing, 73, 214-221. doi: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2018.11.028
2018
Journal Article
Flexible starch-polyurethane films: effect of mixed macrodiol polyurethane ionomers on physicochemical characteristics and hydrophobicity
Tai, N. L., Adhikari, Raju, Shanks, Robert, Halley, Peter and Adhikari, Benu (2018). Flexible starch-polyurethane films: effect of mixed macrodiol polyurethane ionomers on physicochemical characteristics and hydrophobicity. Carbohydrate Polymers, 197, 312-325. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.06.019
2018
Conference Publication
Ionic liquid-assisted energy-saving processing of starch-based electrically conductive films
Xie, Fengwei, Zhang, Binjia, Shamshina, Julia L., Rogers, Robin D., McNally, Tony, Halley, Peter J. and Truss, Rowan W. (2018). Ionic liquid-assisted energy-saving processing of starch-based electrically conductive films. 34th International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-34), Taipei, Taiwan, 21 - 25 May 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Facile preparation of starch-based electroconductive films with ionic liquid
Xie, Fengwei, Zhang, Binjia, Shamshina, Julia L., Rogers, Robin D., McNally, Tony, Halley, Peter J. and Truss, Rowan W. (2018). Facile preparation of starch-based electroconductive films with ionic liquid. III Workshop de Polímeros Biodegradables y Biocompuestos (BioPoli 2018), Bahía Blanca, Argentina, 23-25 April 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Ionic liquid-assisted facile processing of starch-based electrically conductive films
Xie, Fengwei, Zhang, Binjia, Shamshina, Julia L., Rogers, Robin D., McNally, Tony, Halley, Peter J. and Truss, Rowan W. (2018). Ionic liquid-assisted facile processing of starch-based electrically conductive films. Macro 2018, Cairns, Australia, 1-5 Jul 2018. Cairns, Australia:
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Peter Halley is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
solving plastic waste CRC projects
New PhD projects will be offered from Jan 2025 at UQ in the solving plastic waste CRC, covering areas such as recycing films, bioplastics, polymer mechanical recycling, polymer chemical recycling, and microplastics.
More details soon on scholarships and recruitment processes.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
High performance starch-based biopolymer films
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin, Dr Emilie Gauthier
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Doctor Philosophy
Structure-property-end of life performances of starch-based films
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Professor Darren Martin, Dr Emilie Gauthier
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Doctor Philosophy
Studying end of life options for biopolymers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock
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Doctor Philosophy
Rheological enhancement of biopolymer composites for commercial-scale processing of novel products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin, Dr Michael Heitzmann, Dr Clement Chan, Dr Luigi Vandi
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Doctor Philosophy
An Investigation into Wheat Starch Oxidation via Reactive Extrusion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock
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Doctor Philosophy
Rational Design and Engineering of Plant-Based Meat Analogues
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rebecca Forster, Professor Jason Stokes
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Thickened infant formula for paediatric dysphagia: A) Rheological characterisation and B) Flow rates through bottle teats
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Towards service life prediction of aircraft coatings: Mechanical and chemical studies into weathering and mechanisms of crack initiation
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of water-ionic liquid mixtures on the gelatinization and dissolution of maize starches
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of photo-oxo-degradable polyethylene films
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and characterisation of poly (glycerol-sebacate) bioelastomers for tissue engineering applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Formulation and biodegradation relationships in thermoplastic starch blends
Principal Advisor
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Structure-properties relationships of plasticised starch/poly (vinyl alcohol) blends
Principal Advisor
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2007
Master Philosophy
Biodegradable Thermoplastic Starch: Structure - Processing - Property Relationships
Principal Advisor
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
Optimisation of Organically Modified Layered Silicate Based Nanofillers for Thermoplastic Polyurethanes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
CHARACTERISATION OF NOVEL STARCH MATERIALS: STRUCTURE-FUNCTIONALITY RELATIONSHIP
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
RIGID POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITES - UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURE-PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
CHARACTERISATION AND PROCESSING OF STARCH/SUGAR/GELATIN CONFECTIONERY GELS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE EFFECTS OF MICROSTRUCTURE ON THE RHEOLOGY AND RELAXATION BEHAVIOUR OF POLYURETHANE ELASTOMERS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
EFFECTS OF FILLER CONTENT AND COATINGS ON THE CURE OF HIGHLY FILLED MODEL EPOXIES USED IN MICROELECTRONIC ENCAPSULATION
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Bio-derived and Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Pratt, Dr Luigi Vandi, Professor Bronwyn Laycock
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and predicting environmental effects on degradation of oxo-degradable polyethylene blown films
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Highly functional green materials platform: Starch-ionic liquid-carbon nanotube polymer melt nanocomposites
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Copolyester Elastomer Nanocomposites
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin, Dr Grant Edwards
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Composition of Mixed Culture PHA Biopolymers and Implications for Downstream Processing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Associate Professor Steven Pratt
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A conceptual model of a sustainable system based upon observations of biodegradable plastic packaging film experiments and material flow
Associate Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of starch structure on the processing, mechanical properties and biodegradability of thermoplastic starch films
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into rational design of plant based foods to improve management of dysphagia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The Rheology and Fluid Mechanics of Oscillatory Squeeze Flow
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Conversion of Waste Plastics into Liquid Fuels
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Suresh Bhatia
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Targeted release of medications using delivery systems based on proteins derived from maize and sorghum seeds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
THERMAL AND CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE INTO USEFUL FUELS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Suresh Bhatia
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
EXTRUSION PROCESSING OF WHEAT STARCH; A RHEOLOGICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITES
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Peter Halley directly for media enquiries about:
- Biobased materials
- Biodegradable materials
- Biodegradable plastics
- Biomedical polymers
- Chemical engineering
- Circular plastics
- Extrusion
- Film blowing
- Fluids characterisation
- Injection molding
- Materials characterisation
- Nanocomposites
- Plastics
- Polymer processing
- Polymers
- Rheology
- Sustainable materials
- Viscosity
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