![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
2012
Journal Article
A fundamental study on photo-oxidative degradation of linear low density polyethylene films at embrittlement
Hsu, Yu-Chieh, Weir, Michael P., Truss, Rowan W., Garvey, Christopher J., Nicholson, Timothy M. and Halley, Peter J. (2012). A fundamental study on photo-oxidative degradation of linear low density polyethylene films at embrittlement. Polymer, 53 (12), 2385-2393. doi: 10.1016/j.polymer.2012.03.044
2012
Journal Article
Rheology to understand and optimize processibility, structures and properties of starch polymeric materials
Xie, Fengwei, Halley, Peter J. and Avérous, Luc (2012). Rheology to understand and optimize processibility, structures and properties of starch polymeric materials. Progress In Polymer Science, 37 (4), 595-623. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.07.002
2012
Journal Article
In-situ monitoring by fibre-optic NIR spectroscopy and rheometry of maleic anhydride grafting to polypropylene in a laboratory scale reactive extruder
Moghaddam, Lalehvash, Rintoul, Llewellyn, Halley, Peter J., George, Graeme A. and Fredericks, Peter M. (2012). In-situ monitoring by fibre-optic NIR spectroscopy and rheometry of maleic anhydride grafting to polypropylene in a laboratory scale reactive extruder. Polymer Testing, 31 (1), 155-163. doi: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2011.10.002
2012
Journal Article
Structure-property relationships in biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites
Osman, Azlin F., Edwards, Grant A., Schiller, Tara L., Andriani, Yosephine, Jack, Kevin S., Morrow, Isabel C., Halley, Peter J. and Martin, Darren J. (2012). Structure-property relationships in biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. Macromolecules, 45 (1), 198-210. doi: 10.1021/ma202189e
2012
Conference Publication
Understanding the processibility of starch polymers
Nicholson, Timothy, Xie, Fengwei and Halley, Peter (2012). Understanding the processibility of starch polymers. The 20th Australian Institute of Physics Congress (AIP 2012), Sydney, Australia, 9-13 December 2012.
2012
Journal Article
Engineered nanofillers: impact on the morphology and properties of biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites
Osman, Azlin F., Andriani, Yosephine, Edwards, Grant A., Schiller, Tara L., Jack, Kevin S., Morrow, Isabel C., Halley, Peter J. and Martin, Darren J. (2012). Engineered nanofillers: impact on the morphology and properties of biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. RSC Advances, 2 (24), 9151-9164. doi: 10.1039/c2ra21420b
2012
Book Chapter
Biodegradation and applications of nanobiocomposites
Nikolić, Melissa A. L., Dean, Katherine and Halley, Peter J. (2012). Biodegradation and applications of nanobiocomposites. Environmental silicate nano-biocomposites. (pp. 409-422) edited by Luc Avérous and Eric Pollet. London, United Kingdom: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4471-4108-2_16
2012
Conference Publication
Understanding the processibility of starch polymers – the key to step over the barrier to utilising starch in polymeric materials fields
Xie, Fengwei, Halley, Peter J. and Nicholson, Timothy M. (2012). Understanding the processibility of starch polymers – the key to step over the barrier to utilising starch in polymeric materials fields. The 13th International Symposium on Biopolymers (ISBP 2012), Cairns, Australia, 7-10 October 2012.
2012
Book Chapter
Thermoplastic starch polymer blends and nanocomposites
Chaleat, C. M., Nikolic, M., Truss, R. W., Tan, I., McGlashan, S. A. and Halley, P. J. (2012). Thermoplastic starch polymer blends and nanocomposites. Biobased monomers, polymers and materials. (pp. 323-334) Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society. doi: 10.1021/bk-2012-1105.ch019
2012
Journal Article
Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery
Lau, Esther T. L., Johnson, Stuart K., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Halley, Peter J. and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2012). Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery. Journal of Microencapsulation, 29 (7), 706-712. doi: 10.3109/02652048.2012.686527
2012
Conference Publication
Starch polymer nanocomposite systems: use of ionic liquids and nanofillers
Mateyawa, Sainimili, Halley, Peter, Truss, Rowan, Xie, Fengwei, Nicholson, Timothy, McNally, Tony and Rogers, Robin (2012). Starch polymer nanocomposite systems: use of ionic liquids and nanofillers. The 13th International Symposium on Biopolymers (ISBP 2012), Cairns, Australia, 7-10 October 2012.
2012
Book Chapter
Rheology of thermosets: the use of chemorheology to characterise and model thermoset flow behaviour
Halley, Peter J. (2012). Rheology of thermosets: the use of chemorheology to characterise and model thermoset flow behaviour. Thermosets: structure, properties and applications. (pp. 92-117) edited by Qipeng Guo. New Delhi, India: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1533/9780857097637.1.92
2011
Journal Article
Next-generation biopolymers: Advanced functionality and improved sustainability
Halley, P. J. and Dorgan, J. R. (2011). Next-generation biopolymers: Advanced functionality and improved sustainability. Mrs Bulletin, 36 (9), 687-691. doi: 10.1557/mrs.2011.180
2011
Journal Article
Effect of MWCNT addition on the thermal and rheological properties of polymethyl methacrylate bone cement
Ormsby, Ross, McNally, Tony, Mitchell, Christina, Halley, Peter, Martin, Darren, Nicholson, Timothy and Dunne, Nicholas (2011). Effect of MWCNT addition on the thermal and rheological properties of polymethyl methacrylate bone cement. Carbon, 49 (9), 2893-2904. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2011.02.063
2011
Journal Article
Investigation of polypropylene degradation during melt processing using a profluorescent nitroxide probe: A laboratory-scale study
Moghaddam, Laleh, Blinco, James P., Colwell, John M., Halley, Peter J., Bottle, Steven E., Fredericks, Peter M. and George, Graeme A. (2011). Investigation of polypropylene degradation during melt processing using a profluorescent nitroxide probe: A laboratory-scale study. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 96 (4), 455-461. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2011.01.019
2011
Journal Article
Phase transitions of maize starches with different amylose contents in glycerol–water systems
Liu, Peng, Xie, Fengwei, Li, Ming, Liu, Xingxun, Yu, Long, Halley, Peter J. and Chen, Ling (2011). Phase transitions of maize starches with different amylose contents in glycerol–water systems. Carbohydrate Polymers, 85 (1), 180-187. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.02.006
2011
Journal Article
Thermal, rheological, mechanical and morphological behavior of HDPE/chitosan blend
Mir, Sadullah, Yasin, Tariq, Halley, Peter, J., Siddiqi, Humaira Masood and Nicholson, Timothy (2011). Thermal, rheological, mechanical and morphological behavior of HDPE/chitosan blend. Carbohydrate Polymers, 83 (2), 414-421. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.07.069
2011
Journal Article
Rheological properties of thermoplastic starch studied by multipass rheometer
Tajuddin, Suzlin, Xie, Fengwei, Nicholson, Timothy M., Liu, Peng and Halley, Peter J. (2011). Rheological properties of thermoplastic starch studied by multipass rheometer. Carbohydrate Polymers, 83 (2), 914-919. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.08.073
2011
Conference Publication
Understanding the processibility of biodegradable starch-based materials
Xie, Fengwei, Nicholson, Timothy M. and Halley, Peter J. (2011). Understanding the processibility of biodegradable starch-based materials. 3rd International Conference on Biodegradable and Biobased Polymers (BIOPOL 2011), Strasbourg, France, 29-31 August 2011.
2011
Journal Article
Synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility of novel biodegradable cross-linked co-polymers based on poly(propylene oxide) diglycidylether and polyethylenimine
Ding, Yunsheng, Wang, Jing, Wong, Cynthia S., Halley, Peter J. and Guo, Qipeng (2011). Synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility of novel biodegradable cross-linked co-polymers based on poly(propylene oxide) diglycidylether and polyethylenimine. Journal of Biomaterials Science: Polymer Edition, 22 (4-6), 457-473. doi: 10.1163/092050610X487747
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
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Studying end of life options for biopolymers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock
-
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
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of photo-oxo-degradable polyethylene films
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and characterisation of poly (glycerol-sebacate) bioelastomers for tissue engineering applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
-
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
-
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
-
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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