
Overview
Background
Biography:
Tony Howes graduated from UQ in 1983 with a degree in chemical engineering, and after 6 months working on a novel fluid bed retort system for oil shale went to Cambridge, UK, where he worked with Malcolm Mackley as his first PhD student on what is now the “Oscillating Baffled Reactor”. His dissertation was awarded the 1988 Danckwerts-Maxwell prize for best thesis in that year. A postdoctoral year at Brown University working on patterns in fluid data sets was followed by 3 ½ years in ICI’s Corporate Colloid Science Group, where he worked on theory and application of a novel atomiser.
Since 1993 Tony has been at The University of Queensland teaching, supervising and doing research. His work (largely in collaboration with Bhesh Bhandari in Food Science) on sticky droplet spray drying has been extensively published and cited – at present Bhandari and Howes papers are in the top-10 most cited in Drying Technology, Journal of Food Engineering and International Journal of Food Properties.
Tony has also worked on a variety of other particle problems, including solid state fermentation, regimes in rotating drums and prilling. Following work on sticky mud particles he was heavily involved in local water quality issues, and sat on the Scientific Expert Panel of the Healthy Waterways Partnership in South East Queensland.
At UQ he co-ordinated an innovative programme where students are placed in industry for a research project, and actively reflect on their learning and interact with UQ staff while in industry. In 2008 he was nominated for a University Teaching Excellence Award for his efforts on this programme.
Research:
My research focus is on spray drying, especially of sticky or potentially sticky foods. With key collaborators (Prof. Bhesh Bhandari, UQ, A.Prof Benu Adhikari University of Ballarat) we have developed rules and understanding of the role of sugars, proteins and other additives on the drying of sugar rich foods, including fruit juices, honey and milk products.
My general interests are in the modelling and physical aspects of these systems.
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching: Engineering Thermodynamics (1st year)
Education Research: The role of Work Integrated Learning in the BE and ME programmes.
Projects:
- Spray drying at elevated temperatures
- API crystallisation modelling
- Role of proteins and additives in food spray drying
- Morphology development in spray drying
Availability
- Dr Tony Howes is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Tony Howes’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
Encapsulation of CO2 into amorphous alpha-cyclodextrin powder at different moisture contents - part 1: encapsulation capacity and stability of inclusion complexes
Ho, Thao M., Howes, Tony and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2016). Encapsulation of CO2 into amorphous alpha-cyclodextrin powder at different moisture contents - part 1: encapsulation capacity and stability of inclusion complexes. Food Chemistry, 203, 348-355. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.076
2016
Journal Article
Method of measurement of CO2 adsorbed into alpha-Cyclodextrin by infra-red CO2 probe
Ho, Thao M., Tuyen, Truong, Howes, Tony and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2016). Method of measurement of CO2 adsorbed into alpha-Cyclodextrin by infra-red CO2 probe. International Journal of Food Properties, 19 (8) 012, 1696-1707. doi: 10.1080/10942912.2015.1084005
2015
Journal Article
Encapsulation of CO<inf>2</inf> into amorphous and crystalline α-cyclodextrin powders and the characterization of the complexes formed
Ho, Thao M., Howes, Tony and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2015). Encapsulation of CO2 into amorphous and crystalline α-cyclodextrin powders and the characterization of the complexes formed. Food Chemistry, 187, 407-415. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.094
2015
Journal Article
Characterization of crystalline and spray-dried amorphous α-cyclodextrin powders
Ho, Thao M., Howes, Tony and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2015). Characterization of crystalline and spray-dried amorphous α-cyclodextrin powders. Powder Technology, 284 (5), 585-594. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2015.06.027
2015
Journal Article
A quantitative review of the transition salt concentration for inhibiting bubble coalescence
Firouzi, Mahshid, Howes, Tony and Nguyen, Anh V. (2015). A quantitative review of the transition salt concentration for inhibiting bubble coalescence. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 222, 305-318. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2014.07.005
2015
Journal Article
The metastability and nucleation thresholds of ibuprofen in ethanol and water-ethanol mixtures
Rashid, Abdur., White, Edward T., Howes, Tony., Litster, James D. and Marziano, Ivan. (2015). The metastability and nucleation thresholds of ibuprofen in ethanol and water-ethanol mixtures. International Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2015 560930, 1-7. doi: 10.1155/2015/560930
2014
Journal Article
Effect of solvent composition and temperature on the solubility of ibuprofen in aqueous ethanol
Rashid, Abdur, White, Edward T., Howes, Tony, Litster, James D. and Marziano, Ivan (2014). Effect of solvent composition and temperature on the solubility of ibuprofen in aqueous ethanol. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 59 (9), 2699-2703. doi: 10.1021/je400819z
2014
Journal Article
Erratum: Effect of surface tension and viscosity on the surface stickiness of carbohydrate and protein solutions (Journal of Food Engineering (2007) 79 (1136-1143))
Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Shrestha, A. and Bhandari, B. R. (2014). Erratum: Effect of surface tension and viscosity on the surface stickiness of carbohydrate and protein solutions (Journal of Food Engineering (2007) 79 (1136-1143)). Journal of Food Engineering, 129, 53-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.12.028
2014
Journal Article
Erratum to Characterization of the Surface Stickiness of Fructose-Maltodextrin Solutions During Drying (Drying Technology, (2003), 21, 1 (17-34), 10.1081/DRT-120017281)
Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Truong, V. (2014). Erratum to Characterization of the Surface Stickiness of Fructose-Maltodextrin Solutions During Drying (Drying Technology, (2003), 21, 1 (17-34), 10.1081/DRT-120017281). Drying Technology, 32 (3), 371-371. doi: 10.1080/07373937.2013.873306
2014
Conference Publication
An Analysis of Refractory Concrete Drying and a Mechanism for Explosive Spalling
Palmer, Greg, Cobos, Juan, Millard, James, Howes, Tony and Ge, Edison (2014). An Analysis of Refractory Concrete Drying and a Mechanism for Explosive Spalling. 13th Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories (UNITECR), Victoria, Britishe Columbia, Canada, 10-13 September 2013. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118837009.ch149
2014
Journal Article
Encapsulation of gases in powder solid matrices and their applications: A review
Ho, Thao M., Howes, Tony and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2014). Encapsulation of gases in powder solid matrices and their applications: A review. Powder Technology, 259, 87-108. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2014.03.054
2013
Journal Article
Erratum; Surface protein coverage and its implications on spray-drying of model sugar-rich foods: Solubility, powder production and characterisation (Food Chemistry (2013)128(1003-16))
Jayasundera, Mithila, Adhikari, Benu, Howes, Tony and Aldred, Peter (2013). Erratum; Surface protein coverage and its implications on spray-drying of model sugar-rich foods: Solubility, powder production and characterisation (Food Chemistry (2013)128(1003-16)). Food Chemistry, 151, 161-161. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.11.017
2013
Journal Article
Influence of particle size on the direct compression of ibuprofen and its binary mixtures
Liu, L. X., Marziano, I., Bentham, A. C., Litster, J. D., White, E. T. and Howes, T. (2013). Influence of particle size on the direct compression of ibuprofen and its binary mixtures. Powder Technology, 240 (2), 66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2012.07.006
2013
Journal Article
Effects of Emulsification of Fat on the Surface Tension of Protein Solutions and Surface Properties of the Resultant Spray-Dried Particles
Xu, Yun Yun, Howes, Tony, Adhikari, Benu and Bhandari, Bhesh (2013). Effects of Emulsification of Fat on the Surface Tension of Protein Solutions and Surface Properties of the Resultant Spray-Dried Particles. Drying Technology, 31 (16), 1939-1950. doi: 10.1080/07373937.2013.802331
2013
Conference Publication
Stakeholders' perspectives of a work-integrated learning program: the Chemical Engineering Practice School
Thonglek, Saranya, Ku, Hong-ming, Kavanagh, Lydia and Howes, Tony (2013). Stakeholders' perspectives of a work-integrated learning program: the Chemical Engineering Practice School. AAEE 2013: 24th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 8-11 December, 2013. Nathan, QLD, Australia: Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University.
2012
Journal Article
Investigation of relationship between surface tension of feed solution containing various proteins and surface composition and morphology of powder particles
Xu, Yun Yun, Howes, Tony, Adhikari, Benu and Bhandari, Bhesh (2012). Investigation of relationship between surface tension of feed solution containing various proteins and surface composition and morphology of powder particles. Drying Technology, 30 (14), 1548-1562. doi: 10.1080/07373937.2012.696571
2012
Journal Article
Effect of shear rate and oxygen stresses on the survival of Lactococcus lactis during the atomization and drying stages of spray drying: a laboratory and pilot scale study
Ghandi, Amir, Powell, Ian B., Howes, Tony, Chen, Xiao Dong and Adhikari, Benu (2012). Effect of shear rate and oxygen stresses on the survival of Lactococcus lactis during the atomization and drying stages of spray drying: a laboratory and pilot scale study. Journal of Food Engineering, 113 (2), 194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2012.06.005
2012
Journal Article
Flowability of binary mixtures of commercial and reprocessed ibuprofen through high shear wet milling (HSWM) with lactose
Liu, L. X., Rashid, A., Marziano, I., White, E. T., Howes, T. and Litster, J. D. (2012). Flowability of binary mixtures of commercial and reprocessed ibuprofen through high shear wet milling (HSWM) with lactose. Advanced Powder Technology, 23 (4), 454-458. doi: 10.1016/j.apt.2012.03.006
2012
Journal Article
Growth rates of ibuprofen crystals grown from ethanol and aqueous ethanol
Rashid, A., White, E. T., Howes, T., Litster, J. D. and Marziano, I. (2012). Growth rates of ibuprofen crystals grown from ethanol and aqueous ethanol. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 90 (1), 158-161. doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2011.08.003
2011
Journal Article
Surface protein coverage and its implications on spray-drying of model sugar-rich foods: Solubility, powder production and characterisation
Jayasundera, Mithila, Adhikari, Benu, Howes, Tony and Aldred, Peter (2011). Surface protein coverage and its implications on spray-drying of model sugar-rich foods: Solubility, powder production and characterisation. Food Chemistry, 128 (4), 1003-1016. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.006
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Tony Howes is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
A simple model for coastalwaterway management
This research project is part of a larger Coastal Co-operative Research Centre project on the interface between modelling, monitoring and management in coastal waterways. Monitoring is essential for determining the water quality and ecosystem health of waterways. However, the are significant constraints on the design and operation of these programs due to cost and resource limitations. Furthermore, there are minimum requirements on the amount of data that is necessary to provide statistical confidence. This research project will aim to overcome some of these limitations by investigating the use of simple models for the design and interpretation of water quality monitoring data.
Funds are available to top-up an APA or other scholarship by up to $5000 p.a. Importantly, the successful student will have an operating budget of up to $5000 p.a. and similar support for professional development, (to June 2006). The project involves close collaboration with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency as well as a range of other stakeholders.
Students will need an honours degree in a suitable field (Science, Engineering) and an interest in modelling and water quality issues.
For more details contact Tony Howes, School of Engineering, The University of Queensland (phone (07) 3365 4262, email tonyh@uq.edu.au)
-
Design of a PID controller for a drying rig
We presently have apparatus which blows hot, dry air over a single droplet, and we obtain the drying kinetics of the drying through computer measurements of the droplet temperature and weight.
We have a project which looks at improving the control of the in-coming air stream temperature and humidity, which at present is manually set by the user and monitored. In particular, we would like to look at using the data acquisition card and software in the computer to control the heating and humid air flow rates in order to perform this control.
The project would suit a student interested in control or data acquisition.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Atomisation, Flow Patterns and Gelation of Impinging Aerosols in a Continuous Microgel Producing Device
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Maximising Stakeholders¿ Benefits of Work Integrated Learning Programs: Schools of Chemical Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lydia Kavanagh
-
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
A conceptual model of a sustainable system based upon observations of biodegradable plastic packaging film experiments and material flow
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Halley
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Crystallization Engineering of Ibuprofen for Pharmaceutical Formulation
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiversity of phytoplankton and seagrass epiphyte assemblages in Hervey Bay: Links to water quality and habitat characterisation during a recovery phase of seagrass growth
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Particle-Droplet Collisions in Spray Drying
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Ian Cameron
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Interpreting Residence Time Distributions in Water Treatment Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
RIVERINE TURBIDITY AND RESUSPENSION PROCESSES
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF A DRYING DROPLET WITH VARIABLE COMPOSITION AND ITS IMPLICATION TO THE SPRAY DRYING OF SUGAR-RICH FOODS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION STUDIES OF WASTEWATER FLOWS THROUGHT HE OXLEY CREEK SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED TREATMENT WETLAND
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
A study of turboflotation - a novel high-intensity flotation system
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS DESIGN OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE. TOMOGRAPHY FOR MEASUREMENT OF SOLIDS CONCENTRATION
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Percrystallisation for Producing Cathode Active Material
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Vaughan
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Model Structure and Rheology of Weak Gel Suspensions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Studies of the Encapsulation and Release of Carbon Dioxide from Amorphous and Crystalline Alpha-Cyclodextrin Powders and Its Application in Food Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Drainage and stability of foam films during bubble coalescence in aqueous salt solutions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanism and factors affecting the surface composition of powder particles containing proteins during spray drying.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
-
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of Drop Formation in Microfluidic Devices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT OF STICKINESS OF SOLID PARTICULATE FOOD MATERIALS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
MODELLING OF THE GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF SUGAR-RICH FOODS AND ITS RELATION TO SPRAY DRYING OF SUCH PRODUCTS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Tony Howes directly for media enquiries about:
- Atomisation - chemical engeering
- Coalescence - chemical engineering
- Flocculation - chemical engineering
- Fluid mixing - chemical engineering
- Spray drying - chemical engineering
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