Overview
Background
In 2014, Ian worked on the conceptual design and techno-economic assessment of PHA bioplastic production from methane, from which he built a case for thermophilic methanotrophic PHA production. This work led into his PhD thesis, which looked at developing biodegradable matrices for the controlled delivery of fertilisers, with a particular focus on PHA, and blends thereof, as the matrix. A key research focus here was the development of extrusion processing techniques for producing such materials, tracking and modelling the release kinetics for the active ingredient, and the determining the rate of biodegradation of the matrix itself. After graduating, Ian spent 2 years working for a process consulting company, developing high purity aluminium-based products for application in batteries, LEDS, CMP polishing and sapphire glass production, among others. His core interest lies in process development in the green fields space, with a particular interest in bioplastics production and downstream product development.
Availability
- Dr Ian Levett is:
- Available for supervision
Works
Search Professor Ian Levett’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Integrating microalgae production into mine closure plans
Levett, Alan, Gagen, Emma J., Levett, Ian and Erskine, Peter D. (2023). Integrating microalgae production into mine closure plans. Journal of Environmental Management, 337 117736, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117736
2021
Journal Article
High-resolution micro-computed tomography reveals cracking in a hydrophobic composite; a new mechanism for mobilisation in controlled release applications
Levett, Ian, Donose, Bogdan C., Laycock, Bronwyn and Pratt, Steven (2021). High-resolution micro-computed tomography reveals cracking in a hydrophobic composite; a new mechanism for mobilisation in controlled release applications. Biosystems Engineering, 203, 44-54. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.12.001
2020
Other Outputs
Understanding the mechanisms that control the release of a soluble crystalline agrichemical extruded with biopolymers
Levett, Ian (2020). Understanding the mechanisms that control the release of a soluble crystalline agrichemical extruded with biopolymers. PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/95700b9
2020
Journal Article
Can nitrogen source and nitrification inhibitors affect in-season nitrogen supply?
Redding, M.R., Phillips, I., Pratt, C., Paungfoo-Lonhienne, C., Levett, I., Hill, J., Mehta, C., Bailey, T., Brackin, R., McAuley, J., Pratt, S., Laycock, B. and Mayer, D.G. (2020). Can nitrogen source and nitrification inhibitors affect in-season nitrogen supply?. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 51 (16), 2189-2204. doi: 10.1080/00103624.2020.1822383
2020
Journal Article
Geo-agriculture: reviewing opportunities through which the geosphere can help address emerging crop production challenges
Pratt, Chris, Kingston, Kate, Laycock, Bronwyn, Levett, Ian and Pratt, Steven (2020). Geo-agriculture: reviewing opportunities through which the geosphere can help address emerging crop production challenges. Agronomy, 10 (7) 971, 1-26. doi: 10.3390/agronomy10070971
2020
Journal Article
Designing for effective controlled release in agricultural products: new insights into the complex nature of the polymer–active agent relationship and implications for use
Levett, Ian, Liao, Minjie, Pratt, Chris, Redding, Matthew, Laycock, Bronwyn and Pratt, Steven (2020). Designing for effective controlled release in agricultural products: new insights into the complex nature of the polymer–active agent relationship and implications for use. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 100 (13) jsfa.10531, 4723-4733. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10531
2019
Journal Article
Understanding the mobilisation of a nitrification inhibitor from novel slow release pellets, fabricated through extrusion processing with PHBV biopolymer
Levett, Ian, Pratt, Steven, Donose, Bogdan C., Brackin, Richard, Pratt, Chris, Redding, Matthew R and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Understanding the mobilisation of a nitrification inhibitor from novel slow release pellets, fabricated through extrusion processing with PHBV biopolymer. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 67 (9) acs.jafc.8b05709, 2449-2458. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05709
2018
Journal Article
Polyhydroxyalkanoate coatings restrict moisture uptake and associated loss of barrier properties of thermoplastic starch films
Dilkes-Hoffman, Leela S., Pratt, Steven, Lant, Paul A., Levett, Ian and Laycock, Bronwyn (2018). Polyhydroxyalkanoate coatings restrict moisture uptake and associated loss of barrier properties of thermoplastic starch films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135 (25) 46379, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/app.46379
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
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Ian Levett is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel PHA based materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant, Associate Professor Steven Pratt, Professor Bronwyn Laycock
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel halophilic biotechnology for PHA production from sugar
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Pratt, Dr Lisa Bai, Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
Media
Enquiries
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