The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology
News
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2024-05-30
Sustainable and efficient pellets production
There is a great interest in sustainable energy production and pellets provide an energy source that is both efficient and renewable. A recently published thesis looks at how pellets can be produced more efficiently through different sawdust mixtures and storage times.
– In my research, I have looked at how sawdust from different parts of the tree affects the final product and the role of the drying process, says Workson Siwale, who recently completed his PhD in environmental and energy systems. The goal is to produce pellets with more consistent quality, avoid storage losses and at the same time increase knowledge of how different sawdust mixtures affect the end product.
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2024-05-27
Student at Elite Sports University won gold medal in weightlifting at the European Junior Championships
Axel Isberg, 19 years old, a student at the Elite Sports University, Karlstad University, recently became the European champion in equipped powerlifting at the Junior European Championships in Luxembourg. This marks the third time he has achieved this feat, having also won gold medals at the European Championships in 2022 and 2021.
In total, he lifted nearly a ton and set junior records in three events. Congratulations!
"Thank you, it was fun; it’s just as enjoyable every time. I lifted 390 kg in squat, 220 kg in bench press, and 325 kg in deadlift. In equipped powerlifting, we use a squat suit that supports the body and tightly wraps the knees for additional support. It provides more assistance than classic powerlifting, where I lift 330 kg in squat."
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2024-05-22
Research team tests new circular fertilizer for plants and woodland
The research project is about testing a new type of forest fertilizer, based on nutrient-rich industrial residues from pulp and paper mills. This closes the circle by making use of residual products and returning nutrients to growing plants and woodland.
– Our project group includes several companies, universities and organisations, says Maria Sandberg, docent in Environmental and Energy Systems at Karlstad University. She is also the research leader of the collaborative project behind the development of a new type of fertilizer for growing forests, called enriched hydrocoal.
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2024-05-17
One step closer to sustainable hydropower
Researchers from Karlstad University, University of Gothenburg and Lund University have started a new research project with the aim of making hydropower more environmentally friendly. As climate change affects our watercourses, the researchers are looking for new ways to protect aquatic life and at the same time ensure reliable energy production.
The project takes on the difficult balancing act between generating hydroelectric power and protecting the environment.
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2024-05-14
International collaboration for sustainable urban environments
The book “Integrative Approaches in Urban Sustainability” represents an international collaboration project including about forty academic institutions worldwide. The book examines the increasing rate of urbanisation and the consequences for social structures.
- This publication aims to redefine the way we think and plan for urban environments of the future, says Asaad Almssad, Docent in Construction Engineering and one of the editors of the book. By analysing the seismic demographic changes that have characterised the global societal landscape since the early 19th century, the book looks at the accelerating rate of urbanisation and its widespread consequences for social structures.
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2024-05-08
International research workshop on polymers
Researchers from several European countries gathered for a two-day workshop at Karlstad University. The general theme was research on polymers and their application for organic solar cells and energy storage.
– There are several purposes behind the workshop, says Jan van Stam, Professor of Physical Chemistry. We want to learn from other experts, expand our networks and make new contacts, as well as putting Karlstad University on the map in this field of research. We who organised the workshop are part of the research group SOLA at Karlstad University, and it includes researchers from materials physics, computational materials research and physical chemistry. SOLA is also part of the faculty’s focus area Materials Research.