The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology
News
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2025-12-05
Research Methodology in Building Engineering and Architecture
A new publication presents guidance on how methodology can be used more effectively within the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors.
– We want to provide both students and professionals with a toolbox that makes it easier to conduct research of high quality and relevance to the industry, says Asaad Almssad, Associate Professor of Building Engineering and active within university- and civil engineering programmes.
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2025-12-03
New Project in Solar Cell Research Begins
The new project HiPER-Ni aligns with the global transition to renewable energy by addressing resource scarcity, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving both sustainability and efficiency, according to the Swedish Energy Agency, which is the funder.
– The project aims to replace costly silver with a new, silver-free metallization based on nickel, says Markus Rinio, Professor of Physics.
As the solar cell industry scales up toward an annual production capacity of 1,000 gigawatts, silver consumption is expected to represent nearly 30 percent of global production, estimated at 30,000 tons per year by 2028.
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2025-11-25
Green Materials Technology for Sustainable Packaging
Researchers at the corporate research school Exact have developed a new cellulose-based nanomaterial. The density of this new material makes it a greener and more sustainable alternative, for example as a coating in packaging.
The new cellulose nanomaterial has been created through a special process called Fenton oxidation. This process is based on hydrogen peroxide and iron ions reacting together, which breaks down cellulose fibers in a controlled way. When combined with mechanical treatment, the fibers become highly refined, almost as if they are “frayed” at the micron level.
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2025-11-19
Can a photovoltaic system for a typical single-family house be profitable?
The answer to that question is yes. In a recently completed project, the economic benefit of a photovoltaic system has been studied, based on real data from a Swedish villa.
– The study shows that the photovoltaic system can generate economic profit, even without investing in a battery for energy storage, says Markus Rinio, Professor of Renewable Energy – Photovoltaics.
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2025-11-18
Eucalyptus Fibers in Greaseproof Paper Save Energy
In a study conducted in collaboration with Nordic Paper, it was found that the addition of eucalyptus fibers saved energy during production and also contributed to improved pulp and paper properties.
– My latest work has focused on improving the energy efficiency of the refining process for greaseproof paper pulp at Nordic Paper by adding eucalyptus fibers to the pulp mixture, which otherwise consists of long-fiber pulp or softwood pulp, says Björn Öman, industrial PhD student at the Exact industrial research school.
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2025-11-14
Ellen Moons elected new Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy
Ellen Moons, Professor of Physics at Karlstad University, has been elected new Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. She will succeed Professor Hans Ellegren at the beginning of 2026.
– I am very happy for the trust I receive from the members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) and I look forward to the new role. Of course, it means that I will be spending much more time in Stockholm, but I will continue living in Värmland and keep some of my duties at Karlstad University part-time, says Ellen Moons.
Ellen Moons research focuses on novel materials for photovoltaic applications, including organic and polymer-based solar cells, as well as solution-processed perovskite solar cells.
