The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

News

• 2024-12-19

  Rocket science for real

  The sounding rocket SubOrbital Express-4 which was launched from the Esrange Space Center outside Kiruna contained an experiment module from Karlstad University. The module is about studying how the active layer of organic solar cells forms in microgravity.

  – In this project, we were able to conduct experiments in an unmanned rocket, says Jan van Stam, professor of physical chemistry at Karlstad University. It allowed us access to microgravity for several minutes instead of about half a minute, as in previous experiments in aeroplanes. We were able to perform more advanced experiments, which will hopefully give us clearer answers to questions about the structural formation, says Jan van Stam.

• 2024-12-11

  Researcher grants for Collaborative Sustainability

  Collaboration with regional and municipal actors are crucial for triggering social innovation – says sustainability scientist Avit Bhowmik. He was awarded with two research grants from Vinnova and Swedish Energy Agency for collaboratively driving sustainability transformation in Värmland.

  Research has to break boundaries and engage in collboration with regional and local actors to make societal impacts, particularly for navigating sustainability transformation. Sustainability researcher Avit Bhowmik was awarded with two research grants for collaboratively driving sustainability transformation in the Värmland region during 2025-2027.  

• 2024-12-03

  Cellulose conference gathers researchers from all over the world

  The conference Cellulose Workshop, an international workshop focused on cellulose research, has been organised for the eleventh time. The 11th Workshop on Cellulose, Regenerated Cellulose, and Cellulose Derivatives gathered participants from 10 countries to learn about the latest research findings in the field.

  – I had the pleasure of organising the 11th Cellulose Workshop at Karlstad University. It was a success thanks to our excellent keynote speakers, presenters, participants, sponsors and organisers, says Björn Sjöstrand, Docent in Chemical engineering. I would especially like to mention Professor Ulf Germgård, who initiated the workshop over 20 years ago. Since then, it has been held more or less every other year with Karlstad University and Umeå University as organisers.

• 2024-11-22

  Research project on collaborative robots makes IVA’s 100 List

  The research project on society-centred industry 5.0 – headed by Jorge Solis – has been selected for the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) 100 List of 2024. The theme of this year’s list is innovation through interdisciplinary research.

  – I feel very honoured that our research is on this year’s 100 List, says Jorge Solis, associate professor in electrical engineering at Karlstad University. I’m also very pleased to represent Karlstad University’s research in this context, which can provide opportunities for new projects and contacts.

• 2024-11-08

  Honoured for research in fundamental separation science

  Professor of Analytical Chemistry Torgny Fornstedt received the J. F. K. Huber Lecture Award at the International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC 2024) in Liverpool in October. The award was given for ‘highly recognised contributions to the fundamental understanding of adsorption chromatography’.

  ‘This distinction means a great deal to me, as J. F. K. Huber was involved in launching chromatography research in analytical chemistry at Uppsala University, my alma mater’, said Fornstedt. 

• 2024-10-24

  The secret life of molecules unveiled

  Research on organic solar cells has been conducted for a long time. Recent advancements in understanding their molecular structures are now paving the way for the development of highly efficient solar cells.

  – By using atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy, AFM-IR, we’ve been able to create clearer images of the morphology or structure of the material, says Ishita Jalan, postdoc in physical chemistry and main author of a recently published scientific article. This structure and how it can be controlled determines the effect of the solar cell. In this way, these new findings can contribute to more efficient organic solar cells.