Welcome to Karlstad University
News
-
2026-05-11
New research clarifies tipping points across systems
What exactly is a tipping point—and how can we better understand it across different systems? Climate Scientist Avit Bhowmik at Karlstad University contributed to a new scientific publication that addresses growing confusion around the concept of tipping points, which is widely used to describe abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in complex systems such as the climate, ecosystems, and societies.
“While the concept is increasingly used, it is not always clearly defined. This can make it harder to identify and respond to real systemic risks,” says Avit Bhowmik.
A clearer definition of tipping points
In the article Integrating tipping point concepts across diverse systems, the authors provide a cross-disciplinary synthesis of the literature and identify three key characteristics that define tipping dynamics:
-
2026-05-11
Pulp can replace plastic in future packaging
Through green chemistry and smart processing, cellulose can be given new properties that result in stronger paper and improved barrier materials. This is demonstrated in a new doctoral thesis from Karlstad University.
Plastic is currently widely used in paper‑based packaging, such as milk and food cartons, to protect against air and moisture. However, plastic is fossil‑based and difficult to recycle together with paper. In her doctoral thesis, Mozhgan Hashemzehi shows how pulp can be modified in a more sustainable way to reduce the need for plastic in packaging.
-
2026-05-11
The University square will become greener and more pleasant
The University square is set to be developed into a more vibrant and welcoming space, with added greenery and new paving. Akademiska Hus will begin setting up barriers from 11 May, and work will commence on 18 May.
– It's great that this area will now also be given new life, just like the square outside Building 11 in 2024, says campus manager Olle Lilliestierna.
– We have developed these ideas through working groups linked to Campus Plan 2040, involving staff, students and representatives from Akademiska Hus.
The entire square outside the main entrance will be affected by the development, but the changes will be most noticeable in the area south of the fountain and along the north–south pedestrian route between the library building and Building 1 (see sketch).
-
2026-05-08
In Virtual Reality Yet Still at Home – How VR-technology Is Changing Our Relationship with Places
Immersion is the feeling of being absorbed in such a way that perception of the surrounding environment diminishes – as if you were transported elsewhere. Virtual Reality (VR) is often described as the ultimate immersive medium, since it shuts out the physical space for both sight and hearing. Linnea Saltin, newly minted PhD in cultural geography and affiliated with Geomedia, has researched the topic.
The feeling of losing track of time while scrolling on your phone is an example of how effectively digital technology can envelop us, while analogue experiences such as reading a book can also be highly immersive.
-
2026-05-08
MAX IV Visited Karlstad University
On 5 May, MAX IV visited Karlstad University as part of the MAX IV Roadshow. During the visit, both current research opportunities and future plans for the world leading synchrotron radiation facility in Lund were presented. Joachim Schnadt, Science Director at MAX IV, gave a broad introduction to the facility and its scientific capabilities.
“Going out and speaking directly with people at universities is crucial for showing what MAX IV is, what the facility can be used for, and the opportunities the infrastructure offers,” says Joachim Schnadt.
An infrastructure for many research fields
MAX IV provides advanced methods in X‑ray imaging, scattering and diffraction, as well as spectroscopy, with applications ranging from life sciences and medicine to energy, the environment and advanced materials. Today, 16 beamlines are in operation, covering a wide energy range from 4 eV to 40 keV.
-
2026-05-07
Adaptive Battery Reduces Energy Costs and Peak Power Demand in Greenhouses
Researchers at Karlstad University have developed a new intelligent control strategy for battery storage in climate controlled greenhouses. By combining artificial intelligence and signal processing algorithms with short term forecasts of electricity consumption and solar power generation, energy costs can be reduced while simultaneously easing the load on the power grid.
Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for year‑round food production but are also highly energy‑intensive. In the present study, the researchers show how a battery storage system controlled by reinforcement learning can be used more efficiently when the greenhouse has a high share of locally generated renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaics.
