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News
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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
Let’s not aim for another failed decade – warns Climate Scientist
As COP30 negotiations are at a full pace in Belém, a new analysis of the past decade of climate action paints a picture of critical failure. Climate researcher Avit Bhowmik from Karlstad University warns if this trend continues we will end up in an unmanageable overshoot risking the mere resilience of human civilization.
The Earth League, an alliance of leading climate scientists like Johan Rockström and John Schellnhuber, has just published an analysis of the climate action space since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015. The results show that the past decade of climate action critically failed to safegauard our climate and planet to the extent that we now risk an unmanageable overshoot. Centre for Societal Risk researcher Avit Bhowmik contributed to this analysis which has been published in the journal One Earth.
Escalating Global Risks and Societal Impacts
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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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2025-11-17
Student Nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2026 Swedish Sports Gala
Hello there, Dalian Dawody, World Champion in the 71 kg class in Muay Thai and student in the Business and Economics program at the Elite Sports University, Karlstad University...
...You’ve been nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2026 Swedish Sports Gala – congratulations!
The traditional question can’t be avoided: How does it feel to receive such recognition?"It’s a mix of emotions. I feel very happy and at the same time relieved to receive recognition and attention for the work I’ve put in. And I’m in very prominent company with Armand Duplantis, Truls Möregårdh, and Andreas Almgren – that’s amazing!"
You’ve known about this for a week – what went through your mind when you got the news?
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2025-11-17
New Professor in Special Education Passionate About Co-Teaching
Vulnerable children who may never have had a real chance—especially in school—are a heartfelt concern for Christel Sundqvist, newly appointed Professor of Special Education at Karlstad University. Her guiding principle is to help them early so that problems do not arise later in their schooling, leading to marginalization and exclusion.
Originally from Vaasa, Finland, Christel Sundqvist first studied social sciences, social policy, and sociology, earning a Master of Political Science degree at Åbo Akademi University. After graduation, she worked as a counselor and supervisor in care services for people with intellectual disabilities. She also worked as a social worker in child protection.
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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.
