The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

News

• 2026-08-31

  Smart heat pumps could reduce household energy use

  What if your heat pump knew when you were about to take a shower or use large amounts of hot water? It could then produce hot water at the right time instead of heating unnecessarily. This idea lies at the heart of the research conducted by industrial PhD student Manal Rahal at Thermia, where machine learning is being used to make heat pumps smarter and more energy efficient.

  Today, many heat pumps are controlled using fixed rules and pre-set threshold values. The problem is that they do not take into account the fact that household hot water consumption varies over time. A family that showers early in the morning has different needs from a household where most people shower late in the evening. When a heat pump fails to understand these patterns, it can result either in unnecessary energy consumption or an insufficient supply of hot water when it is needed most.

• 2026-08-31

  Daniel Olsson new dean of the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

  With a background as a researcher, senior lecturer and Head of Department, Daniel Olsson is taking on the role of leading the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology. For Daniel Olsson, leadership is about creating the conditions that enable others to succeed.

  "I enjoy working with development and leadership issues. When the opportunity to become Dean arose, I saw it as a choice between research and leadership, and leadership won," says Daniel Olsson.

• 2026-08-25

  Innovators from Karlstad University receive awards

  It has now been decided which innovators will represent Värmland at the national SKAPA Award ceremony in Stockholm in November. Birgitta Persdotter, a researcher in social work and creator of Vaves®, has been named the winner of the 2026 SKAPA Award Värmland. Amal Nammouchi, a former doctoral student at Karlstad University and founder of Wattzo, has been awarded the 2026 SKAPA Talent Award Värmland.

  The SKAPA Award is Sweden’s largest innovation award and recognizes innovators who develop new solutions with the potential to create societal benefits, promote sustainable development and drive future growth.

  Vaves® is a research-based method and digital platform that strengthens social services’ ability to carry out systematic follow-up, analysis and knowledge development through collaboration between municipalities and academia. For Birgitta Persdotter, the award is an important recognition of her continued work:

• 2026-08-13

  Three New Research Projects on Sustainable Energy and the Circular Bioeconomy

  The NewDePT (New Development for Pellet Technology) research group at Karlstad University has secured funding for three new research projects. Supported by the Richert Foundation and Vinnova, the projects focus on long-term storage of biofuel pellets, resource recovery from sewage sludge, and the sustainable utilisation of forestry industry residues.

  Pellets for Enhanced Energy Security

  This project will investigate how pellets produced from alternative and blended biomass feedstocks can be manufactured and stored safely and efficiently. Led by Associate Professor Magnus Ståhl, the project will run from September 2026 to June 2028.

• 2026-08-12

  Doctoral Exchange with Japan: New Perspectives on Research and Culture

  Japan attracts doctoral students from around the world, both as a host country and as a hub for international exchange. For Dide Dijkers from Karlstad University and Alireza Niknam Khajepasha from Hiroshima University, academic mobility has meant exposure to new research environments and striking cultural contrasts.

  Dide Dijkers is currently undertaking a five-month exchange at Tohoku University in Sendai. Their research focuses on how people experience and cope with heat, comparing similar climate zones in Sweden and Japan.

  “The idea is to explore how language and culture influence the way people perceive and manage heat, despite the climates being quite similar,” says Dide.

  This is Dide’s first stay in Japan. Thanks to previous experience of living in other Asian countries, the cultural adjustment has been relatively smooth.

• 2026-06-25

  Robot Camp premieres at Karlstad University

  Karlstad University is launching a new Robot Camp for children this summer – an initiative that quickly became fully booked. Over two weeks, participants get to explore the possibilities of technology by building and programming their own robots in a creative and collaborative environment.

  The Robot Camp combines technology, programming, collaboration, and problem-solving and is part of Teknikerjakten (The Technology Hunt). In small groups, the children build robots using LEGO and program them to complete different tasks. The format is inspired by the international technology and science competition FIRST LEGO League.