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Newsmakers at KTH

Published Apr 27, 2020

Who has received what when it comes to funding? What findings, results and researchers have attracted attention outside KTH? Under the vignette Newsmakers, we provide a selection of the latest news and events at KTH.

Innovative technology for microsystems

KTH Professor Joachim Oberhammer , of the Division of Micro and Nanosystems, has been awarded €150,000 in research funding via a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The funds are to be used to test the innovation potential of Oberhammer’s research into developing terahertz technology as a new way of designing microsystems that are used in everything from medical equipment to technology for wireless communication. The new technology aims to both enable higher performance and lead to cost-effective volume production. The project will use spaceborne radiometers that measure electromagnetic radiation, with the aim of developing satellites that can monitor the dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere more effectively. Oberhammer is a previous recipient of an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2013, awarded to researchers with the potential to become world-leading in their field.

Recent doctoral graduate awarded a Bernadotte stipend

Emma Frid.

KTH graduate Emma Frid , who recently defended her doctoral thesis at KTH, has been awarded this year’s Bernadotte stipend for music, for a project researching Haptic Modality. As part of the project, Frid has developed a sound installation, Ljudskogen, (Sound Forest) at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, and created new works for this. The research is being pursued within the Sound and Music Computing research group at KTH.

Professor ranked as one of Sweden’s most powerful women

Professor Danica Kragic  of the KTH School of Computer Science and Communication, has been named one of the country’s most powerful women by Swedish media. In the Dagens Industri (DI) list of enterprise sector profiles, Kragic is highlighted as driving developments in a number of important future areas. Such as within AI, where DI name checks her as head of programme for the Wallenberg-financed Wasp project, and ranks her 25th on their list. Expressen calls Kragic Sweden’s queen of technology and a female role model and ranks her 41st on the newspaper’s women of the year list.

Glue that mends broken bones

Michael Malkoch.

Researchers within polymer technology at KTH that have developed a unique glue to stick bone fractures together have received new financing within the EU FET Proactive Programme. The funds are to be used to further develop the technology with the aim of being able to apply the glue to more types of fractures where the bone is not self-healing, such as in the case of bone cancer. The technology builds on a material platform, based on degradable carbonate polymers, that are injected into large holes in the bone to allow the body to generate new bone. The glue sets the fracture and then several layers of material can be applied as necessary. Following this treatment, the fracture can grow together and the body can heal itself. It is hoped that the use of metal plates and screws can then be phased out. The research is headed by Professor Michael Malkoch , of the Division of Coating Technology. Post doctor scholar Daniel Hutchinson  is coordinating the EU project, that involves six partners.

Vice President appointed to publishing house board

KTH Vice President and Professor in Human Computer Interaction Jan Gulliksen , has been elected to the board of publishing house Natur & Kultur. At a time when Natur & Kultur is making major digital investments, Gulliksen will play an important part in this work, Chair of the Board Fredrik Strömholm explained in a press release. Gulliksen primarily researches into usability, accessibility and user-centred systems design, particularly focusing on improving digital work environments.

Baltic plankton mapped

Baltic plankton.

Gene technology researcher Anders Andersson  has led an international partnership to map Baltic Sea plankton. Via gene sequencing, genes from a third of these tiny water-based organisms have been studied in closer detail. This metagenomic binning offers researchers the opportunity to predict the ecological niche of individual species, via machine learning. The research results have been published at: doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-0856-x

Environment courses very popular worldwide

KTH’s massive open online courses (mooc) within sustainable development are among the most popular in the world. Enforcing Sustainable Development, a course presented by Maria Malmström , Associate Professor and Docent of Chemical Engineering, is in the top 20 most popular moocs on all major global platforms starting in April. KTH offers free introductory and advanced courses in a large number of subjects. The courses are available online and everyone is welcome to register.

3D printer in miniature

Greta Lindwall , a researcher in materials science, has received a SEK 8 million grant from the Swedish Research Council for a project within 3D printing. The project goal is to design and build a 3D printer in miniature to be able to perform in situ measuring with high energy X-ray synchrotron light. The aim is to increase understanding of how metallic materials behave when printing with the electron-beam melting method.

Text: Christer Gummeson

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Belongs to: About KTH
Last changed: Apr 27, 2020