Newsmakers at KTH

Among the sustainability elite

Olga Kordas , Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Development, has been ranked 34th in a list of top sustainability performers in Sweden. The list is published by environment and sustainability magazine Aktuell Hållbarhet, and includes 101 people who are making significant efforts in Sweden’s sustainable transition. Kordas is the Director of Viable Cities, a strategic innovation programme for climate neutral cities by 2030, with a good life for all within planetary boundaries.

Rewarded for carbon capture

Fabian Levihn , a researcher in district heating and energy systems, has been awarded the Jan Häckner Bioenergy Prize for his work on capturing carbon dioxide from biofuels, or Bio-CCS. Levihn has established Bio-CCS at Stockholm Exergi’s biofuel-fired CHP plant at Värtan in Stockholm, a project highlighted at EU level and elsewhere. The judges commented that his work has contributed to a more positive view of biofuel use in the European Commission. The prize is awarded by Svebio, a professional association for renewable energy systems.

Drinking water researcher awarded

Prosun Bhattacharya , Professor of Groundwater Chemistry, has received the George Burke Maxey Distinguished Service Award 2021. Bhattacharya’s primary area of research is drinking water contaminants from groundwater sources in different parts of the world, especially focusing on geogenic contaminants – arsenic and fluoride. The award citation recognises Bhattacharya’s extraordinary service in increasing knowledge and understanding of water contamination, and in propagating modern hydrogeology teaching and research in several parts of the world, primarily Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Student becomes CEO for a month

Emilia Rieschel, who is studying Computer Science at KTH, has been appointed CEO for a month at the Addecco Group, a global human resources provider. In June, Rieschel will shadow and work with the company’s current CEO in the various daily tasks the role involves. Rieschel was selected by a panel of judges in a competition called CEO for One Month, which this year was held for the twelfth time. The judges commented on Rieschel’s strong integrity and clear ethical compass, combined with an interesting profile and a personal vision and objective.

Algal bloom studied in thesis

Louise Ulveland, a recent Chemical Engineering graduate, has been awarded the Svenskt Vatten prize for best master’s thesis in the field of water and sewage. Ulveland has studied the ability to quickly and automatically measure algal bloom using sensors so that remedial measures can be swiftly implemented. The greatest threat posed by algal bloom is cyanobacteria, which can secrete toxins. In her thesis, Ulveland looked at Görvälnverket waterworks on Lake Mälaren in central Sweden, where algal bloom is a serious problem and is expected to increase as the climate changes.

Five KTH projects on IVA list

Five research projects from KTH are on this year’s ‘100 list’ from the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA. The focus this year is on technology in the service of humanity, which is expected to have major potential to benefit society. One of the researchers is Frank Jiang , who alongside Jonas Mårtensson  and Karl Henrik Johansson  through the start-up ABConnect is developing software for driverless vehicles to deal with complex situations. Lauren McKee  and Mengshu Hao  are listed for their fossil-free hydrogel, which is used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Mohammad Davari  is listed along with several colleagues for the research behind InnoBrain, a platform based on neuroscience to automatic brain wave analyses. Also on the list is iPercept, founded by KTH researchers Károly Szipka  and Andreas Archenti  among others, with a technology that detects whether industrial machines are running unevenly or require maintenance. Lina Bertling Tjernberg  is listed for the GreenGrids-Flex project, which creates more flexible electrical power grids.

Prize-winning thesis in robotics

Esteban Restrepo , Postdoctoral Researcher in control engineering, has won a prize for the best PhD thesis on control systems at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research. Restrepo’s field within system technology is nonlinear control with application to autonomous robots and aerospace systems.

KTH student Female Engineer of the Year

Emelie Svensson, studying Engineering Chemistry, has been voted Female Technical Engineer of the Year 2022, a distinction awarded to an engineering student expected to have a major impact on engineering in trade and industry. The prize is a bespoke trainee programme at three of the eight companies partnering the programme. Female Technical Engineer is run by CoGig, a staffing and recruitment firm.

Text: Christer Gummeson