Newsmakers at KTH – december 2024
Healthy workplaces, more efficient production of hydrogen and fossil-free materials in batteries. These are some of the areas where KTH researchers have recently been recognised.
KTH researchers with the most impact
Five researchers from KTH are on a list for 2024 of the world's most cited researchers. The researchers have written several scientific articles that rank among the one per cent most cited in their field over the past decade according to the Web of Science publication database. For the selection of researchers on the list (link), Clarivate, the company that publishes the list, has also analysed and assessed the recognition of the research in question in society at large.
Only 0.1 per cent of the world's total researchers are on the list. The five KTH researchers in each subject are: Emil Björnsson , computer science; Joakim Lundeberg , interdisciplinary science; Licheng Sun , chemistry; Lihui Wang , engineering; Li-Rong Zheng , materials science and chemistry.
Collaborations with South Korea
Four researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology have received funding for research collaborations with South Korean research groups. The initiative is being carried out with the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) and the National Research Foundation of the Republic of Korea (NRF), with each project receiving almost SEK 5 million each. The researchers from KTH are Emil Björnson , Dimos Dimarogonas , Kristina Höök and Frank Niklaus .
Work environment in the green transition
Matti Kaulio and Catherine Trask , researchers in industrial economics and ergonomics respectively, are receiving funding from Afa Försäkring for research on the work environment in the green transition. The project will investigate, among other things, organisational learning, employee-driven environmental work and work environment risks. The aim is to contribute to safe and healthy workplaces in the private sector.
Awarded for thesis on photosynthesis
Hao Yang , a postdoctoral researcher in chemistry, is this year's recipient of the Anna Sundström Prize, awarded by the Swedish Chemical Society. Yang receives the prize for his thesis on artificial photosynthesis. The research is about developing the process of splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using solar energy, which is important for producing hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier.
Historian of ideas receives honorary doctorate
The historian of ideas Sverker Sörlin has been appointed honorary doctor at Linnaeus University. The motivation is that Sörlin, through his research in environment, climate and sustainable development, has contributed to increased understanding of human impact and responsibility for reversing the negative trend for the environment and climate.
Winner with biographite
Weihong Yang , a process researcher, is one of the winners of this year's edition of the Startup 4 Climate innovation competition with his start-up company Nordic Bio-Graphite. The company offers fossil-free biographite based on biomass that can be made on a large scale. Graphite is used, for example, in electric car batteries. The other winner of the competition, the company Rebaba, is also linked to KTH and was founded by two KTH students.
Promising companies from KTH
A total of eight companies with links to KTH are on the media company Ny Teknik's list of Sweden's most innovative and promising young technology companies. All the companies on the list have developed their own technology and, according to the jury, have a commercial international potential. The companies, which have all received support from KTH Innovation, are IPercept, Cellfion, Terasi, Nordic Forestry Automation, Celluxtreme, Flox, Reselo and Novatron Fusion Group.
Industrial economist honoured
Mari Lundström, visiting professor in industrial economics, has been awarded the Alfred Kordelin Prize. She was awarded the prize for her contribution to the green transition. Lundström's research focuses on hydrometallurgy, separation of metals and metal recycling, and will help to reduce the problems caused by mining.
Thesis wins award
Gabriella Mastantuoni, PhD student, has been awarded the International Academy of Wood Science Ph.D. Dissertation award. The award is given annually to outstanding research by a PhD student in wood and fibre science.
Economist heads trade council
Cecilia Hermansson , associate professor and researcher in real estate economics and finance, is the new chair of the The Swedish Retail and Wholesale Council, a collaboration between employers‘ and employees’ organisations in the sector.
Wood students honoured
Erik Horney and Anton Olsson, students at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, have been awarded the prize for the best degree project in wood, wood products and wood construction in 2024. The prize is awarded by the Structor Foundation and Swedish Wood.
Text: Christer Gummeson ( gummeson@kth.se )