Areas of excellence in research and innovation

Attractive built environment

The multifarious needs of society and the business community create complex and intractable global societal challenges.Cities that function well constitute the cornerstones of economic development in a country, and are essential for our well-being.More than 1 billion people live in areas with cold climates today.It is especially challenging to build and organize attractive cities with housing, workplaces, shopping centres and infrastructure in a cold climate, so that traffic, transport, energy and water supplies function for all residents in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

Effective innovation and organisation

One of the major challenges is to shape a society that can quickly adapt to a dynamic and increasingly globalized and knowledge-driven environment by stimulating and contributing to effective innovations both of a technical and organizational nature.

The area includes the management of innovative work in companies and organizations, as well as in systems of interacting agents (innovation systems), and covers the study and development of products, efficient processes and tools that can be used in innovative work and in commercialization and business models for innovation.The organization of work and workplaces, gender and change processes are important fields in the area.Studies in these areas focus on everything from individuals and small groups to organizations and more complex systems.

Future mining

Demand for metals on the world market is increasing, and the Swedish as well as the international mining industry is increasing its production.Sweden is the country in Europe which is the most important metal producer, and the Swedish mining industry is important also from a European perspective.The best opportunities to find new ore deposits in Europe can be found in Sweden and Finland.

Renewable energy

The availability of renewable energy at a competitive price and efficient energy systems with a high level of security of supply are important prerequisites for future sustainable growth.Our vision is to work together with industry and stakeholders within society to create an internationally leading research and innovation environment in order to demonstrate a long-term sustainable energy system.

Cross-border art and technology

Art can evoke emotions and touch us – make us ask questions, create well-being, or provoke.Art can also help us to communicate experiences and information.When art meets technology, the creativity that exists within each area can together provide new opportunities to solve complex problems.

Sustainable transportation systems

The future of sustainable transport will depend on smart and innovative solutions to cope with an increase in the flow of goods at the same time as it will reduce the harmful effects on the environment and climate.Demand for better interoperability between different modes of transport, better maintenance, lower energy use, as well as an increase in the capacity of existing transportation systems will be required.The transport of goods and people must function equally well in winter, spring, summer and autumn.

Intelligent industrial processes

A versatile and competitive industry is important for Sweden’s and Europe’s future status as new players are emerging.To secure our position, constant improvement and development of industrial processes are required in order to increase productivity while reducing the pressures on the climate and the environment.

Enabling ICT

The need to communicate independent of time and place is constantly increasing.There has been a rapid increase in the amount of information and the number of applications available.Information and communication technology (ICT) has an infinite number of applications in society and the business community, and the requirements for accessibility, usability, reliability, and security are high.

Smart machines and materials

Machines of the future must become more efficient, easier, smarter, safer and have a minimal impact on the climate, nature and man.They must also become more efficient and lighter in order to reduce energy consumption, cost and the use of resources.Machines have to be smarter and safer, in order to offer more flexibility, more autonomy and less risk of injury.

Attractive built environment

Effective innovation and organisation

Future mining

Renewable energy

Cross-border art and technology

Sustainable transportation systems

Intelligent industrial processes

Enabling ICT

Smart machines and materials

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