Swedish-Finnish research collaboration on the steel of the future

Researchers from Luleå University of Technology and two Finnish universities have come together to explore new collaborations on the steel of the future. The aim is to strengthen research and contribute to the continued development and transition of the steel and manufacturing industries.

Over the course of two days, researchers from Luleå University of Technology, LUT University and the University of Oulu participated in the initiative. Together, their expertise covers much of the value chain, from materials and manufacturing processes to simulation, mechanical properties, tribology and recycling.

“What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is that our expertise both overlaps and complements each other. Together, we can address research questions that are difficult to solve within a single discipline and gain a better understanding of the entire chain from material to finished product,” says Erik Olsson, Associate Professor of Solid Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology.

Erik Olsson, associate professor of solid mechanics at Luleå University of Technology.

Shared challenges in the north

Northern Sweden and northern Finland face many of the same opportunities and challenges as industry undergoes its transition. By connecting research environments across the national border, expertise in areas such as materials, manufacturing and simulation can be combined with research into how components are affected by wear and mechanical loads over time.

One important conclusion was that some of the most interesting research questions emerge when different disciplines come together.

“We clearly saw the value of collaborating not only with researchers who work on the same questions as we do. Some of the most interesting opportunities are found at the intersection of different research fields,” says Erik Olsson.

Towards joint research projects

The next step is to develop the ideas that emerged from the discussions. These could lead to smaller projects that can get underway relatively quickly, as well as larger, long-term research collaborations and joint applications within European research programmes.

In the longer term, the ambition is to build stronger networks between research environments in northern Sweden and Finland and to involve industry in future collaborations.

“We hope this will be the beginning of a long-term collaboration. By combining our different areas of expertise, we can strengthen our research while contributing knowledge that the steel and manufacturing industries need for their continued development and transition,” says Erik Olsson.

• Solid mechanics