Karl Arvidsson: Composite insulators for sustainable electrification

Karl Arvidsson is a doctoral student in polymeric composite materials. His research investigates electrical breakdown phenomena in high-voltage composite insulators, aiming to develop more durable and sustainable solutions for the electrified society of the future.

Where do you come from? Where have you been?

I grew up in Linköping in southern Sweden, a city many associate with Linköping University (LiU) and Saab’s manufacturing of fighter aircraft. Despite the opportunity to study in my hometown, my girlfriend and I chose to move and explore new places. Through my studies in mechanical engineering, I had the opportunity to live in Karlstad, Cologne, and Gothenburg. After completing my studies, we stayed in Gothenburg for a few years, where I worked with composite materials in offshore wind power, before eventually turning our attention north.

What brought you to Luleå university of Technology?

During my master’s studies at Chalmers University of Technology, I developed a strong interest in composite materials, largely thanks to a couple of professors with backgrounds in my current research group, Polymer Composite Materials, here in Luleå. I had been considering pursuing a PhD for some time, as I was eager to immerse myself more deeply in a specific research area. At the same time, we had a growing desire to try something new and move north – to snow and skiing. A doctoral project focusing on electrically insulating composites in Luleå seemed to tick all the boxes.

What is your research contribution to Creaternity?

My project aims to increase the understanding of electrical breakdown phenomena in high-voltage insulators made from composite materials. Due to the green transition and the rapidly expanding electrification of society, the demands on power grids and their components, such as composite insulators, are increasing. I hope that my research can contribute to insulators that are more efficient, more durable, and made from more environmentally sustainable materials.

Why is Creaternity important?

The world must become more sustainable, and research such as that conducted within Creaternity is essential to achieving that goal. I believe that collaboration and knowledge exchange across different research disciplines make the research both more innovative and more enjoyable – something that should not be underestimated and that ultimately increases the chances of reaching our objectives.

Where are you going?

I would like to continue working with sustainable materials and solutions. Whether that will be in academia or industry, in Luleå or elsewhere, remains to be seen.

• Contact: Karl Arvidsson