New Research Project Supports Companies in Contributing to a More Sustainable Society
The IMPHET project is now underway, where researchers at Mid Sweden University are offering small and medium-sized companies in the advanced materials and manufacturing processes sectors access to research. The goal is to contribute to more environmentally friendly products and manufacturing processes.
The three-year project targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working with material development and process technology in Västernorrland. Participating companies include Bright Day Graphene, 2dFab, SKF, Permascand, and Nouryon, with more expected to join during the project period.
With a total budget of 13 million SEK, funded by Region Västernorrland, Tillväxtverket, Mid Sweden University, and the municipalities of Sundsvall, Timrå, and Härnösand, the project is an initiative to promote the development of more environmentally friendly solutions. The goal is for regional companies to help drive this transition.
– We want to strengthen collaboration between companies, universities, and municipalities to contribute to the development of a more sustainable society in northern Sweden, says Jonas Örtegren, project leader for IMPHET.
Interest young people
The project also has a particular focus on generating interest among young people for technology and science education at the high school level, and continuing on to university studies.
– We need to transition our society towards green energy production, and we will need many new engineers to manage this transition. Through the project, we want to spark students’ interest in energy issues, and we also want to attract students to our educational programs so they stay in the region and can work here in northern Sweden, solving tomorrow’s energy challenges, says Jonas Örtegren.
The focus is on materials with smart functions, such as nanomaterials for more efficient energy storage and electrically conductive structures that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
– We want to create opportunities for companies to develop new, high-value products by giving them access to the latest research and technology in sustainable production, explains Jonas Örtegren.
The project also has a clear ambition to promote gender equality and diversity within the tech sector by attracting more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to the field.
Contribute to regional growth
By building strong networks and creating long-term structures for collaboration, IMPHET hopes to contribute to both regional growth and the national green transition.
– It will be exciting to get different work cultures within industry, academia, and municipalities to collaborate. It requires understanding and adaptation, but the opportunities are enormous, says Jonas Örtegren.
The project IMPHET is being conducted at the FSCN Research Centre, one of Mid Sweden University's research hubs.
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