Major funding from EU for climate research and sustainability

The DRIVE project focuses on green energy by developing, among other things, super capacitors, a kind of fast batteries. Mid Sweden University is the world leader in large scale super capacitors processes and one of the goals is to increase storage capacity in lithium-ion batteries for electric cars. The project also conducts research on a completely new electric motor, specially adapted for electric cars, with the help of power electronics industry.

- We research the entire chain - from how energy is created in as environmentally friendly manner as possible to how we can use and reuse it. For example, we will combine our latest research results in energy storage and power electronics to research how fast-moving electric vehicles can be developed on a larger scale in multi-family houses without having to increase the power of the network or build new power lines, says Håkan Olin, Professor of Physics at the Research Center Fiber Science and Communications Network, FSCN, at Mid Sweden University.

In the MiLo, the environment into the control loop, it is about developing technology to measure and monitor the environment in real time. Real-time environmental information creates better conditions for society and industries to take environmental considerations into account. The researchers will, among other things, develop camera technology for remote monitoring and remote control of airports and use radiation-based x-ray technology to measure heavy metals in, for example, fiber banks. The project also includes developing noise measurements in industrial environments to identify where and what causes noise pollution.

-Together with a large number of private and public actors in the region, the MiLo project offers an opportunity for Mid Sweden University to take a leading role in Sweden in environmental monitoring. There is also a great interest from the region's companies to develop more effective environmental measurement methods, which is an important part of research and development work, says Benny Thörnberg, Associate Professor at STC Research Center, Sensible Things that Communicate.

In the third project, BioRem Fiber, the goal is to develop market-adapted environmental technology to clean fiber banks along the coast in the region with the help of fungi, plants and bacteria, so-called bioremediation. Fiber banks have been formed by the release of contaminated process water from the wood and pulp industry and contain environmentally harmful heavy metals and organic pollutants. The toxic content of fiber banks has been surveyed by, among other things, the County Administrative Board in Western Norway and Sweden's geological survey and now the next step needs to be addressed. A concrete measure is to build a pilot plant where the fiber material is detached from heavy metals and environmental pollutants, so that it can then be utilized.

-The project will contribute to a sustainable environment while developing processes for transporting the material for detoxification or for on-site treatment. We carry out the project in cooperation with industry and by leading the research and development industry, it will also result in companies in the region taking a leading position with their environmental work, which can increase their turnover and create new jobs, "says Erik Hedenström, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Mittuniversity.

Contact DRIVE

Håkan Olin, phone: +46 70 308 89 90 e-mail: hakan.olin@miun.se

Kontaktperson BioRem Fiber:

Erik Hedenström, phone: 076-527 91 29, e-mail: : erik.hedenstrom@miun.se

Kontaktperson MiLo:

Benny Thörnberg, phone: 072-581 89 17,e-mail: benny.thornberg@miun.se

In these research projects, about 45 companies participate in total, and there are also funding from the municipalities in Sundsvall, Timrå and Härnösand and the Västernorrland region. The projects start in 2019 and are expected to last until 2022.