Alumni of the Year: species under threat and safe perinatal care

A computer algorithm to recognise and follow objects

Goutam Bhat has been awarded the Christer Gilén Scholarship for 2019 in the field of statistics and machine learning. The scholarship recognises his work in computer vision. “One of the best undergraduate students I have had”, says Michael Felsberg.

Large-scale board game will increase knowledge about climate change

LiU researcher Ola Leifler is organising a megagame in April 2020, designed to provide insights into the effects of climate change.

Nine of ten LiU graduates in employment one year after graduating

Linköping University is best in Sweden for the entry of students into the labour market. 88 percent of students from LiU are employed a year after graduating. The statistics are presented in a report from the Swedish Higher Education Authority.

Human medicines affect fish behaviour

Human medicines that act on important signal systems in the brain make fish bolder, shows a new study by researchers at LiU. The results reinforce that drugs that end up in the natural environment may have consequences for animal life.

Compact living a la Malmstens

Students in the Furniture Design programme at Malmstens accepted the challenge of designing the interior of a young person’s apartment measuring 23 square metres. The result is a window seating, a rail system for wall storage and a room divider.

Chains of atoms move at lightning speed inside metals

A phenomenon that has been seen when researchers simulate the properties of planet cores at extreme pressures has now been observed in pure titanium at atmospheric pressure. Chains of atoms dash around at lightning speeds inside the solid material.

How energy renovations of older buildings can reduce energy use

Energy renovation of older multi-family buildings can nearly halve energy use. When considering costs, it is usually better to renovate a building than to demolish it and build a new one. These are the conclusions of a thesis presented at LiU.

A robot politely gets out of the way

We are far from being able to coexist with flying robots in our urban landscapes, but one of the demonstrations this year within the WASP arena for public safety was a drone that politely gets out of the way when a person walks towards it.

High blood pressure at maximal exercise may signal good fitness

Is it dangerous to have high blood pressure when exercising? “It depends”, is the answer from a newly published study.

Antidepressant medications appear to be generally safe

Antidepressants are generally safe, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. The researchers did not find strong evidence of adverse health outcomes associated with antidepressant use.

LiU researchers receive Wallenberg grants

Two LiU researchers each receive around SEK 34 million for five years from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Håkan Olausson is working on ultrafast pain signalling, while Feng Gao is developing new materials for solar cells.

Helping tobacco plants save water

Eleni Stavrinidou and her research group at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Linköping University, have used bioelectronics to influence transpiration in a tobacco plant, without harming the plant in any way.

How to save energy with hybrid hydraulic technology

Computer control makes it possible to introduce hybrid hydraulic technology into working machines. This will not only save energy but also – in the long term – make autonomous machines possible.

Two of six grants for Alzheimer research to LiU

Martin Hallbeck and Per Hammarström are two of the six researchers who have been granted funds from the Swedish Brain Foundation’s special call for research into Alzheimer disease.

LiU seminars to focus on human rights

LiU is to hold three seminars on human rights in October. The topics discussed are children’s rights, asylum, and citizenship and migration. They are associated with the Swedish Forum for Human Rights, to be held in Linköping in November.

Model aircraft to improve flight testing

Roger Larsson presents a doctoral thesis in which he has looked at several methods to optimise the modelling methods used to test and develop aircraft. He has also used model airplanes from colleagues.

LiU welcomes employees of the future

“Don’t start the meeting without me – it’s warm in here, I want to get out”, says YuMi, interrupting Vice-Chancellor Helen Dannetun who is welcoming her guests from ABB to LiU and the new Studenthuset.

Solidarity drives Super-Sara

Put two cans, Classic and Light, of fizzy drink into water. One floats, the other sinks. Magic! Sara Magnusson wanted her Experimentfabrik to make children curious. But they must also be able to read, so today she’s measuring reading ability.

Speaker of the Riksdag is Alumnus of the Year

Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén managed to form a new government after last autumn's chaotic election.

They are Alumni of the Year 2019

Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag, made a historic contribution to ensuring that Sweden gained a new government. Sara Magnusson inspires young people to become engineers. These two are Alumni of the Year at Linköping University.

Monkeys like alcohol at low concentrations

Fruit-eating monkeys show a preference for concentrations of alcohol found in fermenting fruit, but they do not seem to use alcohol as a source of supplementary calories, according to a new study.

Countries see opportunities in climate measures

Researchers at LiU have investigated the ways in which countries describe climate change and the measures for addressing it: Is it a threat or an opportunity?

Pay a digital deposit on a coffee mug in Studenthuset

A digital coffee mug. The small start-up loop-it was founded by some master’s engineering students with the aid of LiU Innovation, and their eco-friendly idea has now been launched in Studenthuset.

Sharpened criticism for research misconduct

Two previous LiU researchers are guilty of research misconduct. The faculty board of the Faculty of Science and Engineering has severely criticised two previous researchers for significant deficiencies in their handling of research data.

Does local food increase cancer risk in glassworks areas?

There is no clear link between cancer incidence and locally produced food from an area with a history of glass manufacture with contaminated soil, according to a new study from, among others, Linköping University.

More operations are scheduled if doctor is well rested

Researchers have investigated how orthopaedic surgeons make decisions regarding surgery. The results show that a patient who meets the surgeon at the end of his or her shift is less likely to be scheduled for surgery.

Machine learning will improve knowledge of inequalities in society

Researchers at the Institute for Analytical Sociology have been awarded SEK 13 million to use machine learning to provide in-depth knowledge about inequalities in society. “The Swedish population registers are a gold mine”, says Maria Brandén.

Welcome indoors, solar cells

Swedish and Chinese scientists have developed organic solar cells optimised to convert ambient indoor light to electricity. The power they produce is low, but enough to feed the millions of products that the internet of things will bring online.

A laboratory full of bright ideas

New ideas are always popping up and being tested in the Laboratory of Organic Electronics. Many have led to world-leading breakthroughs. The research focusses on storing energy in paper, coupling biology with electronics, and electronic plants.

A fish in the service of science

Which treatment will benefit this patient best? Which substances are most promising for pharmaceuticals companies to develop? These are questions that scientists at Linköping University are seeking to answer with the aid of the tiny zebrafish embryo.

Helen Dannetun chooses not seek extension in vice-chancellor post

Helen Dannetun will not apply for an extension as vice-chancellor for Linköping University when her current contract expires at the end of June 2020.

Slow progress in Bangladesh's textile industry

The working conditions and safety of employees in the textile industry in Bangladesh have improved. But the differences between factories are large and the shortcomings are many. The multinational companies also have a complex role.

Wow – what a week!

Music, talks, guided tours and an experiment workshop. An intense and highly popular opening week for Studenthuset is over, and the building can now be said to be well and truly open.

“Important to encourage university teachers”

At the Commencement Ceremony in the spring of 2020, Sweden’s largest award for teachers will be presented for the first time. The award, which is to go to a teacher at Linköping University, was founded by Professor Emeritus Ingemar Ingemarsson.

Prestigious ERC grant to Sara Liin

LiU researcher Sara Liin has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for 2019 by the European Research Council in stiff competition with other applicants. She receives EUR 1.5 million for a project to investigate disturbances in heart rhythm.

Major successes for multidisciplinary research at LiU

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research has granted SEK 200 million for research in the interface between technology and medicine. LiU scientists are principle investigator in three of the six projects, and co-applicant in a fourth.

50 years of systems development

The Department of Electrical Engineering at LiU celebrates its 50th birthday. “We are proud of our long tradition of excellent research, top-quality education and close collaboration”, said Jan-Åke Larsson, head of department.

Spreading light over quantum computers

Scientists at Linköping University have managed to simulate quantum computer properties in a classical computer. “Our results should be highly significant in determining how to build quantum computers”, says Professor Jan-Åke Larsson.

Studenthuset is opened

For a while, it seemed that one of the star guests to the opening was not going to turn up. But then, from the roof of Studenthuset a university architect came abseiling down the façade to join the opening ceremony, to the cheers of the public.

Sustainability first out in Studenthuset celebrations

A few hours before the official opening of Studenthuset, the first seminar was held in the Lövverket lecture arena. Invited speaker was Ken Webster, a world-leading expert in the circular economy.

Coming soon – the Kalas event

Thursday 5 September is the date. This year we have artists Petter and Thomas Stenström, with comedian Marcus Thapper as master of ceremonies.

New medication may improve effects of treatment for PTSD

A medication that boosts the body’s own cannabis-like substances, shows promise to help the brain un-learn fear memories when these are no longer meaningful. This according to an early-stage, experimental study on healthy volunteers at LiU.

How blood sugar levels affect risks in type 1 diabetes

A major new study on the association between blood glucose levels and risks of organ impairment in people with type 1 diabetes can make a vital contribution to diabetes care, in the researchers’ view.

LiU researchers participate in search for MH370

In March 2014, a Malaysian airplane appeared to completely disappear when flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Satellite data suggested that it crashed into the Indian Ocean. Researchers from LiU are helping in the search for the plane.

The right dose to the right person

Malin Lindqvist Appell develops tools to tailor the treatment of leukaemia and inflammatory bowel disease. Serious adverse drug reactions can now be avoided using a blood sample to determine who can take a lower dose of a thiopurine drug.

A week of celebrations to open Studenthuset

Linköping University will celebrate the opening of Studenthuset with a full festival week, starting with an opening ceremony on 30 August and ending with the Kalas event to welcome new students at Campus Valla on 5 September.

Here the research is in the walls

Moisture is a problem that can be both expensive and difficult for property owners. LiU’s Studenthuset has 750 built-in sensors that detect moisture at an early stage. The technology is based on LiU-based research into printed electronics.

Old furniture gets new life in Studenthuset

Sustainability and good environmental practices have been guiding principles for Studenthuset since it was in the conceptual phase. Close to 1,500 pieces of furniture have got a new design and a new life in Studenthuset.

”Lönnspringare” take shape

A portion of the floor space on level 3 of Studenthuset is made up of a large chessboard. The chess pieces have been designed and built over the summer by two LiU students. They call their concept Lönnspringare.

Genetic risk is associated with differences in gut microbiome

Children with a high genetic risk of developing type 1 diabetes have different gut microbiomes than children with a low risk, according to a new study.

Digital twins – an aid to tailor medication to individual patients

Advanced computer models of diseases can be used to improve diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to develop the models to “digital twins” of individual patients. Those twins may help to computationally identify and try the best medication.

Autonomous vehicles learn to find the best path

Kristoffer Bergman, doctoral student in Automatic Control, describes in his licentiate thesis methods to enable autonomous vehicles find the fastest or most energy-efficient path from starting point to a destination, even if obstacles are in the way.

Flying vehicles find their own path

Flying vehicles, manned and unmanned, are today equipped with large numbers of sensors. The vehicles are still controlled manually, but WASP doctoral student Per Boström-Rost shows in his licentiate thesis how the control can be made more autonomous.

Andreas Nobel celebrates eco-friendly wood

Nothing beats wood for the manufacture of furniture, says Andreas Nobel, newly inaugurated professor of furniture design at Malmstens Linköping University.

LiU’s Tetralith ranks 74th in TOP500 list

Two supercomputers in Sweden are among the world’s most powerful supercomputers. The 2019 TOP500 list is dominated by the United States and China, but Sweden also appears, with Tetralith at National Supercomputer Centre, NSC, and Beskow at KTH.

Self-injuring young girls overestimate negative feedback in social media simulation

Adolescent girls who self-injure feel that they receive more negative feedback than they actually receive, and are more sensitive to thumbs down responses, compared to other girls. These are the findings presented by Irene Perini, researcher at CSAN.

The interlayers help perovskite crystallisation for light-emitting diodes

Scientists at LiU working with colleagues from China have shown how to achieve efficient perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In an article in Nature Communications, they provide guidelines on fabricating high-quality perovskite light emitters.

Resistance training can relieve menopause discomfort

Resistance training two to three times a week can reduce hot flushes and night sweats in post-menopausal women, according to a Linköping University study.

Hearing loss increases the risk of dementia

Research has established a link between the condition and problems with hearing. What can be done to prevent or slow the progress of dementia? This was one of the topics discussed at an international research conference in Linköping.

Pain signalling in humans more rapid than previously known

Pain signals can travel as fast as touch signals, according to a new study. The discovery of a rapid pain-signalling system challenges our current understanding of pain.

Biogas can increase the capacity of pulp and paper mills

The wastewater streams from kraft mills have been considered to be too difficult to digest for biogas production, despite containing large quantities of organic substances. Eva-Maria Ekstrand reveals a solution in her doctoral thesis.

Unclear regulations lead to misleading reports

The accounting standard IAS 10 is ambiguous, and may lead to the annual reports of companies giving a misleading picture. The standard should be thoroughly revised. Jan Kellgren, professor at LiU, makes these points in a newly published article.

Green light for ECIU University

LiU and the consortium of universities in ECIU has been awarded funds from the European Commission to form the virtual university of the future – ECIU University. The education provided is to be challenge-driven and interdisciplinary.

First master’s graduates in design

The first year-group from the international master’s programme in design has graduated.“It suited me perfectly that the programme was new and a bit disorganised. I’ve benefited from everything in the master’s programme” Caspar Reuterswärd assures us.

Biogas production can be more efficient, with the right choice of organic material

Luka Šafarič doctoral thesis shows that the organic material that is fed into the reactor affects the thickness of the sludge, and ultimately, the reactor’s efficiency.

Multiresistant bacteria spread widely in Vietnamese hospitals

Around half of patients admitted to hospital in Vietnam are carriers of multiresistant intestinal bacteria. The longer the patients are in hospital, the greater is the risk that they have been infected by these bacteria.

Big city growth escalates the urban-rural divide

Microdata from Swedish population registers provide new insights into cities' economic growth paths. The data reveal a surge in regional inequality, with more and more resources flowing to cities atop the urban hierarchy.

Mistra to continue funding research into circular economy transition

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research has granted SEK 47 million for four years to Mistra REES. The aim of the programme is to facilitate the transition by Swedish manufacturing industry to a circular economy.

Mobility and social skills critical for consultants

Technical expertise is not sufficient if consulting firms are to be successful: social skills and mobility between workplaces are also important. This is the conclusion of a new doctoral thesis from Linköping University.

Artificial muscles powered by glucose

Artificial muscles made from polymers can now be powered by energy from glucose and oxygen, just like biological muscles. This advance may be a step on the way to future autonomous microrobots powered by biomolecules in their surroundings.

Helping elderly hear better

Hearing researchers at Linköping University are addressing the hearing problems of the elderly. The aim is to improve the quality of life of the millions of elderly who suffer from hearing loss.

LiU doctoral student to meet Nobel laureates

Tim Cornelissen, IFM, is one of the young researchers invited to this year’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. 580 undergraduates, doctoral students, and postdocs will have the opportunity to meet and discuss science with Nobel laureates.

Sustainable food production and the art of expanding the ecosystem

Global food needs are increasing. In the short term, agriculture requires better conditions. In the long term, we must transform how business is done for a sustainable society – with green services, according to LiU researchers in business marketing.

“We gain a lot from each other”

For 30 years, Linköping University and Moi University in Kenya have worked together, in a collaboration that the universities believe benefits them both. Contact between the two universities is now set to increase.

Collaboration with South Africa to focus on global issues

A new Swedish collaboration with South Africa is to strengthen global research issues and make it easier for researchers to contact each other. Research collaboration in fields such as the climate, medical care and education is planned.

CEO with an eye for innovation

She wants to foster new types of collaborations, in order to address global challenges. Meet Lena Miranda, LiU alumna and CEO of Science Park Mjärdevi in Linköping.

A trip across the surface of Mars

At Visualization Center C, Campus Norrköping, you can take a trip far out into the universe or deep down into the smallest constituents of matter. The first part of WISDOME, the Wallenberg Immersive Science Communication Dome, is now up and running.

A virtual team for post-disaster communication

Create a team with nine students from LiU and Stanford, from different programmes of education and four different countries. Ask them to solve a task from Saab and give them nine months to do it. What’s the result? The DaMD course.

Converting safari jeeps to electricity

A group of eco-conscious LiU students has moved to Kenya and started a company devoted to electric safari vehicles. In less than a year it has grown to 28 employees, most of whom are Kenyan engineers.

Studenthuset to open on 30 August

The university’s new meeting place, Studenthuset, is nearing completion and will open on Campus Valla after the summer break.

Farewell LiU!

This year saw the largest number ever of international master’s students saying goodbye to LiU at the Farewell Ceremony. 229 students came up onto the stage at Forumteatern in Kårhuset Kollektivet to receive their diploma.

He prevents the spread of infection

An outbreak of an infectious animal disease can have disastrous consequences for the complete social economy of a country. LiU researcher Tom Lindström has the task of improving preparedness for such an outbreak in the US.

United by music

Music-based activities at Linköping University include both choirs and orchestras, and offer great opportunities for visiting students and staff. Swedish friends, a sense of community, and – in the best of cases – true love.

New ways to stop tuberculosis

Maria Lerm, newly installed professor at Linköping University, wants to find out whether it is possible to strengthen the body’s own protection against tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is the deadliest bacterial disease in the world.

Food production with greater sustainability – how?

The food we eat has a profound effect on the world. Researchers at LiU have examined possible measures to increase sustainability in Swedish food production.

Social businesses better than traditional development aid

Social businesses can play an important role in reducing poverty and stimulating progress in developing economies. Indeed – such businesses often achieve better results than traditional aid. They face, however, huge challenges.

Dogs mirror owner’s stress

The levels of stress in dogs and their owners follow each other, according to a new study. The scientists believe that dogs mirror their owner’s stress level, rather than vice versa.

Kungsgatan to communicate with Norrköping citizens

The Testbädd Kungsgatan project has been awarded SEK 1.5 million from the Norrköping Fund for Research and Development until May 2021. The grant will be used to develop an IoT platform as a service that will collect data along the street.

Global conference in railway research in Norrköping

Linköping University is host for the international research conference RailNorrköping 2019, where more than 250 participants from 20 countries will discuss and present their results. One hot topic is how to ensure that more trains arrive on time.

Article by LiU scientist accepted by Heart

Kristofer Hedman, currently a postdoc at Stanford University, has led a study into high blood pressure in elite athletes. An article with its results has been accepted for publication in the scientific journal Heart.

Norrköping to support research into learning, traffic and smart forestry textiles

Four projects at Linköping University and one at RISE Acreo have been awarded funds from the SEK 5 million distributed by the Norrköping Fund for Research and Development in 2019.

Money remains in men´s hands

Economics is still a sphere in which men dominate. They have deeper knowledge of fundamental economic concepts, and greater self-confidence. The differences can have a profound effect on people’s lives.

Finding boat locations using images

In his doctoral thesis, Bertil Grelsson shows that it is perfectly possible to navigate at sea and in the air with the aid of images. As long as it’s not too misty. The methods provide an important component in safe and robust navigation.

Images from the Academic celebration 2019

Last weekend, 74 new doctors received their diploma and hat or laurel wreath, and 18 new professors were installed. The festivities included the university gala concert. The image carousel below gives some glimpses from the celebrations.

Segregation and inequality are results of marketised school system

Greater differences in study results between schools and increased segregation. These are examples of what the marketisation of the education system in Sweden has led to.

A newly discovered mechanism reveals how Parkinson’s disease can spread

Tiny channels between nerve cells are involved in a newly discovered mechanism of how Parkinson’s disease can spread throughout the brain. Harmful protein aggregates can “hitch a lift” with channel-forming proteins, and spread to healthy cells.

Regime oppression brings Hungarian researcher to LiU

Restrictions on academic freedom in Hungary have become so serious that researcher Károly Takács has moved from Budapest to Norrköping and LiU. He brings with him his family and a large part of his research group.

Honorary doctor from Sudan fighting for women in academia

Physics researcher and LiU master's alumna Nashwa Eassa has a vision – that women in Sudan will gain equal opportunities for education and research as men. At Linköping University’s annual Academic Ceremony, she was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Future sea rescue systems at Gränsö Manor

The next major demonstration of autonomous sea rescue is being planned here. Forty-five people have gathered at Gränsö Manor. Researchers and technologists, doctoral students and undergraduates – everyone is working towards the same goal.

Progress in hunt for unknown compounds in drinking water

When we drink a glass of water, we ingest an unknown amount of by-products that are formed in the treatment process. Researchers have been able to detect new compounds – where every water treatment plant has a unique combination.

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A passion for protecting biological diversity

Care for the newly delivered gives Alumna of the Year award

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