COVID-19 – a societal challenge that demands action

Coronavirus spurred research across disciplines

As the corona pandemic swept across the world, virologists and protein chemists rapidly joined forces and started to collaborate. Together they were able to develop ways to test the immune response after infection, and help the healthcare system.

Researchers critical to flawed Covid-19-models

Reports from Imperial College regarding the spread and the effects of Covid-19 had considerable policy impacts in several European countries. But the models that informed the reports have considerable flaws, according to LiU-researchers.

New contact lens might be used for treatment of covid-19

Mehrdad Rafat, senior lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Engineering (IMT), is hoping that their bioengineered lens can join the forces against the corona virus.

OECD countries’ politicians follow each other

The more democratic a country is, the greater the probability that its politicians decide in the same way as in neighbouring countries, without further analysis, according to a study on decision-making during the beginning of the Corona crisis.

New research into the acceptance of physical distancing

Physical distancing is important to slow the spread of the coronavirus. A new research project will study the provisions relating to physical distancing and how they have been complied with by the public in Denmark and Sweden.

The corona crisis changes the industry

The corona crisis will fundamentally change manufacturing industry. Digitalisation will be accelerated, business models changed, and servitisation increase. While the crisis brings huge difficulties, it also brings opportunities.

Better equipped for the next pandemic

Sometimes Andreas Wladis and his colleagues at the Centre for Teaching and Research in Disaster Medicine and Traumatology feel like annoying alarmists. Getting the responsible parties to listen in time, that’s not easy.

LiU scientists working on test of immune response in COVID-19

LiU scientists are working intensely to develop two different analysis methods for the immune response that follows infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the tests is now being used by the medical care services in Region Östergötland.

The coronavirus shines a spotlight on health equality

Certain groups of migrants have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus, and people have started to question why. Anna Bredström, who conducts research into ethnicity, has examined health equality.

“Today, we refuse to accept sickness and death”

People have combated recurrent epidemics through the ages in different ways. And COVID-19 demonstrates how vulnerable we still are. Historian Hans Nilsson describes the changing ways in which society has dealt with threats to health.

In the thick of things – coronavirus research

The current pandemic has brought virus research into the spotlight. Many clinically relevant questions need to be answered. Virologist Lennart Svensson is sure of one thing: this is not the last time we will see a coronavirus outbreak.

A digital workshop brings a global perspective to the crisis

It started as a meeting in the coffee room (which was starting to feel rather empty), and ended with a workshop with participants from three continents. The coronacrisis is forcing the development of new research and new ways of collaborating.

Social consequences of elderly isolation

When the elderly are subject to social and physical distancing it has consequences – both for the individual and for society. This is the conclusion of researchers at Linköping University.

Decision-making during an emergency

It is a tradition in Swedish society to always have a plan ready to use in different situations. When an emergency arises with a very high speed, there is a risk that the Swedish approach to decision-making can be undermined.

Volunteers vital during the pandemic

A pandemic is one of the most difficult emergencies a country can face. There is no way to cope with it without taking volunteers to help. It’s important that society nurtures this commitment and organises it in an effective way.

The coronacrisis: New ways to work and meet

The process of digitalisation, in its different forms, of both working life and social interaction is now taking a huge leap forward. The transition is faster, broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. How much of this will be permanent?

The corona crisis brings difficult choices

As head of the National Centre for Priority Setting in Health Care at Linköping University, Lars Sandman is working intensively with colleagues on questions that concern prioritising in corona-centred healthcare.

Trapping the corona virus

Lennart Svensson, professor of molecular virology at Linköping University, has his eye set on testing a method on the new coronavirus that is currently spreading major anxiety around the world.

Woody surfaces oftrees remove methane from the atmosphere

It is well-known that trees help the climate by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. But it is now clear that trees have another important role to play.

LiU alumni help the industry save energy – and money

He left a high-paid job in the gas and oil industry in India for a master’s programme at LiU. Sajid Athikkay does not regret his U-turn. He now runs a company in Linköping that helps industries track and save energy.

LiU involved in a megastudy on climate behaviour

What is the best way to make people behave in a more climate-friendly way? Researchers at Linköping University and Karolinska Institutet have contributed to a worldwide study on this topic.

Nerve damage from cancer treatment can be predicted

Many women treated for breast cancer using taxanes, a type of cytostatic drug, often experience side effects in the nervous system. Researchers at LiU have developed a tool that can predict the risk level for each individual.

Her mission is difficult – but fun and achievable

We are in the midst of a tough transition towards more sustainable development. This requires innovation and knowledge, says Marie Trogstam, a LiU alumna who is now head of sustainability and infrastructure at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.

A liver biopsy may predict spread of pancreatic cancer

Microscopic changes in the liver can be used to predict spread of pancreatic cancer. The discovery may provide new ways of predicting the course of the disease and preventing pancreatic cancer from spreading to other organs.

She wants to make robots behave better

Researcher Hannah Pelikan believes that we will see increased conflicts between humans and robots in the future.  In her research, she films everyday encounters between humans and machines to see what happens.

International collaboration lays the foundation for AI for materials

AI is accelerating the development of new materials. Large-scale use and exchange of data on materials is facilitated by a broad international standard. A major international collaboration now presents an extended version of the OPTIMADE standard.

From sketches to a robot with artificial intelligence

How do you develop a product with as little human involvement as possible? LiU students built a robot using generative artificial intelligence.

More effective cancer treatment with iontronic pump

When low doses of cancer drugs are administered continuously near malignant brain tumours using so-called iontronic technology, cancer cell growth drastically decreases. This is demonstrated in experiments with bird embryos.

Electronic medicine – at the intersection of technology and medicine

Swedish researchers have developed a gel that can form a soft electrode capable of conducting electricity. In the long term, they aim to connect electronics to biological tissue, such as the brain.

Agreement signed – supercomputer Arrhenius to Linköping

The hosting agreement between NAISS at LiU and EuroHPC JU has been signed. This means that LiU is now officially hosting the European supercomputer Arrhenius, which will become one of the world’s fastest computers.

Cancer survivors are at increased risk of disease throughout life

A study, led by researchers at LiU and Region Östergötland, shows that cancer survivors are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, other cancers and other diagnoses later in life.

Pathway to a renewable and more democratic energy system

The EU requires member states to facilitate local renewable energy production through so-called energy communities. But in Sweden, the system is structured in a way that counteracts such solutions, conclude researchers from LiU.

Simple methods made teachers better at teaching

All teachers improved their teaching considerably after receiving visits and feedback from experts on their performance during lessons. This is shown in a report from Linköping University that compiled observations from 30 compulsory schools.

They grow nose tissue in the lab

LiU researchers are among the first in the world to have grown human nasal tissue from stem cells. It is used to study how different viruses infect the airways.

WASP extended with a new initiative: AI for Science

Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation grants SEK 70 million to WASP for a new initiative that promotes the uptake of AI based methodologies in academic research in Sweden.

Your clothes will soon be extra muscles

Textile muscles is a young research field. In the long run, the technology can be built into clothes that can give an extra boost during heavy lifting, give hugs at a distance and help the visually impaired navigate the urban environment.

“The Swedish academic world is very unique”

Keti Chukhrov has appreciated her year at LiU as the Tage Danielson visiting professor. She is impressed by the democratic organisation and the true spirit of assistance and collaboration at IKOS, LiU.

Supercomputer Berzelius to be upgraded to double capacity

The supercomputer Berzelius is used for research in fields such as life sciences, machine learning and artificial intelligence. This autumn, it will be upgraded thanks to a donation of SEK 125 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Making remanufacturing profitable

Returning end-of-life products to as-new condition is called remanufacturing. For more industrial companies to take an interest in it, remanufacturing needs to be economically viable. Johan Vogt Duberg has investigated how this can be accomplished.

Disturbed blood flow can damage the aorta

Abnormal blood flow in the aorta is linked to inflammation and breakdown of the vessel wall in conditions where the aorta is dilated. These findings by LiU researchers can contribute to better diagnosis.

Barnafrid supports war-torn Ukraine

Those working to help traumatised children in Ukraine are themselves in great need of support. Barnafrid at LiU, has been commissioned by the government to assist with working procedures and methods.

He heals skin and shares his knowledge

Ahmed Elserafy spends his days researching skin and stem cells and how they can be used in the treatment of burns and wounds that do not heal properly. Over the last few years, he has also written a popular science book – in Arabic.

Major AI investment - LiU contributes to competence programme

Microsoft is investing heavily in AI in Sweden, and Linköping University is contributing to the work of improving skills in the field.

From the Campus of LiU to the ice fjords of Greenland

An adventurous exchange programme to icy Greenland might not be for everyone. But LiU student Filip Puljiz saw the opportunity of a lifetime. A scholarship through the Erasmus+ programme made it possible.

Risky path to meeting climate targets for Stockholm

Stockholm aims to capture more carbon dioxide than is emitted by 2030. Therefore, the city is investing in new technology. But it is a strategy that has been adopted without sufficient discussion of the risks, says researchers at LiU.

The world's first ISO standards for a circular economy have arrived

Several researchers from the Linköping University have participated in the work to develop the world’s first ISO standards for a circular economy. The goal is a more sustainable society.

Academic Celebration with space journey and Harry Potter

This year’s Academic Celebration at Linköping University will take place on 31 May and 1 June. The Celebration will feature lectures by honorary doctors, including astronaut Marcus Wandt, and an Academic Gala Concert with a children’s world theme.

From poverty to independence and self-sufficiency

On behalf of the government and in collaboration with Sida, MAI and Linköping University create life-changing transformations for both individuals and the world. Jennifer is one who has created change for both herself and the future.

Next-generation sustainable electronics are doped with air

Researchers at LiU have developed a new method where organic semiconductors can become more conductive with the help of air as a dopant. The study is a significant step towards future sustainable organic semiconductors.

Healthcare interpreters important for heart attack aftercare

After a heart attack, foreign-born people are less likely to attend a relapse-preventing Heart School than native-born patients. But with access to a professional interpreter, participation increases, according to a new study.

Eco-friendly and affordable battery for low-income countries

A battery made from zinc and lignin that can be used over 8000 times. This has been developed by researchers at LiU with a vision to provide a cheap and sustainable battery solution for countries where access to electricity is limited.

Large donation equals five new professors at LiU

A donation of SEK 125 million enables the establishment of five new professorships in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Linköping University. The donation is directed to the subjects of economics, political science, and history.

The reaction explaining large carbon sinks

A mystery has finally been solved. Researchers from LiU and Helmholtz Munich have discovered that a certain type of chemical reaction can explain why organic matter found in rivers and lakes is so resistant to degradation.

Experienced and driven manager and leader – LiU’s new University Director

Anna Thörn is to be the new University Director at LiU. She is currently regional administrative director of Region Dalarna and has previously held several management positions in Östergötland, including as municipal director in Norrköping.

Walpurgis tradition turns 50

The Walpurgis celebration will, as is customary, include songs and speeches to spring and donning of caps with the Linköping University Male Voice Choir in Borggården outside Linköping Castle. This year, the tradition celebrates its 50th anniversary.

“I want to learn as much as possible about how the body works.”

Tino Ebbers receives the 2024 Onkel Adam Prize for his outstanding research at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at LiU. His research is at the intersection of medicine and technology and focuses on diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Two champions for children become honorary doctors

Indian principal Seetha Murty has worked with children’s and young people’s learning throughout her professional life. American professor Cindy W. Christian has devoted her career to developing the care of abused children.

A single atom layer of gold – LiU researchers create goldene

For the first time, scientists have managed to create sheets of gold only a single atom layer thick. According to the researchers from LiU this has given the gold new properties that can make it suitable for use in various applications.

Ten million donation for research position in electronic medicine

The Stig Wadström Foundation is donating around SEK ten million to LiU, to fund a research position in electronic medicine. The researcher chosen for this position is Xenophon Strakosas at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics in Norrköping.

Developing artificial intelligence that benefits society

How can artificial intelligence improve, for example, health care and local and national public transport? A research group at LiU is working to develop AI for the benefit of society.

Jan-Ingvar Jönsson new president of ECIU

Linköping University’s Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson has been appointed new president of the European network for innovative universities in Europe, ECIU.

Breakthrough for next-generation digital displays

Researchers at LiU have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, light, fingerprints and the user’s pulse, among other things. Their results could be the start of a whole new generation of digital displays.

Autism and ADHD are linked to disturbed gut flora very early in life

Disturbed gut flora during the first years of life is associated with diagnoses such as autism and ADHD later in life. This is according to a study led by researchers at the University of Florida and LiU and published in the journal Cell.

Passionate about teaching – now she receives largest teacher award

Helen Winzell grew up in a home where both parents were teachers. To follow in their footsteps was not on her agenda – until the day she substituted for her mother. Passionate about teaching since then, she now receives Ingemars Lärarpris.

Digitalisation challenges the Swedish social model

Municipalities and other authorities are increasingly required to digitalise. What are the implications for how we build a digital society for all? These are questions that a new interdisciplinary research environment at LiU will look at.

Two new Wallenberg Scholars at LiU

Researchers Feng Gao and Daniel Västfjäll at LiU have been appointed as new Wallenberg Scholars. In addition, six LiU researchers will have their  scholar periods extended. Each researcher receives between SEK 18 and 20 million for five years.

Objective: finding creative solutions to real problems

ECIU University, the virtual university, is celebrating its fifth birthday. In the university, LiU students have the opportunity to work in international and multidisciplinary groups with the objective of finding creative solutions to real problems.

Collaboration on teacher shortages in rural Norrland

Rural northern municipalities suffer from a major shortage of qualified teachers. But from the autumn, LiU will be offering single-subject courses remotely at local learning centres aimed at people who are thinking about a teaching career.

New perspectives on the Crusades

In the book Tempelherreorden (“The Knights Templar”), church historian Kjell O Lejon has summarised his research on the period of the Crusades. He believes the book is important for understanding contemporary world-wide conflicts.

AI-based app can help physicians find skin melanoma

A mobile app that uses AI to analyse images of suspected skin lesions can diagnose melanoma with very high precision. This is shown in a study led from Linköping University where the app has been tested in primary care.

Lasse – the teacher who is always seeking to improve

He came to Linköping as a student in the early 1980s. Some 40 years later, Lasse Alfredsson is still at LiU. A teacher with a drive to constantly seek to improve remains. And his reward, students’ Aha! moments, is hard to beat.

Optimizing of snow removal in cities

Researchers at the Mathematics Department of Linköping University have developed a mathematical model on how snow removal can be optimized in Swedish cities.

He put his studies on hold to set up a chain of unmanned food shops

Edvin Johansson put his studies on the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management programme on hold to set up AutoMat, a chain of unmanned food shops. Now he is back on campus with his largest shop so far.

A new world of 2D material is opening up

Materials that are incredibly thin exhibit unique properties that make them appealing for energy storage, catalysis and water purification. LiU-researchers have developed a method that enables the synthesis of hundreds of new 2D materials.

Small amounts of liquorice raise blood pressure

It is known that large amounts of liquorice cause high blood pressure. A study from LiU now shows that even small amounts of liquorice raise blood pressure. The individuals who react most strongly also show signs of strain on the heart.

He guides his students to top jobs

LiU students are doing well in the Swedish CFA Research Challenge. Year after year, victory goes to Linköping University. Winning the competition is a shortcut to top jobs with major banks and accounting firms. What is the secret to this success?

With pain as a driving force – from refugee to professor

After a childhood marked by displacement, Bijar Ghafouri came to a place where she could stay. “In Sweden I got the opportunity to study what I wanted. Age or gender didn’t matter,” she says. Today, she is a professor researching long-term pain.

International master’s students meet to discuss children’s issues

On the Master's Programme in Child Studies, students from different parts of the world participate remotely. During an intensive week on campus, they gather to exchange experiences and strengthen their sense of community.

The signs that reveal migration policies

Who has access to the meeting rooms? Who leaves when others enter? Who is talking to whom? This may reveal how the winds are blowing in migration policy at an international summit. And researchers from LiU are moving in the crowd to observe.

The academic sleuth – facing death threats and ingratitude

Lonni Besançon devotes evenings and weekends to rarely appreciated sanitation work. By exposing shortcomings in scientific articles, he has made a lot of enemies. It has gone so far that death threats have become commonplace for him.

New research programme looking for solutions for dementia care

By 2050, the number of older people diagnosed with dementia in Sweden may have doubled compared to today. Providing care to everyone will be a big challenge. A new research programme will be launched at LiU to find solutions for the future.

An astronaut and a Nobel laureate are new honorary doctors at LiU

The Swedish astronaut Marcus Wandt and the Austrian quantum physicist and Nobel laureate Anton Zeilinger have been appointed honorary doctors at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Linköping University.

New knowledge hub for the digitalisation of agriculture at LiU

The Swedish Board of Agriculture has appointed Linköping University to host a new national knowledge hub for digitalisation in agriculture. The project spans over 3 years and has a budget of SEK 20 million.

Professor Mattias Lindahl is contributing to a global ISO standard

There are hundreds of definitions of circular economy in the world, which leads to confusion. A new ISO standard with a definition widely accepted and disseminated will remedy the situation.

Better neutron mirrors can reveal the inner secrets of matter

An improved neutron mirror has been developed by researchers at LiU by coating a silicon plate with extremely thin layers of iron and silicon mixed with boron carbide. It paves the way for better studies of materials.

Lack of guidelines on care for children subjected to sexual abuse

Only half of 34 surveyed European countries have national guidelines on how to provide health care and treatment to children who have been subjected to sexual abuse. This is shown in a study led by researchers at Barnafrid at Linköping University.

Researchers overestimate their own honesty

The average researcher thinks they are better than their colleagues at following good research practice. They also think that their own research field is better than other fields. This is shown in a new study at Linköping University.

Their project must stand up to a space trip

The students from LiU were given a dream assignment: develop a pressure-resistant device. A device that contains an experiment. And is to be launched into space.

Bosnian refugees managed well despite uncertainty

Two batches of refugees escaped the war in Bosnia to come to Sweden. One was quickly given permanent residency while the other had to spend several years in uncertainty. Researchers at LiU have now investigated what happened to them.

Physical fitness in adolescence linked to less atherosclerosis later

Men who were physically fit when they were young had a lower risk of atherosclerosis almost 40 years later. These findings suggest that atherosclerosis is one of the mechanisms behind the link between physical fitness and cardiovascular disease.

Students disassemble Ikea products

This is part of a research project in which LiU students get to collaborate with the Swedish furniture giant. The students document possibility of repairing, replacing and reusing.

Innovative semiconductor research from LiU to Silicon Valley

LiU alumnus and doctoral student Ivan Martinovic swapped Swedish winter for a warmer climate and headed for Silicon Valley.  He represents the LEAD company Polar Light Technologies in Berkeley SkyDeck’s sought-after accelerator programme.

The astronomer who turned his eyes towards Earth

Magnus Gålfalk was ten years old when he became fascinated with space. His doctoral thesis was about how stars are formed. But now he is doing climate research at Linköping University instead.

Skiing becomes pure mechanics in his research

How do a skier's movements work? Which technique is the best? Biomechanics researcher Joakim Holmberg has studied this. Using mathematical calculations, he was able to follow how the force was distributed for each push of the ski poles.

Boosted nano material to secure hip implant

Cellular biologist Anna Fahlgren has  teamed up with materials scientist Emma Björk. Together, they will use nano materials that may contribute to a better healing process and faster recovery for the patient.

“Got further than I could have imagined”

LiU’s interdisciplinary investment in e-health is here to stay. In a course, students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences are working together with students from the Faculty of Science and Engineering to develop digital solutions.

Studying whether a robot can awaken children’s interest in reading

Researchers at Linköping University are studying whether a reading robot can increase fourth graders’ interest in reading. The interdisciplinary project brings together researchers in technology, cognition and pedagogy.

Housing promise for new graduates in Norrköping

Norrköping is first in Sweden to guarantee newly graduated students housing after their degree. It has been launched to make it easier for newly graduated students from Campus Norrköping to stay, work and live in Norrköping.

How to shift gears in a molecular motor

Scientists have long strived to develop artificial molecular motors that can convert energy into directed motion. Researchers at LiU have now presented a solution to a challenging problem: a “molecular gear”.

Post-COVID syndrome made researchers combine different perspectives

In a large research project, researchers are working across disciplines to understand post-COVID from several different aspects. At the same time, they are researching the interdisciplinary process itself.

Biogas in Brazil - a resource not being used

Brazil has a significant capacity for biogas production from organic waste that has not yet been realised. Hanna Zanatta has studied several societal aspects that affect the introduction of biogas systems.

New sustainable method for creating organic semiconductors

Researchers at LiU have developed a new, more environmentally friendly way to create conductive inks for use in organic electronics. The findings pave the way for future sustainable technology.

From the lab to a commercial product – a long and difficult road

Researchers at Linköping University are working to create the material for the solar cells of the future. The goal is to produce a commercially viable product. An interdisciplinary research project is to try to find out what it takes.

The business model that can boost carpooling

Would you sell your car and join a carpool instead? LiU researcher Brenda Nansubuga has studied several sharing services. She concludes that services that combine different modes of transport are easier to make profitable.

New web portal for better student health

Studenthälsa.se is now being launched – a web portal that will help all students in Sweden to improve their well-being. Linköping University is managing the coordination of the content of the site.

Major investment in new equipment for materials research

The Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, WISE, donates SEK 44 million to Linköping University for new scientific equipment that will contribute to cutting-edge materials research.

Severe MS predicted using machine learning

A combination of only 11 proteins can predict long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) for different individuals. The proteins could be used to tailor treatments to the individual based on the expected severity of the disease.

Women in materials science contribute to equality in research

Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) has developed a strategic initiative to support outstanding female researchers through co-funding

The canaries of climate transition

Lysekil, Luleå and Slite. Three locations where the demands for transition to a fossil-free society have upended people’s lives. For several years now, researchers from Linköping University have studied the residents’ stories.

Study on extremely preterm infants provides important knowledge

Infants born extremely prematurely need to get enrichment as an addition to breast milk. But does it make any difference whether the enrichment is made from breast milk or cow’s milk when it comes to the risk of severe complications in children?

Electronic “soil” enhances crop growth

Barley seedlings grow on average 50% more when their root system is stimulated electrically through a new cultivation substrate.  LiU-researchers have developed an electrically conductive “soil” for hydroponics.

New master's programme for a better future

With its new master's programme Ethics, Science and Policy, Linköping University wants to make a difference in the world by teaching students to drive change, influence politics and thus improve society.

Researchers will help us keep our new year’s resolutions

Last year, Professor Gerhard Andersson’s new year’s resolution was to skateboard regularly. He is now launching a research study to investigate what can make us keep the promises we made for the new year.

Aerogel can become the key to future terahertz technologies

Researchers at LiU have shown that the transmission of terahertz light through an aerogel made of cellulose and a conducting polymer can be tuned. This is an important step to unlock more applications for terahertz waves.

The engine caught fire - but the students won the prize

Despite a number of setbacks, LiU master's students won a title in the big SAE Aero Design aviation competition in Brazil. LiU is now investing in recurring student projects aimed at competing with small, remote-controlled aircraft.

LiU research one of the biggest breakthroughs of the year

The magazine Physics World has named LiU research one of the year’s major breakthroughs in physics. In their study, carried out at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, the researchers showed that soft electrodes can be grown in living tissue.

Where to place lifesaving bleeding control first aid equipment

Where should bleeding control equipment be located to save as many lives as possible? Researchers have found the answer to this through computer simulations of a bomb exploding in a shopping centre.

The art of printing a hip bone

Being able to 3D print various products may change processes in various areas, from the manufacturing industry to healthcare.