COVID-19 – a societal challenge that demands action

Nixon - with the right to break in

He has worked all over the world, finding weaknesses in supposedly foolproof computer systems. He has found hackers that were then brought to justice. This year’s Alumnus of the Year, is ready to crack down on cyber attacks and computer intrusion.

“My motivation is to make a difference”

With her great drive, knowledge and commitment, Amanda Borneke has come to be the sustainability profile of the construction industry. This year’s Alumna of the Year always sees opportunities and likes an uphill challenge.

Photo montage: Woman in construction site, man in front of supercomputer

Alumni of the Year are experts in IT security and sustainable construction

Leif Nixon has worked in IT security for many years, hacking and defending almost everything you can think of. Amanda Borneke inspires the construction industry to step up its sustainability efforts. These two are the 2023 Alumni of the Year.

Ingemarsson’s new donation to boost interdisciplinarity

Cross-border collaboration and interdisciplinarity are gaining importance in our society. This is something that Ingemar Ingemarsson wants to support. With a new large donation, he is setting up a foundation to award a prize for interdisciplinarity.

Moral and AI must go hand in hand

Moral considerations is one of the things that a safe computer system must be able to handle in the future, according to Erik Sandewall, professor emeritus at LiU.

LiU gets new competence centre – close collaborations with industry

Vinnova is investing more than SEK 30 million in a new competence centre in autonomous systems and advanced mathematical methods at LiU. Climate change and global security are to be the focus of the research groups.

Man looking sideways through venetian blind.

They fall more easily for conspiracy theories

People who primarily use their own gut feeling to determine what is true and false are more likely to believe conspiracy theories. That is the conclusion of researchers at Linköping University.

Three LiU researchers share SEK 53 million from the ERC

Three researchers at LiU have received European Research Council Starting grants awarded to promising researchers. Their research areas are new cancer treatment, materials development and how people are affected by grief.

Two persons in a lab with a laserinstrument infront of them on a table full of cables.

Better cybersecurity with new material

Digital information exchange can be safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly with the help of a new type of random number generator for encryption developed at LiU. The technology paves the way for a new type of quantum communication.

Portrait picture of Björn-Ola Linnér sitting outside with some trees in the background.

Björn-Ola Linnér: I am a frustrated optimist

Climate researcher Björn-Ola Linnér never imagined an academic career. Here you can hear him talk about the road to becoming a professor and, as a researcher, active in the environmental debate.

Two women in hospital wear and two men talk in a corridor.

Research centre to bring hope to kidney patients

Kidney disease is more common than people realise. By 2040, kidney failure may be the fifth most common cause of death, if nothing is done. With the Ingrid Asp Kidney Research Center, LiU will drive the development of knowledge and new treatments.

A woman wearing a LiU-T-shirt gives information to a student.

International students arrive with great expectations

How do you get your LiU Card? Where is the gym? How do you get a bike? And what are those overalls people are wearing?

Luxury fashion store front in modern shopping mall

Luxury brands practice 'green-hushing' to retain customers

Does the sense of luxury and opulence disappear when an exclusive item is marketed as green or sustainable? A new research reveals that European luxury brands downplay their environmental and sustainability efforts to avoid losing customers.

Portrait of Ola Larsmo against a blue sky and the Moa Martinson sculpture in the background.

Author Ola Larsmo appointed to Moa Martinson visiting professorship

How can novels be used to discover unexpected aspects of history? How can we prevent the falsification of history? These are some of the issues that are in focus for Ola Larsmo on his appointment to the Moa Martinson visiting professorship.

Portrait of Susanna Alakoski, author and visiting professor.

Susanna Alakoski: “I wanted to add the voice of the city suburbs to the professor’s pen”

Writing courses, discussions about burning social issues, collaborations with researchers and conversations with those living in vulnerable conditions. Her time at LiU has been filled with what engages her most: writing and social issues.

Two people standing on a balcony in Lindau.

Young LiU PhD students in noble company

At the end of June, more than 600 young researchers and 40 Nobel laureates from around the world were invited to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Present in Germany were two LiU PhD students who had the experience of their lives.

Electrification of heavy transports requires new thinking

Electrification of heavy transports places new and high demands on planning for vehicle use and charging. Researchers at LiU have launched a project with the final aim of developing calculation software for planning routes for electric trucks.

LiU and Brazil deepen collaboration in AI

Fredrik Heintz is to be one of two chairpersons of a new bilateral working group on AI between Sweden and Brazil. He hopes that the collaboration will lead to more research projects and exchanges between LiU and Brazil.

Fast electrical signals mapped in plants with new technology

What happens inside the carnivorous plant Venus Flytrap when it catches an insect? New technology has led to discoveries about the electrical signalling that causes the trap to snap shut.

Discovery reveals how cells respond to each other

The same message can be interpreted differently by different individuals – also among cells. This is shown in a study by researchers at Linköping University who studied cell communication.

LiU supports Ukrainian students to continue their academic journey

LiU embraced eight Ukrainian students amidst the ongoing war. With the Erasmus+ scholarships, their academic journey continued, defying adversity.

Gut flora disrupted many years before onset of child rheumatism

A study by researchers from LiU and the University of Florida is the first study to point to the role of early life gut flora in developing child rheumatism, the cause of which is not yet known.

How the ear can inform the brain of whether hearing is impaired

What happens in the ear in hearing impairment caused by harmful noise? According to a study from LiU, a signal from the cochlea probably gives the brain information on whether the ear is functioning normally or not.

A sign made of letters spelling "LiU Linköpings universitet" on the roof of a red brick building.

LiU retains its strong position among the world’s young universities

Linköping University is still the highest ranked Swedish university in the Times Higher Education ranking of young universities. In 39th place, LiU retains roughly the same position as last year.

Dementia is not the end of learning

People with dementia still have the ability to learn new things despite their illness. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis recently presented at Linköping University.

Igor Abrikosov walks between two supercomputers.

Materials science at the service of humankind

Artificial nerve cells, electronic plants, cheap solar cells and new types of diodes are all examples of materials science conducted at Linköping University. Research and development of new materials could be a major key to a sustainable future.

Future car travel may be cheaper – and more expensive

Fuel taxes are an important source of income for the government. So what happens when most of the vehicle fleet has been electrified? Most effective would be increased congestion tax in larger cities, researchers at LiU concludes in a new study.

Big leap for LiU in ranking of top global universities

Linköping University makes a big leap in QS World University Rankings. LiU is now in 268th place among the world’s top universities – higher than ever before.

Hand infront of screen with digital autopsy.

Digital autopsies with 3D visualisation technology

It is already possible to perform part of the autopsy with the assistance of mixed reality, and fully digital autopsies might be achieved in the future. In the long term, this technology could render autopsies more efficient and legally certain.

Man on bicycle being supervised by male physician.

“We’re beginning to understand post-COVID better now”

The understanding of why some people experience lingering symptoms following COVID-19 has increased rapidly. Swedish researchers have now published an overview of research findings on breathing and heart function problems in post-COVID condition.

The quest for sustainable livelihoods in the Amazon

The journey on the river from Tefé to the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in Brazil normally takes around three hours. But things are not normal the researchers from Linköping discover.

She combines plants and technology for a sustainable future

Eleni Stavrinidou is principal investigator at Electronic plants at Linköping University’s Laboratory of Organic Electronics. Her vision is to develop technologies that will enable new discoveries in plant biology.

Starting grants for research on child participation and public health

Two researchers from Linköping University have been awarded a total of nearly 6 million SEK by the Forte Research Council. The projects focus on investigative conversations with children and the governance of local public health work.

Her heart beats for cricket

Sai Shivani Devata is a LiU student who studies biomedicine and has always been interested in sports. A few years ago, she got hooked on cricket, and now the sport has stolen her heart.

Researching gut bacteria as protection against disease

Did the bacteria in your guts when you were a baby impact your risk of future disease? We have talked to researcher studying whether diseases such as type 1 diabetes and allergy could be prevented by promoting the right bacteria early in life.

Data center at National Supercomputer Centre, Campus Valla, Linköping University.

European supercomputer to be located at LiU

Linköping University has been selected to host a new supercomputer – Arrhenius. It will be one of the world’s fastest supercomputers and a resource for researchers in academia, industry and the public sector across Europe.

Pablo Montoyo Gomis testing voice-controlled prosthesis.

LiU student creates affordable voice-controlled prosthesis

Imagine having a hand prosthesis for only 250 euros that you can control with your own voice. That's exactly what Pablo Montoyo Gomis, an exchange student from Spain, has developed.

The Malmstens programme changed Sebastián's life

People around me said it was impossible. And my portfolio has to be the ugliest they'd seen. But I was accepted into the Malmstens cabinetmaking programme, on Lidingö.

Virtual worlds and 3D objects – the digital future of museums

Virtual environments or 3D objects printed directly into the classroom. Linköping University and the Museum of Östergötland are starting a research collaboration to find new and better ways to utilise technology.

Why women with multiple sclerosis get better when pregnant

Women suffering from multiple sclerosis temporarily get much better when pregnant. Researchers have now identified the beneficial changes naturally occurring in the immune system during pregnancy. The findings can show the way to new treatments.

Una is living her dog dream

She did a little bit of everything at home in Greece, but knew all along that she wanted to study animals, especially dogs, and their behaviour. A simple Google search led her to LiU, and she has now completed her dream education.

Pioneer with animals’ best interests at heart

What do animals do? What do they think? Do they have feelings? These are questions that have fascinated people through the ages and represent a field of research of their own. In ethology, Linköping professor Per Jensen is one of the leading figures.

Personal development comes with the job

“It’s fun and challenging to be a doctorate student. I enjoy doing research, and now I know it’s something I want to keep doing,” says Lisa Lundin. Her time at LiU has included research into digital customer journeys.

“That’s something I’ll take home with me”

The collaboration between LiU and the NIE has seen positive effects – on several levels. When Tristan Chua returns to Singapore he does so having gained exciting insights. At the same time, teacher Edvin Jensen has got ideas he wants to introduce.

Man in front of a window, looking worried.

Sajjad: If I had stayed they would have killed me

As the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, Mohammad Sajjad Afsharzada realised that he had to flee. Now he is in Sweden, where Linköping University has accepted him through the international network Scholars at risk. But the future is uncertain.

European investment in research into corneal diseases

Researchers at Linköping University are taking part in the largest European investment to date into diseases of the cornea. The aim is to restore vision in people with severe and rare eye diseases.

Male researcher in lab, blue background light.

Faster narcotics classification of Internet drugs with new method

NPS, new psychoactive substances, are substances developed to affect the brain in a similar way to illegal drugs. Researchers have set up a rapid method for measuring the effect of new NPS and provide scientific basis for narcotics classification.

A teacher can choose to be committed

What makes a really good teacher? Commitment and maybe the ability to get up early in the morning. When the first two award winners of Ingemars Lärarpris get together, the discussion ranges from teachers as role models to students who learn for life.

School closures inefficient in combatting segregation, simulation shows

In recent years, municipalities have sometimes closed schools dominated by students of immigrant background to counter segregation. But according to new computer simulations at Linköping University, this method seldom gives the desired result.

Ulrika Ådén to be inaugurated as new professor of paediatric medicine

Modern intensive care technology means that more and more prematurely born babies are surviving. Less attention has been given to what happens to them afterwards. Ulrika Ådén wants to change this situation through new research.

A woman puts a doctor's hat on the head of a man

LiU’s first jubilee doctors will be honoured at the Academic Celebration

This year’s annual Academic Celebration, on 26–27 May 2023, will have a new feature. As the very first Academic Ceremony in Linköping took place in 1973, LiU will now, for the first time, be able to award the title of jubilee doctor.

Great inequality in international athletics

Athletes from less affluent countries need more education on health to prevent injuries during hard training. But knowing more can also be a risk. This is the conclusion in a new study from Linköping University on inequality in athletics.

Christer Gilén is making a long-term investment in LiU

Christer Gilén is deepening his relationship with LiU by setting up a new foundation with a capital of SEK five million. He wants to incentivising outstanding students and boost research at LiU with the aim of finding new applications for technology.

The Morrison Lab: The Embodied Brain Lab.

The brain reacts differently to touch depending on context

The touch of another person may increase levels of the “feelgood” hormone oxytocin. But the context really matters. The situation impacts oxytocin levels not only in the moment, but also later, as is shown in a new study.

LiU remains attractive

Linköping University is once again among the most attractive employers in the country in a new survey and ranking of the 150 largest employers. After last year’s top ten position, LiU is in 17th place this year.

Best liquids to maximise antioxidant content in spinach smoothies

Different market products give very different results when it comes to liberating the antioxidant lutein from spinach in smoothies, according to a study from LiU. Of 14 common dairy and plant-based products, only four increased lutein liberation.

Person holding a small wooden construction infront of face.

The world’s first wood transistor

Researchers at Linköping University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed the world’s first transistor made of wood. Their study paves the way for further development of wood-based electronics and control of electronic plants.

The first jubilee doctors share their life journeys: “A fantastic time”

In 1969, Bengt Normann, Olle Stendahl and Christer Tagesson came to a new university college in a city they barely knew. Now, 50 years later, the three of them still live there and will in 2023 be among Linköping University’s first jubilee doctors.

Group of researchers, entreprenours and others by meeting table.

Graphene - a material with potential of being a game changer

Can the 2D material graphene increase the durability of natural fibers? LiU researchers will now study this in collaboration with a number of actors.

Claudia Tazreiter at the Norrköping campus.

LiU professor guiding the way in the work of academic freedom

What is academic freedom and how does it correspond to freedom of speech? When does freedom of speech become hate speech? How can Linköping University help and protect international scholars who are at risk?

Research is needed when electricity replaces diesel

Did you think that all it takes is changing an excavator’s diesel engine for an electric one? Well, it’s not that simple. The hydraulics can actually be adapted to the many advantages of the electric engine.

Tw researchers in an lab sitting at a table.

The wound dressing that can reveal infection

A nanocellulose wound dressing that can reveal early signs of infection without interfering with the healing process has been developed by researchers at Linköping University. Their study is one further step on the road to a new type of wound care.

The award winner: “A window to the secret processes in the brain”

India Morrison, senior associate professor in cognitive neuroscience, has won the Onkel Adam Award for her outstanding research at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. One of her research areas is how touch and pain affect our behaviour.

Woman at computer with the Swedish Public Employment Service home page.

Clash between employees and management when the Swedish Public Employment Service changed philosophy

The Swedish Public Employment Service was to become a modern public authority and wanted to introduce a new way of managing the organisation. Now researchers from Linköping University have examined what really happened.

Thin film physics contribute to space mission

The European Space Agency is launching their Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE). On the spacecraft, plasma probes made at LiU will investigate the ice on moons orbiting Jupiter.

Honorary doctors: resource-effective region and holistic view on health

LiU will promote two new honorary doctors at the Academic Ceremony in May. They are Charlotta Sund, president and CEO of the company Tekniska Verken, and Lennart Nordenfelt, senior professor in Theory and Ethics of Health Care.

Två persons infront of a row of computer screens in an air traffic control tower at night.

AI learning user behaviour – the future of automation

Automated systems collaborating with humans will be better if they get to know the user through artificial intelligence compared with traditional systems that the user has to learn. This is shown in a recent study involving air traffic controllers.

Research leader and experiment participant with electrodes on her chin.

The brain’s cannabinoid system protects against addiction

High levels of the body’s own cannabinoid substances protect against developing addiction in individuals previously exposed to childhood maltreatment, according to a new study from Linköping University.

Stem cell research can help people with hard-to-heal wounds

Advances in burns treatment open up new possibilities for healing other complicated wounds. For the first time, stem cells are now being tested as a treatment for hard-to-heal leg ulcers.

Through the eye of the needle – how do you utilize a starting grant?

Physicist Emma Björk got her first big research grant in 2021. The grant finances four years of her own passion project, and all of a sudden, she became established as a researcher. – My first thought was, what do I do now?

From LiU to Google

"Digital marketing and business. Those things you can learn. But the soft values ... quickly understanding the culture of the team, the country, and the specific market. SMIO at Linköping University provided this”, says the alumna Elena Shabrova.

illustration of cancer cells and red blood cells in blood vessel.

Possible explanation for long-term effects in leukemia survivors

Contrary to previous belief, stem cells, from which all new blood cells are formed, remain in bone marrow in the blood cancer type acute lymphocytic leukemia. But they have a hidden defect and lose their ability to form new blood cells.

We move with the times and listen to our alumni

The SMIO Master’s Programme has established itself as an international strategy and management programme. Alumni from across the globe attended its recent 15th anniversary jubilee.

Two researchers infront of a computer in a dark room.

Sharpened chemical scissor paves the way for tailored nanomaterials

Using a “chemical scissor”, thin materials can be tailored even at atom level. This is shown in a study published in Science. The results pave the way for new materials for use in future sustainable energy production, energy storage and electronics.

When technology exists but humans hesitate

Electric trucks are the future, don’t you agree? And yet there are so few of them on our roads and in our cities, while goods transports keep increasing. LiU’s researchers are trying to find out why.

Climate change affects greenhouse gas emissions from stream networks

Natural greenhouse gas emissions from streams and lakes are strongly linked to water discharge and temperature. This knowledge is necessary to assess how man-made climate change is altering greenhouse emissions from natural landscapes.

Portrait of a woman standing by a window looking into the camera.

The new Tage Danielsson professor is a researcher, poet and artist

She is a cultural theorist with an interest in philosophy, politics, media theory and art. In addition to this, she is also a writer and an artist. Keti Chukhrov is the new holder of Linköping University’s Tage Danielsson visiting professorship.

Woman standing on a ladder by a bookshelf reading a book.

Among noble ladies, literature and politics

What did ladies of the nobility read, and how did they read? Were they active readers who discussed books, and did literature enter their salons to become part of political discussions? Johanna Vernqvist, PhD in literature, takes an interest in this.

The sun and a thermometer showing high temperatures.

Risky climate measures studied in new research project

The climate crisis has led some experts to argue that more risky measures now have to be investigated. But how do the scientists involved reason when it comes to uncertainty? This is the subject of a new research project at Linköping University.

“A small step for research but a giant leap for utility”

Artificial intelligence is on many people’s lips thanks to Chat GPT. But is the new technology a threat or an opportunity? Or is it both? AI researcher Fredrik Heintz sees great opportunities but also challenges.

AI-generated image of robots in a classroom.

The AI-shortcut requires re-thinking of examination

Changes are ahead when it comes to testing students’ knowledge. The arrival of Chat GPT challenges both the university’s teachers and its disciplinary board.

Estrogen possible risk factor in disturbed heart rhythm

The sex hormone estrogen has a negative impact on heartbeat regulation, according to an experimental study from LiU. Estrogen impact seems to interact with hereditary changes causing a heart disease disturbing the heart’s rhythm.

A person points at something in the forest.

The forest – an eye-opener on sustainability for students

The interest in biological resources and sustainability is increasing on the programme in Industrial Engineering and Management. In one course, the students work for a fictitious company that wants to invest in more sustainable forestry.

Person in starting blocks on running track.

Fewer sports injuries with digital information

The number of injuries in youth athletics is significantly reduced when coaches and parents have access to digital information on adolescent growth. It also takes twice as long for the first injury to occur.

Magnifying glass magnifying the word corruption.

The extent of corruption in Sweden may be underestimated

There is a risk that individuals may benefit from having relatives in important posts in the public sector. This is shown in a doctoral thesis at Linköping University that investigates corruption in a mature democracy. The conclusion is that nepotism

Blood sampling in clinical setting from finger.

C-reactive protein reduces immune response in inflammatory disease

The biological function of the C-reactive protein, CRP, has long been unknown. Researchers now show that this protein has a beneficial function in SLE, an inflammatory disease. But this is true only for one of CRP’s two forms, according to the study.

Viveka Adelswärd donates millions for doctoral students

Viveka Adelswärd’s SEK four million donation to Linköping University is inspired by her own experiences as a doctoral student. Her aim is to recreate, on a small scale, the environment and atmosphere she was part of.

Students showing happiness after winning competition.

LiU students to compete in Brazil

Imagine spending a week in Brazil. Sun, beaches – and a global truck manufacturer wanting you to solve a logistics and sustainability-related problem. This is roughly what the spring semester will look like for two LiU students.

Post-COVID syndrome visible in DNA

A reprogramming of which genes are active, and which are not, is visible in post-COVID sufferers. In a study on a small group of individuals, genes associated with taste and smell, as well as cell metabolism, were affected.

Translucent droplet on an electronic circiut.

Electrodes grown in the brain

The boundaries between biology and technology are becoming blurred. Researchers at Linköping, Lund, and Gothenburg universities in Sweden have successfully grown electrodes in living tissue using the body’s molecules as triggers.

Gunnar Cedersund in front of image illustrating the model of different organs.

Digital twins to be tested in health care environments – LiU leads the EU project

Digital twins will now be tested in real health care environments, in an EU-financed project. The idea is that having a digital copy will make you follow advice from the health care better.

New research project for safe sport environments

How widespread are the problems of harassment, abuse and the culture of silence in Swedish sports? The answer is that nobody knows. A new research project at LiU aims to find out and come up with concrete measures to counter these problems.

Mattias Ekstedt, Nils Dahlström, Peter Lundberg, Bengt Norén and Patrik Nasr.

Adverse muscle composition linked to risk in fatty liver disease

Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to an increasing number of people developing fatty liver disease. According to a new study, poor muscle health may be a marker of risk for developing sequelae.

Magnus Berggren is awarded a medal by Norrköping Municipality

Norrköping Municipality’s honorary medal Honoris Causa, the St. Olof’s medal, has been awarded to professor Magnus Berggren. He is hoping for continued success at LiU but can also see clouds on the horizon.

A spirometer is used to measure the respiratory functions of the dolphins. It gives the researchers at Kolmården data used to diagnose health issues and how the lungs perform in a dive. - If we understand their physiological capacity, we can understand better how climate changes will affect their capability to find food, says Andreas Fahlman.

Kolmården hosts students in Zoo biology course

The International Master's Programme in Applied Ethology and Animal Biology was welcomed by Kolmården in the course Zoo biology. Students spent four weeks with the researchers to learn how research on zoo-animals is performed and why.

Man in office with hand behind his head.

Extreme earners are not extremely smart

People with higher incomes also score higher on IQ-tests – up to a point. At high incomes the relationship plateaus and the top 1% score even slightly lower on the test than those whose incomes rank right below them, shows a new study from LiU.

Group image of five people in front a curtain.

Millions to be invested in promising researchers from the region's clinics

The Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine and Region Östergötland are starting a strategic research effort this year. The investment will boost clinically oriented research where six associated clinical fellows will start the program in 2023.

Two men wearing white lab coats in a lab.

AI helps researchers understand the machinery of cells

Breaking the code to understand why a protein takes on a specific shape has long been one of the major challenges in biology. A couple of years ago AI led to a breakthrough in this field. Björn Wallner’s research unites AI and bioinformatics.

Deforestation in the shape of a human fingerprint

SEK 39 million for graduate school on just climate transition

The Just Transitions graduate school, which focuses on management and organisation for a just climate transition, has been granted SEK 39 millions over five years by Formas, the government research council for sustainable development.

A person next to a computer with a painting by Hilma af Klint.

Sonification for a stronger art experience

In the 'Sound of Art' project, famous Nordic works of art have been enhanced with new music by different artists. The music was created after LiU researcher Niklas Rönnberg decoded the works of art through musical sonification.