The scholarship comes from the Swedish Institute of Composites (Sicomp).
"It is, of course, great fun to receive such an appreciation. A proof that it was a valuable work, which also may lead to some benefit. It is good to work close to business already during the education", they say.
Agnes Karlén and Emma Torstensson studied the MSc programme in mechanical engineering with a focus on energy, environment and management as well as technology for sustainable development. They wrote the thesis in materials technology in collaboration with the boat manufacturer X Shore, which works with lightweight materials for its electrically powered composite motorboats.
"We compared different types of materials with what the manufacturer uses today: Glass fibre and carbon fibre. You can use natural fibres, but this can lead to a shorter lifespan. The material must meet the same technical requirements for strength, durability and weight. But it's also about environmental impact, economics, and market demands. There is a lot of parameters to take into account" says Emma Torstensson.
They wrote the master thesis together, in 2022. Today, Agnes Karlén works with the construction of power lines, at Svenska Kraftnät in Stockholm. And Emma Torstensson as a process engineer at Holmen Iggesund's paper mill. Improvement and development of materials, equipment and methods have become their everyday life.
Have you benefited from the experience from the ex-job in working life?
"Absolutely. That's how it is in working life, there are a lot of parameters and no obvious priority. You want to optimise everything, which is difficult. When studying, you may often get a case that doesn't involve so many choices, in order to arrive at something. That's why it's good to be able to work in real business when you do your ex-job", says Emma Torstensson.
"It gave us a lot to work together with the company, says Agnes Karlén. The supervisor, Erik Olsson, brought up many perspectives that we had not thought of".
They are also very grateful for the support they have received from LiU supervisor Mohamed Sahbi Loukil:
"They have all been very committed. Our ex-job probably wouldn't have been as good without these people".
How has it been to study at LiU?
"It's a good city to study in. And student life has been fantastic, it's a really good university from that perspective. You can look back on it as a really fun time. It's a chance to meet a lot of people. One's peers are one's future colleagues in professional life. We have a very broad and good education. Many of our fellow students have gone into different industries and do very different things".
