Abundant human energy powers electrical sensors

Efficient organic solar cells now ready for outdoor use

A small guest molecule in the right place makes it possible to produce energy-efficient organic solar cells using eco-friendly solvents. A record efficiency over 17% is demonstrated. In addition, solar cells with larger areas can be produced.

Markus Heilig - a professor with a voice

Discussions with his daughters inspired him to write a book in popular science: Hon, han och hjärnan. And last autumn he played a major role in a series on Swedish TV: Från savannen till Tinder. “I love telling stories”, says Markus Heilig.

Method to reveal undesired biological effects of chemicals

How do pollutants and other chemicals that we are exposed to affect our health? Researchers have applied a method to identify the proteins affected by chemicals. It can be used to discover at an early stage whether a substance has biological effects.

Photo of men looking through a photon counting CT (PCCT).

Photon-counting helps both patients and researchers

One of the world’s first photon-counting computed tomography imaging devices has been installed in the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) at Linköping University Hospital.

24 million SEK for cancer research at Linköping University

Ten researchers from Linköping University have received more than 24 million Swedish kronor from this year’s allocation of funds from the Swedish Cancer Society.

160412 Materialforskning, Jens Birch den 12 april 2016 i Linköping. ..Foto: Peter Holgersson AB

Linköping University develops neutron optics for surface physics instruments

The Swedish Research Council has granted funding for two projects as feasibility studies for future instruments at ESS, the world's most powerful research facility for neutron radiation. Researchers at LiU will develop neutron optics.

Children’s language skills arise before speech

Seven out of every hundred children do not learn their mother tongue as expected. Christina Reuterskiöld, newly appointed professor of speech and language pathology at Linköping University, is investigating how language develops in children.

Research into eye problems in post-COVID sufferers

Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 have experienced long-term problems with their eyes. But why? And can this phenomenon be measured using biological markers? These are questions that researchers will try to answer in a new project.

Student wins award for degree project on faster machine learning

Dylan Mäenpää is one of this year’s Christer Gilén scholarship recipients. He receives the award for his degree project in computer science. Dylan developed a new machine learning method that can be of use in innovative areas within healthcare.

Peter Ringstad, VD Ligna Energy with a printed battery.

Climate-smart battery technology wins innovation competition

Ligna Energy AB, a spin-off from Linköping University, has been nominated as winner of one of the two innovation awards in the Startup 4 Climate competition. The announcement was made at the recently concluded COP 26 in Glasgow.

Professor Xavier Crispin and research engineers Ujwala Ail and Ziyauddin Khan, at the crimper that manufactures coin cell batteries, in the Laboratory of Organic Electronics.

Prize-winning technology for large-scale energy storage

Safe, cheap and sustainable technology for energy storage has been developed at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics. It is based on two major breakthroughs: the manufacture of wood-based electrodes in rolled form, and a new water-based electrolyte.

Best degree project rewarded with a prize

What are the obstacles to digitalisation for established companies? How can they overcome these difficulties? Sandra Sjöbäck and Amanda Spaak have answered these questions, and as a result have been awarded one of Christer Gilén scholarships.

Newly recognized crossover testimonies give important knowledge of the Holocaust

A collection of Holocaust testimonies in Sweden includes cases in which Jewish and non-Jewish Polish survivors interviewed each other. A history of conflict stood between the survivors, but this does not appear to have influenced the testimonies.

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

Liver examinations without needles

How is your liver doing? Decades of research into the use of magnet resonance imaging is now being put to work to gain information about patients’ livers – without needles.

Media review of major incidents can save lives

Any incident with many casualties places stress on the medical care system. LiU researchers have been able to review major incidents in Rwanda, Africa, using a new method.

Black and white photo on a glimmering lake with trees in front of it.

A new literature on a changed planet

Disaster and endings. These are recurrent themes in literature over the centuries. But recently, apocalyptic books are appearing at an increasing pace, and some of them are taking on new forms. How do they depict a changing planet?

“Climate policy must rest on two solid pillars”

Climate policy must rest on two solid pillars. Not only are radical measures to cut down emissions required, but also long-term initiatives to adapt society to a changed climate. This is the conclusion of environmental scientist Sofie Storbjörk.

Toibas Andersson Granberg and Viktor Sköld Gustafsson in Norrköpings industrial landscape..

Complex links between extreme natural events

Torrential rain that causes flooding is bad, but if the floods cause landslides a disaster is looming. And how do you deal with forest fires in several places at the same time? These are examples of what a project will be looking at.

SEK 16.5 million to research in humanities and social sciences

Four researchers from Linköping University will receive grants in the Swedish Research Council’s latest funding round.

Two women, Dr Eleni Stavrinidou and PhD student Daniela Parker, holding the biohybrid plant.

Storing energy in plants with electronic roots

By watering bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) with a solution that contains conjugated oligomers, researchers at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, have shown that the roots of the plant become electrically conducting and can store energy.

64 million SEK for research in the natural sciences and technology

Seventeen researchers working in technology and the natural sciences at Linköping University have been awarded 64 million Swedish kronor in the form of research grants from the Swedish Research Council.

School kids in class using a digital tablet

SEK 26.3 million for research in educational sciences

Seven research projects at LiU have been awarded grants in the Swedish Research Council’s annual funding round for educational sciences. The projects range from heroes wearing tights in the classroom to background noise and bullying.

A MRI photo of a human brain with a brain tumour.

Reducing healthcare queues after the pandemic

At the end of September, the ASSIST project received 9 million sek in funding. The hope is that their research on automated analysis of brain images will be able to free up time for healthcare professionals.

Filip – Making a difference in climate change

Amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising, and with them the global temperature. LiU master's student Filip Seifarth is hoping to do something about climate change.

SEK 15.5 million to LiU from the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation

Three researchers will receive funding. Their research projects concern topics as diverse as how we vocalise, educational reforms, and drawing boundaries between states in conjunction with the pandemic.

STOCKHOLM 20190927 Klimatdemonstration vid Medborgarplatsen i Stockholm. I Sverige hålls manifestationer och strejker på över 100 orter som arrangeras av Greta Thunbergs rörelse Fridays for future. Foto Claudio Bresciani / TT kod 10090

LiU researchers at Cop26 in Glasgow

Five climate researchers from Linköping University will be in Glasgow for the UN Climate Change Conference, Cop26, which opens on 31 October.

Lower antibiotic resistance in bacteria with forgotten antibiotic

A forgotten antibiotic led to lower selection of resistant bacteria than the standard treatment for febrile urinary tract infection. Thus, temocillin may be a useful alternative, and contribute to a reduced spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals.

a coarse brush is applied to the back of the hand

SEK 64 million to research in medicine and health

Fourteen researchers at LiU have received grants totalling more than SEK 64 million. This is the result when the Swedish Research Council has awarded nearly SEK 1.1 billion in research grants for the medical and health sciences.

SEK 4.5 million to artistic research

Stefan Jonsson will receive one of the twelve grants awarded by the Swedish Research Council for artistic research. Stefan Jonsson’s project explores people’s collective actions.

LiU researcher on global list of experts on bullying

Professor Robert Thornberg is included on Expertscape’s list of experts on bullying.

The surprising breadth of biogas

A new dissertation from LiU tries to explain the advantages and disadvantages of biogas use and how decision supportcan be used to give decision-makers a more complete picture of the biogas' versatility.

LiU doctoral students attractive on the labour market

Newly graduated doctoral students from Linköping University have the highest level of employment on the labour market. The statistics are presented in a newly published report from the Swedish Higher Education Authority, UKÄ.

Facial recognition used in more and more ways

Research into facial recognition has been under way for a long time, but has really taken off in recent years. “The technology is beginning to be used in more and more contexts”, says Jörgen Ahlberg, researcher in computer vision.

A creative marathon for a better world

An exciting challenge and a good way of making contacts. And a chance to demonstrate your skills for future employers. So you see – there are several important reasons to enter the ECIU Creathon, 13-14 November.

Training in ACT for medical personnel reduces the need for sick leave

Medical care personnel in primary care have been trained in a form of therapy known as ACT. This enables them to make medical decisions on firmer grounds. The training has led to a 21% reduction in sick leave for their patients.

Prize winner: “I realise how debilitating a disease epilepsy is”

Fredrik Elinder, professor in molecular neurobiology, has received the Onkel Adam Award for 2021 for his outstanding research in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Linköping University.

Rear view of African woman stretching her hand and taking part in conversation at business presentation

Research for calmer classrooms

Many teachers struggle with achieving calm in the classroom. Marcus Samuelsson from Linköping University has been involved in a report on how teachers can create a classroom environment that is more conducive to study.

Old habits are obstacles to new materials

Product developers believe that they take rational decisions when choosing materials for new products – but this is not the case. A newly presented doctoral thesis shows that personal ideas, habits and experiences also play major roles.

Claudio Cantú and Simon Söderholm discuss the results.

Researchers shed new light on the inner workings of stem cells

Embryonic stem cells can give rise to every cell type in the body. A team of researchers has now identified a cellular mechanism that is important for the ability of these cells to maintain their state as stem cells.

I domen på Visualiseringscenter togs publiken ned til

Major infrastructure grants to researchers atLiU

Flera projekt vid Linköpings universitet har fått pengar till utveckling av forskningsinfrastruktur. Sammanlagt handlar det om 100-talet miljoner kronor, och årtionden av arbete som bär frukt.

LiU researchers win AI award with explainable solutions

Two researchers working in AI at Linköping University, together with a researcher in Barcelona, have won the prestigious “IJCAI Distinguished Paper Award”.

A robot cat lies on the floor along with several drawings of robots that the children did.

Students got to meet and learn more about robots

What is a robot and how does it work? Can you make a human trust a robot? These were some of the questions that were discussed during Professor Ericka Johnsons visit to primary- and middle school students in Vångaskolan and Slaka skola.

Information can reduce selfish behaviour

“That wasn’t fair!” – a common reaction from someone who loses in a competition. Research has shown that participants in competitive situations more readily accept the results if they have received information that the process has been fair.

LiU becomes partner in New European Bauhaus

Linköping University has become a partner in an EU initiative working with the design of our future forms of living. LiU is a leading academic centre in Sweden for education and research in design.

Literature is at the core of a well-functioning democracy

How does literature affect us? And most importantly: if a society lacks literature, what happens? These are questions that occupy Elnaz Baghlanian, previously Alumna of the Year at Linköping University and now operational manager at Writers’ Centre.

Alvaro Alarcón, Joakim Argillander and Guilherme B Xavier in the lab at LiU.

A more robust quantum communication

Senior lecturer Guilherme Xavier founded a laboratory of quantum technologies at LiU in 2018. His research group’s new results could make help quantum communication over long distances more robust.

Open data can improve society

Open data can make society more efficient and can be used to develop new services and products. But care must be taken when publishing such data. Jonathan Crusoe makes three recommendations in his doctoral thesis.

Climate denialism dominated by men

Knowledge about climate change is not enough to stop global warming. One of the LiU Alumni of the Year is Martin Hultman. He leads the world’s first researcher network for the study of climate change denialism.

"Sexual violence is surrounded by wordlessness"

Putting words to one’s experience of violence is a first step in being able to move on in life, explains Cecilia Bödker Pedersen, one of LiU’s Alumni of the Year. She is secretary general of an organisation for people subjected to sexual violence.

Alumni of the year: climate denialism and sexual abuse

Cecilia Bödker Pedersen, general secretary of Storasyster, campaigns for a society free from sexual violence. Martin Hultman, docent at Chalmers, conducts research into why we do not act more forcefully against climate change.

COVID19 / 2019-ncov concept: Nurse applies a mask of the mechanical ventilation machine, which can be seen in the foreground. therapy used for lung breathing, in intensive care.

Covid-19: alpha variant associated with more severe disease

A Swedish study has shown that the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with more severe Covid-19 disease, and leads to more hospital admissions than previous variants.

Universal basic income can improve mental health

Can a universal basic income be an alternate to benefits for people who have been long unemployed? A new report from Linköping University has examined for official bodies in Östergötland whether such a solution is worth testing.

Student residences blossoming in Colonia

A new student accommodation project is literally blossoming on Campus Valla, Linköping. It includes the first wall of plants on a multi-family building in Sweden, with well-designed apartments, and social areas for both study and relaxation.

Male and female researchers sitting in lab + machine Qpatch 48..

New machine speeds up trials on cells

LiU researchers have used high-throughput electrophysiology experiments with a borrowed machine to see how ion channels in cells are influenced by drugs. A new collaboration with the biotech industry.

Distance democracy during the pandemic

During the pandemic, we have seen how municipalities have held council meetings in sports arenas or outdoors. They have reduced the number of participants through voter offsetting and have transitioned to digital meetings at a record pace.

Humour that makes you think – cat research at LiU

Linguist Robert Eklund shares an Ig Nobel Prize with two other researchers for their work on how cats communicate with humans in different ways. The alternative Nobel Prizes are awarded to research that makes people laugh and then think.

Photo of the flag of the Swedish Church blowing in the wind against a blue sky with small clouds.

How should the church be governed?

The elections for the Church of Sweden will be held on 19 September. This year the focus is on how political the church should be, but the agenda also includes issues such as the environment, economy and education.

LiU’s reputation stronger than ever

Sifo Kantar Public has published its index that measures the reputations of Swedish institutions of higher education. It shows that Linköping University has had the greatest increase in reputation among the general public.

Reluctance to take responsibility threat to democracy

Democracy is a fortunate exception. Rule by the people is threatened by power-hungry strongmen, by conflicts between parties and groups, and by a reluctance to take responsibility. But help can come from unexpected places.

Species in polar regions hard hit by climate change

Many species will become extinct as a consequence of global warming. This is the prediction of a mathematical model developed at LiU. The simulations show that climate change will have a particularly large impact on ecosystems in polar regions.

Local democracy requires brave decision-makers

Every period faces challenges to democracy that must be faced. Threats and internet hate, for example, are serious problems for democracy in municipalities. Even so, local politics functions well, all things considered.

close-up of mobile phone held by a youth.

New method for consultations with young people on sexual ill-health

A procedure that uses written questions to identify visitors to youth clinics who have experienced or risk experiencing sexual ill-health is receiving high praise from personnel and visitors. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis from LiU.

Angela Fontan and Claudio Altafini discuss signed network theory.

Forming a government – how long will it take?

Researchers at LiU have used a new method to calculate how long it can take to form a government after a general election. They have also used the method to predict which political coalition is the most probable outcome.

Universal suffrage – not so universal?

When women gained the right to vote, it was not the dawn of universal suffrage in Sweden. The poor and criminals were excluded from the voting system, and even today certain groups remain so.

LiU supports vulnerable scholars

Academic freedom cannot be taken for granted. Linköping University joined the international network Scholars at Risk in June 2021. This network helps scholars who cannot work due to such factors as threats and persecution.

LiU climbs in global ranking list

Linköping University has made rapid progress upwards in global rankings. A newly published global list has LiU in place 283 – more than 100 places higher than in the list published last year.

Who votes in Sweden?

Voting rights and voter turnout are core concepts in democracies. Consequently, how many and which people vote are important indicators of how a democracy performs. Sweden has a high voter turnout but there are differences between groups.

Historical seeds reveal unique barley grown in the Storsjö district

Differences in long-distance trade can have significant effects on genetic diversity in agriculture. A study of 120-year-old seed samples from Jämtland shows that unique local varieties can develop when seed exchange instead takes place locally.

“It wouldn’t be too difficult to model Studenthuset in Lego, but the different sizes of the windows make it a bit of a challenge”, says Albin Hansson.

LiU student competes in Lego Masters

LiU student Albin Hansson (20) is competing this autumn in Lego Masters on TV4. His goal after completing his engineering master’s degree specialising in design and product development is to become a Lego designer.

Illustration of Händelö industrial park.

Circular economy in practice at Händelö

LiU is working to develop a biobased and circular economy in practice, in a symbiosis between Händelö Eco-Industrial Park and Norrköping municipality. The project is an example of how industry and the city can use their resources and waste.

close-up, the hand of a child in hospital bed.

Existing drug opens new possibilities for treating child leukemia

A new study has shown that the tumour-inhibiting gene TET2 is silenced in a large fraction of cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The scientists show that the gene can be reactivated by an existing drug.

Time for Kalas

On Wednesday 8 September, new and current students are welcome to the Kalas event. “Of course we hope that every student attends”, says Ronja Isaksson, one of this year’s two Kalas generals.

Mechanism behind compulsive alcohol use revealed

A small group of nerve cells in the brain determines whether an individual continues to consume alcohol even when it has negative consequences. The scientists have identified a mechanism that may be a suitable target for treatment by medication.

red junglefowl chick looking at mealworm through transparent plastic tube.

Impulsivity is influenced by early experiences and gene expression

Differences in impulsivity between individuals are linked to both experience and gene expression, according to a study on the ancestor of domestic chickens, the red junglefowl.

LiU researchers on the climate report: “A transition must come”

Research from Linköping University has contributed to the climate report from the UN’s IPCC, published on 9 August. “Sombre reading, but a proud day for science”, summarises Björn-Ola Linnér, professor of climate policy.

Visualisation Center C awarded at international film festival

Visualisation Center C at Campus Norrköping won the prize for best 3D film at the international film festival Fulldome Festival in Brno, Czech Republic, on July 30, 2021.

Red junglefowl (G. gallus) chicks from the study population at Linköping University.

Ancestral species of domesticated chickens seeks human contact

Species that are not domesticated can develop a social interaction with humans. Researchers noticed this when conducting a study on junglefowl. They hope that the findings will stimulate further studies into how contact with humans arises.

Karola Reuterström (Stora Lövhulta gård), Per Frankelius (Linköpings universitet) and Mattias Larsson (Abbotnäs säteri).

Climate-smart farming robot solves problems

An invention by researcher Per Frankelius and farmers in the region of Sörmland could be an important step in the electrification of agriculture. It also solves other problems such as hard-packed soil, emissions and poorer harvests.

Smart cameras for conservation biology

Machine learning and smart cameras will be used to make it easier to monitor the large animals in African nature reserves. The technology has been developed by scientists and students at Linköping University.

Motivating apps should offer more than entertainment

Researchers from Linköping University are planning to use gamification, techniques from game development, to encourage heart patients to increase physical activity, and school pupils to improve their maths skills.

A new look at colour displays

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a method that may lead to new types of displays based on structural colours. The discovery opens the way to cheap and energy-efficient colour displays and electronic labels.

Reception activities for new students, autumn 2021

The reception period should be an experience for new students to treasure for the rest of their lives. This year’s reception will be affected by the pandemic, but the situation is sufficiently under control to plan for class-based physical meetings.

Researchers to gain access to high-quality modern labs

Researchers in biomedicine and biotechnology have now completely new opportunities for access to specialised equipment at some of the best facilities. LiU is one of the 13 nodes in MOSBRI, a European research infrastructure for molecular biophysics.

Jesper Edberg, Patrik Isacsson, and Isak Engquist with a roll of electronic paper.

Large-scale manufacture of electronic paper

A team that includes researchers from LiU has developed an electronic paper that can be manufactured on an industrial scale. Long-term uses of the paper include the construction of thin batteries and supercapacitors.

MXenes – the future of nanotechnology

Artificial kidneys, powerful batteries and efficient water purification are some of the future applications of a group of ultrathin materials known as MXenes.

New material can increase boiler efficiency

Detective work in the laboratory and sitting at a scanning electron microscope have increased our knowledge of stainless steel. The results may lead to new materials to the boilers of power plants with higher efficiency and lower emissions.

201011 Ledarskap i klassrummet - lrarstudent Adam Nordstrm Andersson undervisar virtuella elever med handledare Cecilia Sveider och Marcus Samuelsson, p Linkpings universitet den 11 oktober 2020 i Linkping.
Foto: Peter Holgersson / BILDBYRN / COP 102 / PH0026

Virtual pupils make for more confident teachers

Teacher training students who practised teaching virtual pupils developed greater confidence in their teaching ability, according to a study from LiU. In the long term, simulation can make the students better prepared for their workforce debut.

12,000 scientific articles a year – can they all be wrong?

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is often used to determine the chemical composition of materials. It is accepted as a standard method in materials science. Researchers at LiU, however, have shown that the method is often used erroneously.

Distance and timing are factors insegregation

How does segregation arise? When does it arise? A thesis shows that the timing, geographical vicinity and the influence of others are all significant when areas become segregated. The size of the areas also affects the result.

Jan-Ingvar Jönsson, rektor på Linköpings universitet (2020 - )

Vice-chancellor given leading role in European consortium

LiU’s vice-chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson has been selected as a member of the presidium of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU), a network of 13 research-intense universities.

New tools to investigate abnormal blood flow

Images of a patient’s aorta, eight years of research and LiU’s supercomputer – this combination lies behind new tools to visualise blood flow in abnormal blood vessels. They may improve our ability to predict serious diseases.

Emil Axelsson and Tomas Forsyth Rosin outside an entrance to Linköping University in Norrköping

Friendship paved the way for their careers

Tomas Forsyth Rosin is a developer at Spotify; Emil Axelssonhas similar duties at Apple. They became inseparable friends while studying Media Technology and Engineering, an MSc programme at LiU.

SEK 15 million for research into Covid-19 vaccination

A research project coordinated by LiU has been awarded more than SEK 15 million by the Swedish Research Council to evaluate vaccination against Covid-19.

Fewer injuries increases probability of success in football

The campaign for football glory in EURO 2020 has started. “Keeping your players healthy increases your chances of success”, says Martin Hägglund, who works with elite football players and their injuries.

New knowledge can contribute to healthier tap water

Some of the substances used to purify water can affect our health. A thesis presented at LiU illuminates the role played by a relatively unknown group of disinfection by-products in the treatment process and how they can reach the taps in our homes.

Petter Krus together with professor Viktor De Negri and professor Xiaoping Ouyang (Zhejiang University, China).

Brazil: More than samba dancing

Brazil is more than samba dancing, football and sun-drenched beaches – and it’s more than rain forests and a controversial president. It’s also a country with important research and many talented scientists. Just ask Petter Krus.

Graphic illustration of circular economy.

Using cost analysis to bring circularity

Life-cycle cost analysis is a powerful tool to make companies more resource-efficient and enable them to adopt new business models. There are, however, several factors that hinder its use. “Money talks”, says the researcher.

He studies how to treat loneliness – with online therapy

Some 5% of the Swedish population report that they feel alone – often or always. Doctoral student and LiU graduate Anton Käll is studying methods used in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for helping people with loneliness.

LiU climbs in global ranking

Linköping University has taken a major step upwards on a newly published global ranking list. The QS World University Rankings put LiU at place 329 among global universities – 33 places higher than last year.

New light on making two-dimensional polymers

Researchers from Linköping University, among others, has developed a method to manufacture two-dimensional polymers with the thickness of a single molecule. The discovery paves the way to new ultrathin and functional materials.