Interdisciplinary research on IVA’s 100 List

The five LiU projects span a wide range of research topics, including how AI and new materials can be used to find new solutions to problems in society.

Better data for inclusive AI

AI performance is dependent on the quality of its data. To circumvent integrity problems, synthetic data created to mimic reality is sometimes used. How can synthetic data be improved to create safer and more inclusive AI solutions? This is investigated in one of the projects, called “Synthetic Data’s Intersectional Hallucinations”, and the responsible researchers are Ericka Johnson and Saghi Hajisharif.

Sustainable manufacture of very thin layers

Many everyday products, such as mobile phone chips and milk cartons, are dependent on very thin layers of different materials. But the production of these requires large amounts of energy and material. The research project included on the 100 List is about how to transition to a more sustainable production process – without compromising on quality. The project name is ”Green CVD” and the responsible researchers are Henrik Pedersen, Annelie Carlson, Örjan Danielsson, Houyem Hafdi and Jonas Sundqvist.

Circular business models

An interdisciplinary collaboration between life-cycle technology and computer science applying artificial intelligence in a circular business model. It aims to validate the concept of digital threads in a CE context and will investigate cases provided by Volvo Construction Equipment and Bosch Thermoteknik. The project is called ” Circular value chain in manufacturing enabled by digital threads and circular business models” and the responsible researchers are Tomohiko Sakao, Alex Nordholm, Annelie Carlson, Peter Funk, Rickard Sohlberg and Ricky Stanley D’cruze.

Materials that break down ‘forever chemicals’

Harmful chemicals, such as PFAS – so-called forever chemicals – pollute the waters and endanger health. Using new materials, the researchers strive to create catalysts that together with light break down pollutions without toxic byproducts. This is similar to nature’s own systems, but a thousand times more effective. This project is called “Light-driven water purification by 2D materials” and the responsible researchers are Shun Kashiwaya, Christian Baresel, Johanna Rosén and Lars Hultman.

Recycling spent solar panels

The use of perovskite solar panels is rapidly increasing, which entails an urgent need for methods to handle and recycle waste. LiU researchers are developing an environmentally friendly process for recycling 99 per cent of valuable materials from spent perovskite solar panels. The project name is “Green solvent based holistic recycling for circular photovoltaic economy” and the responsible researchers are Xun Xiao, Niansheng Xu and Feng Gao.

Strong competition for a spot on the list

The 100 List aims to create visibility for the projects and thereby increase utilisation chances, for instance through collaboration with trade and industry. Many of those selected for the five previous 100 Lists testify that it opened up for new contacts, with businesses as well as with other scientists.

A total of 103 research projects have been selected for this year’s list, which is more than in previous years.

“Sweden has outstanding research, with great potential to improve the world through new technology. The high quality of the research has made the selection of this year’s most promising research projects for the 100 List a challenge for IVA’s selection committee,” says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, professor and president of IVA.

The name of the list comes from it having been launched in connection with IVA’s 100-year anniversary in 2019.

Translation: Anneli Mosell