Research

Xavier Crispin, Canyan Che and Mikhail Vagin

Lignin – a supergreen fuel for fuel cells

Researchers from the Laboratory of Organic Electronics at LiU have developed a fuel cell that uses lignin, a cheap by-product from paper manufacture and one of the most common biopolymers.

The results of the Big Bell Test are in

3,283 people in Sweden, among them pupils at Katedralskolan in Linköping, participated in a huge experiment that challenged Einstein’s ideas about how the world works on the scale of quantum mechanics. The results have now been published in Nature.

Genes behind sociality in chickens identified

Five genes that affect sociality-related behaviour in chickens have been identified in a new study in Genetics. Several of the genes have previously been linked to nervous system function or behaviour, and now also assigned a role in sociality.

An array of semitransparent organic pixels on top of a ultrathin sheet of gold. The thickness of both the organic islands and the underlying gold is more than one-hundred times thinner than a single neuron.

Organic printing inks may restore sight to blind people

A simple retinal prosthesis is being developed in collaboration between Tel Aviv University and LiU. Fabricated using cheap and widely-available organic pigments it consists of tiny pixels like a digital camera sensor on a nanometric scale. 

Connected vehicles give efficient traffic flows

In the not-too-distant future, connected vehicles will be able to adapt to variable speed limits, increasing not only traffic efficiency but also road safety. Ellen Grumert has designed such a system during her doctoral project.

microscopy image of amyloid plaques in yellow and blue

Alzheimer plaque affects different brain cells differently

Amyloid beta, a protein linked with Alzheimer's disease, has different properties in different cell types in the brains of fruit flies, according to a new study. It seems that certain cell types are hardly damaged at all by amyloid aggregates.

Baltic Sea Region researchers give the sea a chance

The nutrient load on the Baltic Sea has dropped, but is expected to increase again as a result of global warming. Four EU research projects gathered for a final conference to present and discuss their results on what more we can do.

Deeper understanding of species roles in ecosystems

New methods can make it easier to predict the ecological role that a species will play when it is introduced into a new habitat. In a new study, researchers at Linköping University predict ecological roles based on easily-collected species traits.

Enriched environment buffers against stress in chickens

Chickens that grow up in an environment that they perceive as more diverse and manageable, retain an optimistic view of life and cope with stress better. This according to a new study published in Scientific Reports.

Weihua Ning (Left) and Feng Gao (right) are discussing their lead-free devices.

Double perovskites in environmentally friendly solar cells

A further step has been taken along the road to manufacturing solar cells from lead-free perovskites. High quality films based on double perovskites have been developed in collaboration between LiU and NTU in Singapore.

LiU alumnus on top position in China

Shanghai is home to several of world’s most highly ranked universities, one of them led by LiU alumnus Professor Zhihua Zhong. Tongji University is ranked number one in the world in the field of urban planning.

Markus Heilig awarded the Söderberg Prize in medicine

Markus Heilig, professor of psychiatry, has been awarded the Söderberg Prize in medicine for 2018. The prize of SEK 1 million is for his research into alcoholism and affective diseases.

A tricky job assessing the vulnerability of agriculture

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the vulnerability of our agriculture to climate change.  Current methods for assessing climate change vulnerability also have problems and require improvement. This is according to a doctoral thesis.

Magnus Jonsson and Mina Shiran Chaharsoughi

Blowin’ in the wind – a source of energy?

It may in the future be possible to harvest energy with leaves fluttering in the wind. Researchers at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics have developed a material that generate an electrical impulse when light fluctuates from sunshine to shade.

Physical Therapy is an effective treatment for Low Back Pain

Unnecessary surgery for back pain

Millions of people all over the world receive the wrong treatment for low back pain, according to an international study published in The Lancet.

Being the ‘workplace homo’ – a difficult extra duty

When young LGBT people choose a study programme or a profession, their decision isn’t only based on whether they think they will enjoy it. Another factor is: will they be accepted in their future career. 

Mohammadali Honarpardaz, ABB Corporate Research

Two fingers suffice

In a few hours robots can be fitted with new fingers and reprogrammed for a new assembly task. For his doctoral project, Mohammadali Honarpardaz has developed a method to construct rapidly a new configuration of robot fingers designed for a new task.

Unlimited capacity in wireless networks with massive MIMO

Massive MIMO is an antenna technology that is considered the most promising for future superfast 5G networks. LiU researcher Emil Björnson and colleagues has shown that there is no upper limit for how much data that can be transferred.

SEK 68 million for research into new materials

Materials scientists Vaya Darakchieva and Johanna Rosén have each been awarded over SEK 30 million from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. They aim to develop new materials for more efficient energy systems.

Capturing brain signals with soft electronics

Klas Tybrandt, LOE, has developed new technology for long-term stable neural recording. It is based on a novel elastic material, which is biocompatible and retains high electrical conductivity even when stretched to double its original length.

Conference on climate change adaptation – Nordic style

Climate change affects all the Nordic countries, and can make us more vulnerable. A Nordic conference will allow various stakeholders to get together, and be inspired by solutions to the problem of climate change. 

3D illustration of dividing cancer cells

Promising first step towards new cancer treatment

Small molecules that interfere with the cell's protection against harmful oxygen compounds can kill cancer cells. The new study, by a multicentre team with reseachers from Karolinska Institutet and LiU, is published in Science Translational Medicine.

The collaboration agreement between the vice-chancellors of Linköping University and Guangzhou University is signed.

Collaboration in sustainable urban development

Words of praise fly through the air as the third joint workshop at the Linköping University and Guangzhou University Centre for Sustainable Urban Development opens. The collaboration is progressing well, even if communication is challenging.

martin brengdahl working at the lab bench

Sex differences in lifespan investigated

The shorter average lifespan of males compared to females appears not to be a result of the fact that males have only one X chromosome. This is the conclusion from a research study on fruit flies at Linköping University.