4 december 2025
Docentföreläsning i Materialkemi (på engelska)
Föreläsare: PhD Ivan Hetman
Tid: klockan 10:15-11:00
Lokal: K2, Kåkenhus, Campus Norrköping
Titel: Designing carbon materials for water purification and circular use
Abstract:
Carbon ability to form diverse porous architectures, ranging from activated carbons to biochars and hydrochars, enables selective removal of contaminants from complex water matrices. This lecture builds from fundamentals to application and system impact. First, I introduce carbon’s structural chemistry and explain how pore size distribution and functional groups govern adsorption. Second, I survey current practice in drinking water and wastewater treatment, contrasting the predominance of fossil-derived activated carbons with emerging plant-based alternatives. Third, I focus on electrochemical routes that enable circular operation: electrosorption for low-energy capture and in-situ electroregeneration to restore capacity while tracking transformation products to ensure safety. Finally, I outline my research program integrating tailored biomass-derived carbons, electrochemical modules, and life-cycle assessment to quantify climate and resource trade-offs, identify conditions where bio-derived materials and on-site regeneration reduce impacts, and flag cases where electricity mix, supply chains, or replacement frequency shift the balance. The aim is a coherent link from material design to process mechanisms and system-level outcomes, enabling robust, effective, and sustainable water purification.
10 november 2025
Docentföreläsning i Datalogi - på engelska
Föreläsare: Zheng Zhao
Tid: klockan 13:15-14:00
Lokal: Alan Turing, E-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: Stochastic Differential Equations for Machine Learning
Abstract:
Stochastic differential equations (SDEs) are a powerful framework for dynamics modelling and uncertainty quantification. They have formed solid bridges between classical stochastic calculus and a plethora of applied areas, such as signal processing, automatic control, and *statistical machine learning*. In this lecture, we will start by a brief overview of how SDEs are applied to address problems within computational statistics and machine learning in general, highlighting connections to my own research. The focus will then shift to generative diffusion models, a particular useful class of SDEs recently, where we will see recent advances and our ongoing contributions. The lecture will conclude with a look forward on the research frontier, outlining some key future directions.
14 oktober 2025
Docentföreläsning i Mekanisk värmeteori och strömningslära
Föreläsare: Hossein Nadali Najafabadi
Tid: klockan 15:15-16:00
Lokal: A33, A-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: Low-Fidelity CFD and CHT: Modeling for Energy Efficiency and Industrial Transformation
Abstract:
Today’s technological advancements across many industries rely heavily on modeling and simulation tools that apply physical laws and mathematical representations to analyze and understand complex engineering problems. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational heat transfer (CHT) are among these tools, driving innovation and technology development in areas such as gas turbines, solar and wind power, aerospace, automotive transport, and biofuels. For such tools to be of practical use in industry, however, it is essential to balance modeling complexity, accuracy, and cost. High-fidelity simulations can provide detailed insights, but they are often resource-intensive, computationally costly, and affected by uncertainties.
This presentation explores the power of low-fidelity, simplified yet reliable, CFD and CHT modeling that enables faster exploration of ideas, supports early design choices, and provides timely insights for innovation. To illustrate this, examples from two industries will be discussed, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of such approaches. Together, these cases show how low-fidelity modeling is not only a practical tool for improving energy efficiency and sustainable technologies but also a key enabler of digital transformation, digital twins, and the broader vision of Industry 4.0.
9 september 2025
Docentföreläsning i Teoretisk fysik
Föreläsare: Florian Trybel, biträdande universitetslektor på IFM
Tid: kl. 13:15-14:00
Lokal: Ada Lovelace, B-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: High pressure as a key for unlocking new materials chemistry and functionalities
Abstract
Advances in high-pressure high-temperature experiments have led to the synthesis of many new hydride, carbide, boride and nitride phases with advanced properties. These new materials show new chemistry, superconducting behavior, high hardness, high energy densities, wide (direct) band gaps, piezo-electricity and even combined multi-functionalities. Many of these compounds are surprisingly complex with large unit cells as well as meta-stable — trapped in deep local minima after being quenched from high-pressure high-temperature synthesis — and do not represent the global energy minimum. However, together with experimental collaborators, we were recently able to recover some of these phases to ambient conditions from over 100 GPa synthesis pressure while maintaining their functionalities.
I will present recent results for different synthesized and computationally characterized hydride, nitride and carbo-nitride systems, discuss their properties, and show our new developments in complex (meta-stable) structure prediction and visualization of energy landscapes.
27 maj 2025
Docentföreläsning i Datalogi
Föreläsare: PhD Daniel Gnad
Tid: 10:15-11:00
Lokal: Alan Turing, E-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: Exploiting Problem Structure in AI Planning
Abstract (finns bara på engelska):
Planning is a core challenge in Artificial Intelligence. Developing systems that can achieve complex goals autonomously requires the capability of planning and thinking ahead. While recent advances in large generative models and foundation models have shown outstanding performance in many applications, they still fail to solve complex planning problems. AI planning in the form of model-based reasoning has focused on enabling such capabilities for many years, but, in practice, existing solutions often fail to scale to larger problems. By analyzing the inherent structure of the given problem, it is possible to push the limits of reasoning algorithms. This can take several forms that work on different levels of the algorithms. I will present two paradigms that exploit problem structure to make planning as state-space search more efficient. The first one is decoupled search, which decomposes the problem by analyzing the dependencies between model components. This leads to an exponential reduction in search effort, as it avoids enumerating reorderings of independent transitions. The second approach is exploiting problem structure to efficiently compute well-informed heuristics that guide the search process. This is done by identifying structurally simple components for which exact solutions can be computed in polynomial time, which leads to enhanced search performance and overall better scaling behavior.
16 maj 2025
Docentföreläsning i Fluida och mekatroniska system
Föreläsare: Robert Braun, universitetslektor, IEI
Tid: 10.15 -11:00
Lokal: ACAS, A-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: Robustness and Credibility in Distributed Modelling and Simulation
Abstract:
Modelling and simulation play a critical role in engineering, supporting both the design of new products and systems, as well as the monitoring and continuous improvements of existing ones. The effectiveness of simulation tools depends on four key factors: performance, credibility, interoperability, and standardization. In other words, simulation software must be fast, reliable, and able to connect seamlessly with other tools via standardized interfaces.
This lecture presents how these requirements can be met using the Transmission Line Modelling (TLM) technique in combination with three open simulation standards: the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI), System Structure and Parameterization (SSP), and the Distributed Co-simulation Protocol (DCP). TLM is a numerically robust method that ensures absolute stability when coupling simulation solvers. It can be employed for both parallel simulation and co-simulation and is well-suited for real-time applications.
The lecture will highlight recent research outcomes, including an approved change request to the FMI standard, the implementation of TLM-based co-simulation with adaptive communication step sizing, successful TLM co-simulation with DCP, and the development of several open-source software libraries and tools. Looking forward, the research aims to establish a modular, distributed co-simulation environment for real-time and faster-than-real-time applications with good accuracy and credibility. The commitment to open standards and open-source solutions ensures flexibility and helps avoid vendor lock-in.
14 maj 2025
Docentföreläsning i Elektro- och systemteknik med inriktning mot reglerteknik
Föreläsare: PhD Farnaz Adib Yaghmaie
Tid: 13:15-14:00
Lokal: Ada Lovelace, B-huset, Campus Valla
Digitalt: Zoomlänk
Titel: Reinforcement Learning: From myth to super intelligence
Abstract (finns bara på engelska):
Reinforcement Learning (RL) is currently one of the most significant technological advancements. From its early successes in playing Atari games to recent breakthroughs in Large Language Models and robotics, RL has played a pivotal role. RL is closely connected to optimal control theory, a well-established field in control systems that focuses on controlling dynamical systems while optimizing a performance index. This lecture aims to explore RL within the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI), defining and redefining RL for control problems. I will discuss RL's position within the AI field and its unique features compared to other AI domains. I will highlight the connection between RL and optimal control problems. Additionally, I will examine the opportunities and challenges of applying RL to control problems, including key considerations such as stability, safety, reliability, efficiency, and real-time operation that RL solutions should provide for control applications. Finally, I will discuss recent developments in RL that bring the field closer to practical control applications.
7 April 2025
Föreläsare: Vlatko Milic
Tid: Måndag 7 april kl. 10:15-11:00
Lokal: ACAS, A-huset, Campus Valla
Titel: Hållbara energisystem för resilient livsmedelsproduktion i nordiskt klimat: Klimatstyrda växthus med Direct Air CO₂ Capture för ökad resurseffektivitet
Abstract
Stigande energipriser, ökade livsmedelskostnader och globala försörjningsutmaningar har ökat intresset för lokaliserad och resurseffektiv matproduktion. Samtidigt förväntas den globala livsmedelsefterfrågan öka med över 50 % till 2050 jämfört med 2019, vilket ökar behovet av energieffektiv och högproduktiv matproduktion. Här spelar hållbara energisystem en central roll för att säkerställa en stabil energiförsörjning, effektiv resursanvändning och minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser.
Klimatstyrda växthus, med en ny innovativ strömningstekniklösning, möjliggör året-runt-produktion genom kontrollerade odlingsförhållanden. Detta är särskilt relevant i nordiska klimat där den naturliga odlingssäsongen är kort. Genom att styra och reglera innetemperatur, luftflöde, luftfuktighet och CO₂-koncentration kan dessa system öka skördarna med 10 gånger per ytenhet jämfört med konventionell utomhusodling. Dock utgör det höga energibehovet en central utmaning för både klimatpåverkan och lönsamheten inom växthusbaserad livsmedelsproduktion.
En nyckelfaktor för att öka grödproduktion i växthus är CO₂-berikning, som kan förkorta odlingstiden och öka skörden med över 60 %. Implementering av Direct Air CO₂ Capture (DAC2) i ändamålslokalers ventilationssystem har identifierats som en innovativ lösning för att fånga in CO₂ och berika växthusmiljöer på ett hållbart sätt. Med metaboliska CO₂-utsläpp på cirka 3 miljoner ton årligen i Sverige är det relevant att undersöka tekniken i lokaler med många brukare. DAC2 är särskilt anpassad för ändamålslokaler med höga ventilationsflöden och intensiv användning, vilket möjliggör effektiv infångning av både metabolisk och atmosfärisk CO₂.
Denna föreläsning belyser hur klimatstyrda växthus, integrerade med hållbara energisystem i nordiskt klimat, kan bidra till resilient livsmedelsförsörjning genom effektiv resursanvändning och hållbar CO₂-berikning med DAC2-teknik. Kombinationen av DAC2-teknik och växthusintegrering i befintliga energisystem, såsom fjärrvärme och industriell spillvärme, möjliggör högproduktiv växthusodling året runt med både ekonomiska och miljömässiga fördelar. Med utgångspunkt i aktuell forskning och dess koppling till praktiska lösningar diskuteras hur klimatstyrda växthus med CO₂-berikning via DAC2-teknik kan integreras i omgivande energisystem i nordiskt klimat, deras potential att minska beroendet av livsmedelsimport samt deras bidrag till ett hållbart energisystem anpassat till klimatförändringar och växthusanläggningars energibehov.
