RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden
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Kompetenspasset : Ett samverkansprojekt drivet av Arbetsförmedlingen, Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan, RISE Research Institute of Sweden. Slutrapport 2024-06-30
No full textProjektet Kompetenspasset har sitt ursprung i de stora utmaningar som Sverige står inför när det gäller kompetensförsörjning på en snabbt föränderlig arbetsmarknad och det samverkansprogram som inleddes under den förra regeringsperioden. Behovet av att kunna dokumentera och erkänna både formellt, icke-formellt och informellt lärande har ökat, och EU-rådets rekommendation kring mikromeriter har varit en drivkraft för att ta fram och testa hur en gemensam svensk modell för mikromeriter skulle kunna se ut och utformas. Projektet har bedrivits som ett samverkansprojekt mellan RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, som har lett projektet; Arbetsförmedlingen, som har bidragit med arbetsmarknadsinsikter och praktisk testning av mikromeriter; och Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan, som har arbetat med hur SeQF och mikromeriter kan komplettera varandra. Projektet har pågått mellan 2021-09-01 till och med 2024- 06-30. För att möjliggöra detta projekts genomförande har projektet beviljats ekonomiska medel av Vinnova – Sveriges innovationsmyndighet, tillsammans med medfinansiering från projektets partners
Climate and biodiversity impact of beef and lamb production – A case study in Sweden
No full textCONTEXT: The climate impact of meat production is a hotly debated topic. What is less often highlighted is that grazing ruminants can have positive impacts on biodiversity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use a life cycle perspective to assess both the climate and biodiversity impact of different beef and lamb production systems in Sweden. METHODS: Applying a life cycle perspective, a quantitative method to assess biodiversity was used, with a scoring system based on land use. For the climate impact calculations, the ClimAg biophysical systems model was used, including emissions from drained organic soils and carbon sequestration in mineral soils. The functional unit was 1 kg carcass weight. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated large differences in biodiversity and climate impact between the production systems studied. Dairy bulls had relative low emissions of greenhouse gases, but also a low biodiversity score (a high score indicates higher level of biodiversity). Beef breed steers and heifers had higher emissions of greenhouse gases but a higher biodiversity score, suggesting a trade-off between climate and biodiversity impact. Also for lamb meat, greenhouse gas emissions vary among production systems. A system with winter born lambs slaughtered in spring, closely followed by spring born lambs slaughtered in autumn, had the lowest emissions, while spring born lambs slaughtered in winter had the highest emissions. Winter lambs on the other hand, had a relatively high biodiversity score, due to a long rearing period and an extensive land use with a high proportion of semi-natural grasslands. Climate impact was in all systems related to methane from enteric fermentation, emissions from manure storage, and emissions from organic soils. With the assumptions made in this study, soil carbon sequestration is suggested to reduce the climate impact by 5–7% of the total emissions. Biodiversity impact was in all systems positively related to the amount of grazing in permanent grasslands, in particular semi-natural grasslands. Because semi-natural grasslands are among the most species rich terrestrial ecosystems in Europe, a large surface area grazed resulted in high biodiversity scores in the present model. SIGNIFICANCE: This study used a novel approach for biodiversity assessment, where the positive contribution of semi-natural grasslands to biodiversity was quantified and put in relation to the modelled climate impact. This work was mainly supported by Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning (Swedish farmers’ foundation for agricultural research) with grant number O-20-23-473, but also by Formas Research Council Centre SustAinimal with grant number 2020-02977. </p
The oxidation of carbon nanostructures imaged by electron microscopy : Comparison between in-situ TEM and TGA experiments
No full textThe development of a model of carbon oxidation has engaged researchers for decades. Yet many outstanding questions remain due to the inability to experimentally study the details of the oxidation. Today, novel techniques such as environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), allowing for in-situ nanoscale observations of the oxidation process, can help illuminate some of these questions. In this study of few layer graphene (FLG), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), buckminsterfullerene (C60), and nanodiamonds (NDs) oxidizing in temperatures up to 1100 °C and we analyze the importance of nanostructure for the thermal stability of nanocarbons. The study was complemented with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the experiments were in good agreement with oxidation rates increasing sharply with temperature and the thermal stability of the materials MWCNTs, FLG, C60 and NDs in descending order. Based on the direct nanoscale visualization obtained in the ETEM the materials can be divided into two overall categories: materials with low strain sp2-bonds (FLG and MWCNT); and materials with high strain sp2-bonds (C60) or sp3-bonds (NDs). For materials in the first category, it is possible to identify several different phenomena as their oxidation rate increases as a function of temperatures whereas materials in the second category appear to be more influenced by extrinsic factors such as the electron beam and by structural transformation upon heating. This study clearly shows the value of adding ETEM results to traditional TGA investigations since it gives both a complementary and more detailed information about the dynamic oxidation process
Following fuel conversion during biomass gasification using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy diagnostics
No full textThe efficiency of the gasification process and product quality largely depend on the degree of fuel conversion. We present the real-time in-situ tunable diode laser measurements of main carbon and oxygen-containing species in the hot reactor core of a pilot-scale entrained flow biomass gasifier (EFG). The concentrations of CO, CO2, CH4, C2H2, H2O, soot, and gas temperature were measured during the air and oxygen-enriched gasification of stem wood at varying equivalence ratios. The experiments were made at the upper and lower optical ports inside a 4 m long, ceramic-lined, atmospheric EFG, allowing to access the degree of the fuel conversion inside the reactor. The exhaust composition was measured by micro-GC, FTIR, and low-pressure impactor. There was a good agreement between the data measured inside the reactor and at the exhaust for oxygen-enriched gasification implying that the chemical reactions are practically frozen downstream the optical ports. For air, the data indicated that the gasification reactions are still active at the measurement locations. Significant concentrations of C2H2, up to 5000 ppm, were found inside the reactor. We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Swedish Energy Agency through 50470-1 project.</p
Influence of surface characteristics of polypropylene on E. coli and S. aureus biofilms : From conventional to additive manufacturing of bioprocess equipment
No full textThe fast-progressing landscape of the bioprocessing industry emphasizes innovation and efficiency enhancement, propelled by the integration of advanced solutions. Additive manufacturing technologies, particularly laser-based powder bed fusion with polypropylene, are pivotal in this industrial metamorphosis. However, despite the substantial scientific effort in the field, a significant gap exists in comprehending the surface characteristics of new surfaces and their implications for bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. This arises, in part, due to the absence of comprehensive and universally applicable topographical characterization analysis specifically designed for additively manufactured-fabricated surfaces. Typically, researchers tend to rely on the commonly used roughness parameter, Sa, that primarily quantifies the average height variation across a surface. Addressing this limitation is crucial for understanding the connection between surface characteristics and bacterial attachment dynamics. Here, we propose an innovative approach using surface analysis including confocal microscopy, advanced roughness measurements, and multivariate statistical analysis to uncover the connections between bacterial attachment for Gram negative Escherichia coli and Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus in early biofilm formation with surfaces produced by standardized and additively manufactured techniques. Finally, we advocate for the adoption of a set of roughness parameters that specifically describe the dale region of the surfaces. By doing so, we intend to establish direct links between surface texture and bacterial adhesion, thus contributing significantly to the advancement of both bioprocessing and additive manufacturing research domains. This work is conducted within the Additive Manufacturing for the Life Sciences Competence Center (AM4Life). The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from Sweden's Innovation Agency VINNOVA (Grant no: 2019-00029). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (RMA15-0010).</p
Customized Atmospheric Catalytic Hydropyrolysis of Biomass to High-Quality Bio-Oil Suitable for Coprocessing in Refining Units
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the critical elements of the biomass ex situ catalytic hydropyrolysis (CHP) concept to improve the quality of fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) for further coprocessing in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) refining unit. Generally, the high oxygen and low hydrogen contents of biomass result in a bio-oil with low quality, necessitating its upgrading, which can be performed as integrated in the pyrolysis process via in situ or ex situ configuration. In this work, the quality of stem wood-derived pyrolyzates (520 °C) was improved via ex situ CHP (400 °C) using a continuous bench-scale drop tube pyrolyzer (60 g h-1), and then the produced FPBO was coprocessed with vacuum gas oil (VGO) fossil oil using a lab-scale FCC unit (525 °C). CHP of stem wood was carried out using different metal-acid catalysts such as Ni/HZSM-5, Ni/HBeta, Mo/TiO2, and Pt/TiO2 at atmospheric pressure. FCC runs were performed using an equilibrium FCC catalyst and conventional fossil FCC feedstock cofed with 20 wt % stem wood-derived bio-oil in a fluidized bed reactor. Cofeeding the nonupgraded FPBO with fossil oil into the FCC unit decreased the generation of hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and naphtha, indicating that bio-oil needs to be upgraded for further coprocessing in the FCC unit. Experimental results showed that different catalysts significantly affected the product composition and yield; Ni-based catalysts were strongly active tending to generate a high yield of gas, while Mo- and Pt-based catalysts seemed better for production of liquid with improved quality. The quality of FPBO was improved by reducing the formation of reactive oxygenates through the atmospheric CHP process. The composition of oil obtained from hydropyrolysis also showed that the yields of phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons were enhanced. © 2024 The Authors. The authors would like to thank the Swedish Energy Agency for financially supporting this study via the project P49685-1.</p
Characterization of carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils and oligosaccharides from Kraft pulp fibers and their potential elicitor effect on the gene expression of Capsicum annuum
No full textBiomass-derived oligo- and polysaccharides may act as elicitors, i.e., bioactive molecules that trigger plant immune responses. This is particularly important to increase the resistance of plants to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) gels were obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation of unbleached and bleached kraft pulps. The molecular structures were characterized with ESI and MALDI MS. Analysis of the fine sequences was achieved by MS and MS/MS of the water-soluble oligosaccharides obtained by acid hydrolysis of the CNF gels. The analysis revealed the presence of two families: one corresponding to homoglucuronic acid sequences and the other composed by alternating glucose and glucuronic acid units. The CNF gels, alone or with the addition of the water-soluble oligosaccharides, were tested on Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Based on the characterization of the gene expression with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the C. annuum’s total messenger RNA, the differences in growth of the C. annuum seeds correlated well with the downregulation of the pathways regulating photosynthesis. A downregulation of the response to abiotic factors was detected, suggesting that these gels would improve the resistance of the C. annuum plants to abiotic stress due to, e.g., water deprivation and cold temperatures. The Research Council of Norway (Grant no. 284300 ), ANR (France, Grant ANR-18-SUS2-0001 ), MINECO (Spain, Grant PCI2018-093114 ) and SUSFOOD2 ERA-NET program (Grant SPAREC) are acknowledged for funding. Mirjana Filipovic, Ingebjørg Leirset, Johnny Kvakland Melbø, Kenneth Aasarød (RISE PFI) and Simon Standoft (RISE) are acknowledged for excellent laboratory work.</p
Mer digitaliserade landsbygdsföretag – vägen dit…
No full textMore Digitalized Rural Businesses – The Path Forward… This project targeted business promoters and Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), including micro-enterprises, within the green sectors (primarily agriculture and food). The project has: • Assessed the needs and opportunities for support for the target group micro and small enterprises in the green sectors. • Evaluated the offerings of business promoters aimed at increasing the digital maturity of this target group. • Highlighted experiences from digitalization in other industries and adapted a tool to digitalize SMEs in agriculture and food. The European Union aims to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) to enhance their competitiveness. However, how can this be best achieved for rural businesses? The project demonstrated how companies in primary production can benefit from the EDIH network. The long-term goal of the project was to increase the digital maturity of Swedish micro and small enterprises in rural areas, contributing to increased production with robust economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Another goal was to enhance collaboration among business promotion actors to better understand how they can assist micro and small enterprises in rural areas to embrace the opportunities of digitalization The project compared the support needs of SMEs and micro-enterprises in the green sectors in rural areas with the available support from business promoters. This comparison identified certain gaps that business promoters can address to develop and improve their offerings. The project disseminated knowledge about digitalization experiences from other industries and adapted a tool to further digitalize SMEs in agriculture and food. This tool is well-suited for use by EDIHs and has been shared with various business promoters. The project also compared the contributions of an EDIH focused on the needs of the target group with other initiatives aimed at the same group.Den här rapporten är en produkt av projektet Mer digitaliserade landsbygdsföretag – vägen dit… finansierat av Tillväxtverket och Jordbruksverket med medel från Europeiska jordbruksfonden för landsbygdsutveckling (Landsbygdsprogrammet 2014– 2020 inom utlysningen Samarbeta för ökad digital mognad i små företag i landsbygd).</p
Full Density Powder Metallurgical Cold Work Tool Steel through Nitrogen Sintering and Capsule-Free Hot Isostatic Pressing
No full textVanadis 4E (V4E) is a powder metallurgical cold work tool steel predominantly used in application with demand for wear resistance, high hardness, and toughness. It is of interest to have a processing route that enables full density starting from clean gas-atomized powder allowing component shaping capabilities. This study presents a process involving freeze granulation of powder to facilitate compaction by means of cold isostatic pressing, followed by sintering to allow for capsule-free hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and subsequent heat treatments of fully densified specimens. The sintering stage has been studied in particular, and it is shown how sintering in pure nitrogen at 1150 °C results in predominantly closed porosity, while sintering at 1200 °C gives near full density. Microstructural investigation shows that vanadium-rich carbonitride (MX) is formed as a result of the nitrogen uptake during sintering, with coarser appearance for the higher temperature. Nearly complete densification, approximately 7.80 ± 0.01 g/cm3, was achieved after sintering at 1200 °C, and after sintering at 1150 °C, followed by capsule-free HIP, hardening, and tempering. Irrespective of processing once the MX is formed, the nitrogen is locked into this phase and the austenite is stabilised, which means any tempering tends to result in a mixture of austenite and tempered martensite, the former being predominate during the sequential tempering, whereas martensite formation during cooling from austenitization temperatures becomes limited. This study is performed within the project DENSE (contract no. 2018-02371) within theStrategic Innovation programme with support from Vinnova, FORMAS, and the Swedish EnergyAgency. Technical support from Uddeholms AB and support from the LIGHTer Academy project(contract no. 2020-04526) within the LIGHTer Strategic Innovation Programme with support fromVinnova, FORMAS, Swedish Energy Agency, as well as the Production Area of Advance at Chalmers,are acknowledged.</p
A comprehensive consumption-based carbon accounting framework for power system towards low-carbon transition
No full textNearly 40 % current global annual energy-related CO2 emissions come from the fossil fuel-dominated power sector. Accurately accounting for carbon emissions in power systems from the consumption-based perspective is crucial for achieving the low-carbon power transition. Consumption-based carbon accounting has emerged as a major research focus, which aids in the implementation of targeted measures such as low-carbon demand response and dispatch. Choosing an appropriate method to account carbon emission needs thorough consideration of characteristics of various methods. There still lacks a systematic review that concludes the essence and application status of these methods, as well as comparing their advantages and disadvantages. To address this gap, a consumption-based carbon accounting framework for power systems is proposed. This framework groups four typical methods into two perspectives: Attributional methods and consequential methods. The principles, calculation approaches, and research application status of these methods are comprehensively summarized in a transparent, integrated and comparative manner, which makes progress in two critical limitations: (i) temporal and spatial granularity, and (ii) consideration of the actual topology and operational constraints of the power grid. As improvements in the transparency and quality of electricity data and expansion of application scenarios, the flexibility and applicability of the framework will continue to improve to achieve the unity of efficiency and fairness. The proposed framework can serve as a valuable guide to conducting research and exploration on low-carbon energy management, policy and regulatory decisions and to inform the development of effective strategies for the low-carbon transition of power systems. This work wassupported by the National Natural Science Foundationof China (Grant No. 72293601), the Hubei Natural Science FoundationJoint Fund Project of China (Grant No. 2023AFD191), and the WuhanEast Lake New Technology Development Zone "unveiled the list ofmarshals" project (Grant No. 2022KJB131). </p