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High temperature fast pyrolysis of waste biomass in a solar-assisted quartz drop-tube reactor
No full textSolar-assisted pyrolysis is a sustainable process for converting biomass into syngas, bio-oil, and biochar using renewable solar thermal energy, with a potentially zero carbon footprint. It generates both high-value gaseous and liquid fuels while transforming the atmospheric CO2 captured in biomass in the form of solid carbon that can be long-term sequestrated or valorized. The EU's target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% by 2030 sets the stage for effective measures to limit carbon emissions and achieve a sustainable future. This study presents the development of an innovative fast pyrolysis quartz drop-tube reactor using concentrated solar power and its performance for bio-waste valorization. Extensive raw material characterization was carried out, which provides valuable insights into demolition wood and rye straw feedstocks properties. Solar pyrolysis runs revealed key dependencies of product yields on operational parameters such as feedstock type, nitrogen gas flow rate (0.7-1.4 NL/min), and heating profile in the temperature range 800-900 °C. Operation at such high temperatures promoted gas production (>50% gas yield in mass) over liquid and solid products. In similar conditions, rye straw showed higher gas yield as compared to demolition wood. In addition, preheating or increasing the gas residence time favored gas production with negligible impact on gas composition. The solar drop tube pyrolysis reactor appears as a sustainable option to upgrade waste feedstocks into valuable products using concentrated solar energy with net zero CO2 emission
Missions as relational scales of agency:urban leverage for transformative change
No full textThe mission-oriented innovation policy literature has recently attempted to address implementation challenges and identified research needs around the role of cities, scales and agency in implementation. We address these gaps and contribute to the literature, particularly on the spatial governance of mission-oriented innovation policies, through an integrated theoretical framework conceptualising missions as relational scales of agency. A case study of the mobility as a service (MaaS) concept in Finland enables us to identify and discuss scalar tensions related to MaaS failures. We conceptualise those as leverage points for transformative change that underscore the potential of urban policies in integrated transformative mission implementation.</p
Business Model (BM) Transformations in Business-to-Business (B2B) Digital Multimodal Logistics Platform Ecosystem:Insights from Prospective Marketplace Sellers and Buyers
No full textDigitalization and sustainability imperatives are transforming the logistics industry; however, the evolution of business models (BMs) in emerging business-to-business (B2B) digital multimodal marketplaces has not been thoroughly explored. This study investigates how one of the first B2B digital multimodal marketplace ecosystems – designed to calculate emissions and promote more sustainable logistics services – might affect the BMs of sellers and buyers. We used a qualitative research design based on the Business Model Canvas (BMC). To gather data, we analyzed the current (AS-IS) and future (TO-BE) BMs. Additionally, we created detailed questionnaires structured around the BMC framework, which were completed by representatives from seller and buyer actor groups. A hybrid deductive-inductive coding approach allowed us to integrate the established BMC framework with emergent themes. Our analysis reveals significant potential transformations in the key activities, followed by potential changes in key resources, channels and revenue streams. Most BM changes centre on adding emission calculation as a new value-proposition element, which in turn triggers adjustments in the other BMC blocks. These insights deepen the theoretical understanding of how digital logistics marketplace ecosystem might drive BM transformation, while also highlighting the anticipated challenges, risks, and necessary adjustments managers in the logistics industry should address when integrating a digital marketplace ecosystem. This study is one of the first to analyze likely changes in the BMs of companies adopting a B2B digital logistics platform ecosystem. Additionally, it is the first to explore a multimodal and environmentally conscious platform ecosystem
Interface morphology and dislocation-mediated processes during rapid solidification of thin films
No full textRapid solidification experiments have, in recent years, revealed a wealth of new microstructural phenomena that suggest a strong connection between the kinetics of solidification and the crystalline structures that emerge as a result. In this work, we investigate the interplay between interface morphology and defect-mediated processes during rapid solidification conditions using a Phase Field Crystal (PFC) model, enabling us to simultaneously and efficiently explore the physics of solidification and elasto-plasticity in the formalism of a single-field theory. We predict that there are two mechanisms by which dislocations emitted directly from the solid–liquid interface induce orientation gradients as well as the formation of subgrain boundaries within a single solidifying cell. We relate these mechanisms to the morphology of the moving solid–liquid interface and identify a suitable control parameter in the PFC model with which we can go between said morphologies by effectively changing the relative strength of the capillary length and kinetic coefficients of the solid–liquid interface. Thus, we are able to provide mechanistic explanations for several microstructural features (with an emphasis on orientation gradients and subgrain boundaries) observed during the rapid solidification of pure materials. We also provide a simple explanation for the formation of “jagged” subgrain boundaries, which is consistent with our experimental observations in rapidly solidified samples of Aluminum, whose mechanisms have thus far been unknown.</p
WeTRaC: Scalable EV charging demand forecasting for heavy-duty fleets
Full text linkThe rapid expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) in response to stricter emissions targets presents formidable challenges for power systems, particularly in scaling EV charging infrastructure to meet growing demands from heavy-duty fleets. Such demands are shaped by complex spatio-temporal interdependencies, such as weather conditions, traffic density, routes, and charging infrastructure, leading to imprecise charging demand predictions by the existing models that do not fully address all factors. This study introduces the Weather Traffic Routes and Chargers (WeTRaC), a predictive framework that unifies graph neural networks (GNNs) with physics-based vehicle simulations and open global data to produce high-precision forecasts of heavy-duty (i.e., buses and trucks) EV charging needs. Forecasts are generated at the vehicle level along routes and then aggregated to fleet- or corridor-level demand using probabilistic priors over vehicle attributes. We validate its performance through large-scale simulations (including ten international virtual corridor case studies) and real-world truck data from Finland, revealing a 500-fold computational speedup over conventional physics-based approaches at only a marginal (4%) accuracy trade-off. By identifying peak periods and locations of corridor demand for specified fleets, WeTRaC can effectively mitigate grid overload and accelerate the transition toward zero-emission transport
Islands of innovation:A Comparative Reflection on Industrial Policy, Access to Talent, and Technology Sovereignty
No full textFinland and Taiwan, though geographically distant, share the challenges of small, open economies reliant on global trade, talent, and energy. Taiwan’s targeted investments in critical technologies like semiconductors and AI, its institutional clarity, and agile governance offer a useful mirror for Finland’s broader but less output-focused innovation strategy. Facing similar demographic shifts, Taiwan has also moved decisively to attract international talent and reconfigure its higher education system, an area where Finland lags in reform.This brief aims to offer discussion points by sharing key lessons from Taiwan across six domains: critical technologies, industrial policy, talent, energy, regional renewal, and the role of research organizations. Kaohsiung’s industrial transformation, ITRI’s mission-driven role, and Taiwan’s approach to aligning tech ambition with systemic readiness provide practical insights for Finnish policymakers and innovation leaders. In short, Taiwan demonstrates how strategic focus, systemic coordination, and measurable outcomes can accelerate innovation capacity building. For Finland, adopting a more output-focused, resilient, and ecosystem-driven approach may be essential to sustaining competitiveness in a volatile global landscape
Integrated nuclear power planning and modeling framework:a pathway toward energy security, sustainable governance and net-zero-driven policy
No full textNuclear power presents a viable solution to overcome climate issues while ensuring energy security and sustainable governance. By addressing public concerns, investing in innovative technologies, and implementing supportive policies, nations can harness the potential of nuclear power to create a sustainable and resilient energy future. Hence, this study suggested increasing the share of nuclear power around 30% in total energy mix of Pakistan by 2030 and forecast the future until 2050. LEAP software is used to forecast the future of nuclear power from the period 2024 to 2050 by using the base year 2023 and suggested the energy balance with complete energy flows along with transmission and distribution losses. The results revealed that the share of nuclear power is increasing from 8.4% in 2024 to 42.4% until 2035, 57.9% until 2045, and 59.4% until 2050. The total energy generation for Pakistan in 2024 is 181.63 TWh which is sufficient to meet energy demand of 173.40 TWh. Subsequently, energy generation would be 399.42 TWh in 2035 and 1,135 TWh in 2050 which is sufficient to meet the energy demand of 337 TWh in 2035 and 965 TWh in 2050, respectively.</p
Formation of coherent nanocomposite structure in nickel-aluminum alloys synthesized far from equilibrium
No full textThe present study reports on the structure formation in thin epitaxial nickel-aluminum films (Ni1-xAlx; Al atomic fraction x up to x = 0.24 ) grown on MgO ( 001 ) substrates by magnetron sputtering. Experimental and computational data demonstrate that for x &lt; 0.11 , the films exhibit the face-centered cubic random solid-solution Ni1-xAlx structure ( γ phase). Whereas in the range x = 0.11–0.24 the γ phase coexists with the ordered L 1 2 structure ( γ ′ phase). The two phases are homogenously intermixed forming a strained coherent nanocomposite , which exhibits a single lattice parameter that expands as the Al content increases. Isothermal annealing of films containing x = 0.14 of Al, coupled with structural and nano-mechanical characterization, reveal that the coherent nanocomposite retains its overall integrity for temperatures up to 673 K , while the film hardness increases from 5.5 GPa (as deposited films) to 6 GPa . Further increase of the annealing temperature to 873 K and 1073 K causes the coherent nanocomposite to dissolve into distinct γ and γ ′ phase domains and the hardness to decrease down to values of 4 GPa . These findings confirm the metastable nature of the as-deposited thin Ni1-xAlx alloy films and underpin the effectiveness of high supersaturation/undercooling for creating non-equilibrium phases and self-organized nanostructures upon synthesis of multicomponent materials.</p
Collaborative Digitalisation and the Future of Networked Production:Exploring Decentralised Technical Intelligence in Supply Chains
No full textNetworked production, supported by advanced logistics and supply chain processes, is crucial for companies to stay competitive and foster cooperation and integration of production resources. It replaces sequential processes with dynamic arrangements, presenting challenges like managing product variants, short life cycles, and process optimisation. Agility is vital for adapting to changes and natural disasters. Decentralised Technical Intelligence (DTI) is an approach that manages complexity and incentivises integrating new technologies in planning and manufacturing. DTI involves distributed and autonomous intelligence embedded in interconnected systems, where humans and machines collaborate to achieve common goals. Humans bring unique skills like creativity and intuition, complementing AI’s capabilities. DTI relies on a multi-agent architecture, enabling trust, interoperability, and data sharing for better decision-making and efficiency. The EU knowlEdge project exemplifies this by providing AI solutions that are distributed, secure, standardised, and collaborative, integrating cognitive technologies, data analytics, IoT and more. DTI’s human-centric design fosters a different quality of intelligence, leading to greater autonomy within multi-agent systems. To realise advanced networked production, a roadmap must be implemented, focusing on a vision, value promise, and development pathway. Europe can maintain its leadership in future networked production through this approach.</p
Leveraging the transition to strategic capitalism:A summary of a Delphi expert-opinion study
No full textFractured geopolitics, shifting alliances, and growing systemic uncertainty define the environment in which Finland must now build and sustain its innovation resilience. This Delphi study was launched to explore how Finland, and Europe more broadly, can navigate these evolving conditions in order to foster a more robust and future-proof innovation system. The findings from the study revealed three interlinked layers of insight: external vulnerabilities, internal capabilities, and strategic positioning. Together, these layers form the underlying structure of this policy brief.The deck begins by outlining both internal and external vulnerabilities shaping Finland’s innovation environment. These range from the erosion of geopolitical trust and increasing threats to talent flows, to the growing dominance of China across critical technologies and value chains. These developments are not merely weak signals or short-term disruptions; rather, they represent structural conditions that fundamentally shape the global playing field for innovation. The middle section highlights an emerging shift from laissez-faire approaches toward what experts increasingly describe as strategic capitalism. Respondents emphasized the importance of not only investing in R&D, but also improving the capacity to absorb and deploy it effectively. They pointed to the need for stronger coordination across policy silos and a move away from episodic interventions toward more sustained, long-term innovation strategies. The discussion of industrial, technology, and innovation policy underscores a central message: ambition alone is insufficient without coherence.The final part of the deck repositions Finland’s innovation system firmly within the European framework. Experts stressed Finland’s growing dependency on EU-level instruments, particularly in funding, regulation, and standard setting, highlighted its potential role in helping to shape Europe’s global technological posture. At the same time, they noted that Finland must remain agile, sharpen its priorities, and engage strategically in Brussels to ensure influence rather than passivity. Across the study, it became clear that resilience should not be understood as a single policy choice or an isolated strategy. Instead, it represents a deeper structural shift in how innovation systems are organized and governed. This deck translates that insight into a coherent narrative - one that begins with risk, moves through leverage, and ultimately points toward action