Voltage-clamp for artificial water channels in biomimetic polymeric membranes

Kenneth Persson

Reverse osmosis is a common process in desalination and a key technology for ensuring water supply in regions of acute water scarcity. In this process a polymeric membrane separating two water reservoirs, one salty and the other with fresh water, is used as a filter. Salty water is forced to pass under pressure through the polymeric membrane that only allow the pass of the water molecule and the water will flow in the opposite direction to osmosis. This project will allow us start to develop our research in a new key research area for water purification. Additionally we can train students using very unconventional experimental technique like voltage-clamp in the membrane separation field.

Iron complexes for green and large-scale use of solar power

Kenneth Wärnmark

Solar power is an unlimited source of clean and renewable energy that can replace the climate-changing fossil fuels we use today. Currently, solar energy is used to a small extent but research and development of new solar energy materials is increasing rapidly. Common to many existing materials is that rare, expensive or toxic elements are used as important building blocks, which prevents large scale use of solar energy. The project is a new step towards the development of new solar energy materials based on the environmentally friendly, abundant and inexpensive raw material, iron.

Hampahus – a climate-smart building system

Hampahus AB / Remi Loren

Through innovative technology and construction methods, transnational challenges are assumed that include technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, the environment and energy. These create a benefit to the community that Hampahus AB aspires to. In the quest to improve energy efficiency and damp-proofing our homes today, houses are being built with multi-layer walls with layers consisting of petroleum-based materials. These houses are also equipped with plastic film / sealing layer to create a dense structure which, however, may have negative effects and cause damage to the building and create toxic indoor environments. Hampahus AB will offer environmentally friendly, durable, modular homes of the natural material hemp concrete (hempcrete).

Donor organs by supercritical technology

Irene Rodriguez Meizoso

Tissue engineering aims at building functional tissues that can repair damaged tissues and organs. Most healthy organs and tissues come from a deceased donor that must be compatible with the ill patient. Critical patients do not survive the waiting time. Only in Sweden, 700 organ and 1000 tissue transplantations are necessary yearly. A simple and effective method to remove cells and lipids from donor organs and tissue will decrease rejection of transplant and make a positive impact in life expectancy of critical patients and life quality of transplanted individuals. It may also be the key to a safe animal-to-human transplantation, solving the problem of donor shortage.

Tendo – For people, not just symptoms

Sofie Woge

For a person suffering from rheumatism, stroke or for other reasons has weakened hand muscles, the need for support or artificial strength is great. However, external strength can result in the passivity of the muscles, which leads to a weakened and thus sicker patient. A dependence on the product is created and confidence in one’s own strength disappears along with actual power. By combining exercise with support the patient can be strengthened while artificial strength helps the person cope with what can otherwise restrict normal life.

A Phototherapy System for Neonatal Jaundice Care- Technology Development with User-Centric and Universal Design

Nan Jiang

Phototherapy intends to cure neonatal jaundice with light in the blue-green spectrum. Most available phototherapy instruments can meet basic medical needs, it is still extremely difficult to ensure a comfortable experience for a neonate. It has been sadly revealed that, for newborn babies, phototherapy means suffering with improper temperature and humidity condition, annoying eyeshade, and loneliness when lying on uncomfortable mattress, etc.

This project is to create a phototherapy care system for jaundice babies, using LED and Fabric optics together with fiber optic sensor technology. The new design phototherapy system can not only provide a humanised service for both babies and nurses but also cut down medical care cost and release the pressure on limited medical resources.