NEWS On the 2020 100 list, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences , IVA, makes research linked to sustainable competitiveness visable. Research on green energy from Nordic algae and sustainable investment decisions are projects selected from Umeå University.
Christiane Funk och Venkata Krishna Kumar Upadhyayula, researchers on IVA's 100 list.
ImageIngrid SöderberghIVA's 100 list 2020 is published today. The list reflects and diversity of research projects and research competencies from Sweden's universities with business potential within the theme of sustainability.
To the University´s pleasure, there are two chemists from Umeå University on the list.
“Being on the list is very fun and encouraging! This is another step towards applying our research - algae have great potential in a sustainable society even in Sweden”, says Christiane Funk, professor at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University, who is one of the researchers on the list.
The other listed Umeå researcher is research assistant and chemist Venkata Krishna Kumar Upadhyayula, who is associated with the research environments Green Technology and Environmental Economics, Bio4Energy and Green North.
“I am glad that IVA has recognized my research and placed our project in top 100 list. It will help us to expand our research and sustainable resources and innovation platform at the university and also to work with local industry and municipality closely. I am always intrigued with one philosophical question related to my research. What role does science have to play in bring sustainable value to industries and society?”, says Venkata Krishna Kumar Upadhyayula, research assistant at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University
In addition to the list placement, Christiane Funk's research project has also been selected for the R2B Summit in Stockholm on March 18. At this gathering, Christiane Funk will have the opportunity to present her research project to 100 specially invited company representatives responsible for management, research and development within this year's theme of sustainability.
“I hope R2B Summit will create new contact arenas and opportunities for me and my group to find good applications for our research results and also a better understanding of the companies' needs and working methods. Maybe I can make contacts directly for potential future collaborations”, says Christiane Funk.
About the projects:
Wastewater reclamation and biomass generation by Nordic microalgae
Projektledare: Christiane Funk
The aim of MicroBioRefine is to investigate environmental and economic sustainability of biomass production by Nordic microalgae grown on local flue gases and wastewaters in Sweden. Our approach recycles carbon dioxide and water, but also important elements like nitrogen and phosphorus, and at the same time allows the production of energy-rich biomass to be used as advanced biofuels, carbon-neutral and valuable polymers and smart biofertilizers.
Quantify Short and Long Term Sustainable Benefits of Emerging Technologies for Making Investment Decisions
Project leader: Venkata Krishna Kumar Upadhyayula
Many game changing innovations developed at universities and start-ups fall in Technology Valley of Death (TVD) and do not see the light of commercialization. This happens due to lack of framework for making informed decisions on innovations entering TVD. We work with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to advance innovations with higher sustainable value to the market and society. We quantify sustainable benefits and risks associated with commercialization of emerging technologies.
About Green Technology and Environmental Economics:
Green technology and environmental economics is a research and collaboration platform for circular sustainable economics and resource efficiency. The environment includes researchers from various disciplines at Umeå University and is run in collaboration with the municipal companies Umeå Energi, VAKIN and Dåva DAC in Umeå.
About Bio4Energy:
Bio4Energy is a strong research environment within bioenergy and biorefinery. The environment includes Umeå University, SLU in Umeå and Luleå University of Technology and an extensive industrial network.
About Green North:
Green North is an innovation and resource platform for new sustainable environmental technology solutions. The platform includes Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology and an extensive network of companies and public actors in northern Sweden.
Press photo. Credit: Ingrid Söderbergh
