Rönnbäret Foundation supports sustainability research in Skellefteå

The Rönnbäret Foundation, which aims to promote research and higher education in Skellefteå, has granted funding to a number of projects linked to Society Expo 2026 - a global event that highlights Skellefteå and explores sustainable solutions based on challenges we face. The goal of the Expo is to promote sustainable social development and showcase knowledge and tools that make an impact - both at home and abroad. Research and higher education are obviously an important part of this. That is why the theme of this year's call for proposals for the Rönnbäret is also focused on this: knowledge, methods and environments that contribute to a sustainable and attractive place. A total of SEK 1,700,000 is now being awarded for this project.

"From forest to charging" for a sustainable and circular economy

Researcher Chia-feng Lin, Luleå University of Technology (LTU) was awarded SEK 250,000 for the project "From forest to charging" a project that focuses on using charred wood as electrode material in batteries. This contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy by converting residual products from the wood industry into high-value materials for battery manufacturing.

The project is particularly relevant for Skellefteå, a region where both the forest industry and battery manufacturing play a major role in economic and social transformation. The research results can reduce climate impact and strengthen the region's battery production through local resources.

Research project exhibition at Society Expo in Skellefteå

Robert Brännström at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) has received support for a project that will visualize research projects on Campus Skellefteå. With the help of analog and digital signs and installations, project goals and results will be presented to raise awareness of the research conducted in the area. This includes collaboration with the WALLSTREET festival and Society Expo to create a public environment and promote a sustainable and attractive place.

The project, which has been awarded SEK 100,000, highlights research efforts focusing on sustainable societal transformation and gender equality, while contributing to the development of Skellefteå towards a sustainable future according to the city's 2030 goals.

The School of Chiropractic establishes education at Campus Skellefteå

Starting in the fall semester of 2024, the Scandinavian College of Chiropractic will offer a five-year chiropractic education at Campus Skellefteå. The program, which combines theory and practice, aims to train highly competent primary care providers. In total, around 150 students will be trained on campus.

The program meets the demand for chiropractors in Region Västerbotten, where there is a shortage of health professionals. The establishment is expected to promote Skellefteå's development as a sustainable place for medical education and care. The School of Chiropractic will receive a start-up grant of SEK 400,000 to implement the program and strengthen research opportunities on campus.

The program will contribute to gender-equal care and meet the region's need for more chiropractors, while promoting sustainable social transformation and medical research in Skellefteå.

Secure access control and cyber security at LTU Skellefteå

Karl Andersson, Luleå University of Technology (LTU) is awarded SEK 450,000 to part-finance a PhD position in the newly started research area of cybersecurity at Campus Skellefteå. The project focuses on secure access control, an area that faces challenges such as data breaches, insider threats and vulnerabilities in centralized systems. By using blockchain technology, the research team aims to create secure, decentralized solutions to protect sensitive data and improve access control.

The project is expected to strengthen Skellefteå's position as a leading location for innovation and research in cybersecurity, with a master's program planned to start in autumn 2025. It also contributes to sustainable societal development by creating new knowledge and skills in a critical area. The research initiative can also stimulate growth in the business sector and create cooperation with both public and private actors. The initiative is in line with Skellefteå's goal of developing a globally competitive economy and unique areas of expertise by 2030.

Can AI-driven Material Processing Methods Promote Sustainability in the Wood Industry?

A new research initiative at LTU Wood Technology in Skellefteå aims to investigate how AI-driven methods for cutting processing can promote sustainability in the wood industry. The project is led by PhD student Dietrich Buck and involves international collaborations with PhD students from both Sweden and China and was awarded SEK 100,000.

The aim of the project is to optimize cutting techniques for wood and bio-based materials, which is crucial to reduce material waste and increase resource efficiency in the woodworking process. Using AI and advanced imaging techniques, the researchers will study and improve the cutting mechanisms, which can lead to higher product quality and reduced need to cut more trees.

The project strengthens Skellefteå's position as a center for sustainable innovation and research in the wood industry, and is part of the city's long-term vision to become a test bed for sustainable technologies and circular economy.

The School of Chiropractic for the treatment of long-term back pain

A research project at Karolinska Institutet and the Scandinavian School of Chiropractic, led by Filip Gedin, is being awarded SEK 400 000 to investigate the effects of different treatments for long-term back pain. The project uses advanced motion analysis technology at Campus Skellefteå to measure how chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment affects the mobility of individuals with chronic back pain. Study participants will undergo movement tests both before and after treatment, and the research also includes open placebo experiments, where patients are deliberately given a placebo as part of the treatment.

The project aims to develop new knowledge about how treatments affect movement, something that until now has lacked objective measurement methods. By utilizing existing resources and research infrastructure at Campus Skellefteå, the project contributes to a sustainable societal transformation. It emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration and gender equality, as both sex and gender are taken into account to better understand differences in treatment effects between men and women. The results can improve the care for back pain patients and at the same time position Campus Skellefteå as a leading player in pain and movement research in Sweden.

FACTS

The application for Rönnbärets scholarships is open from March 12 and closes on May 6.