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  • Cheap forest waste can be used to make supercapacitors. Photo: Johnér bildbyrå AB

    Carbon from forest waste can be used for future energy storage

    Researchers found how to convert cost free forest waste, like pine cones, into carbon materials useful for energy storage. The method allows for easy and environmentally friendly dispersion of carbon in water, even when it is not water-soluble. The blend can then be sprayed onto a surface to produce electrodes for supercapacitors.

  • Cecilia Cissi Hultman, L_I_N_J_E_N, 2023. © Cecilia Cissi Hultman / Bildupphovsrätt 2023

    Performance Autumn at Bildmuseet

    From September 30 to November 19, a series of brand-new performance works by artists from the North of Sweden will be premiered at Bildmuseet, Umeå University.

  • Postdoc Laura Herzog – sitting closest to the camera, professor Yaowen Wu. Postdoc Anastasia Knyazeva, and Postdoc Dale Corkery. Photo: Shuang Li

    Beyond recycling: new role for autophagy protein in membrane repair discovered

    Maintaining the structure of intracellular membranes is essential for preserving normal cellular function. New research by a team of biochemists at Umeå University identifies a strategy employed by cells to detect and repair membranes that have been damaged by chemical or bacterial stress.

  • Anca Rujoiu. Photo: Dinu Bodiciu.

    Anca Rujoiu appointed Curator at Bildmuseet

    Bildmuseet expands its team and welcomes Anca Rujoiu as Curator of Exhibitions from March 2024. –With more than fourteen years of experience working in the field of contemporary art in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, she will be strengthening Bildmuseet’s position as one of Sweden’s foremost venues for international contemporary art, says director Katarina Pierre.

  • Photo: Ive van Krunkelsven

    Arctic research grows and strengthens international cooperation

    A new report by UArctic highlights the growing diversity and number of research activities across the Arctic. UArctic is a collaboration between academic institutions and other organizations with an interest in northern regions. The report demonstrates a high degree of international cooperation and presents Arctic research trends.

  • Hydrated thalli of Usnea longissima hanging from spruce branches in Skuleskogen National Park. Photo: Per-Anders Esseen

    World’s longest lichen declines in a national park

    A unique long-term study performed by researchers at Umeå University shows that the pendent lichen Usnea longissima decreases with 42 percent over 37 years in Skuleskogen National Park, located in High Coast UNESCO World Heritage site. The study has been published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management.

  • Mandana Moghaddam, Works from the series Underlandet [Wonderland], 2013–ongoing. © Mandana Moghaddam / Bildupphovsrätt 2023

    Mandana Moghaddam / Woman Life Freedom

    The autumn's first opening at Bildmuseet features a solo exhibition by the Swedish-Iranian artist Mandana Moghaddam. The exhibition showcases mirror mosaic, sculpture, and installation, and will be inaugurated with an artist talk on Saturday, 16th September, the anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini's death in Tehran. Press preview on Wednesday, 13th September, at 10:00 (RSVP).

  • Through laboratory testing, Norafiqah Ismail has developed three families of more environmentally friendly solvents for the production of artificial membranes. Photo: Naser Tavajohi

    Non-toxic solvents provide greener production of artificial membranes

    Artificial membranes play a vital role in healthcare, energy storage and resource recovery. However, the fabrication is not environmentally friendly. In a thesis from Umeå University, Norafiqah Ismail introduces alternative solvents that outperforms traditional toxic ones in terms of cost, sustainability, and performance.

  • An international research team is exploring how polaritons, light-matter mixed objects, respond to short pulses of light. Illustration: Alexandre Dmitriev

    A pulse of light makes polaritons disappear

    Polaritons are a peculiar state, a kind of quasi-particles consisting of part-light and part-matter that can bring unexpected abilities to conventional chemical reactions. New research from Umeå University and others reveals that when the polaritons are hit by very short pulses of light they collapse, and from then the reaction will be completely controlled by conventional electronic transitions.

  • D-amino acids play a role in stress-induced response in cholera bacterium

    D-amino acids play a role in stress-induced response in cholera bacterium

    Cholera bacteria use specific D-amino acids to escape unfavorable niches and form complex ecological systems. This is shown by a study led by a research group at Umeå University, Sweden. The discovery may eventually have significance for research into bacterial infections.

  • Conifer needles consume oxygen in early spring even during the day, new research shows. Image: Stefan Jansson

    Conifer needles consume oxygen when times are hard

    Plants give us oxygen through photosynthesis - this is commonly taught in school. An international research team have now shown that particularly in early spring when low temperatures coincide with high light, conifer needles consume – not produce – oxygen by using an ancient mechanism. The results were published in Nature Communications.

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