Do you care for our future? Do you think that sustainability must be a foundation of today’s digital society? Do you have an interest in printed electronics and sustainability? Do you enjoy working in a dynamic team? We are looking for a Master of Science student for a Master Thesis project in RISE.
GreenWave 2 is a collaborative innovation project aimed at developing a sustainable European value chain for graphite production based on forest-derived biomass. The project focuses on converting lignin, a by-product from the pulp and paper industry, into battery-grade graphite through an energy-efficient microwave graphitization process. By coating lignin onto silicon carbide (SiC) substrates and applying rapid microwave heating, the project seeks to significantly reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with conventional graphite production. As graphite is a critical raw material for lithium-ion batteries and is currently sourced largely from fossil-based or non-European supply chains, GreenWave 2 contributes to increased resource security, industrial resilience, and climate neutrality.
The project also evaluates the performance of the produced graphite in battery applications while assessing techno-economic feasibility and environmental sustainability, supporting the development of a competitive and sustainable graphite industry within Europe.
Welcome to RISE Emerging Technologies in Norrköping. In close collaboration with your home university, we can offer you diploma work in our exciting R&D environment. During the project work you will be a part of our team at RISE and will be supported by supervisors both from RISE and your home university throughout the project. Most of the practical laboratory work will be carried out in our facility Printed Electronics Arena in Norrköping.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is becoming an integral component of product development in the electronics industry. Consumers want to know the environmental impacts of the electronic products they purchase, ranging from their carbon footprint and energy efficiency to end-of-life considerations and recyclability. Sustainability of electronic products is also high on the agenda of policy makers who want to guarantee a safe, sustainable and secure future for their constituents.
This thesis project will focus on developing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model for a novel microwave-based graphitization process that converts lignin, a renewable by-product from the forest industry, into battery-grade graphite. The work will include mapping material and energy flows, collecting process data from laboratory and pilot-scale experiments, and evaluating the environmental impacts of the technology. The developed model will be used to identify key environmental hotspots and compare the sustainability performance of bio-based graphite production with conventional fossil-based and mined graphite supply chains.
This diploma work comprises of:
You have an interest in environmental sustainability, material production processes, electronics and/or science. You should be MSc student in the fields of environment, physics, materials or chemistry science, or related subject.
You need to be enthusiastic, curious, and keen to develop your skills, enjoy working in a dynamic international team and with good communication skills. Excellent language skills in spoken and written (scientific and technical) Swedish and English is a strong plus.
Students are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and should have no remaining university courses, allowing them to dedicate their full time to their master thesis project.
Compensation: 39 000 SEK upon a successful completion of a high-quality thesis.
Location: RISE Emerging Technologies located in Norrköping, Södragrytsgatan 4.
The student is expected to work on-site in Norrköping. If accommodation is required, the student will be responsible for arranging it independently. This is a full-time master’s thesis position, and applicants are expected to have completed all required coursework before commencing the thesis.
Master thesis start: January 2027
Main supervisor: Jesper Edberg
Co-supervisor: Tatjana Karpenja
Interested? Send in your application (CV and motivation letter) no later than November 15th.
As the challenges facing us as a society become increasingly complex, innovation alone is not enough; you need a strong innovation partner who can provide comprehensive support and a broad range of perspectives. This is where RISE comes in.
RISE is a unique mobilisation of resources to increase the pace of innovation in our society. By gathering a number of research institutes and over a hundred test beds and demonstration environments under the umbrella of a single innovation partner, we create improved conditions for society’s problem solvers.
We gather around challenges and organise ourselves accordingly. Together, specialists in disparate fields innovate and resolve tough problems. Depending on the nature of the challenge and our assignment, we take on a variety of roles in the innovation system, and develop new ones as and when required.
We are owned by the Swedish State and work in collaboration with and on behalf of the private and public sectors and academia. Together, we develop services, products, technologies, processes and materials that contribute to a sustainable future and a competitive Swedish business community.
