PHD Network

2019

24 April

David Carlstedt, Licentiate seminar. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/samdavi

23-24 April

The fifth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on Manufacturing of metals structures – press hardening and lightweight design, 23-24 April. Theoretical lectures will be given in Luleå by Prof. Mats Oldenburg and Hans Åhlin from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visit will take place at Gestamp Hardtech in Luleå.

29 March

Maheswaran Vattur Sundaram, Doctoral thesis defence. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/person/vattur

27-28 March

The fourth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on metals, 27-28 March. Theoretical lectures will be given in Trollhättan by Dr. Andreas Lundbäck and Dr. Eva-Lis Odenberger from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visits will take place at GKN Aerospace Sweden in Trollhättan and Brogren Industries in Älvängen.

15 March

Dennis Wilhelmsson, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=denwil

1 March

Henrik Molker, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/johlar 

7 February

Hans Gruber, Licentiate seminar. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=ghans 

12-13 February

The PhD course “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp) continues within LIGHTer PhD network. The third course theme on Composite materials and sandwich will be performed in Laholm, 12-13th of February. Theoretical lectures will be given by Prof. Dan Zenkert at KTH in combination with an industry seminar and study visit at DIAB Laholm. 

Find more information about the general PhD course in lightweight below.

2019

24 April

David Carlstedt, Licentiate seminar. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/samdavi

23-24 April

The fifth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on Manufacturing of metals structures – press hardening and lightweight design, 23-24 April. Theoretical lectures will be given in Luleå by Prof. Mats Oldenburg and Hans Åhlin from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visit will take place at Gestamp Hardtech in Luleå.

29 March

Maheswaran Vattur Sundaram, Doctoral thesis defence. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/person/vattur

27-28 March

The fourth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on metals, 27-28 March. Theoretical lectures will be given in Trollhättan by Dr. Andreas Lundbäck and Dr. Eva-Lis Odenberger from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visits will take place at GKN Aerospace Sweden in Trollhättan and Brogren Industries in Älvängen.

15 March

Dennis Wilhelmsson, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=denwil

1 March

Henrik Molker, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/johlar 

7 February

Hans Gruber, Licentiate seminar. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=ghans 

12-13 February

The PhD course “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp) continues within LIGHTer PhD network. The third course theme on Composite materials and sandwich will be performed in Laholm, 12-13th of February. Theoretical lectures will be given by Prof. Dan Zenkert at KTH in combination with an industry seminar and study visit at DIAB Laholm. 

Find more information about the general PhD course in lightweight below.

2019

24 April

David Carlstedt, Licentiate seminar. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/samdavi

23-24 April

The fifth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on Manufacturing of metals structures – press hardening and lightweight design, 23-24 April. Theoretical lectures will be given in Luleå by Prof. Mats Oldenburg and Hans Åhlin from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visit will take place at Gestamp Hardtech in Luleå.

29 March

Maheswaran Vattur Sundaram, Doctoral thesis defence. Read more about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/person/vattur

27-28 March

The fourth course theme in the PhD course LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design will be on metals, 27-28 March. Theoretical lectures will be given in Trollhättan by Dr. Andreas Lundbäck and Dr. Eva-Lis Odenberger from Luleå University of Technology. Industry seminars and visits will take place at GKN Aerospace Sweden in Trollhättan and Brogren Industries in Älvängen.

15 March

Dennis Wilhelmsson, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=denwil

1 March

Henrik Molker, Doctoral thesis defence. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/johlar 

7 February

Hans Gruber, Licentiate seminar. Read about his research at: https://research.chalmers.se/en/person/?cid=ghans 

12-13 February

The PhD course “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp) continues within LIGHTer PhD network. The third course theme on Composite materials and sandwich will be performed in Laholm, 12-13th of February. Theoretical lectures will be given by Prof. Dan Zenkert at KTH in combination with an industry seminar and study visit at DIAB Laholm. 

Find more information about the general PhD course in lightweight below.

Past Events

30-31 October

The PhD course “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp) starts up with new graduate students within LIGHTer PhD network. The first course theme on Materials Selection will be performed in Gothenburg, 30-31st of October. Theoretical lectures will be given by Prof. Lars Nyborg at Chalmers in combination with an industry seminar and study visit at Volvo Car Corporation.

Find more information about the general PhD course in lightweight technologies below. 

19 November

The technical PhD project presentations and course examination seminar is a one day event on the 19th November in close connection to the LIGHTer workshop in Stockholm. The annual LIGHTer PhD network course examination in LIGHTER – Lightweight materials and design (6 hp) are open to the public with interests in lightweight technologies.
Find the examination program and additional information here.

20 November

The annual LIGHTer PhD network workshop will this time be performed on the theme “Story to stage: Effective presentation techniques for scientists” focusing on presenting research results in lightweight technologies. The aim of the workshop is to provide researchers with knowledge and strategies to communicate effectively, orally and visually, their research to make a lasting impact on their audience.
The workshop will be held in Stockholm on the 20th November at 7A Centralen, by Dr. Dan Csontos, Dr. Nellie Linander and Cara Harrison at Elevate Scientific AB. The workshop starts at 09.30 and ends at 16.45.

Location: 7A Centralen, Norrtullsgatan 6, Stockholm.

4-5 December

The second course theme “Composite materials” in the LIGHTer - Lightweight materials and design course (6hp) will take place in Linköping. Theoretical lectures will be given by Prof. Dan Zenkert and Malin Åkermo from KTH in combination with an industry seminar and study visit at SAAB.
Find more information about the general PhD course in lightweight technologies here. 

2020-11-18

Vi kan med glädje meddela att vi har två nya doktorer i LIGHTer PhD Network:

Suhdeep Singh som har skrivit avhandlingen Weldability of Cast Superalloys - Effect of homogenization heat treatments on hot cracking susceptibility of cast Alloy 718, ATI® 718Plus®, and Haynes® 282® 
Länk till avhandlingen: https://research.chalmers.se/publication/519143
 
Elanghovan Natesan som har skrivit avhandlingen Deformation and Fatigue Behaviour of Aluminium Alloys for High Specific Power IC Engine Applications
Länk till avhandlingen: https://research.chalmers.se/publication/519291
 

2020-10-08

We are happy to announce two upcoming LIGHTer PhD Seminars:

21 October at 14:00 - 15:00 with Dr. Jens Sjölander Stress methodology and composite manufacturing simulation at Saab Aeronautics

Dr. Stefan Golling Gestamp – Working for a Safer and Lighter Car

Link to the seminar:  https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/67564903228
Password: 5005

25 November at 14:00 - 15:00 with 

Dr Per Mårtensson (Bcomp, Switzerland): From Space and F1 into your daily car
Dr Anton Jansson (North Carolina State University): X-ray Computed Tomography - From the Shadows

2020-08-28

LIGHTer PhD Network Seminars - Expand networks across boundaries

2020-06-11

LIGHTer PhD Network Seminars - Expand network across the boundaries
By Da Wu (link to Da's work) and Jenny Carlsson (link to Jenny's work)

2020-05-19

Marcus Da Costa, Uppsala Universitet disputerar den 19 maj, kl. 9.00. Avhandlingens title: ”Mechanical characterisation and modelling of the fracture behaviour of thin brittle coatings on polymer films. https://www.teknik.uu.se/kalendarium/evenemang/?eventId=52390

2020-05-15

Jenny Carlsson Uppsala Universitet disputerar den 15 maj, kl 9.15. ”On crack dynamics in brittle heterogeneous materials”. https://www.materialvetenskap.uu.se/kalendarium/evenemang/?eventId=52958

2020-05-13

LIGHTer PhD Network Seminars - Expand network across the boundaries
By Carolyn Oddy (link to Carolyn’s work) and Lluís Pérez Caro (link to Lluis’s work).

2020-02-11/12

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), had its third course theme on February 11 and 12 at DIAB AB in Laholm. On the first day we met at the picturesque farm style hotel Lögnäs Gård. The day consisted of lectures on composite laminates, sandwich structures and finally a short introduction to the mechanics of cellular solids. The theoretical day was followed up by a relaxed dinner in the evening. The day after we all went to DIAB in Laholm and were met by Peter Norlin who gave an excellent introduction to what DIAB is doing and to the use of their main product – structural foams for sandwich applications.

This was followed-up by Jerry Stigson telling us how the material is actually made and how it get its properties. The main event – going through the factory where the material is actually made, was as usual very pedagogic and inspiring. In the afternoon Carl-Johan Lindholm gave a more in-depth presentation on the properties of DIAB’s products. The day ended with a demonstration on how sandwich structures are actually made in practice. Many, many thanks to all the people at DIAB who made this day a great day with lots of learning.

2020-01-29

LIGHTer PhD network member Johannes Främby defended his PhD thesis entitled “Methods for efficient modelling of progressive failure in laminated fibre-reinforced composites" on 17 January 2020 at Chalmers.

LIGHTer PhD network member Lluís Pérez Caro defended his PhD thesis entitled “Modelling Aspects in Forming and Welding of Nickel-Base Superalloys” at Luleå University of Technology on November 29, 2019.
 

2019-11-19

LIGHTer PhD Network course examination

Twelve LIGHTer PhD network students took part in the examination of the basic course – Lightweight materials and design on the 19th Nov, 2019. The examination was connected to the LIGHTer yearly conference, which was hold on the 20th and 21st November. All students presented their research, with an emphasis on industrial context and how it can contribute to the LIGHTer agenda. It was an intensive day with interesting presentations and exchange of ideas with fellow students, finishing with a casual and relaxed dinner together. 

2019-11-18

LIGHTer PhD Network Workshop

“Scientific writing and publishing with impact” – a LIGHTer PhD network workshop – was held on the 18th November in Gothenburg. The workshop was given by Dan Csontos from Elevate Scientific, former editor of Nature and Nature Physics. More than twenty PhD students from LIGHTer PhD network attended this one-day workshop, which contained Frame and story; Paper; Flow; and Publication. All attendees got the chance to critically analyse a few examples published in high impact journals, and also their own papers and abstracts. 

“It was one of the very applied workshops, which PhD students can really use”, commented Bharat Mehta.

2019-10-12

LIGTHer PhD Network basic course 2019-2020 started 

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), started with the first course theme on Materials Selection on the 8th and 9th of October 2019 in Gothenburg. Thirteen LIGHTer PhD network students from Högskolan Väst, Chalmers University of Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, and Luleå University of Technology joined the course theme. Associate Professor Fang Liu from Chalmers and Dr. Harald Hasselblad from Volvo Car Corporation (also LIGHTer Product Optimization) coordinated this course theme.
All the students presented their own research topics. Dr. Fredrik Stig, vice director of LIGHTer, gave a comprehensive overview on the strategic innovation program. Prof. Lars Nyborg from Chalmers (also a member of LIGHTer Academy) gave theoretical lectures on materials selection. A series of seminars were given by industry experts from Volvo Car Corporation, Drs Harald Hasselblad, Linnea Petersson, Henrik Molker, Joakim Zakrisson and Torbjörn Larsson. It was finished with a guided tour at the Durability Testing Facility by Lars-Erik Neikter. 
“The testing facility was very impressive. It was great to see something outside of our own research. The real world problems are more complicated, but exciting.” said Anok Babu Nagara, one of the course participants. 

2019-09-04

LIGHTer PhD network member Sergio Costa will defend his PhD thesis entitled “Physically based constitutive models for crash of composites” at Chalmers on September 6, 2019.

LIGHTer PhD network member Juan José Espadas Escalante will defend his PhD thesis entitled “On numerical analyses of woven composite laminates: homogenization, damage and fracture”, which will be taking place in Siegbahnsalen, Ångström Laboratory (Uppsala University) on September 13 at 09:15 a.m.
 

2019-06-03

A group of LIGHTer PhD network students, from Örebro University, Chalmers, KTH, LTU, and Uppsala University, visited MAX IV on the 3rd June in Lund. Prof. Malin Åkermo, who is a member of LIGHTer Academy, also joined the visit. MAX IV is one of the most powerful synchrotron radiation facilities in the world. It brings exciting opportunities to a wide spectrum of research fields, both fundamental and applied, academy- as well as industry-oriented. There were interesting talks given by scientists from MAX IV, Drs. Ana Labrador, Jan Knudsen, and Magus Larsson, Prof. Peter Hedström from KTH, and Dr. Nicolas Gueninchault from Zeiss. We finished the trip by visiting some of the beamlines in this world class facility. LIGHTer PhD network organized this visit, with great support from Dr Ana Labrador.  

19-05-24

LIGHTer PhD network member Anton Jansson from Örebro University will defend his PhD thesis in Mechanical Engineering on June 12, 2019 at 13:15, Hörsal T, Teknikhuset. The title of the thesis is: More Than a Shadow: Computed Tomography Method Development and Applications Concerning Complex Material Systems

2019-05-13

LIGHTer PhD Network will make a study visit to MAX IV on the 3rd of June in Lund. MAX IV is one of the most powerful synchrotron radiation facilities in the world. It brings exciting opportunities to a wide spectrum of research fields, both fundamental and applied, academy- as well as industry-oriented. With this visit, we would like to provide an insight into this world class facility for the PhD students and alumni within LIGHTer PhD Network. Therefore, there will be talks given by scientists from MAX IV and experienced users in relevant research fields. We hope that after the students see and know more about the facility, they can start to think about how to make use of the facility in their present and future research. We strongly believe that the study visit will benefit the members in the PhD Network and ultimately contribute to innovative lightweight solutions.

2019-05-01

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), had its fifth course theme on 24th and 25th of April. Theoretical lectures were given at Luleå University of Technology by Prof. Mats Oldenburg, Hans Åhlin and Fredrik Larsson including hands on simulation of thermo-mechanical forming. Seminars and industry visit took place at Gestamp Hardtech.

2019-04-10

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), had its fourth course theme on 27th and 28th of March. Theoretical lectures were given in Trollhättan by Dr. Andreas Lundbäck and Dr. Eva-Lis Odenberger from Luleå University of Technology. A museum tour was performed at the SAAB Car Museum and industry seminars and visits took place at GKN Aerospace Sweden in Trollhättan and Brogren Industries in Älvängen.

2019-02-27

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), had its third course theme on February 12 and 13 at DIAB AB in Laholm. We spend the first day at Lögnas Gård just outside Laholm having theoretical lectures on composite materials, sandwich structures and the basics of cellular solids. On the second day we all went to DIAB and were given an introduction to DIAB by Carl-Johan Lindholm and then Jerry Stigson told us about how to make foam materials. We went through the entire factory seeing how foam is made in practice, from the mixing of the raw materials all the way to how the finished foam is cut, sanded and delivered. Peter Norlin then presented how the foam is used and sandwich structures are designed for different industrial applications. The day was concluded by a very interesting demonstration on vacuum infusion is done in real life.

LIGHTer Ph.D.-students enjoying the vacuum infusion demonstration.

2018-12-27

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), had its second course theme on December 4-5 at Saab AB in Linköping. Theoretical lectures on composite materials were given on the first day by Dan Zenkert (KTH) and Per Hallander (Saab). On the second day we all were given an overview from Per-Olof Marklund on what Saab is doing as a company and how different career paths are provided by Saab. We were then given some more detailed insights into how composites are manufactured by Per Hallander and Mikael Petersson. This was followed by a visit to the composites manufacturing workshop at Saab were could see everything “in real life”.

The next course theme will be given at DIAB AB in Laholm on February 12-13.

2018-11-20

Workshop

LIGHTer PhD network workshop on ”presentation techniques” was held on the 20th November in Stockholm, given by experts from Elevate Scientific. 30 PhD students from LIGHTer PhD network and researchers from LIGHTer Academy registered and attended this one-day workshop, which contained Story building; Design, and Delivery. All attendees got the chance to exercise all these aspects on their own presentations, and finally presented in the very concise Pechakucha style. Everyone brought home with them insights on the systematic methodology, many new ideas, and useful tips on scientific presentation. 

2018-11-19

Examination of the Basic Course 2017-2018

LIGHTer PhD network basic course 2017-2018 examination was held on the 19th November in Stockholm. 11 PhD students took the examination, presenting their research results, in particular relating their research with LIGHTer Agenda, sharing their ideas about how their research can better contribute to lightweight. The students took the good opportunity of the event and the dinner afterwards to further exchange ideas.

2018-11-05

LIGTHer PhD Network basic course 2018-2019 started

The LIGHTer PhD Network basic course, “LIGTHER – Lightweight materials and design” (6hp), started with the first course theme on Materials Selection on the 30th and 31st of October 2018 in Gothenburg. Twelve new graduate students within LIGHTer PhD network joined the course. Dr. Fredrik Stig, vice director of LIGHTer Program, gave a comprehensive overview on this strategic innovation program. Theoretical lectures was given by Prof. Lars Nyborg from Chalmers. A series of seminars were given by industry experts from Volvo Car Corporation, Andreas Carlsson, Richard Johansson, Fredrik Edgren, and Torbjörn Larsson. It was finished with an exhibition tour at the Brand Experience Centre of Volvo Car Corporation. Associate Professor Fang Liu from Chalmers and Dr. Harald Hasselblad from Volvo Car Corporation coordinated this course theme.

2018-11-02

The PhD student Wilhelm Johannisson has written a popular science article about structural batteries. The popular science article can be found as a pdf below (in Swedish), whereas the full scientific paper* is available at:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.08.044

*Authors: Wilhelm Johannisson, Niklas Ihrner, Dan Zenkert, Mats Johansson, David Carlstedt, Leif Asp & Fabian Sieland

2018-10-30

The international LIGHTer PhD network workshop took place at Fraunhofer IWS Dresden in Germany within Additive Manufacturing on the 4th of October 2018. The workshop included presentations on the process chain of AM, lab tour and hands on tests finalized with a workshop dinner on the evening. The workshop was open to the LIGHTer PhD network and LIGHTer Academy but also allowed external participants to join. 

LIGHTer offers several doctoral courses in collaboration with a number of universities in lightweight technologies for members in LIGHTer PhD network. The courses content and information about each course can be found below.

Participants in the operation and development of PhD Network, together with industry contacts participating in the general course in lightweight technology are presented below.

The application process

In order to qualify for the network, you as a student must perform research on aspects relevant to the Swedish Lightweight Agenda published by LIGHTer. The agenda is available online. Please note that it in the application process is specifically asked for a motivation of how your research is relevant to the lightweight agenda. Please note that motivation will be used in the selection process of candidates. 
 
In order to apply, please use the dedicated application form below.