Three Chalmers University of Technology Projects Receive Grants from Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has granted significant funding to three research projects at Chalmers University of Technology, spanning natural sciences and engineering. The foundation supports a total of 30 projects nationwide, with three selected from Chalmers.

The awarded projects are led by Associate Professor Julia Wiktor, Professor Timur Shegai, and Professor Floriana Lombardi. These initiatives were chosen through an international peer-review process, recognizing their high scientific potential for future discoveries.

Associate Professor Julia Wiktor's project focuses on enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells and optoelectronic devices. The research aims to understand and control interface phenomena at the atomic level to develop more stable and efficient solar cells. This collaborative effort, involving researchers from Chalmers and Linköping University, receives SEK 25 million.

Professor Timur Shegai's research explores the synergy between nanofotonics and chemistry, utilizing microcavities and nanofluidics to improve photochemical reactions. The goal is to develop novel, environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing pharmaceuticals, remediating soil, and advancing sustainable energy solutions. This project is funded with SEK 24 million.

Professor Floriana Lombardi's work addresses the pursuit of room-temperature superconductivity, a long-standing challenge in physics. Her project investigates quantum geometry and flat bands in materials like bilayer graphene, which could potentially revolutionize energy technologies and enable the integration of quantum computers. This grant supports fundamental research in the field.