At TechMark Arena 2026 – a master thesis school at RISE.

We are looking for a student for a Master Thesis project at RISE working within a transdisciplinary environment of the TechMark Arena 2026 focusing on the “electrification of pulp and wood components”.

About Digital Cellulose Center
Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) is a VINNOVA competence center with the vision of establishing an internationally competitive research environment, being coordinated by RISE. The environment provides expertise and infrastructure for industry-driven, excellent R&D in the area of digital cellulose-based products, which aims to make products an integrated part of the future sustainable, digital society and contribute to growth for Swedish industry. With DCC as a hub between industry and academia, Sweden has a leading role in bringing together research and industry and creating value for a sustainable society.

Background
Adhesives, commonly referred to as glues, play a vital yet often overlooked role in the functionality and durability of countless everyday products. From the packaging that protects our food to the smartphones we rely on, glues are essential for assembling, sealing, and maintaining structural integrity. Their versatility spans across industries, enabling the creation of lightweight, compact, and aesthetically pleasing designs without the need for mechanical fasteners.

With an increased demand for recyclability, simple methods to separate and sort components become important. E.g. printed electronic labels on paper board packaging requires low cost solutions that separates the two products into different recycling streams. In this project we will explore how an interactive biobased glue can be used to automate future separation and sorting at the recycling station.

Project research topics
Biobased electronics is an emerging field of research because it represents a novel intersection of material science, sustainability and electronics. Biobased electronics utilize renewable materials, such as starch, cellulose, lignin, and biobased carbons, instead of traditional silicon or petroleum-based polymers. This new paradigm may help reducing environmental impact, enable biodegradable devices and support circular economy principles. In this project we will focus on thermoplastic and moisture-curing adhesives and how the glueing properties may change when exposed to microwaves or electrical currents. The imbue interactive properties we will consider adding particles that are known to interact with microwaves and electrical currents, such as graphene, biochar, and iron oxide.

The biobased electronic products in this project are manufactured using standard printing technologies such as screen-printing, inkjet printing where metal or carbon electrodes are patterned on different substrates. Sensing material based on graphene or combination of cellulose/graphene composites are deposited over electrodes. Their aim is to monitor physical parameters such as moisture and temperature.

Project activities

This diploma work comprises:

• Literature survey

• Defining the scope of the study

• Collection of interactive particles such as biobased graphene, biochar and iron oxide

• Experimental trials on the preparation of an interactive glue responsive to microwaves and / or electric currents

• Analysis and interpretation of the results

• Making a demonstrator of the interactive properties in a relevant context e.g. construction product, printed electronics, packaging

• Writing a report

• Presenting the findings to an external audience

Student profile
You have an interest in materials, electronics and/or design. You should be MSc student in the fields of materials science, electronics engineering, physics, or design.

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 are a strong plus.

Terms
Credits: 30 points
Compensation: 30 000 SEK after project completion and approval.
Location and start date: RISE Bioeconomy is located at Drottning Kristinas Väg 61, Stockholm. Master’s thesis starts in January 2026.

Supervisory team at RISE
Main supervisor: Hjalmar Granberg, hjalmar.granberg@ri.se
Co-supervisors: Abhilash Sugunan, Marielle Henriksson

Interested? Send in your application (CV and motivation letter) no later than November 27th.

Master Thesis, RISE, Biomaterials, Electronics, Digitalization, Recycling, Interactive