FRT

Physical Resource Theory

The research at Physical Resource Theory has it roots in physics. To start with, the research was focused on the transformation of physical resources (material, energy and land) in natural and societal systems. Today the research is more interdisciplinary and aims at building knowledge about how to transform the society in a more sustainable direction. The goal is to conduct research that are relevant to society and meet high scientific standard in all our research areas:

Sustainable transport & mobility​​

Analyses options for sustainable transport including alternative fuels, electric and autonomous technology, and innovative mobility solution. The group applies both qualitative and quantitative tools and evaluates policy options that support sustainable transport futures.

Energy Systems Analysis ​

This research area primarily includes modeling and analysis of future energy and transport systems. Examples include how to design a renewable electricity system and how greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated cost-effectively.
Sustainable land use & bioeconomy ​
This research group addresses questions around society’s use of land and biomass resources, within a broad sustainability perspective.

The research group on sustainable consumption addresses a wide range of interdisciplinary research topics related to societal and individual consumption patterns, including carbon footprints, rebound effects, time use, well-being, and policy instruments​. 
Navigating sustainability transitions ​

The research group conducts research in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration on how complex sustainability transitions can be guided in practice with an emphasis on backcasting and societal labs. The group has co-founded and built up Chalmers Initiative for Innovation and Sustainability Transitions and their own testbed Challenge Lab​

Development of methodology and models for studies of societal systems ​

The groups research aims at improved understanding of systems composed by interacting agents in society. This includes model development of energy systems transitions and bridges to more applied areas within the division.

Complex systems include theory and model development for analysis of collective phenomena in nature and society, for example in statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics, as well as in ecological, evolutionary, and societal systems.

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​Educatio​n​​
We offer courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and are involved in two international master's programs: Industrial Ecology and Complex Adaptive Systems. 
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Published: Tue 11 Jun 2019.