Four projects originating from research at Chalmers University of Technology have been included on the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) 2026 Research2Business List. The list highlights Swedish research projects with strong potential to generate tangible societal impact through innovation, commercialisation and collaboration.
This year’s list includes 30 research projects from 13 Swedish higher education institutions across fields such as AI and autonomous systems, life science, energy, quantum technology, digital technology, materials engineering and software development.
“The list is proof that Sweden has outstanding research with great potential to improve the world through new technology. However, the step from promising research projects to commercialisation requires the right conditions, partnerships and investments. That is where I hope IVA can play a role,” says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Professor and CEO of IVA.
“The inclusion of four Chalmers-affiliated projects on IVA’s List of Research Impact demonstrates both the breadth and the strength of our research. The projects address important societal challenges in areas such as the environment, health and industrial transformation, and they all share the potential to translate new knowledge into solutions that deliver real benefits to society. It is also a strong endorsement of the innovative capacity at the university and of the value of combining scientific excellence with collaboration, entrepreneurship and commercialisation,” says Mats Lundqvist, Vice President for Utilisation, Innovation and Lifelong Learning at Chalmers University of Technology.
The four projects address key societal challenges in sustainable wastewater treatment, future healthcare, green industry and future fuel cells.
Sensor for smarter wastewater treatment
Professor Oskar Modin at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering is leading the development of a bio electrochemical sensor that can provide wastewater treatment plants with reliable real-time information about readily biodegradable organic matter – a crucial parameter for efficient phosphorus and nitrogen removal.
Today, treatment plants often lack this information, meaning that operational control is based on an incomplete understanding of the treatment processes, which can lead to unnecessary use of energy and chemicals. The new sensor enables dynamic control of biological treatment processes, resulting in more stable operation, lower energy consumption and improved resource recovery. The technology is currently being tested at pilot scale and has the potential to become an important tool for future circular and climate-neutral wastewater treatment.
Contact-free respiratory monitoring for improved rehabilitation
Associate Professor Xuezhi Zeng at the Department of Electrical Engineering is developing a portable and cost-effective solution for contact-free monitoring of respiratory movements across the chest and abdomen.
By providing healthcare professionals with more detailed information about patients’ breathing patterns, the technology can contribute to earlier detection of abnormalities, better long-term monitoring and more personalised rehabilitation. The goal is a CE-marked medical device that can be used in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals to home-based follow-up care, while reducing the need for resource-intensive examinations.
Real-time measurement of alkali metals supports green industry
Postdoctoral researcher Viktor Andersson at the Department of Energy and Environment has developed a technology that makes it possible to measure alkali metals in real time and at extremely low concentrations.
Although alkali metals often occur only in small amounts, they can cause major problems in industrial processes related to carbon capture, bioenergy and recycling. By making these substances visible in real time, the technology can contribute to more stable operations, longer material lifetimes and lower resource consumption. The research has been further developed through the company Alkion Technologies AB and is already being used in applications including energy production and emissions monitoring.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell system for Nordic Drones
Dr. Deliphan Mahenthiran, Research Engineer at Chalmers Next Labs, is developing a hydrogen fuel cell system that triples flight time for drones, making them available for critical missions in harsh Nordic conditions.
Current drones are limited by short battery life, restricting use in logistics, emergency response, and monitoring. This project develops a lightweight hydrogen fuel cell system that can enable drones to fly 3× longer in Nordic conditions down to –15 °C. This power system can open new opportunities across industries — enabling medical sample delivery between rural clinics and hospitals, logistics to remote islands, infrastructure inspection, and surveillance missions.
About IVA’s List of Research Impact
IVA’s List of Research Impact aims to strengthen Sweden’s ability to transform academic research in engineering and technology into innovation, societal benefit and competitiveness. The selected projects are considered to have strong potential to contribute solutions to important societal challenges through commercialisation, new companies and practical implementation.
Read more about this year’s list on IVA’s website.