INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF HYDROMETALLURGY

This course addresses the urgent need to transition metallurgical industries towards sustainable, carbon-free practices. Designed for industrial professionals and researchers, it provides comprehensive understanding of both environmental impacts and cutting-edge technological solutions transforming metal production. The curriculum begins with the context and imperative for sustainable metallurgy within global climate frameworks. You will explore alternative reduction technologies, studying hydrogen-based processes, electrolysis, and innovative techniques while evaluating your technical feasibility and real-world applications. The course examines sustainable energy integration challenges, focusing on renewable sources, storage technologies, and grid strategies essential for industrial implementation. Special attention is given to hydrogen's revolutionary role in metallurgy, covering production methods, applications in metal processing, safety considerations, and infrastructure requirements. Through a culminating entrepreneurial project, you will develop innovative solutions by forming interdisciplinary teams to address specific challenges, creating business plans and presentations while maintaining reflective learning journals. This transformative educational experience builds both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to become an effective change agent driving the decarbonization of metallurgical processes—an essential step toward industry's sustainable future. Course content Mapping Emissions in Metallurgical Systems  Low-Carbon & CO₂-Free Metallurgy Technologies Integrating Hydrogen & Renewables into Metallurgical Operations  Infrastructure, Supply-Chain Logistics & Plant Retrofitting You will learn to Analyze the environmental impact of traditional metallurgical processes and articulate the strategic importance of CO₂-free alternatives within global climate frameworks Evaluate breakthrough hydrogen-based reduction technologies, electrolysis methods, and other innovative approaches for sustainable metal production Develop strategies for integrating renewable energy sources into metallurgical operations, addressing intermittency and storage challenges Apply comprehensive technical and economic assessment methods to evaluate the feasibility of implementing carbon-neutral solutions in industrial settings Design transformation roadmaps for existing metallurgical facilities transitioning to low-carbon production methods Lead change initiatives within organizations by applying entrepreneurial thinking to overcome technological, economic, and social barriers to sustainable metallurgy Target group The course is designed for professionals at the intersection of metallurgy and sustainability who are driving industrial transformation towards carbon neutrality. It's ideal for Industrial PhD students and researchers exploring sustainable metallurgical processes Process engineers and technical managers in metal production facilities Sustainability and environmental compliance specialists in metallurgical industries R&D professionals developing next-generation metal production technologies Industrial strategists planning long-term decarbonization pathways Technology developers and entrepreneurs working on clean-tech solutions for metals production

Kursperiod 1/11 till 19/12 2025 Innehåll Batterivärdekedjan: från processer uppströms till nedströms Åldrande batterier: Hur batterier förändras över tiden och vilka risker det är med. Toxicitet: Fokus på material och deras påverkan på miljö och hälsa. Säkerhetsaspekter: Riskbedömning och hantering av batterier i olika skeden av deras livscykel. Livscykelanalys: Miljö- och hållbarhetsperspektiv. Kursens upplägg Kursen kommer att ske som en synkron onlinekurs (fjärrundervisning) för maximal flexibilitet för deltagarna. Kursen kommer att innehålla onlineföreläsningar, diskussionstillfällen, ett kort individuellt projekt, skriftliga reflektioner. För att slutföra kursen krävs en arbetsinsats på ca 40 h. Du kommer att få kunskap om Kursdeltagaren kommer att lära sig följande: Grunderna för batterisäkerhetsfrågor och toxicitet längs batterivärdekedjan En introduktion till livscykelanalys Kunskaper för hantering av åldrande batterier Vem vänder sig kursen till? Kursen vänder sig till personer inom logistik, automation, energiproduktion och byggsektorn. Främst de som hanterar batterier i fordonsflottor, arbetar med säkerhets- och hållbarhetsfrågor inom fordonsindustrin, arbetar med integration av batterier i lokala och nationella energisystem/infrastruktur. Helst har deltagarna en utbildning inom teknik eller naturvetenskap. Deltagare bör ha vissa förkunskaper om batterier, genom teknisk/naturvetenskaplig universitetsutbildning, eller genom en grundläggande öppen kurs. 

Understanding and optimizing battery performance is crucial for advancing electrification, sustainable mobility, and renewable energy systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of battery performance, ageing processes, and modelling techniques to improve efficiency, reliability, and service life. Participants will explore battery operation from a whole-system perspective, including its integration in electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and energy grids. The course covers both physics-based and data-driven modelling approaches at the cell, module, and pack levels, equipping learners with tools to monitor, predict, and optimize battery performance in real-world applications. Through this course, you will gain the ability to assess battery health, model degradation, and evaluate second-life applications from both technical and economic standpoints. Course content Battery fundamentals and degradation mechanisms Battery modelling Battery monitoring and diagnostics Operational strategies for battery systems Techno-economic performance assessment Battery second-life applications   You will learn to: Explain the principles of battery operation and degradation mechanisms. Develop battery performance models using both physics-based and data-driven approaches. Apply methods for State of Health (SOH) estimation and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction. Analyze key factors influencing battery lifespan economics in different applications. Evaluate battery second-life potential and identify suitable applications. Target group: Professionals in energy, automotive, R&D, or sustainability roles Engineers and data scientists transitioning into battery technologies Technical specialists working with electrification, battery management systems, or energy storage

This course has an English version. Look for course with title "Why choose wood for the next high rise building?" KursbeskrivningOlika typer av biomaterial (t.ex. trä) är mycket viktiga i utmaningen att avkarbonisera byggmiljön och minska koldioxidavtrycket för byggnader och infrastruktur genom att ersätta material som stål och cement som har höga koldioxidutsläpp. Samtidigt får vi inte glömma bort att biologisk mångfald, natur och sociala värden i våra skogar är viktigt att behålla samtidigt som skogsbruk bedrivs. I kursens 13 moduler tas skogsbrukets kretslopp upp inklusive avverkningsmetoder, biologisk mångfald, skogsskötsel, logistik, skogens roll i klimatomställningen, kolinlagring, miljöfördelar med att bygga flervåningshus i trä mm. Syftet är att ni som deltar i kursen ska få en gemensam förståelse av det svenska skogsbruket för att ni sen ska kunna fatta välgrundade beslut om materialval vid nästa byggprojekt. KursperiodKursen kommer att vara aktiv under 3 år. InnehållSkogshistoria: Skogens nyttjande i Sverige genom historienSkogsbruksmetoder och skogsskötselSkogsföryngringVirkets egenskaperMätning av skog och virkeSkogsträdsförädling: nutid och framtidSkogens kolbalans och klimatetAffärsmodeller och marknadsutveckling: Fokus flervåningshus med trästommarNaturvård och biologisk mångfald i skogen Kursens uppläggKursen är helt digital med förinspelade föreläsningar. Du kan delta i kursen i din egen takt. Modulerna avslutas med quiz där du kan testa hur mycket du har lärt dig. Du kommer få kunskap omEfter avslutad kurs kommer du att ha lärt dig mer om olika skogliga begrepp, förvärvat kunskap om skogens nyttjande i Sverige genom historien, ökat dina kunskaper om skogsskötsel och hur olika skogsskötselmetoder påverkar den biologiska mångfalden i skogen, lärt dig om skogsbrukets kretslopp – från föryngring till slutavverkning mm. Vem vänder sig kursen till?Den här kursen är tänkt för dig som är yrkesverksam arkiktekt, anställd på kommun som arbetar med stadsplanering och byggande, verksam i bygg- och anläggningsbranschen samt verksam i andra relaterade yrken. Detta är en introduktionskurs och kommer att bidra till en kompetenshöjning i hela byggsektorns ekosystem vilket ökar branschens internationella konkurrenskraft, samtidigt som det ger viktiga förutsättningar för utvecklingen av framtidens hållbara, vackra och inkluderande städer. Eftersom kursen är öppen för alla hoppas vi att fler grupper, exempelvis studenter, doktorander, skogsägare och andra med skogsintresse tar kursen, tar del av inspirerande föreläsningar där vetenskaplig kunskap som producerats huvudsakligen inom SLU presenteras.För mer information kontakta kurskoordinator dimitris.athanassiadis@slu.se  

This course has a Swedish version. Look for a course with the title "Varför välja trä vid nästa byggprojekt?" Course DescriptionDifferent types of biomaterials (e.g., wood) are crucial in the challenge of decarbonizing the built environment and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure by replacing materials like steel and cement, which have high carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, we must not forget that it is important to preserve biodiversity and the social values of our forests. The 13 modules of the course cover many forestry related subjects, including harvesting methods, biodiversity, forest management, logistics, the role of forests in the climate transition, carbon storage, environmental benefits of multi-story buildings with wood, and more. The goal is that participants will gain a shared understanding of Swedish forestry so that they can make well-informed decisions about material choices for their next construction project. Course PeriodThe course will be active for 3 years. ContentForest history: The utilization of forests in Sweden throughout the past yearsForestry methods and forest managementForest regenerationWood propertiesForest mensurationForest tree breedingThe forest's carbon balanceBusiness models and market development: Focus on wood high risesNature conservation and biodiversity in the forest Course StructureThe course is fully digital with pre-recorded lectures. You can participate in the course at your own pace. Modules conclude with quizzes where you can test how much you have learned.You will learn aboutUpon completion of the course, you will have learned more about various forest-related concepts, acquired knowledge of forest utilization in Sweden throughout the past years, increased your understanding of forest management and how different management methods affect biodiversity in the forest, and learned about the forestry cycle—from regeneration to final harvesting, etc. Who is this course for?This course is designed for professionals such as architects, municipal employees working with urban planning and construction, individuals in the construction and civil engineering sector, and those in other related fields. This is an introductory course and will contribute to upskilling of the entire construction sector, thereby increasing the industry's international competitiveness while also providing important prerequisites for the development of future sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive cities. Since the course is open to everyone, we hope that more groups, such as students, doctoral candidates, forest owners, and others with an interest in forestry, will take the course and engage with inspiring lectures where scientific knowledge primarily produced within SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) is presented.For more iformation contact course coordinator dimitris.athanassiadis@slu.se 

Do you want to deepen your understanding of hydrogen gas behavior in various scenarios—and at the same time strengthen your role in the green transition? This course provides knowledge of both controlled and uncontrolled reactions in hydrogen systems, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and practical application. The course content is: ·       Unignited releasesExpanded and under-expanded jets ·       Ignition of hydrogen mixturesPiloted and spontaneous ignition ·       Deflagrations and detonationsVented and non-vented deflagrationsVented and non-vented detonationsDDT, deflagration to detonation transition ·       Jet flamesFroude-based correlationsBlow-off phenomenonJet flame characteristics Study hours40 hours distributed over 5 weeks SeminarsNovember, 14th at 11:00-12:30November, 28th at 11:00-12:30December, 12th at 11:00-12:30 Dates and times can be discussed online among participants once the course starts. It is ok to eat lunch during the seminars. Target groupThis course is aimed at professionals working in or entering fields related to safety of hydrogen handling and hydrogen infrastructure. Specifically, it is relevant for engineers and technical professionals in all fields where hydrogen is used. Entry requirementsBachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS, or equivalent, which includes courses of at least 60 ECTS in engineering and/or natural sciences. Alternatively other courses and practical experience. The latter can be validated through an interview or written test. ExaminationIn order to pass the course the student must:- Attend the three compulsory online meetings.- Write an essay which is reviewed by other students and approved by the teacher.- Pass four compulsory quizzes. Education providerLuleå University of TechnologyTeacher: Michael Först