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Systems' Perspectives on Biomass Resources is an academic course about placing bio-based technologies and process into context via systems analysis. Elisabeth Wetterlund in insert. Artwork: No copying or sharing permitted.

Course Start: Systems’ Perspectives on Biomass Resources

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The Bio4Energy Graduate School welcomes PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and other participants interested in biomass resources, biorefineries and sustainable bio-based systems to the course Systems Perspectives on Biomass Resources.

The course explores how systems thinking and systems analysis can be used to evaluate the role of biomass in a sustainable society. Participants will gain insights into sustainability challenges, systems perspectives, and a range of analytical tools and methods, including energy systems modelling, environmental systems analysis, process integration and techno-economic evaluation.

The course combines lectures, workshops and project work. During the on-site week in Luleå, participants will engage in discussions, laboratory visits and collaborative activities designed to place their own research in a broader environmental, technical and societal context.

Edition 2026:

Course Information and Preliminary Schedule 
SPBR Info Sheet
Registration

Registration deadline: 30 September 2026

12th Cellulose workshop

12th Workshop on Cellulose

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The Cellulose Workshop 2026 is now open for abstract submissions. The workshop focuses on cellulose and related materials, with participation from both academia and industry.

This year’s keynote speakers are:

  • Miguel Sanchis Sebastiá (ShareTex)
  • Thomas Rosenau (BOKU University, Austria)

Abstract submission deadline: 31 May 2026.

More information is available on the workshop website: Cellulose Workshop

Bio4Energy

Registration open: Biorefinery Pilot Research (5 ECTS)

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Bio4Energy’s flagship training course, delivered in collaboration with industrial partners along the northern Swedish east coast, focuses on biorefinery production and the innovative use of biomass.

Registration for the 2026 course is now open.

Course schedule

  • 7–11 September – Umeå and Örnsköldsvik
  • 22–23 September – Piteå
  • 19 October – Umeå (on site or remote participation available)

Registration

Bio4Energy Researchers’ Summer Meeting 2026

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Bio4Energy researchers meet twice a year to share progress and strengthen collaboration across platforms.

This year’s meeting is hosted by the Biopolymer and Polymer Chemistry (BioPolChem) platform. The programme includes platform presentations, invited speakers, and short presentations by PhD students and postdocs.

The meeting is hosted at Medlefors Hotel & Conference, Skellefteå, a beautifully situated venue. You are warmly invited to join the meeting.

Programme

Registration

 

Hybrid Aspen

PhD Thesis Defence: Physiological and molecular responses to nitrogen-stimulated cambial growth in aspen

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Thesis title: Physiological and molecular responses to nitrogen-stimulated cambial growth in aspen

Supervisors: Prof. Hannele Tuominen, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Umeå

Opponent: Prof. Andrea Polle, University of Göttingen, Germany


Link: Anna Renström -Thesis

For more information, see the press release published on the Bio4Energy websites.

PhD Thesis Defence: From Wood to Advanced Materials

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Thesis title: From Wood to Advanced Materials: Multifunctional TEMPO-Oxidized Wood Nanofibril Networks as Wound Dressings and Energy Storage Device Separators

Supervisors:
Assoc Prof. Linn Berglund, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science, Luleå University of Technology

Prof. Kristiina Oksman, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science, Luleå University of Technology

Opponent: Prof. Chunlin Xu, Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo Akademi University


DiVa link: Yagmur Bas -Thesis

For more information, see the press release published on the Bio4Energy websites.

Biocarbon photographed in a research laboratory at Umeå University, Sweden. Photo by Eva Weidemann.Courtesy Eva Weidemann, Bio4Energy

Licentiate Seminar in Energy Engineering: Biocarbon production in fluidized bed reactors

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Thesis title: Biocarbon production in fluidized bed reactors

Supervisor:
Prof. Kentaro Umeki, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology

Opponent: Prof. Oskar Karlström, Mechanical and Materials Engineering Dept, University of Turku


DiVa link: Arango Durango, Eduardo

Participants at a workshop in Rusagara village, Rwanda, in July 2024, where results from one of the studies included in García-López’s doctoral thesis were presented to local households (top, photo: Natxo García-López). A portrait of García-López is shown in the upper right corner (photo: Umeå University). The instrumental setup developed at Umeå University for experimental work in rural Rwanda is displayed on the left (photo: Natxo García-López). In the middle, García-López is preparing portable instrumentation (micro-aethalometer) for field measurements (photo: Sabine Ingabire). On the right, an improved rocket stove, fueled with sticks, is shown in operation during field measurements (photo: Natxo García-López).

PhD Thesis Defence: Toward cleaner cooking and energy security in rural sub-Saharan Africa

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Thesis title: Toward cleaner cooking and energy security in rural sub-Saharan Africa: assessing sustainable bioenergy systems, biomass cookstove emissions, and particle properties

Supervisors:
Prof. Markus Broström, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University
Assoc. Prof. Christoffer Boman, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University
Assoc. Prof. Cecilia Sundberg, Department of Energy and Technology, SLU, Uppsala
Assoc. Prof. Gert Nyberg, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU, Umeå

Opponent: Assoc. Prof. Aneta Wierzbicka, Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University


DiVa link: Natxo García-López-Thesis

For more information, see the press release published on the Bio4Energy websites.

Back in days timber logs were often transported by waterways. A built up illustration of the beginnings of timber transport in northern Sweden. Photo by Anna Strom ©2023.©AnnaStrom

Course Start: Historical, Technological and Societal Background

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Historical, technological and societal background to forestry and forest-based biorefining in Nordic countries, 4.5 ETCS — Bio4Energy Graduate School

Umeå University

Bio4Energy Researchers’ Meeting, 19–20 November 2025

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Bio4Energy researchers meet twice a year to share progress, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for collaboration. This autumn’s meeting will include a special focus on early-career researchers, with dedicated time for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to present their work and connect with colleagues across the programme.

The meeting will take place on 20 November 2025 at Carl Kempe-salen (KB.E3.03), KBC Building, Umeå University, from 08:30 to 16:00. An optional joint dinner will be held on the evening before, 19 November, at a local restaurant (venue to be announced).

Programme

Registration

We look forward to seeing you!