NEWS The Swedish Research Council has awarded SEK 35 million to Markus Broström and Nils Skoglund to lead a research school in materials science focused on cementitious materials. Umeå University is establishing the research school in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and the MAX IV synchrotron at Lund University.
Nils Skoglund and Markus Broström are leading a new research school that will bring together expertise in cement-based materials.
ImageMagnus MikaelssonThe theme of the research school, known by the acronym RECEM, is how minerals can be processed to develop the next generation of cementitious materials and how mineral waste can be recycled. The research covers the entire chain – from extracted or recycled materials, through mineral processing, to low-carbon cement-based construction materials.
“Our goal is to create a national network of leading experts with strong international connections. We do this by bringing together prominent academic environments with complementary competences,” says Markus Broström at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics.
Rooted in materials science, the research school will address critical questions in mineral processing for sustainable cement production. Another aim is to provide the doctoral students with advanced analytical skills that can be applied in the mineral and mining processing industries.
Cement is one of our most commonly used building materials.
ImageMagnus Mikaelsson“This is a fantastic opportunity to gather national competence in materials science for cement-based materials and link it with world-leading analytical techniques,” says Nils Skoglund. “My experiences from the PRISMAS research school, led by MAX IV, clearly show how doctoral students are motivated by working in a larger context. As is evident from the Swedish Research Council’s decision, I believe that RECEM will become a national flagship project.”
RECEM will work within five focus areas and engage 14 doctoral students. Six of these will be admitted to Umeå University, and the others will be distributed evenly between Luleå University of Technology and Chalmers University of Technology. MAX IV contributes to advanced courses but also in roles as assistant supervisors, which ensures that the research school follows the latest developments in advanced analytical techniques.
“We now look forward to starting the recruitment process in spring 2026 and finding good candidates to build a successful research school together,” says Markus Broström.
