About the project

Objective
This project develops two key areas of smart societies related to the role of digital technologies in academic research and practices and society at large. These two areas concern ethics, norms, and values around digitalization in society and digitalization research that supports deep transition, including how research conferences can be part of such transitions. These aspects form the two work packages in the project: (1) Public culture, public space and digitalization in society, and (2) Organization and sustainability of the ICT4S 2024 conference. In this work, the project combines knowledge from architecture, philosophy, media technology, and environmental strategies and future studies.

  1. Public culture, public space and digitalisation in society
    For digitalization to be “good” in the broader, societal sense (i.e. where good is shorthand for increased well-being, quality of life, justice, fairness, democracy, and sustainability), the development and implementation of the technology need to be informed by ethical analysis and sensitive to stakeholder values. In short, it must be developed to be compatible with an open, democratic society. Digitalization processes, therefore, need to engage with norms, values, habits, perceptions, and practices in society. Engaging with public culture is a way both to find acceptance and to increase uptake. We will begin by conducting an in-depth investigation of how digitalization is both forming its own public space and affecting existing public spaces as sites of negotiation of public culture. Approaching these issues through the lens of “public culture” enables the researchers to acknowledge that while these perceptions are entangled, inter-subjective and negotiated in character, they can and should inform and complement the more abstract analysis of societal ethics and values.
  2. Organization and sustainability of the ICT4S 2024 conference
    Currently, there are few arenas for interdisciplinary research meetings on digitalization for sustainability (D4S or Information and Communications Technology for sustainability, ICT4S). Even if there is a growing interest among digitalization researchers, research tends to focus on certain solutions or specific areas, whereas a broader take on how digitalization can support society in a sustainable direction is rare. The ICT4S conferences are an attempt to create such an arena. This part of the project aims to support the ICT4S 2024 conference in Stockholm and to make the conference relevant for a larger part of Digital Futures and a larger digitalization for a sustainable society. Moreover, the aim is to explore how research conferences, in general, can be more sustainable from mainly an environmental perspective.

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The project is a collaboration between the School of Architecture, Philosophy and History, Strategic Sustainability Studies and Media Technology and Interaction Design (MID) at KTH.

About the project

Objective
This Seed project allows three groups – Prevent, Nano and Trauma – to prepare one larger grant application each, preferably to the ERC ( European Research Council) Synergy program.

Background
Prevent: A key to improving global health is to prevent diseases, but even for those with a known high risk, it remains a challenge to intervene before an illness arises. The purpose of our project is the creation of molecular home-sampled digital diaries to enable the prevention of diseases using the case study of Type 1 diabetes. We propose to build these diaries on frequent blood micro-sampling and reveal the changes in the circulating proteome during the pre-symptomatic stage. Applying artificial intelligence (AI) to such data will uncover the mechanisms behind the onset and possible interventions of T1D. While this project is focused on T1D, we expect our results to apply to many more diseases and provide a unique bridge for clinical care at home.

Nano: Detecting and identifying biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins at the single molecule level have exciting applications for biology, medicine, and data storage. Solid-state nanopores (ssNPs) have emerged as powerful electrical devices for detecting biomolecules at the single-molecule level. However, the realization of solid-state pores with sub-10 nm diameters remains a major obstacle to practical applications. The translocation of biomolecules through solid-state nanopores is too fast to permit reliable molecule sensing. To address these limitations, we aim to push the frontiers of solid-state nanopore sensors for detecting, fingerprinting, and sequencing biomolecules. For scalable manufacturing of nanogaps and pores with controllable diameters ranging from 1-20 nm, we will utilize an original crack-lithography methodology conceived by our teams (Stemme and Herland) [1, 2]. We will explore dynamic protein interactions of different existing affinity pairs (Hober) using our pores. Furthermore, we will develop novel model-based machine learning methods to classify biomolecules from the noisy nanopore sensor signals (Jaldén).

Trauma: Abusive head trauma (AHT) (also called Shaken Baby Syndrome) is a leading cause of fatality in infants who experience a non-accidental injury. The financial cost of AHT is substantial, not to mention the tragedies for the surviving infants facing life-long disabilities. Its diagnosis is often subjective and highly controversial. It has challenged clinicians and forensic practitioners during the past 60 years, often arousing heated debates that are ongoing today, including an intensive debate in Sweden. This project aims to bring multidisciplinary expertise to develop innovative tools toward an objective diagnosis of AHT by integrating computational biomechanics, biomedical sensors, advanced imaging, and legal aspects.

Another important focus of this project naturally connected to the work on AHT is to develop two innovative devices: (1) a new approach to prevent pre-term neonate intracranial ventricular haemorrhage (IVH); (2) a new protective headband for babies at the learn-to-walk stage.

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The researchers in the team represent the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University from Digital Futures Working Group Rich and Healthy Life.

About the project

Objective
The Responsible Digital Assessment Futures in Higher Education (REFINE) project aims to envision digital assessment futures by unpacking the opportunities and challenges that digital assessment brings to higher education for students’ improved learning. It specifically focuses on stakeholders directly and indirectly involved in the design and implementation of effective and responsible digital assessment practices. The project addresses the following research questions:

  1. What are teachers’ experiences of digital assessment in higher education?
  2. Which are the key opportunities and challenges (e.g., legal, ethical, organizational, technical, and pedagogical) of trusted digital assessment?

In this project, a mixed-method human-centred approach will be undertaken. An online national survey will be distributed to educators across several higher education institutions in Sweden. Two workshops will follow this with stakeholders – educators, lawyers, managers, and system developers – involved in designing and implementing digital assessment in higher education. By adopting a multi-stakeholder perspective, we aim to address several key challenges of digital assessment and suggest ways forward for students’ improved learning, improved learner support and teaching in the post-pandemic higher education setting.

The project will be a collaborative effort by a group of researchers from KTH and Stockholm University, representing the departments of Digital Learning, Media Technology and Interaction Design, Network and Systems Engineering at KTH and the Department of Computer and Systems Science at Stockholm University. All project members have much-needed complementary expertise and knowledge in technology-enhanced learning, organizational aspects of higher education, assessment, learning analytics and responsible approaches related to the use of digital tools and student data in higher education.

The outcomes of this seed project will contribute to digital assessment research and practice.

  1. First, it will enhance our understanding of current digital assessment practice and their associated challenges and opportunities in the setting of Swedish higher education.
  2. Second, based on this understanding, a set of recommendations for sustainable future digital assessment practices will be offered.
  3. Third, it will provide a foundation for creating and advancing competitive research proposals on digital assessment futures.

Background
Effective assessment practices are central to student learning and academic achievement. Whereas online assessment forms have to some degree, been present prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional examination forms had a stronghold within higher education and have often been the preferred way of assessing students. Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in the use of digital assessment, including formative and summative digital assessment practices in higher education.

In this regard, scholars and practitioners have shown some of the advantages of adopting digital assessment tools, such as personalized and accurate assessment, but also concerns, including issues of ethics, privacy, fairness, trust and security associated with the use of digital assessment tools (e.g., proctoring software).

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The researchers in the team represent the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University.

About the project

Objective
The overall goal of this seed project is to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive EU and national research proposal aimed at advancing Industry 5.0, focusing on promoting a green transition through digitalization, fostering collaboration between specialists and stakeholders in industrial systems, and facilitating innovative business transformations. The project aspires to make a significant impact on sustainability and resource efficiency across various industries by exploring how digitalization can support CO2 and waste reduction through a circular transformation.

Based on this goal, we propose the following objectives:

Background
Industry 4.0 has shifted the manufacturing industries significantly towards digitalization. It uses cyber-physical systems to integrate information and communication technologies into production and automation. This has transformed industrial practices greatly, but it has lacked focus on social aspects. In addition, industries will have to meet the climate and sustainability targets. Industry 5.0 – or Society 5.0 – aims to address social and sustainability challenges with the help of the integration of physical and virtual spaces that would be achieved by Industry 4.0. Together with technological evolution, the societal characteristics of the social generations have evolved, too. Now, we put the attention to the industrial transformation from the technology-centric view of Industry 4.0 towards a socio-technical and sustainable view of Industry 5.0.

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The project will engage a mix of experts and stakeholders through workshops and funding proposal development. It is designed to unite various disciplines in driving forward the vision of Industry 5.0 and the green transition.

About the project

Objective
In this seed project, we aim to develop a roadmap starting from Industry 4.0 (launched in 2011) to reach Industry 5.0 with a forward-looking agenda with 2030 as a target. The aim is to develop the Roadmap for Industry 5.0 and beyond, which drives sustainability. The main objectives of the project include,

The scope of the project is wide and varied. This calls for a diverse network of people working on this project. Therefore, we have put together a strong team of professors, assistant professors, researchers, and post-docs representing two different schools and several departments at KTH. The Industrial digitalization workgroup and reference group support this diverse project team. The project’s results, i.e., the roadmap, will enable industries and academia to guide toward Industry 5.0. This pioneering research work will also help KTH enhance its education and research profiles.

Background
Industry 4.0 has shifted the manufacturing industries greatly towards digitalization. It uses cyber-physical systems to integrate information and communication technologies into production and automation. This has greatly transformed industrial practices but lacked focus on social aspects. In addition, industries will have to meet climate and sustainability targets. Industry 5.0 – or Society 5.0 – aims to address social and sustainability challenges with the help of the integration of physical and virtual spaces that would be achieved by Industry 4.0. Together with technological evolution, the societal characteristics of the social generations have evolved, too. Now, we focus on the industrial transformation from the technology-centric view of Industry 4.0 towards a socio-technical and sustainable view of Industry 5.0.

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The team’s researchers represent several KTH Royal Institute of Technology departments.

Watch the recorded presentation at the Digitalize in Stockholm 2023 event:

About the project

Objective
The project aims to develop biodegradable recording platforms for digital technologies that capture biological signals and safely integrate them into life and the environment. This project develops the first example of a biodegradable technology that degrade after disposal by the action of specific enzymes. To reach such a goal, we pursue an interdisciplinary approach combining expertise in materials chemistry and rational polymer design, organic electronics (device fabrication), and biology (biodegradation and toxicity).

Background
As electronics become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, there is a growing demand for technologies that decompose after a period of stable operation without leaving a permanent mark (transience). For consumer electronics, such as digital packaging, biodegradable solutions are set to contribute towards the Swedish and EU goal of reducing waste and promoting greener technologies by 2030. A key challenge is to develop components combining stable operation in environmental conditions (humidity, pH, etc.) and safe biodegradation into non-toxic products.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration
The researchers in the team represent the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH SCI and the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology at KTH CBH.

Watch the recorded presentation at Digitalize in Stockholm 2022 event:

About the project

Objective
The project aims to develop the digital twins of the personalized human neuromusculoskeletal system by integrating the latest developments in personalized neuromusculoskeletal modelling, innovative biomass-based printable electronics, and simultaneous 3D ultrasound imaging. The breakthrough feature of integrating ultrasound transparent electrodes (Ultrasonic electrodes) into the digital twins’ framework opens a new window in real-time monitoring and supervision in personalized rehabilitation.

Background
It is estimated that 15% of the world population live with one or more disabling conditions, and more than 26% of those over 60 years of age. Impaired motor function is one of the major disabilities in which persons may lose their ability to perform daily activities and experience reductions in health-related quality of life. The management of complex disability largely relies on rehabilitation. In clinical practice, the supervision and the evaluation of a rehabilitation motion pattern remain a medical and engineering challenge due to the lack of biofeedback information about the effect of the rehabilitation motion on individual human biological tissues and structures.

Crossdisciplinary collaboration
The researchers in the team represent the Department of Engineering Mechanics at KTH SCI and the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology at KTH CBH.

Watch the recorded presentation at the Digitalize in Stockholm 2023 event: