Martin Andersson – founder of the Master’s Programme in Sustainable Energy Engineering and Director of Studies, Department of Energy Sciences

What is your educational background?

"I have a Master's in Environmental Engineering from Lund University (2007) and a PhD in Heat Transfer from Lund University (2011). Additionally, I studied in Innsbruck, Austria as an exchange student from 2004–2005 and I was a visiting PhD student in China in 2010. The title of docent was awarded at Lund University in 2014. I was granted a Marie Curie Fellowship in 2015, which is one of Europe’s most competitive and prestigious awards aimed at fostering interdisciplinary research and international collaborations. I was a guest professor at the research centre Jülich in Germany between 2015 and 2019, and I have also been adjunct professor at University of Electronic Science and Engineering of China (UESTC) in Chengdu, China since 2017. I am currently working as associate professor and director of studies at the Department of Energy Sciences at Lund University."

What drew you to a career in academia?

"The combination of cutting-edge research, teaching, and educational development in a strongly international environment. My work is strongly multifaceted, and provides many possibilities for personal development."  

What are your research interests?

"My research concerns analysis of heat and mass transfer and other transport phenomena in fuel cells. Numerical calculation methods have been developed to enable predictions of various transport processes in flow channels for the fuel and the oxidant in fuel cells, the electrochemical reactions in fuel cells, and their effects on energy and mass balances. My current research interests are focused on a comprehensive understanding of chemical reactions and nano-/micro-structured porous material effects on various transport processes in various components of fuel cell systems. Since my PhD, I have collaborated with universities, research institutes and companies on three continents."

What are your most recent publications?

"My list of publications can be found in the Lund University Publications database."

See Martin's publications in the Lund University Publications database.  

What is your driving force as a teacher?

"To prepare my students for tomorrow's world. More specifically, this means providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to build a sustainable (energy) society. I particularly like the coupling of teaching and research."  

Is there any cutting-edge research going on in the department that the students benefit from? If yes, how?

"For students interested in the vehicle track; the Department of Energy Science has world-leading laboratory facilities, where an interested student may carry out his or her Master's thesis." 

How would you describe the programme to a prospective student?

"Our programme provides a technical focus on the technology that is required for a future sustainable energy society."

Could you give concrete examples of student–industry interaction during the programme?

"We have study visits and/or guest lectures with people from the industry in most courses. The Master's thesis project may be carried out in close connection with the industry."