WASP-WISE NEST 2: Joining Forces for Breakthrough Research

These large, joint projects span the thematic profiles of both WISE and WASP, addressing strategic, high-priority research challenges with international impact and visibility.

The call, announced in early spring 2026, received 43 applications, of which four projects now have been approved for funding. The total funding for the approved projects of this call reaches 95,3 MSEK in total, 47,6 MSEK from WISE and 47,7 MSEK from WASP.

Magnus Berggren and Olle Ericsson, Directors of WISE, said:

“The awarded projects bring together a diverse range of materials science challenges and sustainability perspectives, opening up exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary research. We look forward to seeing how these projects can generate new insights and strengthen the connections between materials science, sustainability, and WASP-related research.”

The aim of the NEST-projects is to continue the collaboration between WASP and WISE in the areas of AI, autonomous systems, and software and material science for sustainability in challenging research questions that require multidisciplinary efforts.

The funded projects are

• Enabling PFAS Destruction Through Neuro-Symbolic AI Discovery of Organic Photocatalysts (END-PFAS)
  Ergang Wang (CTH), Moa Johansson (CTH)
• Materials-Driven Smart Hydrogen Sensing: From Sensing Nanomaterials to Autonomous Leak Detection
  Martina Scolamiero (KTH), Zhen Zhang (UU)
• Bio-inspired intelligent sensor systems for harsh and hard-to-reach environments
  Anders Mikkelsen (LU), Fredrik Sandin (LTU)
• AIM-BATT: AI-assisted multi-fidelity battery design and management: from materials to systems
  Torsten Wik (CTH), Leiting Zhang (UU)

CTH – Chalmers University of Technology
LU – Lund University
LTU – Luleå University of Technology
UU – Uppsala University
KTH – KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Take at a look at our projects and get inspired!

Funded projects