Master's thesis: Graphene coatings on wood-based fasteners for sensor applications

About Digital Cellulose Center (DCC)
Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) is a VINNOVA competence center with the vision of establishing an internationally competitive research environment, being coordinated by RISE. The environment provides expertise and infrastructure for industry-driven, excellent R&D in the area of digital cellulose-based products, which aims to make products an integrated part of the future sustainable, digital society and contribute to growth for Swedish industry. With DCC as a hub between industry and academia, Sweden has a leading role in bringing together research and industry and creating value for a sustainable society.

Background
Bioeconomy division at RISE, with its infrastructure and leadership position as a global research institute in the field of wood technology, is well prepared to continue to push the conversion of an important part of the forest industry into digitalization of wood-based products. Digitization of the wood industry is a necessary step in reaching a sustainable, resource efficient forest industry with global products in a bio-based world economy.

In the construction and furniture industry there is a trend to increase the use of sensors to follow the "health" of the product over time. Sensors can for instance follow moisture content or stresses in the material and how it changes over time. Furthermore, European regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation will require Digital Passports to trace materials as a function of where it is in its lifecycle. The intention is to support the conversion of the economy from a linear economy to a circular economy and increase the use of recycled materials in products.

This project will explore the potential of coating wood-based fasteners with graphene-based materials with the purpose of developing in-situ sensors within wood-based products. The purpose is to identify different coating methods and study the performance of the coatings, in terms of electrical conductivity, adhesion to the substrate, and abrasion resistance. Then explore how such coatings can lead to in-situ sensors and what could be potential applications of various wood-based 'smart' products in the construction and furniture industries. The purpose is to develop a technology platform which can be further developed based on the results in the Master thesis.

Project research topics

• What is the status of in-situ sensors in wood-based fasteners?
• How can an in-situ sensor in wood-based fasteners be integrated in furniture and construction materials respectively?
• Explore different methods for graphene-based coatings on wood-based fasteners
• Explore and design a hypothetical wood-based sensor integrated into a chosen product.

Project activities

1. Literature survey
2. Design experiments to understand graphene-based materials coating on wood-based fasteners, using model surfaces
3. Carry out the experiments and evaluations (e.g. electrical conductivity, coating adhesion, abrasion resistance, etc)
4. Make a demonstrator coating on actual wood-based fastener and verify basic functionality
5. Design a hypothetical wood-based product with in-situ sensors in wood-based fasteners
6. Make a scientific report

Student profile
Ongoing MSc student in relevant field, with interest in materials, chemistry and product design with construction and furniture materials.

Terms
Credits: 30 points
Compensation: SEK after project completion and approval.

Location and start date
We are located at Drottning Kristinas väg 61 in Stockholm.
Master thesis start in January 2026.

Supervisory team at RISE
Main supervisor: Abhilash Sugunan,
Co-supervisors: Mike Reid, Hjalmar Granberg, Anders Larsson

Interested? Send in your application (CV and motivation letter) no later than 27 November 2025.