Category: News

Mar 19

Introducing the Aeris XRD Instrument: The Latest Arrival at the ANCEHA Laboratory

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to our research capabilities: the Aeris XRD Instrument by Panalytical. This state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction equipment enhances our ability to analyze and characterize materials with precision.

The Aeris XRD features user-friendly software and advanced technology, making it ideal for a wide range of applications in materials science. With its rapid analysis speed and high-quality results, we can now accelerate our research projects and drive innovation forward.

Mar 19

Discover Innovations in Clean Energy and Health Applications at AMCEHA 2025!

We are thrilled to invite you to the 3rd International Conference on Advanced Materials for Clean Energy and Health Applications (AMCEHA), which will take place at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This exciting event will gather researchers, scientists, and industry experts from around the globe to discuss cutting-edge advancements in clean energy and health applications. AMCEHA will provide a forum for exchange of technical and scientific information between international researchers in the field of materials for clean energy and health applications.

Attendees will get the opportunity to, 

    • Engage with leading professionals and scholars
    • Participate in workshops and panel discussions
    • Network with peers and industry leaders
    • Gain access to the latest research findings and technological advancements

Date: March 27-28, 2025
Location: University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

More information at : AMCEHA 2025

Mar 19

Students from Oslo got to experience HVL research

Last week, science students from Kongshavn High School in Oslo got a taste of student life at the University College of Western Norway and the ANCEHA research laboratory.

To stem the declining number of science applicants, Kongsvik High School in Oslo has created its own science class. Last week, they were in Bergen, and on Wednesday they stopped by the University College of Western Norway.

Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai and Associate Professor Jonathan Økland Torstensen presented research on nanotechnology and hydrogen, respectively, and the engaged students got to see the state-of-the-art facilities at HVL.

ssociate Professor Jonathan Økland Torstensen presented research on nanotechnology and hydrogen
Nov 21

Doctoral candidate Fatemeh Heidari Gourji from the Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen gave her trial lecture on November 20, 2024, on the topic: “The Nobel Prize in Physics 2023 (Attosecond physics)”.

Doctoral candidate Fatemeh Heidari Gourji from the Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen gave her trial lecture on November 20, 2024, on the topic: “The Nobel Prize in Physics 2023 (Attosecond physics)”. Fatemeh is a member of the ANCEHA research group and her research focuses on developing nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage applications. 


Photo credits: Nanthini Nagarajah

Oct 04

Research Days 2024 at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

The Research Days is a national annual festival in Norway where research and knowledge-based institutions throughout the country showcase their activities to the public. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a member of the joint event “Forskningsdagene i Bergen”, which collaborates with other research institutions.  At HVL’s hydrogen station at Forskningstorget in Bergen, young and old learned about hydrogen and experienced how it can function as an energy source. Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai spoke about the next generation of solar cells during the Young Research Days in Bergen.

At HVL’s hydrogen station at Forskningstorget in Bergen. Photo: Ingrid Hope Leirvåg and Yulia Arinicheva Skåtun

Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai giving a speech about the next generation of solar cells.

Nov 20

Nanthini Nagarajah successfully defended her doctoral dissertation

Nanthini Nagarajah successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on the 20th of November 2023. The title of her dissertation is ‘Sustainability transition in a developing country context: Drivers and barriers for renewable energy technologies in Sri Lanka’. Her doctoral assessment committee consisted of Professor Jason Li-Ying – Technical University of Denmark, Associate Professor Mikaela Vasstrøm – University of Agder, Norway and Professor Natalia Mæhle – Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).

Nanthini Nagarajah was supervised by Professor Arnt Fløysand and Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai. This PhD research was financially supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Nov 17

Doctoral dissertation: Sustainable Transition in a Developing Country Context: Drivers and Barriers for Renewable Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka

Our PhD candidate at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Nanthini Nagarajah will be defending her PhD Thesis on Monday, 20th of November, 2023 at 11.30 am. Title of Nanthini’s PhD thesis is ‘Sustainable Transition in a Developing Country Context: Drivers and Barriers for Renewable Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka’. She will also deliver a talk on “The collaborative role of the universities to facilitate just energy transitions in the global South” prior to the PhD defence from 10 am, the same day.

This PhD project was supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy under our collaboartive project with University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Special thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy  and the NORPART program funded by Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-Dir).

Sep 20

International Conference on Advanced Materials for Clean Energy and Health Applications (AMCEHA)-2023

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) are organizing with our partners, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, India and University of Jaffna (UoJ), International Conference on Advanced Materials for Clean Energy and Health Applications (AMCEHA 2023) in Coimbatore, India from 19th to 20th September. Councillors at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Delhi, Ms Elisabeth Strand Vigtel and Marit Marie Strand are the chief guests at the conference. Over 400 delegates are participating in the conference including Rector of HVL, Dr. Gunnar Yttri, Vice Chancellors of UoJ, Alagappa Univ and CIT. 50 foreign delegates including prominent scientists from Norway, Sri Lanka and other countries in the field are presenting their research. HVL has signed two MoUs with CIT and Alagappa Univ. and UoJ has signed a MoU with CIT. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is represented by Mr. Umesh Sahdev. The conference is arranged under our Utforsk and Norpart projects funded by Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-Dir). Looking forward in enhancing the research collaboration between our partners in Norway, India and Sri Lanka.

 

Sep 16

The HVL delegation visited New Delhi

A delegation consisting of 9 from HVL including the Pro-rector, Geir Kåre Resaland participated in ICS 2023. The HVL delegation also participated in other meetings and discussions during their visit to New Delhi.

12 September 2023

Arrival in Delhi and site seeing – New Delhi

13 September 2023

  • Meeting with the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi

The HVL delegation met with embassy representatives at the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi. The delegation met with Marit M. Strand, Counsellor – Head of Cooperation Climate and Environment, Health and Higher Education and Vivek Kumar – Senior Advisor. The ongoing collaborative initiatives between the research institutes in India and HVL were presented. The need for further collaborations and the need to strengthen existing collaborations were discussed. In addition, the Sri Lankan collaborative initiatives were also presented as the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi is currently the mission responsible for Sri Lanka as well.

  • Meeting with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

The HVL delegation met and discussed with representatives of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MPIDSA) about the interest and project activities of HVL and the collaborations with the research institutes in India. The MPIDSA also presented its mission and activities to the delegation from HVL.

14-15 September 2023

  • International Climate Summit 2023

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDICC) organized the 3rd International Climate Summit (ICS) which was held from 14 – 15 September 2023 at the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India. The former president of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind was the chief guest of the event. The ICS focused on India’s vision to become a leader in green shift by prioritizing green hydrogen, biofuels, and renewables. The ICS set the stage for a global dialogue and actionable outcomes on climate change mitigation by tapping into the rich repository of ancient wisdom and knowledge of India and blending it with modern science, technology, and innovations. In achieving this the ICS platform consisted of global delegates and green advocates, especially from Nordic countries for discussions and deliberations. The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is one of the knowledge partners of PHDICC. HVL was part of the plenary sessions carried out during ICS.

16 September 2023

  • Meeting with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

A fruitful discussion was carried out with The Energy and Resources Institute in New Delhi to look into potential future collaborations where representatives from both institutes exchanged ideas and interests.