Bachelor and Master Theses

The transition to renewable energy and electric mobility has significantly increased the demand for batteries. However, the environmental and economic challenges posed by battery production, use, and disposal necessitate a shift toward circularity—maximizing reuse, recycling, and responsible resource recovery. AI holds transformative potential in addressing these challenges by optimizing battery lifecycle management. Yet, the unregulated or poorly governed application of AI can lead to unintended consequences, including inefficiencies, inequities, and environmental risks. Developing an AI governance strategy tailored to enable sustainable battery circularity is critical to ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with circular economy principles.

Research Aim and Question
This research aims to design an AI governance framework that supports and accelerates battery circularity by addressing technical, ethical, and policy challenges. The study seeks to explore how AI can be responsibly leveraged to optimize processes such as battery monitoring, recycling, and material recovery, while ensuring alignment with sustainability goals and mitigating risks.

RQ: How can an AI governance strategy be developed to enable and enhance battery circularity in alignment with environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives?

Research setting and research group 

The research work will be performed in the framework of Circul8 (Smart Battery Circularity) and SmartCharg (Smart and Circular Battery Charging Solutions). You can search the projects on MDU webpage for more information. This thesis work will be part of the research group DigiCircle (Digital and Circular Industrial Services). The group is currently leading research projects on battery circularity, digital and circular business models, digital servitization, and circular ecosystems with more than 10 industrial companies, public funded companies, municipalities, and industrial clusters. Your thesis work will be used as a knowledge development as part of the group and will be used in the relevant courses, projects or publications upon completion. 

Education in one of these areas (Industrial engineering and management, product development, innovation management, business management, product and process development, energy engineering and management) and familiar with circular economy, business models, Industry 4.0 or digital transformation.