Bachelor and Master Theses

Context and Motivation

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are central to the ongoing transition toward cleaner and more sustainable industrial and transportation systems. In particular, the electrification of construction and mining machinery and public transport buses presents unique opportunities and challenges. These sectors demand high-performance, durable, and safe battery systems that operate under harsh and variable conditions. Managing the complex lifecycle of such batteries—from production and in-service operation to second-life use and recycling—poses significant technical, economic, and environmental challenges.

Digital servitization offers a promising approach to address these challenges by integrating digital technologies (e.g., IoT, data analytics, AI, and cloud-based platforms) with service-oriented business models throughout the battery lifecycle. By systematically identifying and mapping digital services that support monitoring, predictive maintenance, performance optimization, repurposing, and recycling, it becomes possible to enhance operational efficiency, extend battery life, and promote circularity within the heavy-duty EV ecosystem.

This study focuses specifically on EV batteries used in construction and mining machines and buses, aiming to understand how digital services can be designed and implemented to maximize value creation, resource efficiency, and sustainability across the entire battery lifecycle.

Research Aim:
This research aims to identify, map, and analyze the potential digital services applicable across the lifecycle of electric vehicle batteries used in construction and mining machinery and buses. The study seeks to develop a comprehensive framework that supports innovative service offerings, enhances resource utilization, and promotes sustainable practices across the stages of first life (in-vehicle use), second life (repurposing), and recycling (material recovery).

Research Question (RQ):
What are the potential digital services that can be implemented across the lifecycle of EV batteries in construction and mining machines and buses, and how can these services be mapped to maximize value creation, resource efficiency, and sustainability?

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) research projects. You will be working with industrial partner companies such as Volvo CE, Epiroc, IBM, ABB Electrification, Svealandstrafiken, and some IT companies. 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.