IO Group
The research team, headed by Prof. Inger Odnevall, consists of dedicated senior scientists, PhD-students and master students at the Division of Surface and Corrosion Science at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Research questions
The research team performs fundamental and applied multianalytical and highly interdisciplinary studies on metals and alloys (as massive sheet and as particles, both nano- and micron-sized) to assess corrosion and surface phenomena and mechanisms, and their relation to metal dispersion, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, metal speciation, environmental fate and aquatic and human toxicity.
All research activities have strong connections to industrial and societal aspects. Research activities are performed in close collaboration with international and national industry and metal associations, and academic partners representing varying research disciplines including ecotoxicology, soil science, surface and colloid chemistry, aerosol science, physics, industrial ecology, materials science, dermatology, toxicology, physics, etc.
Our goal
The ultimate goal is to increase the general knowledge and understanding of the link between surface reactivity, environmental and pollutant conditions, material properties and environmental fate and health aspects of metal dispersion from metals and alloys used in a large variety of applications ranging from external buildings and applications, to food related utensils and surfaces, to implant materials and to metallic nanoparticles in consumer products.
The research team performs world-leading studies on atmospheric corrosion and on the diffuse dispersion of metals from outdoor construction materials and their environmental fate. Another main research direction involve the characterization of surface and bulk properties of nano- and micron-sized metal particles, surface reactivity, surface-protein interactions, metal release and speciation in biological media, and their links to toxicity, as well as colloid stability and mobility and environmental fate of nanoparticles.
Research activities e.g. have strong implications for the classification system of chemicals within the European Union, REACH, as well as for environmental and health risk assessments of metals and alloys, and for sustainable use of metals in building applications worldwide. The ultimate goal is to further contribute to the development of a sustainable society, an improved health and living environment on a long term perspective, reduction of costs induced by corrosion, and the use of more environmentally friendly solutions and smart materials.