Deux sujets de stages sont porposés à Alnarp en Suède (Swedish University of Agricultural sciences - Plant Product Quality group) :
Valorization of alfalfa pulp as a source of calcium oxalate for materials
Agro-industrial residues represent a promising yet underexplored source of functional minerals. Pulp from biomass, a by-product of juice and forage processing, contains calcium oxalate crystals that can be transformed, offering potential as sustainable mineral additives. This thesis focuses on developing and refining protocols for isolating calcium oxalate from biomass pulp and exploring the properties and potential applications of the extracted crystals.
The ideal candidate has a background in chemistry, materials science, or polymer science, with an interest in biomass valorization and sustainable materials. Autonomy, rigor, and scientific curiosity are expected, while experience in analytical chemistry and materials characterization is considered an asset.
The student will gain expertise in mineral recovery from biomass, advanced materials characterization techniques, data analysis and interpretation, as well as scientific writing and communication.
Valorization of rice husk and straw from Japan and Côte d’Ivoire for agro-based building materials
Agricultural co-products such as rice husk and straw are generated in large quantities worldwide but remain underutilized, despite their potential as sustainable resources.
This thesis builds on two prior international research programs: one conducted in 2024 at the University of Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire, where initial physicochemical analyses were performed, and another in 2025 at the University of Tokyo, where pretreatment strategies were developed and prototype particleboards tested according to Japanese standards (JIS). These studies highlighted the promise of rice residues as raw materials for innovative applications.
The aim of this project in Sweden is to further explore the potential of agricultural co-products for valorization into new material solutions. The work will involve analyzing existing datasets and generating new experimental insights through advanced characterization techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and spectrophotometric assays.
The ideal candidate should have a background in chemistry, materials science, polymer science, or civil engineering, with an interest in biomass valorization and sustainable construction. Experience with analytical methods, data analysis (Excel, R, Origin), and scientific writing will be considered an asset. Through this project, the student will acquire expertise in experimental design, materials characterization, data interpretation, and research communication, while contributing to an ongoing international effort on sustainable resource utilization.