Tyrone Wells, Gunnar Nicholson Fellow studying at the Chalmers Institute of Technology, has benefited from his research, and he is enjoying his cultural experience. His letter from Gothenberg gives an update on his research, credits his advisors, and reports on his extracurricular activities.

A Learning Experience at Chalmers

My year-long graduate student experience at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenberg, Sweden has been the longest period of time that I have ever been outside of the United States. And now, roughly six months into my stay, I finally feel like I have settled into the Scandinavian lifestyle--but I know there are still many opportunities for technical and personal growth.

My research at Chalmers involves finding new applications for lignin, which is a complex and currently underutilized plant-derived biomacromolecule. My work involves investigating a new way of turning this molecule into a more suitable precursor for carbon fiber production. The Chalmers research group that I am a part of has specialized in a highly effective lignin extraction process from industrial black liquor known as the LignoboostTM process, and I'm using this type of lignin as part of my studies. I feel fortunate to be trained in this process by the founders of this technique. Likewise, I can also acknowledge the good fortune I have to work with such diverse and welcoming colleagues. I have found all our discussions and time spent together invaluable and working with people who reflect a broad range of cultures and outlooks has allowed me to improve as a person. The “home-field advantage” I've had when working in the US isn't a luxury I can take for granted anymore here, and it's interesting to recognize the contrast of American culture against other lifestyles and social norms. Experiencing a new culture first hand has truly been enlightening.

Because of this, I have continually made efforts to have a more outgoing lifestyle. So far, I've backpacked through the streets of Europe with only a compass and a map to guide me, hiked with friends from sea to sea along the shores of Denmark, gone mushroom hunting while exploring the Swedish country side, attended soccer (called football here) games, sung at karaoke bars, moshed with metal-heads at a Korn concert, and had a great deal more amazing experiences. My life is filled with a new intensity and sense of purposeful fulfillment that I will certainly bring back with me to the states upon the conclusion of my studies here at Chalmers.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in helping me partake in this incredible opportunity, including my supervisors Hans Theliander (Chalmers) and Arthur J. Ragauskas (Georgia Institute of Technology).