The Swedish Space Corporation has launched hundreds of research balloons into the atmosphere since 1974. In a joint effort with the European Space Agency, students from around Europe have been invited to take part in the balloon projects. Photo: Mette Fjellborg/Swedish Space Corporation

The pacemaker, the ball bearing, the safety match, the adjustable wrench, the zipper and the Tetra Pak carton are all Swedish inventions, products of a long history of scientific research and development.

Sweden is at the forefront of efforts, in line with the Lisbon objective, to make Europe “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based ¬economy in the world by 2010.” In a bid to improve Sweden’s competitive edge, the Swedish government has earmarked SEK 5 billion (USD 616 million) for research and innovation 2009-2012, doubling the previous budget.

Under the Lisbon objective, EU member states are expected to allocate three percent of gross domestic product to research and development (two percent from the private sector and one percent from the public sector). The SEK 5 billion invested by the Swedish government means Sweden has already reached this level.

Within the research budget framework, the Swedish government has chosen to make strategic investments primarily in three main areas:
• Medicine and bioscience
• Technology
• Climate


First Swede in space: astronaut Christer Fuglesang became a national hero in December 2006. In September 2009 he completed his second successful space flight mission. Photo: NASA

Growth industries

Sweden is particularly strong in biotechnology. Pharmaceuticals are one of the country’s main exports and Swedish medical innovations include the ­asthma medicines Bricanyl and Pulmicort; the growth hormone Genotropin; and the stomach ulcer drug Losec, one of the world’s best-selling drugs.

Research is not confined to giants such as AstraZeneca and Pharmacia/Pfizer; many small biotechnology ­companies conduct their own research. One of the main areas of interest is health. Rapidly growing markets include medical devices such as imaging equipment, orthopedic implants, dialysis equipment, heart-lung machines and ECG equipment, and laboratory studies of medicines.

Microelectronics is another growth market. Sweden is in the forefront of ­research into silicon-based components, high-speed electronics, organic electronics, photonics and systems design.

The pacemaker is a lifesaving Swedish invention. Photo: St.Jude Medical AB/Image Bank Sweden

The most innovative EU country

The European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) analyzes the innovation performance of EU member states as well as Japan, the US and other countries. This analysis is based on factors such as structural conditions, research funding, the number of innovative companies, and production of new products and services. Sweden topped the index in 2008, thanks in large part to ­research being carried out at high-tech multinationals such as Ericsson, ABB, AstraZeneca, Saab, Scania and Volvo.

The Vinnova program VINNMER helps female postgraduates qualify as researchers after getting their PhDs. Photo: Hans Bjurling/Image Bank Sweden

Long-term networking

There is a large network of organizations and companies, both public and private, working with academia in Sweden. They are aiming to develop new products, services and processes that will make a long-term contribution to sustainable growth.

To name just a few:
The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova) focuses on innovations linked to research and development, in particular information and communications technology (ICT), biotechnology, working life, product realization, materials and transportation.

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Nutek) is a government body whose remit includes company financing, regional business development, advisory services and establishing links between research and industry.

Innovationsbron helps translate the ideas of researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs into business opportunities. Support is provided at an early stage of development before venture capitalists get involved.

The Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen) aims to stimulate competitiveness by creating the conditions for innovation and creativity and strengthening the links between academia and industry.

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) is an independent organization that supports research in natural science, engineering and medicine.

Crossing borders

Swedish researchers are increasingly engaged in interdisciplinary projects. For the Energy Systems Program the Swedish Energy Agency and research teams at Linköping University, Uppsala University, Chalmers University of Technology and KTH, Royal Institute of Technology are studying the long-term development of sustainable and resource-efficient energy systems.

Economists and behavioral scientists at Stockholm University’s interdisciplinary center are looking at how to turn knowledge about climate change into action, for example the best way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.


Photo: Kay Nietfeld/Scanpix

NOBEL – FIRST AMONG PRIZES

The Nobel Prizes were a bequest from Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, to honor those who “have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” The prizes have been ¬awarded every year since 1901 (with a few exceptions, such as during the Second World War) for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. 
www.nobelprize.org

Copyright:

Published by the Swedish Institute on www.sweden.se. All content is protected by Swedish copyright law. The text may be reproduced, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast in any media for non-commercial use with reference to www.sweden.se. But never photographs or illustrations. For more information on general copyright and permission click here. If you have any questions please contact webmaster.