Malin Alsved and Jakob Löndahl have conducted groundbreaking research in recent years, which was quickly adapted during the covid-19 pandemic to study the coronavirus. The research has resulted in valuable insights to reduce the risk of infection.
“Their research has shown that covid-19 can spread via small airborne particles over longer distances than previously thought. This requires and enables the development of safer working environments,” says Ulrika Lindstrand, President of Engineers of Sweden, in a press release.
The research also has a broader significance for an increased understanding of airborne transmission in general. Their interdisciplinary collaboration and ability to communicate research results make them exceptionally suitable for this year’s Levi Prize, according to the Engineers of Sweden.
Identifying risk situations and find protective measures
“We have largely based our work on issues that we have encountered in collaboration with healthcare specialists, and have sometimes been able to shed light on these. For example, we have investigated various factors that can be linked to infection risk, including care procedures, patient groups, ventilation, air purification, and environmental conditions. This has helped us to identify risk situations where staff can become ill and thus also to find appropriate protective measures,” says Jakob Lödahl.
The Levi Prize was established in 2004, and the winners are appointed by the Engineers of Sweden and awarded a prize of SEK 50,000.
“It feels great, of course, and very nice to get a prize linket to the work environment, because that is exactly what we are trying to improve,“ says Malin Alsved.