https://lutpub.lut.fi:443/handle/10024/158303 2026-06-08T20:50:02Z 2026-06-08T20:50:02Z Montero-Teran, Heidy Sinkovics, Rudolf R. Kuivalainen, Olli https://lutpub.lut.fi:443/handle/10024/172257 2026-06-08T05:30:26Z 2026-05-12T00:00:00Z

Managing decarbonization in global value chains : Decision-making and operational resilience in Finnish manufacturing MNEs Montero-Teran, Heidy; Sinkovics, Rudolf R.; Kuivalainen, Olli Decarbonization is a pressing issue that must be embedded in business strategies, as excessive carbon emissions accelerate extreme weather events, deplete ecosystems, and exacerbate the biodiversity crisis. The rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, including stringent European mandates, underscores the need for adaptable strategies to mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing resilience in global value chains. Despite the significant emissions they generate, the decision-making processes that enable managers to achieve decarbonization in global value chains are poorly understood. This gap is significant, as businesses face mounting pressures to align with new regulations and foster resilience. To address this, we conducted an exploratory study with two Finnish machinery manufacturing firms, leveraging in-depth interviews and sustainability reports. By employing the awareness–motivation–capability framework, the study reveals that decision-making is shaped by awareness linked to planning, motivation tied to path dependency, and capability influenced by time, offering insights into decarbonization strategies and operational resilience.

2026-05-12T00:00:00Z Pyrhönen, Juha Petrov, Ilya Zadorozhniuk, Daniil Laurila, Lasse Parviainen, Miika Goswami, Giota Nutakor, Charles Sopanen, Jussi Martikainen, Iikka Zeppei, Dieter Bickel, Jonas Pippuri-Mäkeläinen, Jenni Keränen, Janne Kinnunen, Kalle Montonen, Juho https://lutpub.lut.fi:443/handle/10024/172256 2026-06-05T11:30:22Z 2025-07-16T00:00:00Z

Design of a High-Specific-Power Traction Motor: Innovations and Strategies for Superior Performance Pyrhönen, Juha; Petrov, Ilya; Zadorozhniuk, Daniil; Laurila, Lasse; Parviainen, Miika; Goswami, Giota; Nutakor, Charles; Sopanen, Jussi; Martikainen, Iikka; Zeppei, Dieter; Bickel, Jonas; Pippuri-Mäkeläinen, Jenni; Keränen, Janne; Kinnunen, Kalle; Montonen, Juho In electric vehicle (EV) traction, energy conversion by electric motors must be material and energy efficient to reduce environmental burden caused by the manufacture and operation of the systems and to help in efficient transition towards net zero future. The scarcity of key materials like rare earths and to some extent copper must be addressed in the design. Novel traction motors need a different approach compared to traditional industrial motor designs. Here, we focus on innovative design and optimization strategies to enhance material and energy efficiency and meet the escalating demand for sustainable transportation solutions. We are developing a prototype motor that achieves a continuous specific power of 7 kW/kg, significantly exceeding current automotive standards. This will be achieved by elevated operational speed of the traction motor, integrating advanced materials, and innovative cooling techniques such as direct liquid cooling (DLC) using hollow hairpin conductors, and insulating them with polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) extrusion and expandable mainwall insulation material. The approach reduces reliance on rare earth permanent magnet (PM) materials by 60% compared to existing motors, aligning with global sustainability objectives. Through simulation, modeling, and practical case studies, the research demonstrates the feasibility of these innovations in real-world applications, highlighting potential advancements in EV propulsion systems. The article not only represents the insights into the latest developments in the design of electric motors for EV but also delineates the journey towards the creation of such a motor with considering accompanying electromagnetic and mechanical challenges.

2025-07-16T00:00:00Z Zadorozhniuk, Daniil Petrov, Ilya Kaasinen, Juho Mattsson, Aleksi Egorov, Dmitry Lankila, Touko Pyrhönen, Juha Peltoniemi, Pasi https://lutpub.lut.fi:443/handle/10024/172255 2026-06-05T11:30:26Z 2026-01-12T00:00:00Z

Two-Position Linear Electromagnetic Gear-Shifting Actuator and the Influence of Ferromagnetic Material Proximity on Its Performance Zadorozhniuk, Daniil; Petrov, Ilya; Kaasinen, Juho; Mattsson, Aleksi; Egorov, Dmitry; Lankila, Touko; Pyrhönen, Juha; Peltoniemi, Pasi This paper investigates a magnet-free, two-position electromagnetic gear-shifting actuator designed for mobile machinery applications. Unlike conventional hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromechanical systems, the proposed actuator employs tangential electromagnetic forces to engage and disengage gears without permanent magnets, thereby eliminating concerns about cost, sustainability and supply chains of the rare-earth materials. A systematic design methodology is presented, starting with simplified two-coil configurations and progressing to multi-coil topologies with advanced flux-guiding strategies - resembling a linear actuator. Axisymmetric finite-element simulations are used to evaluate force characteristics, transient dynamics, and sensitivity to environmental variations. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of surrounding ferromagnetic structures, which are shown to significantly alter the magnetic flux distribution and reduce actuation force if not properly accounted for. Case studies demonstrate that while two- and three-coil designs suffer from force sags and premature flux leakage, a multi-coil (e.g. six-coil) topology can sustain the required engagement forces in most environments, though performance degrades under full ferromagnetic enclosure. Results indicate that actuator performance strongly depends on spatial clearance from ferromagnetic components, rotor mass, and coil switching dynamics. The findings provide practical design guidelines for integrating magnet-free electromagnetic shifters into electric vehicle drivetrains, highlighting both the opportunities for sustainable materials and the challenges of flux management in constrained environments.

2026-01-12T00:00:00Z Suojansalo, Rasmus Aarniovuori, Lassi Lindh, Pia Peltoniemi, Pasi https://lutpub.lut.fi:443/handle/10024/172254 2026-06-05T11:30:29Z 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z

Advantages of E-trailers Suojansalo, Rasmus; Aarniovuori, Lassi; Lindh, Pia; Peltoniemi, Pasi Heavy-duty trucks consist of a truck unit and a semi-trailer. In addition to the truck unit, the semi-trailers can be made electric with an electrical energy storage (EES) and an electric axle (e-axle). The resulting system is called an e-trailer, which can be combined with any kind of truck unit. When an e-trailer is combined with an internal combustion engine (ICE) truck unit, the resulting system functions as a hybrid vehicle. This configuration offers reduced fuel consumption, which also lowers greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs. Alternatively, combining an e-trailer with an electric truck unit increases the truck's capacity and driving range. This allows longer haulages and can reduce infrastructure needed for charging the truck’s batteries. The system has some drawbacks, such as the initial cost of the e-trailer and the increased mass. This study evaluates the benefits of an e-trailer compared to a regular trailer with both an ICE and electric truck unit

2025-02-11T00:00:00Z