Opin vísindi
Opin vísindi er varðveislusafn vísindaefnis og doktorsritgerða í opnum aðgangi á vegum íslenskra háskóla og Landsbókasafns Íslands - Háskólabókasafns.
Opinn aðgangur að rannsóknaniðurstöðum er í samræmi við 10. gr. laga nr. 3/2003 um opinberan stuðning við vísindarannsóknir sem og kröfur innlendra og erlendra rannsóknasjóða. Markmiðið með opnum aðgangi er að niðurstöður rannsókna séu aðgengilegar sem flestum óhindrað og án endurgjalds á rafrænu formi. Vistun í varðveislusafninu er varanleg og ætlað að tryggja aðgang að vísindaefni íslenskra háskóla í opnum aðgangi um ókomna tíð. Varðveislusafnið Opin vísindi er tengt við rannsóknagáttina IRIS og rannsóknaniðurstöður í opnum aðgangi sem eru skráðar í IRIS eru um leið vistaðar og gerðar aðgengilegar til framtíðar í varðveislusafninu. Með því að safna þessu efni saman í eitt safn verður aðgangur að því einfaldur og þægilegur fyrir alla sem vilja kynna sér það og geta þannig notið þess öfluga vísindastarfs sem fram fer í háskólum landsins.
Varðveislusafnið er OpenAIRE / OpenAIREplus samhæft og samrýmist kröfum sem gerðar eru um birtingu rannsóknaniðurstaðna úr verkefnum sem styrkt eru úr evrópsku rannsóknaáætlununum FP7 og H2020.
Varðveislusafnið notar opna hugbúnaðinn DSpace.
Opinn aðgangur að rannsóknaniðurstöðum er í samræmi við 10. gr. laga nr. 3/2003 um opinberan stuðning við vísindarannsóknir sem og kröfur innlendra og erlendra rannsóknasjóða. Markmiðið með opnum aðgangi er að niðurstöður rannsókna séu aðgengilegar sem flestum óhindrað og án endurgjalds á rafrænu formi. Vistun í varðveislusafninu er varanleg og ætlað að tryggja aðgang að vísindaefni íslenskra háskóla í opnum aðgangi um ókomna tíð. Varðveislusafnið Opin vísindi er tengt við rannsóknagáttina IRIS og rannsóknaniðurstöður í opnum aðgangi sem eru skráðar í IRIS eru um leið vistaðar og gerðar aðgengilegar til framtíðar í varðveislusafninu. Með því að safna þessu efni saman í eitt safn verður aðgangur að því einfaldur og þægilegur fyrir alla sem vilja kynna sér það og geta þannig notið þess öfluga vísindastarfs sem fram fer í háskólum landsins.
Varðveislusafnið er OpenAIRE / OpenAIREplus samhæft og samrýmist kröfum sem gerðar eru um birtingu rannsóknaniðurstaðna úr verkefnum sem styrkt eru úr evrópsku rannsóknaáætlununum FP7 og H2020.
Varðveislusafnið notar opna hugbúnaðinn DSpace.
Nýlega bætt við
Redesign of Plastic Packaging for Fresh Fish Transport: Lightweight design based on numerical and experimental investigations of structural and thermal behavior
(University of Iceland, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, 2026-09-11) LU, ZIWEI; Björn Margeirsson; Fjóla Jónsdóttir; Sigurjón Arason; Ólafur Ögmundarson; Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (UI); Iðnaðarverkfræði-, vélaverkfræði- og tölvunarfræðideild (HÍ); School of Engineering and Natural Sciences (UI); Verkfræði- og náttúruvísindasvið (HÍ)
The increasing demand for sustainable cold-chain logistics has created a need for lighter and more environmentally efficient packaging for fresh food transport. This thesis investigates the structural, thermal, and environmental performance of expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes and rotomolded polyethylene (PE) food tubs used in the transport of fresh fish products. The objective is to develop lighter packaging solutions while maintaining the mechanical strength and thermal insulation required for chilled food distribution.
The study combines experimental testing, microstructural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA) to relate material properties to the overall performance of EPS boxes. Experimental results for EPS boxes show that small density variations significantly increase material modulus, and influence the stiffness and stacking strength of the EPS box. Using a calibrated FEA framework, an improved EPS design achieved an 11% reduction in box weight. This reduced the environmental impact across all major LCA categories while causing a 9% reduction in thermal insulation and negligible decrease in stacking strength.
For PE food tubs, microstructural defects in the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) skin layer were found to substantially reduce material ductility. Simulations of industrial hoisting conditions further identified buckling of the handle as the dominant failure mode, providing a clear pathway for geometric optimization of load-bearing capacity in the elastic region.
Overall, this work provides scientifically validated design guidelines for more sustainable cold-chain packaging and highlights the importance of advanced material models and stochastic numerical methods capable of accounting for the inherent microstructural variability in PE foams.
Qualitative exploration of gambling harm among UK veterans : normalisation, stigma and postservice escalation
(2026-03) Dekel, Dana; Ekenna, Adanma; Engward, Hillary; Godier-McBard, Lauren R.; Kay, Chris; Kersey, Thomas; Fossey, Matt; Dymond, Simon; Department of Psychology
ObjectiveThis study explored the lived experiences of UK Armed Forces veterans affected by gambling-related harm. It examined how military culture, institutional practices and life transitions shaped gambling behaviours, barriers to help-seeking and the long-term impact on well-being. While quantitative research has documented elevated gambling-related harm among veterans, little qualitative work has examined how veterans themselves understand, experience and navigate gambling harm across military and post-military contexts.DesignReflexive thematic analysis of one-to-one semistructured interviews, covering topics such as the nature of participants’ gambling activities, the impact on their lives, pathways to gambling behaviours and help-seeking.ParticipantsParticipants were UK veterans (n=14), aged 31–60, including one female, from three service branches, all of whom self-identified as having experienced gambling-related harm.ResultsFour interrelated themes were generated: (1) Gambling as normalised in both civilian and military contexts, reinforced by institutional routines and downtime activities; (2) Gambling as an emotional coping mechanism, shaped by institutional norms of stoicism and emotional control; (3) Stigma, silence and structural barriers to help-seeking, including fears of professional repercussions and (4) Escalation postdischarge, driven by isolation, unstructured time, digital gambling access and difficulties adjusting to civilian life. Participants reported concealment, debt and relational breakdowns, with some disclosing suicidal ideation linked to gambling harm.ConclusionsGambling harm among UK veterans is shaped by a complex interplay of cultural, emotional and institutional factors. While gambling opportunities are embedded in military life, systems of support remain inconsistent and often punitive. Gambling remains under-recognised as a serious mental health issue within military and veteran care pathways. Findings highlight the need for stigma-free, culturally informed interventions across the military life cycle, including routine screening, gambling harm education and trauma-informed care.
Self-compassion, depressive symptoms, and well-being : A cross-sectional exploration across athlete status and gender
(2026-02) Einarsdóttir, Fríða Rún; Arnardóttir, Nanna Ýr; Kristjánsdóttir, Hafrún; Belz, Johanna; Kenttä, Göran; Andersson, Mitchell; Tahtinen, Richard E.; Department of Sport Science
Self-compassion is associated with positive mental health outcomes and may buffer against negative self-evaluations and emotional difficulties. Nevertheless, studies among athletes often explore self-compassion in specific groups in isolation (e.g., women athletes) (Röthlin et al., 2019). The aims of this study were to 1) explore whether the relationship between gender and composite scores and specific dimensions of self-compassion (e.g., self-judgement) was moderated by athlete status; and 2) to explore the relationship between different dimensions of self-compassion and self-reported depressive symptoms and well-being among team sport athletes (n = 84, Mage= 22.9 ± 5.0; 57.1 %men) and non-athletes (n = 189, Mage= 35.5 ± 5.9; 32.8 %men). For our first aim, the relationship between gender and self-compassion (including specific dimensions) was not moderated by athlete status. However, regardless of gender, athletes reported significantly higher total self-compassion scores and significantly lower scores on specific dimensions of self-compassion, isolation, and over-identification, than non-athletes. For our second aim, self-judgement was positively associated with depressive symptoms in both athletes and non-athletes. Self-judgment was, however, negatively associated with well-being only among athletes, and isolation was negatively correlated with well-being only among non-athletes.
Ni–Fe-based alloy as oxygen evolving anode for sustainable aluminum production
(2026-03-10) Singh, Kamaljeet; Jamieson, Thomas Luke; Gunnarsson, Gudmundur; Haarberg, Geir Martin; Gallino, Isabella; Busch, Ralf; Magnusson, Jon Hjaltalin; Saevarsdottir, Gudrun; Department of Engineering
Achieving global net-zero carbon targets by 2050 requires the decarbonization of metal production. Molten salt electrolysis, combined with the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, provides a transformative and sustainable alternative to conventional metallurgical processes and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Today, aluminum is produced by electrolysis in molten fluoride melts, using consumable carbon anodes for their feasibility, low cost, good conductivity, and efficient reaction kinetics. However, achieving carbon-free aluminum production requires the development of a cost-effective, non-consumable, and efficient oxygen evolving anode (OEA)—a critical challenge that remains unsolved. Here, we demonstrate an earth-abundant and easily processable Ni–Fe-based anode, capable of forming a protective NiFe2O4 oxide, both ex-situ and in-situ, that enhances stability and catalytic activity for OEA. The principal approach to evaluating OEA alloy suitability combines analyzing oxide thermodynamics, investigating oxidation kinetics, and performing extended electrolysis in fluoride melts to elucidate the mechanism of protective oxide formation. By optimizing the Ni/Fe ratio in alloy, we demonstrate reduced alloy corrosion, high purity aluminum production, and efficient oxygen evolution. This method lays the framework for a durable and active Ni–Fe-based OEA, thereby advancing carbon-free sustainable aluminum production.
Nanopore sequencing identifies parent-of-origin specific age-associated methylation changes at imprinted loci in the human genome
(2026-12) Sigurpalsdottir, Brynja; Holley, Guillaume; Sverrisson, Sverrir; Magnusdottir, Droplaug N.; Olafsson, Pall I.; Gylfason, Arnaldur; Magnusson, Olafur; Masson, Gisli; Stefansson, Olafur A.; Halldorsson, Bjarni V.; Department of Engineering
Aging is accompanied by widespread DNA methylation changes, yet their full genomic scope and parent-of-origin dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we apply nanopore long-read sequencing to 7,284 whole blood samples enabling methylation measurements of 17,959,684 high-quality CpG units. Over 20% of the measured high quality CpG units undergo age-associated changes, predominantly hypomethylation. From these data, we construct a methylation aging clock from 1,373 high-quality CpG units, with median absolute prediction error of 2.43 years. Importantly, phasing the methylation to parental haplotypes enables systematic analysis of age effects in parent-of-origin specific context, uncovering 702 high-quality CpG units with parent-of-origin specific age-association, most of which are located at imprinted genomic regions. At the DIRAS3 locus, we detect age-dependent hypermethylation on the active paternal allele, indicative of attenuation of parent-of-origin specific methylation with age. Together, these findings establish nanopore sequencing as a powerful tool for mapping both genome-wide and parent-of-origin specific signatures of methylation aging and provide evidence that methylation patterns at imprinted loci become progressively altered with age.
Flokkar í Opnum vísindum
Veldu flokk til að skoða.
- University of Iceland
- University of Akureyri
- Bifröst University
- Hólar University College
- IRIS
- Agricultural University of Iceland
- National and University Library of Iceland
- Iceland University of the Arts