Jens Hardell

Jens Hardell is a Professor and Vice-Dean at Luleå University of Technology, where he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Faculty of Engineering Board. He is affiliated with the Department of Machine Elements within the Faculty of Engineering, focusing his research on tribology and machine elements.

His research interests span high-temperature tribology, wear and friction in dry contacts, tribomaterials, surface coatings for friction and wear control, boundary layer lubrication, tribotesting, sheet metal forming, cutting processing, and additive manufacturing. Hardell has developed extensive expertise in materials science applications for industrial processes, particularly in metal forming and high-temperature environments.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical industrial applications of tribology, with research spanning from diamond cutting tools for aluminum to high-temperature wear in nuclear applications and additive manufacturing of tool materials. His work bridges fundamental tribological principles with real-world engineering challenges.

• The Swedish Technology Association's Supervisor of the Year Award 2024 at Luleå University of Technology
• The Swedish Technology Association's award for best teacher at Luleå University of Technology 2021
• University Pedagogical Award: Distinguished Contributions to Education at Undergraduate and Advanced Level 2021
• Jacob Wallenberg Foundation Prize for Research and Development in Materials Science 2020
• The Swedish Technology Association's Supervisor of the Year Award 2019 at Luleå University of Technology
• Norrbotten Research Council's award for best doctoral thesis at Luleå University of Technology 2009

Professor Hardell has supervised numerous doctoral students to completion and currently oversees several ongoing PhD projects related to high-temperature tribology, hydrogen embrittlement, and advanced materials for industrial applications. He coordinates research within the Centre for High Performance Steels (CHS) and serves as coordinator for contract research at Tribolab, managing scientific discussions with clients, project proposals, and reporting. His work involves established collaborations with leading industries including Gestamp HardTech, SKF, SSAB, Ionbond Sweden, Seco Tools, Alleima, Sandvik Coromant, and others.