A Materials Library for the Twin Transition
The Materials Library for the Twin Transition project aims to establish a mobile library with materials used in technologies for the twin transition, such as mobile phones, laptops, servers, sensors, wind turbines, solar systems, and batteries. The Library will make the materials inside these devices visible and tangible and will show how these materials are connected with people and planet. The aim of presenting these connections is to make the environmental and social consequences of the twin transition part of discussions with policymakers, researchers, designers, engineers, and the public.
Developments in digitalisation and the energy transition are influenced by techno-optimism and technofixes. The dominant view of technological development is that it provides solutions to solve the social and environmental problems of the 21st century. As a result, research into long-term effects, in the form of unintended and unavoidable consequences for local and Indigenous communities, future generations, and ecosystems, moves to the background.
The Materials Library will be designed to increase awareness of the environmental and social aspects of the production and consumption of digital technologies and energy transition technologies. In particular, the project aims to i) study the sustainability of the twin transition by investigating the material aspects of transition technologies, ii) study the role of materials libraries in sustainable transitions, and iii) study the role of the designed Materials Library in academic, designerly, and public discourses on digitalisation, the consumption of digital technologies, and energy transition technologies. The Library will enable a space for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and communication and will form the foundation for action towards regenerative technologies and sustainability.
Project Team
Prof. Maja van der Velden
Dept. of Informatics
Project leader
Dr. Andrea Gasparini
University Library
Project leader
Dr. Kari-Anne Lyng
Dept. of Informatics /NORSUS
Researcher
Siv Årsand
PhD candidate
Master students:
Eirik Johan Langholm (2023-2025)
Sara Prestvik Kristensen (2022-2024)
