Malin Åkermo’s research focuses on composite materials and their processing. For more than 20 years, she has led a group performing research on manufacturing structural composites in an industrial context. Studied material systems and applications spanning from aerospace to automotive. The research relies on simulations combined with experimental studies. The group develop methods for composites forming simulations, focusing on unidirectional pre-impregnated carbon fibres, pre-stacked in requested fibre directions. They also develop novel sensing composite materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), to monitor the composite curing process and to provide measures for structural health monitoring during the use of the component. Further, the group is developing conceptual design methodologies aiming at finding the optimal material selection, design and manufacturing process from an energy-to-weight perspective, where the influence of circular materials is of particular interest.

Malin Åkermo is chairing the board of the Strategic Research Area Excellence in Production Production Research, XPRES, at KTH. She is also part of the KTH Promotion Board and is responsible for the SAAB-KTH strategic partnership.

On a national level, Malin Åkermo is a member of the board of LIGHTer, a Strategic Innovation Program funded by VINNOVA, and leads its research network LIGHTer Academy.

Malin Åkermo is a member of the Editorial Board for Composites Part B, and frequently performs review assignments for different research journals, international grant applications and PhD theses.