Aalto University News http://www.aalto.fi/en/current/news/ 2012-02-09T00:16:45+00:00 verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi FeedCreator 1.7.6(BH) (info@mypapit.net) Academy Professor Olli Ikkala received seven-figure EU funding 2012-02-07T13:42:33+00:00 2012-02-07T13:42:33+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e15191967b490c519111e1b59a8bbab497d2f2d2f2 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The European Research Council granted Aalto University’s Academy Professor Olli Ikkala funding in the amount of €2.3 million for research on biomimetic nanomaterials. Ikkala’s group specialises in the self-assembly of macromolecules and how to make use of this process when producing functional materials.

The interests of Ikkala's group focus on the self-assembled strong and light nanocomposite structures found in nature, such as the nacreous matter underneath seashells and biological fibres resembling silk and nanocellulose. Several strong natural materials are built from both strong parallel elements and softening and viscosifying macromolecules. All sizes of structures form to combine opposite properties: strength and viscosity.

In terms of materials science, it is intriguing to identify the physical causes of specific properties and to produce equivalent structures and functions. Natural materials have formed in the long course of evolution, and their production is both slow and extremely expensive. Biomimetics therefore studies ways of mimicking natural material formation.

– In nature, materials are often stiff, strong, viscous and light at the same time. Designing materials of this kind is extremely difficult, but we have made progress by studying nature, says Academy Professor Olli Ikkala.

The applications aim at technological production, but Ikkala notes that applications will only arise through a theoretical understanding of the nanostructures.

– Eventually, the aim is at designing new materials even better than the ones found in nature, with new combinations of properties, says Ikkala.

Ikkala's group has already succeeded in producing a variety of nanomaterials.

– We aim to mimic the properties of seashells and silk, for example. A little over a year ago, we were the first ones in the world to introduce a strong and lightweight nacre-mimetic material that is quite easy to produce. An important scientific dilemma is to find out how viscosifying polymers behave in nano size. We have also produced new kinds of flexible and functional, ultralight and porous materials, i.e., aerogels.

Material properties become gradually clearer

The research of the properties of biomimetic nanocomposites is based on finding out the initial materials of self-assembly. Initial material may include, for example, nano platelets, polymers, new forms of carbon, surfactants and nanocellulose.

– Cellulose is especially interesting, as it is the most common polymer in the world and it is produced in our renewable forests. In terms of strength, nano-sized cellulose fibres are comparable to metals, which was the very offset of interest in using nanocellulose in the design of strong self-assembled biomimetic materials, Ikkala says.

- Silk is a textbook example of a mechanically excellent fible, albeit expensive. We have the know-how for producing it through microbiological and genetic means, but the production costs still remain high.

The causes of the superb mechanical properties of silk are still not fully known, so we have barely made a start with its biomimetics.

We study the spinned biomimetic fibres and membranes that are based on the self-assembly of nanocellulose and macromolecules. We continuously combine cumulative knowledge on the structures that affect the properties of silk and other biological materials, Ikkala says.

With the funding granted by the European Research Council, the group will also be able to study how biomimetic materials can be steered by controlling them externally – from hard to soft, and back.

– Globally speaking, material haptics, i.e., the contact behaviour of materials is currently under intense research. The Laboratory of Molecular Materials studies how the mechanical properties of materials can be steered, Ikkala explains.

– Considering the heavy competition for the research funding of the European Research Council, applications must be outstanding both in terms of scientific content and the framework. I was able to concentrate on the scientific content with our application, as I received considerable support from Aalto University’s competent research funding application service, which began operation less than a year ago, Ikkala says. Also in general, it is essential that researchers be trained for the tricks related to applying EU funding.

More information:
Academy Professor Olli Ikkala, olli.ikkala@aalto.fi, +358 50 4100454

]]> The European Research Council granted Aalto University’s Academy Professor Olli Ikkala funding in the amount of €2.3 million for research on biomimetic nanomaterials. Ikkala’s group specialises in the self-assembly of macromolecules and how to make use of this process when producing functional materials.

The interests of Ikkala's group focus on the self-assembled strong and light nanocomposite structures found in nature, such as the nacreous matter underneath seashells and biological fibres resembling silk and nanocellulose. Several strong natural materials are built from both strong parallel elements and softening and viscosifying macromolecules. All sizes of structures form to combine opposite properties: strength and viscosity.

In terms of materials science, it is intriguing to identify the physical causes of specific properties and to produce equivalent structures and functions. Natural materials have formed in the long course of evolution, and their production is both slow and extremely expensive. Biomimetics therefore studies ways of mimicking natural material formation.

– In nature, materials are often stiff, strong, viscous and light at the same time. Designing materials of this kind is extremely difficult, but we have made progress by studying nature, says Academy Professor Olli Ikkala.

The applications aim at technological production, but Ikkala notes that applications will only arise through a theoretical understanding of the nanostructures.

– Eventually, the aim is at designing new materials even better than the ones found in nature, with new combinations of properties, says Ikkala.

Ikkala's group has already succeeded in producing a variety of nanomaterials.

– We aim to mimic the properties of seashells and silk, for example. A little over a year ago, we were the first ones in the world to introduce a strong and lightweight nacre-mimetic material that is quite easy to produce. An important scientific dilemma is to find out how viscosifying polymers behave in nano size. We have also produced new kinds of flexible and functional, ultralight and porous materials, i.e., aerogels.

Material properties become gradually clearer

The research of the properties of biomimetic nanocomposites is based on finding out the initial materials of self-assembly. Initial material may include, for example, nano platelets, polymers, new forms of carbon, surfactants and nanocellulose.

– Cellulose is especially interesting, as it is the most common polymer in the world and it is produced in our renewable forests. In terms of strength, nano-sized cellulose fibres are comparable to metals, which was the very offset of interest in using nanocellulose in the design of strong self-assembled biomimetic materials, Ikkala says.

- Silk is a textbook example of a mechanically excellent fible, albeit expensive. We have the know-how for producing it through microbiological and genetic means, but the production costs still remain high.

The causes of the superb mechanical properties of silk are still not fully known, so we have barely made a start with its biomimetics.

We study the spinned biomimetic fibres and membranes that are based on the self-assembly of nanocellulose and macromolecules. We continuously combine cumulative knowledge on the structures that affect the properties of silk and other biological materials, Ikkala says.

With the funding granted by the European Research Council, the group will also be able to study how biomimetic materials can be steered by controlling them externally – from hard to soft, and back.

– Globally speaking, material haptics, i.e., the contact behaviour of materials is currently under intense research. The Laboratory of Molecular Materials studies how the mechanical properties of materials can be steered, Ikkala explains.

– Considering the heavy competition for the research funding of the European Research Council, applications must be outstanding both in terms of scientific content and the framework. I was able to concentrate on the scientific content with our application, as I received considerable support from Aalto University’s competent research funding application service, which began operation less than a year ago, Ikkala says. Also in general, it is essential that researchers be trained for the tricks related to applying EU funding.

More information:
Academy Professor Olli Ikkala, olli.ikkala@aalto.fi, +358 50 4100454

]]> Short film brings the 1900 Paris World Fair Finnish Pavilion to life 2012-02-07T12:48:42+00:00 2012-02-07T12:48:42+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e1518a1065d26c518a11e1a469d913a0a6678e678e Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The short film called Le Pavilion de la Finlande à l’exposition universelle de 1900 à Paris uses 3D modelling and animation and connected archival materials with computer generated imagery in order to render a simulation of the Finnish Pavilion

The eight-and-a-half-minute film created by the researchers and students from the Department of Media of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture takes its viewers on a journey in time to see the Finnish Pavilion at the Paris World Fair in 1900. The film will be shown at a large exhibition presenting the works of Akseli Gallen-Kallela opening in February at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

The digital reconstruction is based entirely on written, non-experiential material. In order to be able to create the reconstruction, the team built an interactive scale model. When viewers watch the film wearing 3D glasses, they feel as if they were inside the original pavilion.

3D technology provides new opportunities for vivifying museum experiences

- 3D technology makes history accessible to people and enables experiential museum visits. Using 3D technology in museums is still rare in Finland, but elsewhere in the world it is gradually becoming more common, says Professor Lily Díaz who is responsible for the project at the Media Lab Helsinki of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

Among the key contributors to this production are Lily Díaz, producer and researcher; Toni Enström, 3D modelling; Derek Fewster, content advisor; Mikko Hovi, 3D modelling, photography and rendering; Cvijeta Miljak, editing and graphic design; and Markku Reunanen, 3D modelling, photography and research.

The production is part of the Finnish Pavilion at the 1900 Paris World Fair research project conducted by the Systems of Representation research group of the Media Lab. The project has received Tekes funding as part of the MASI modelling and simulation programme.

Further information:
Professor Lily Díaz, tel. +358 40 725 6925, lily.diaz@aalto.fi
Coordinator Markku Reunanen, tel. +358 50 539 3321, markku.reunanen@aalto.fi

Communications officer Saara Koskinen, tel. +358 50 594 3422 saara.koskinen@aalto.fi

Blog about the movie project.  

Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931). Une passion finlandaise exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay from February 7 to May 6, 2012.

]]> The short film called Le Pavilion de la Finlande à l’exposition universelle de 1900 à Paris uses 3D modelling and animation and connected archival materials with computer generated imagery in order to render a simulation of the Finnish Pavilion

The eight-and-a-half-minute film created by the researchers and students from the Department of Media of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture takes its viewers on a journey in time to see the Finnish Pavilion at the Paris World Fair in 1900. The film will be shown at a large exhibition presenting the works of Akseli Gallen-Kallela opening in February at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

The digital reconstruction is based entirely on written, non-experiential material. In order to be able to create the reconstruction, the team built an interactive scale model. When viewers watch the film wearing 3D glasses, they feel as if they were inside the original pavilion.

3D technology provides new opportunities for vivifying museum experiences

- 3D technology makes history accessible to people and enables experiential museum visits. Using 3D technology in museums is still rare in Finland, but elsewhere in the world it is gradually becoming more common, says Professor Lily Díaz who is responsible for the project at the Media Lab Helsinki of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

Among the key contributors to this production are Lily Díaz, producer and researcher; Toni Enström, 3D modelling; Derek Fewster, content advisor; Mikko Hovi, 3D modelling, photography and rendering; Cvijeta Miljak, editing and graphic design; and Markku Reunanen, 3D modelling, photography and research.

The production is part of the Finnish Pavilion at the 1900 Paris World Fair research project conducted by the Systems of Representation research group of the Media Lab. The project has received Tekes funding as part of the MASI modelling and simulation programme.

Further information:
Professor Lily Díaz, tel. +358 40 725 6925, lily.diaz@aalto.fi
Coordinator Markku Reunanen, tel. +358 50 539 3321, markku.reunanen@aalto.fi

Communications officer Saara Koskinen, tel. +358 50 594 3422 saara.koskinen@aalto.fi

Blog about the movie project.  

Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931). Une passion finlandaise exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay from February 7 to May 6, 2012.

]]> Achievements in Finnish design brought Estlander medals to Aalto University professors 2012-02-06T13:36:19+00:00 2012-02-06T13:36:19+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e150c78d467e0850c711e1bb0a11c1df76e8ebe8eb Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The Estlander Silver Medals were awarded to Aalto University Professors Kalevi Ekman, Raimo Nikkanen and Markku Salimäki in recognition of significant achievement on behalf of Finnish design. The award ceremony took place at the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 gala in Lahti on 2 February 2012. The gala was one of the WDC year’s signature events.

The Estlander Prize and Medal are a distinction instituted by the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design / Design Forum Finland in recognition of significant achievement on behalf of Finnish design. They are named after the Society’s founder, Professor Carl Gustaf Estlander (1834–1910), and are awarded in the spirit of his life’s work and Finnish design.

Reasons for the Silver Medals were:
“Operating in an open-minded manner that stands out from academic traditions, the recipients of the Silver Medal have implemented a cross-disciplinary program for the encounters of discourses of various disciplines to provide opportunities for a new kind of creativity. Over the course of a dec­ade, modes of operation and realization have been shaped and continue to be, thus establishing new conditions for learning in this field. The awardees have been actively involved in creating a system combining expertise across disciplinary boundaries and significantly influencing the creation of Aalto University.

Professor Kalevi Ekman is director of the Design Factory of Aalto University. He has been successfully involved in developing several cross-disciplinary programmes aimed at bringing studies closer to the business community. Ekman was also one of the main architects of Aalto University.

Professor Raimo Nikkanen has taught for many years at the Aalto University School of Art and Design and its predecessor, training and inspiring students of industrial design to become professionals in their field. Nikkanen has a broad international network, within which he has also promoted the inter­nationalization of the School. He is an internationally popular lecturer who has supervised students in Europe, Asia and North America.

Professor Markku Salimäki is head of the International Design Business Management programme of the Aalto University School of Economics. Since the mid-1990s he has constructed a multidiscipli­nary research and learning environment intensifying cooperation between design, technology and the economy, while training skilled actors for key positions in international business.”

More information from Design Forum Finland.

]]> The Estlander Silver Medals were awarded to Aalto University Professors Kalevi Ekman, Raimo Nikkanen and Markku Salimäki in recognition of significant achievement on behalf of Finnish design. The award ceremony took place at the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 gala in Lahti on 2 February 2012. The gala was one of the WDC year’s signature events.

The Estlander Prize and Medal are a distinction instituted by the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design / Design Forum Finland in recognition of significant achievement on behalf of Finnish design. They are named after the Society’s founder, Professor Carl Gustaf Estlander (1834–1910), and are awarded in the spirit of his life’s work and Finnish design.

Reasons for the Silver Medals were:
“Operating in an open-minded manner that stands out from academic traditions, the recipients of the Silver Medal have implemented a cross-disciplinary program for the encounters of discourses of various disciplines to provide opportunities for a new kind of creativity. Over the course of a dec­ade, modes of operation and realization have been shaped and continue to be, thus establishing new conditions for learning in this field. The awardees have been actively involved in creating a system combining expertise across disciplinary boundaries and significantly influencing the creation of Aalto University.

Professor Kalevi Ekman is director of the Design Factory of Aalto University. He has been successfully involved in developing several cross-disciplinary programmes aimed at bringing studies closer to the business community. Ekman was also one of the main architects of Aalto University.

Professor Raimo Nikkanen has taught for many years at the Aalto University School of Art and Design and its predecessor, training and inspiring students of industrial design to become professionals in their field. Nikkanen has a broad international network, within which he has also promoted the inter­nationalization of the School. He is an internationally popular lecturer who has supervised students in Europe, Asia and North America.

Professor Markku Salimäki is head of the International Design Business Management programme of the Aalto University School of Economics. Since the mid-1990s he has constructed a multidiscipli­nary research and learning environment intensifying cooperation between design, technology and the economy, while training skilled actors for key positions in international business.”

More information from Design Forum Finland.

]]> Ilkka Niemelä appointed Vice President of Aalto University 2012-02-03T08:30:28+00:00 2012-02-03T08:30:28+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14e4153ae73864e4111e1aa5ee7fc86e2bbfebbfe Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The Board of Aalto University has appointed Dean, Professor Ilkka Niemelä Vice President of Academic Affairs at Aalto University as of 1 March 2012. Niemelä will also be the deputy of President Tuula Teeri. He will replace vice president Heikki Mannila, who will begin his duties as President of the Academy of Finland on March 1.

Ilkka Niemelä (born 1961) obtained his Doctor of Science (Technology) degree from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1993 and he was appointed Professor of Computer Science in 2000. He served as the head of the Laboratory for Theoretical Computer Science from 2000 to 2007 and as the Chair of the Degree Programme in Computer Science and Engineering from 2008 to 2010. Niemelä was appointed Dean of the Aalto University School of Science on 1 January 2011.

The research group led by Niemelä has developed new methods for automated reasoning and constraint programming for solving challenging computational problems and explored various applications related to these methods. His research group is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Computational Inference (COIN) that will be funded by the Academy of Finland from 2012 to 2017.

- Ilkka Niemelä is one of our most renowned researchers and he has done an excellent job as the dean of the School of Science. I would like to welcome him in his new position where he will continue to reinforce the research carried out at Aalto University and to develop the Tenure Track career system, among other things, says President Tuula Teeri.

The duties of the dean of the School of Science will be taken over by the current vice dean, Professor Kimmo Kaski as of March 1. The process for appointing a new dean will begin during February.

More information:
President Tuula Teeri
tel. +358 (0)50 512 4194 (Assistant Harriet Jehkonen)
president@aalto.fi

]]> The Board of Aalto University has appointed Dean, Professor Ilkka Niemelä Vice President of Academic Affairs at Aalto University as of 1 March 2012. Niemelä will also be the deputy of President Tuula Teeri. He will replace vice president Heikki Mannila, who will begin his duties as President of the Academy of Finland on March 1.

Ilkka Niemelä (born 1961) obtained his Doctor of Science (Technology) degree from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1993 and he was appointed Professor of Computer Science in 2000. He served as the head of the Laboratory for Theoretical Computer Science from 2000 to 2007 and as the Chair of the Degree Programme in Computer Science and Engineering from 2008 to 2010. Niemelä was appointed Dean of the Aalto University School of Science on 1 January 2011.

The research group led by Niemelä has developed new methods for automated reasoning and constraint programming for solving challenging computational problems and explored various applications related to these methods. His research group is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Computational Inference (COIN) that will be funded by the Academy of Finland from 2012 to 2017.

- Ilkka Niemelä is one of our most renowned researchers and he has done an excellent job as the dean of the School of Science. I would like to welcome him in his new position where he will continue to reinforce the research carried out at Aalto University and to develop the Tenure Track career system, among other things, says President Tuula Teeri.

The duties of the dean of the School of Science will be taken over by the current vice dean, Professor Kimmo Kaski as of March 1. The process for appointing a new dean will begin during February.

More information:
President Tuula Teeri
tel. +358 (0)50 512 4194 (Assistant Harriet Jehkonen)
president@aalto.fi

]]> Winners of the Builders of the Future design contest announced 2012-02-02T14:45:43+00:00 2012-02-02T14:45:43+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14e32b1ad09b64e3211e18350251e34f26cf56cf5 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The winners of the Builders of the Future design contest, organised in order to create a monument in honour of the people who contributed to the endowment capital of Aalto University, have been revealed. The first prize was awarded to Aalto University architecture student Ossi Konttinen for his design called Noste.

Currently, only a scale model of Noste exists, but in its final form it will be a 15-metre-wide outdoor monument. The highest point of the monument will be approximately two meters tall. Noste combines shape and light and resembles a fault, a wave or a dune.

 “The idea behind the design was turning a new page. I came up with the idea when I was thinking about Aalto University and the fact that we are creating something new,” Konttinen explains.

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat kilpailun voittajateos Noste, suunnittelija Ossi Konttinen kuva: Mikko Raskinen

1st prize Noste, Ossi Konttinen

Visibility for donors

According to Jyri Tawast, director of fundraising at Aalto University, the design contest aimed at all Aalto University degree students, members of staff and alumni attracted a lot of attention. A total of 58 designs were submitted for the first round of the contest. The jury evaluated these designs and finally selected ten designs for the second round.

“The donors have an important role in building Aalto University with us and we want to give recognition to their work by creating this monument,” Tawast explains.

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat -kilpailun 2. sija Sattuma, Inni Pärnänen kuva: Mikko Raskinen

2nd prize Sattuma, Inni Pärnänen

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat kilpailun 3. sija Kolme Kuutiota, suunnittelija Ilari Pirttilahti kuva: Mikko Raskinen

3rd prize Kolme kuutiota, Ilari Pirttilahti

The second and third prize were awarded to Aalto University alumni. The second prize went to jewellery designer Inni Pärnänen for her design Sattuma. The third prize was awarded to designer Ilari Pirttilahti for his design Kolme kuutiota. An honorary mention was awarded to Ajatustila, a design by industrial design and architecture student Joona Ala-Karvia and architecture student Ilkka Ala-Fossi.

Dean Helena Hyvönen from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture who was also the chair of the jury says that the members of the jury were impressed by the high standard of the designs.

”The assignment was challenging so it was delightful that all the contestants had created their monument in a fresh, bold way. Seeing the monument as a potential meeting place that would improve the community spirit of the university was particularly pleasing. Many of the designs would be perfect works of art for some other context and I would like to encourage the participants to promote their designs and try to find a location for them.”

According to the jury, Noste is a beautiful and harmonious design that would make an excellent landmark and enliven the landscape. The fact that it could improve community spirit at encounters at Aalto University was one of the main reasons for its success.

Aalto University organised the design contest in cooperation with the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo and the Association of Professional Graphic Designers in Finland Grafia. The ten designs qualified for the second round of the contest will be presented at the MoA event this spring.

Text: Tea Kalska
Photos: Mikko Raskinen

]]> The winners of the Builders of the Future design contest, organised in order to create a monument in honour of the people who contributed to the endowment capital of Aalto University, have been revealed. The first prize was awarded to Aalto University architecture student Ossi Konttinen for his design called Noste.

Currently, only a scale model of Noste exists, but in its final form it will be a 15-metre-wide outdoor monument. The highest point of the monument will be approximately two meters tall. Noste combines shape and light and resembles a fault, a wave or a dune.

 “The idea behind the design was turning a new page. I came up with the idea when I was thinking about Aalto University and the fact that we are creating something new,” Konttinen explains.

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat kilpailun voittajateos Noste, suunnittelija Ossi Konttinen kuva: Mikko Raskinen

1st prize Noste, Ossi Konttinen

Visibility for donors

According to Jyri Tawast, director of fundraising at Aalto University, the design contest aimed at all Aalto University degree students, members of staff and alumni attracted a lot of attention. A total of 58 designs were submitted for the first round of the contest. The jury evaluated these designs and finally selected ten designs for the second round.

“The donors have an important role in building Aalto University with us and we want to give recognition to their work by creating this monument,” Tawast explains.

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat -kilpailun 2. sija Sattuma, Inni Pärnänen kuva: Mikko Raskinen

2nd prize Sattuma, Inni Pärnänen

Tulevaisuuden rakentajat kilpailun 3. sija Kolme Kuutiota, suunnittelija Ilari Pirttilahti kuva: Mikko Raskinen

3rd prize Kolme kuutiota, Ilari Pirttilahti

The second and third prize were awarded to Aalto University alumni. The second prize went to jewellery designer Inni Pärnänen for her design Sattuma. The third prize was awarded to designer Ilari Pirttilahti for his design Kolme kuutiota. An honorary mention was awarded to Ajatustila, a design by industrial design and architecture student Joona Ala-Karvia and architecture student Ilkka Ala-Fossi.

Dean Helena Hyvönen from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture who was also the chair of the jury says that the members of the jury were impressed by the high standard of the designs.

”The assignment was challenging so it was delightful that all the contestants had created their monument in a fresh, bold way. Seeing the monument as a potential meeting place that would improve the community spirit of the university was particularly pleasing. Many of the designs would be perfect works of art for some other context and I would like to encourage the participants to promote their designs and try to find a location for them.”

According to the jury, Noste is a beautiful and harmonious design that would make an excellent landmark and enliven the landscape. The fact that it could improve community spirit at encounters at Aalto University was one of the main reasons for its success.

Aalto University organised the design contest in cooperation with the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo and the Association of Professional Graphic Designers in Finland Grafia. The ten designs qualified for the second round of the contest will be presented at the MoA event this spring.

Text: Tea Kalska
Photos: Mikko Raskinen

]]> Aalto joins the WDC open doors weekend 2012-02-01T08:40:32+00:00 2012-02-01T08:40:32+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14cb06707249c4cb011e19108bf7f2cb224772477 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The World Design Capital Helsinki arranges an Open Doors Weekend during February 3-5. Some 180 different events have been planned to delight the residents of Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Kauniainen and Lahti: these will be touching and fun meetings involving design. In addition to design, sometimes in very surprising forms and places, the events also promise to offer bread and circus games, performances, clubs, guidance for visitors, lectures, workshops and ideation projects.

Aalto University organizes events as part of the programme, here under some examples.

Aalto Design Factory tour

Friday 3 Feb at 1 pm and 3 pm
Saturday 4 Feb 1 pm, 3 pm

Guided tour for anyone who is interested in learning to know Aalto University Design Factory.

Address: Betonimiehenkuja 5 C, Otaniemi
designfactory.aalto.fi

ADDLAB - Aalto University Digital Design Laboratory

Friday 3 Feb from 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday 4 Feb from 10 am to 5 pm

ADDLAB addresses the potential of new digital design technologies by forming a research and development platform focused on bridging the gap between digital representation and physical realization, exploring a host of opportunities across disciplines.

ADDLAB itself is a prototype of the new Aalto environment, functioning as a hub of activity that fosters social interaction and cultural inspiration. ADDLAB aims to provide a valuable forum for scientists, engineers, designers, artists and architects that facilitates cross-disciplinary exchange and networking. ADDLAB hosts and organizes lectures, seminars and workshops in order to import, support and share a global network of innovative knowledge.

Within the context of the Open Doors Weekend, ADDLAB will exhibit a video installation exploring it's mission, objectives and cultural events.

Address Sähkömiehentie 4 G, Otaniemi, Espoo
addlab.fi

The walking tours at the School of Economics

The walking tours introducing the art, design and architecture treaseures of the School of Economics are arranged when ordered. The next walking tour will be on the World Design Capital weekend, Friday 3 February at 1 pm.

The tour starts from the Entrance Hall at the Main building of the School of Economics (Runeberginkatu 14-16).

Aalto World Design Capital year´s site is now open at  living.aalto.fi.

WCD Helsinki Open Doors Weekend (wdchelsinki2012.fi)

]]> The World Design Capital Helsinki arranges an Open Doors Weekend during February 3-5. Some 180 different events have been planned to delight the residents of Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Kauniainen and Lahti: these will be touching and fun meetings involving design. In addition to design, sometimes in very surprising forms and places, the events also promise to offer bread and circus games, performances, clubs, guidance for visitors, lectures, workshops and ideation projects.

Aalto University organizes events as part of the programme, here under some examples.

Aalto Design Factory tour

Friday 3 Feb at 1 pm and 3 pm
Saturday 4 Feb 1 pm, 3 pm

Guided tour for anyone who is interested in learning to know Aalto University Design Factory.

Address: Betonimiehenkuja 5 C, Otaniemi
designfactory.aalto.fi

ADDLAB - Aalto University Digital Design Laboratory

Friday 3 Feb from 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday 4 Feb from 10 am to 5 pm

ADDLAB addresses the potential of new digital design technologies by forming a research and development platform focused on bridging the gap between digital representation and physical realization, exploring a host of opportunities across disciplines.

ADDLAB itself is a prototype of the new Aalto environment, functioning as a hub of activity that fosters social interaction and cultural inspiration. ADDLAB aims to provide a valuable forum for scientists, engineers, designers, artists and architects that facilitates cross-disciplinary exchange and networking. ADDLAB hosts and organizes lectures, seminars and workshops in order to import, support and share a global network of innovative knowledge.

Within the context of the Open Doors Weekend, ADDLAB will exhibit a video installation exploring it's mission, objectives and cultural events.

Address Sähkömiehentie 4 G, Otaniemi, Espoo
addlab.fi

The walking tours at the School of Economics

The walking tours introducing the art, design and architecture treaseures of the School of Economics are arranged when ordered. The next walking tour will be on the World Design Capital weekend, Friday 3 February at 1 pm.

The tour starts from the Entrance Hall at the Main building of the School of Economics (Runeberginkatu 14-16).

Aalto World Design Capital year´s site is now open at  living.aalto.fi.

WCD Helsinki Open Doors Weekend (wdchelsinki2012.fi)

]]> Co-operation procedures at Aalto University’s Lahti Center 2012-01-30T11:28:45+00:00 2012-01-30T11:28:45+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14b3591da0c884b3511e1b894c305920c15a915a9 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The co-operation negotiations at Aalto University’s Lahti center are finalized. The negotia-tions took place between 30.11.2011-18.1.2012 and concerned 23 employees.

In its report dated 30 September 2011, Aalto University's internal working group recommended changes to environmental engineering activities, including those concerning the Lahti Center, and recommended that the university's operations model in the Lahti Center be reformed.  In preparation for the relevant decision-making work, Aalto University held co-operation negotiations on the operational re-organization of the Lahti Center concerning all 23 employees. 

As a result of the negotiations the Lahti center, a part of the Aalto School of Engineering, will not continue as its own administrative unit. The research and education will be a part of the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the School of Engineering in Otaniemi.  Aalto University’s activities in Lahti will however continue, e.g. as regional investment research projects. The University is also active in the field of design in Lahti. 

For the research and education personnel the work location will change and the work will continue in Otaniemi. The cut-backs for service personnel in Lahti after spring 2012 will affect 11 employees. All personnel will be offered other work possibilities in the Helsinki region or at other Aalto campuses in Finland. Aalto University will make the final decisions regarding the service personnel during February.

]]> The co-operation negotiations at Aalto University’s Lahti center are finalized. The negotia-tions took place between 30.11.2011-18.1.2012 and concerned 23 employees.

In its report dated 30 September 2011, Aalto University's internal working group recommended changes to environmental engineering activities, including those concerning the Lahti Center, and recommended that the university's operations model in the Lahti Center be reformed.  In preparation for the relevant decision-making work, Aalto University held co-operation negotiations on the operational re-organization of the Lahti Center concerning all 23 employees. 

As a result of the negotiations the Lahti center, a part of the Aalto School of Engineering, will not continue as its own administrative unit. The research and education will be a part of the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the School of Engineering in Otaniemi.  Aalto University’s activities in Lahti will however continue, e.g. as regional investment research projects. The University is also active in the field of design in Lahti. 

For the research and education personnel the work location will change and the work will continue in Otaniemi. The cut-backs for service personnel in Lahti after spring 2012 will affect 11 employees. All personnel will be offered other work possibilities in the Helsinki region or at other Aalto campuses in Finland. Aalto University will make the final decisions regarding the service personnel during February.

]]> Dyslexia-linked genetic variant decreases midline crossing of auditory pathways 2012-01-30T09:29:33+00:00 2012-01-30T09:29:33+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14b24eb21578a4b2411e1a468b9fe2603d3f7d3f7 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Finnish scientists have found that a rare dyslexia-linked genetic variant of the ROBO1 gene decreases normal crossing of auditory pathways in the human brain. The weaker the expression of the gene is, the more abnormal is the midline crossing.

Lukivaikeudelle altistava geenimuoto heikentää kuuloratojen risteämistä aivoissa

The results link, for the first time, a dyslexia-susceptibility gene to a specific sensory function of the human brain. This collaborative study between Aalto University and University of Helsinki in Finland and the Karolinska Insitutet in Sweden was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

According to previous animal studies, dysfunction of the Robo1 gene prevents normal midline crossing of neurons during fetal development. Humans with totally dysfunctional ROBO1 gene have not been found. However, dyslexic individuals in a large Finnish family have inherited one poorly functioning copy of the ROBO1 gene. This association between ROBO1 and dyslexia was found already in 2005.

In the present study, the scientists quantified the functional crossing of auditory pathways in ten members of this family, applying a sensitive method based on the recording of weak magnetic fields of the brain (magnetoencephalo­graphy, MEG). The functional crossing of auditory pathways was significantly weakened in individuals who carried the dyslexia-linked version of the ROBO1 gene.

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting roughly 10% of the population in most countries.

Additional information:

Satu Lamminmäki, MD
Tel: +358-50-3442818
E-mail: satu.lamminmaki@aalto.fi

Riitta Hari, MD Ph.D, professor
E-mail: hari@neuro.hut.fi

Juha Kere, MD Ph.D, professor
E-mail: juha.kere@ki.se

Reference:

Satu Lamminmäki, Satu Massinen, Jaana Nopola-Hemmi, Juha Kere, and Riitta Hari: Human ROBO1 Regulates Interaural Interaction in Auditory Pathways. The Journal of Neuroscience, January 18, 2012, 32(3):966 –971.



]]> Finnish scientists have found that a rare dyslexia-linked genetic variant of the ROBO1 gene decreases normal crossing of auditory pathways in the human brain. The weaker the expression of the gene is, the more abnormal is the midline crossing.

Lukivaikeudelle altistava geenimuoto heikentää kuuloratojen risteämistä aivoissa

The results link, for the first time, a dyslexia-susceptibility gene to a specific sensory function of the human brain. This collaborative study between Aalto University and University of Helsinki in Finland and the Karolinska Insitutet in Sweden was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

According to previous animal studies, dysfunction of the Robo1 gene prevents normal midline crossing of neurons during fetal development. Humans with totally dysfunctional ROBO1 gene have not been found. However, dyslexic individuals in a large Finnish family have inherited one poorly functioning copy of the ROBO1 gene. This association between ROBO1 and dyslexia was found already in 2005.

In the present study, the scientists quantified the functional crossing of auditory pathways in ten members of this family, applying a sensitive method based on the recording of weak magnetic fields of the brain (magnetoencephalo­graphy, MEG). The functional crossing of auditory pathways was significantly weakened in individuals who carried the dyslexia-linked version of the ROBO1 gene.

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting roughly 10% of the population in most countries.

Additional information:

Satu Lamminmäki, MD
Tel: +358-50-3442818
E-mail: satu.lamminmaki@aalto.fi

Riitta Hari, MD Ph.D, professor
E-mail: hari@neuro.hut.fi

Juha Kere, MD Ph.D, professor
E-mail: juha.kere@ki.se

Reference:

Satu Lamminmäki, Satu Massinen, Jaana Nopola-Hemmi, Juha Kere, and Riitta Hari: Human ROBO1 Regulates Interaural Interaction in Auditory Pathways. The Journal of Neuroscience, January 18, 2012, 32(3):966 –971.



]]> Better living environments the Aalto University theme for the World Design Capital Helsinki year 2012 2012-01-27T10:22:12+00:00 2012-01-27T10:22:12+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e148d0c719cddc48d011e19b964b50e88edeffdeff Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Aalto University’s programme for the World Design Capital year, called Living+, creates better living environments in the spirit of sustainable development. By combining art, business and technology, Aalto University has a unique ability to create new solutions for global challenges.

Living+ presents different ways of improving our everyday life with new solutions, in Finland and globally. Below are some examples of events and projects included in the Aalto University programme. More information is available on the new website living.aalto.fi. On the website, Aalto Talk blogs discuss interesting views on design and observations about our living environment.

The invitational seminar Designing New Realities!, organised 6 March 2012, challenges participants to think about the meaning and importance design has in society. The seminar opens up the history and current trends of responsible design through concrete examples and creates perspectives into the future. The language of the seminar is English, and the Chairman will be Alastair Fuad-Luke, Professor of Emerging Design Practices at Aalto University. The seminar day will begin with a press conference that includes the opportunity to take a closer look at the Living+ projects. We will send separate invitations to the seminar and the press conference.

Base of the Pyramid BoP-hanke kuva: Marja Mutanen

The Base of the Pyramid project targets emerging markets, such as India and Peru, by promoting the creation of innovations aiming at decreasing global poverty. The objective is to find socially and ecologically sustainable products, services and business models. At the same time, the project identifies new markets for Finnish companies that are interested in innovation.

365 Wellbeing presents design as a socially active and responsible field of expertise. The objective of the project is to design functional, pleasant and better living environments and discover ways to promote healthy lifestyles. 365 Wellbeing aims at developing municipal health and welfare services and patient-centred health care solutions, employing the methods of service design and critical design. For example, experts and students will design a service concept for cultural services at the Villa Breda service home for the elderly in Kauniainen and develop the health care environments and practices of a psychiatric care unit. The work and results of the project are presented to the public in workshops, for example at the DesignWorld exhibition at the Design Museum, opening on 27 January.

wood_pavillion_museopolku.jpg

The Wooden Pavilion is designed by Aalto University students. The temporary pavilion with a wooden structure will be located between the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture. The pavilion opens in May 2012 and serves as a World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 hub, meeting point and event venue until autumn 2012.

The Aalto Otaniemi Garden challenge invites students to create a new campus garden area that meets high visual standards. The campus garden located in Otaniemi will include land for cultivation and an area for outdoor events. It will also serve as a learning environment for students in the field of Environmental Art and Landscape Architecture[L1] . The project is a part of the overall development process of the Otaniemi campus and the T3 area. Sofia Tigerstedt's entry, Uomapuisto, won the competition, and will soon become a new green space on campus.

MoA (Masters of Aalto) is an international festival showcasing next generation ideas and innovations. MoA includes events, seminars, discussions and an exhibition of the work of graduates from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the schools of technology and the School Economics. The exhibition opens on 9 May and is curated by Professor Maaretta Jaukkuri.

In the exhibition Happy End? Helsinki Art Museum and the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture join forces to consider the kinds of futures that are available to us. Will our future life be easy and beautiful or tragic and destructive? Will we succumb to the destiny decided by others or will we create an alternative future for the whole humankind? The exhibition opens on 31 August.

Wastelands 2011 kuva: Emmi Jääskeläinen

Wastelands is a festival for students of architecture from 42 countries organised in July in Suvilahti, Helsinki.

More information:

Producer Anna Varakas
anna.varakas@aalto.fi
tel. 050 5124657

Project Manager Kaisa Kivelä
kaisa.kivela@aalto.fi
tel. 050 564 9253

See also

Living+ site (Living.aalto.fi), our umbrella for all the Aalto projects during Helsinki's World Design Capital 2012.

]]> Aalto University’s programme for the World Design Capital year, called Living+, creates better living environments in the spirit of sustainable development. By combining art, business and technology, Aalto University has a unique ability to create new solutions for global challenges.

Living+ presents different ways of improving our everyday life with new solutions, in Finland and globally. Below are some examples of events and projects included in the Aalto University programme. More information is available on the new website living.aalto.fi. On the website, Aalto Talk blogs discuss interesting views on design and observations about our living environment.

The invitational seminar Designing New Realities!, organised 6 March 2012, challenges participants to think about the meaning and importance design has in society. The seminar opens up the history and current trends of responsible design through concrete examples and creates perspectives into the future. The language of the seminar is English, and the Chairman will be Alastair Fuad-Luke, Professor of Emerging Design Practices at Aalto University. The seminar day will begin with a press conference that includes the opportunity to take a closer look at the Living+ projects. We will send separate invitations to the seminar and the press conference.

Base of the Pyramid BoP-hanke kuva: Marja Mutanen

The Base of the Pyramid project targets emerging markets, such as India and Peru, by promoting the creation of innovations aiming at decreasing global poverty. The objective is to find socially and ecologically sustainable products, services and business models. At the same time, the project identifies new markets for Finnish companies that are interested in innovation.

365 Wellbeing presents design as a socially active and responsible field of expertise. The objective of the project is to design functional, pleasant and better living environments and discover ways to promote healthy lifestyles. 365 Wellbeing aims at developing municipal health and welfare services and patient-centred health care solutions, employing the methods of service design and critical design. For example, experts and students will design a service concept for cultural services at the Villa Breda service home for the elderly in Kauniainen and develop the health care environments and practices of a psychiatric care unit. The work and results of the project are presented to the public in workshops, for example at the DesignWorld exhibition at the Design Museum, opening on 27 January.

wood_pavillion_museopolku.jpg

The Wooden Pavilion is designed by Aalto University students. The temporary pavilion with a wooden structure will be located between the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture. The pavilion opens in May 2012 and serves as a World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 hub, meeting point and event venue until autumn 2012.

The Aalto Otaniemi Garden challenge invites students to create a new campus garden area that meets high visual standards. The campus garden located in Otaniemi will include land for cultivation and an area for outdoor events. It will also serve as a learning environment for students in the field of Environmental Art and Landscape Architecture[L1] . The project is a part of the overall development process of the Otaniemi campus and the T3 area. Sofia Tigerstedt's entry, Uomapuisto, won the competition, and will soon become a new green space on campus.

MoA (Masters of Aalto) is an international festival showcasing next generation ideas and innovations. MoA includes events, seminars, discussions and an exhibition of the work of graduates from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the schools of technology and the School Economics. The exhibition opens on 9 May and is curated by Professor Maaretta Jaukkuri.

In the exhibition Happy End? Helsinki Art Museum and the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture join forces to consider the kinds of futures that are available to us. Will our future life be easy and beautiful or tragic and destructive? Will we succumb to the destiny decided by others or will we create an alternative future for the whole humankind? The exhibition opens on 31 August.

Wastelands 2011 kuva: Emmi Jääskeläinen

Wastelands is a festival for students of architecture from 42 countries organised in July in Suvilahti, Helsinki.

More information:

Producer Anna Varakas
anna.varakas@aalto.fi
tel. 050 5124657

Project Manager Kaisa Kivelä
kaisa.kivela@aalto.fi
tel. 050 564 9253

See also

Living+ site (Living.aalto.fi), our umbrella for all the Aalto projects during Helsinki's World Design Capital 2012.

]]> Supercomputer helps to discover new carbon structures 2012-01-26T13:31:38+00:00 2012-01-26T13:31:38+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14822136363a6482211e1bd950f3271e71c8f1c8f Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The objective of the doctoral dissertation of researcher Timo Vehviläinen was to find a way of storing explosive hydrogen in carbon nanostructures, but Vehviläinen ended up discovering new carbon structures.

During the last decade, the two carbon allotropes that we learnt at school, graphite and diamond, have been joined by several new carbon structures.
The football-shaped fullerene and graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon, have even brought Nobel prizes to their discoverers.
Researcher Timo Vehviläinen from Aalto University discovered several new carbon structures during his doctoral dissertation project with the help of computational methods.

Vehviläinen was especially interested in the smallest possible fullerene molecule, the spherical C20 composed of 20 carbon atoms. An important research question was whether structures based on this fullerene could be used for storing hydrogen.

- Some research papers suggest that as many as 60 hydrogen atoms could be stored inside a fullerene molecule, Vehviläinen says.

Hydrogen a possible replacement for fossil fuels

Carbon has a central role in the global energy supply since the majority of the world’s energy is produced by burning hydrocarbons. Hydrogen has been mentioned as a possible replacement for the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, but producing and storing this explosive gas is a major problem.
- The safest option would be binding hydrogen to solids so that it could easily be released when necessary, Vehviläinen explains.
However, his simulations with fullerene and hydrogen revealed that fullerene binds hydrogen atoms slightly too tightly. Hydrogen atoms can be made to enter a fullerene sphere by exposing them to heat, but releasing the atoms from the fullerene molecule then becomes extremely difficult.

- If we had found a way of storing hydrogen, we would be very famous, Vehviläinen states realistically.
The researchers at Aalto University will continue their simulations, but instead of using hydrogen atoms, they will move on to using the hydrogen molecule H2 that is naturally found in the environment.

Although a scientific breakthrough was not made, a lot of new knowledge on the atom-level physics of carbon compounds was acquired.
- When a hydrogen atom attaches itself to a fullerene molecule, the molecule in some cases becomes magnetic. Currently, we do not know why this is.

The new carbon structures predicted by Vehviläinen form one of the most important results of the dissertation. One of these structures is quasi-graphene, a hybrid between carbon nanotubes and graphite.
- Its mechanical properties are similar to those of carbon nanotubes and its tensile strength is much greater than that of steel. In one direction it is soft like graphite, Vehviläinen describes the miraculous material. The electrical properties of quasi-graphene are also a mix between the properties of nanotubes and graphite.
- Certain directions of the structure are semiconducting and others conducting.

"It can be done"

Another interesting point concerning quasi-graphene is that it only exists in supercomputer forecasts. This does not bother the computational physicist. He believes that in ten years’ time synthesizing the material will no longer be a problem. The development of the field has been overwhelming.
- When I began my doctoral research project, synthesizing C20 fullerene was considered impossible. Now it can be done.

The tools of computational physicists consist of number-crunching supercomputers containing hundreds of processors. Everything starts with the basics of quantum mechanics, Schrödinger equation. Computer simulations show researchers what happens in matter on atom and electron level.
Among other things, Vehviläinen can predict the carbon atom to which a hydrogen atom will most likely attach itself in a fullerene molecule and what kind of a polymer structure will be formed when fullerene molecules are compressed under high pressure.
- We can also predict the properties of new carbon structures, such as how strong they are compared to diamond.

Currently, Vehviläinen is especially interested in three-dimensional fullerene polymers. He has a long list of possible applications:
- The storage of hydrogen, extremely durable materials, electronics components, quantum dots. Carbon is an extremely versatile material.

Timo Vehviläinen’s doctoral dissertation, "Hydrogen interaction with carbon nanostructures”, was presented for public examination and debate at the Aalto University School of Science on January 19, 2012.

The Aalto University Electronic Properties of Materials research group.

Further information:
Researcher Timo Vehviläinen
tel. +358 (0)40 753 8064
vehvilainen@iki.fi

]]> The objective of the doctoral dissertation of researcher Timo Vehviläinen was to find a way of storing explosive hydrogen in carbon nanostructures, but Vehviläinen ended up discovering new carbon structures.

During the last decade, the two carbon allotropes that we learnt at school, graphite and diamond, have been joined by several new carbon structures.
The football-shaped fullerene and graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon, have even brought Nobel prizes to their discoverers.
Researcher Timo Vehviläinen from Aalto University discovered several new carbon structures during his doctoral dissertation project with the help of computational methods.

Vehviläinen was especially interested in the smallest possible fullerene molecule, the spherical C20 composed of 20 carbon atoms. An important research question was whether structures based on this fullerene could be used for storing hydrogen.

- Some research papers suggest that as many as 60 hydrogen atoms could be stored inside a fullerene molecule, Vehviläinen says.

Hydrogen a possible replacement for fossil fuels

Carbon has a central role in the global energy supply since the majority of the world’s energy is produced by burning hydrocarbons. Hydrogen has been mentioned as a possible replacement for the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, but producing and storing this explosive gas is a major problem.
- The safest option would be binding hydrogen to solids so that it could easily be released when necessary, Vehviläinen explains.
However, his simulations with fullerene and hydrogen revealed that fullerene binds hydrogen atoms slightly too tightly. Hydrogen atoms can be made to enter a fullerene sphere by exposing them to heat, but releasing the atoms from the fullerene molecule then becomes extremely difficult.

- If we had found a way of storing hydrogen, we would be very famous, Vehviläinen states realistically.
The researchers at Aalto University will continue their simulations, but instead of using hydrogen atoms, they will move on to using the hydrogen molecule H2 that is naturally found in the environment.

Although a scientific breakthrough was not made, a lot of new knowledge on the atom-level physics of carbon compounds was acquired.
- When a hydrogen atom attaches itself to a fullerene molecule, the molecule in some cases becomes magnetic. Currently, we do not know why this is.

The new carbon structures predicted by Vehviläinen form one of the most important results of the dissertation. One of these structures is quasi-graphene, a hybrid between carbon nanotubes and graphite.
- Its mechanical properties are similar to those of carbon nanotubes and its tensile strength is much greater than that of steel. In one direction it is soft like graphite, Vehviläinen describes the miraculous material. The electrical properties of quasi-graphene are also a mix between the properties of nanotubes and graphite.
- Certain directions of the structure are semiconducting and others conducting.

"It can be done"

Another interesting point concerning quasi-graphene is that it only exists in supercomputer forecasts. This does not bother the computational physicist. He believes that in ten years’ time synthesizing the material will no longer be a problem. The development of the field has been overwhelming.
- When I began my doctoral research project, synthesizing C20 fullerene was considered impossible. Now it can be done.

The tools of computational physicists consist of number-crunching supercomputers containing hundreds of processors. Everything starts with the basics of quantum mechanics, Schrödinger equation. Computer simulations show researchers what happens in matter on atom and electron level.
Among other things, Vehviläinen can predict the carbon atom to which a hydrogen atom will most likely attach itself in a fullerene molecule and what kind of a polymer structure will be formed when fullerene molecules are compressed under high pressure.
- We can also predict the properties of new carbon structures, such as how strong they are compared to diamond.

Currently, Vehviläinen is especially interested in three-dimensional fullerene polymers. He has a long list of possible applications:
- The storage of hydrogen, extremely durable materials, electronics components, quantum dots. Carbon is an extremely versatile material.

Timo Vehviläinen’s doctoral dissertation, "Hydrogen interaction with carbon nanostructures”, was presented for public examination and debate at the Aalto University School of Science on January 19, 2012.

The Aalto University Electronic Properties of Materials research group.

Further information:
Researcher Timo Vehviläinen
tel. +358 (0)40 753 8064
vehvilainen@iki.fi

]]> World fame with low temperature records and brain research 2012-01-25T10:53:59+00:00 2012-01-25T10:53:59+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14742e2c200ac474211e1bc03d9482379d701d701 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The life work of famous Finnish physicist Olli Viktor Lounasmaa was a laboratory performing neuromagnetic brain research and research in low temperature physics. Today, the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory of Aalto University is a renowned research unit in the forefront of the international science community.

Professor Pertti Hakonen, the director of the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory, says that the laboratory that was founded in 1965 as the Low Temperature Laboratory has a long tradition in two research fields: low temperature physics and brain research. The laboratory has broken the world record of low temperatures several times in experiments related to the nuclear magnetism of metals. In brain research, the laboratory was one of the first to develop equipment for measuring magnetic brain signals.

“There have constantly been significant research results that the laboratory can be proud of. The laboratory is very well-known around the world, as is its founder: O. V. Lounasmaa is often the Finnish physicist whom foreign physicists know.”

From the Low Temperature Laboratory to the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory

The Aalto University Low Temperature Laboratory was renamed at the beginning of 2012 and became the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory. The reason behind the new name is giving the two main research fields, low temperature physics and brain research, an equal standing.

Olli Viktor Lounasmaa 1930–2002

  • Finnish physicist and brain researcher

  • Received the honorary title of Academician in 1997

  • Founded the Low Temperature Laboratory in 1965 (now the O. V. Lounasmaa Laboratory)

  • Directed the Low Temperature Laboratory from 1965 to 1995

  • Was awarded the Fritz London Memorial Prize (1984) and the Kapiza Gold Medal (1995) among other awards

“The name of the Low Temperature Laboratory dated back to the founding year 1965 when the laboratory focused on low temperature physics. At the beginning of the 1980s, brain research came into the picture and Academy Professor Lounasmaa became interested in it. Therefore the name of the founder of the laboratory was a natural choice for the new name,” Hakonen explains.

The Low Temperature Laboratory has not ceased to exist, but will continue as a research unit of the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory. Two research units operate within the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory of Aalto University: the Low Temperature Laboratory, LTL, focuses on the study of low temperatures and nanophysics and the Brain Research Unit, BRU, on systemic neuroscience and brain imaging.

Text: Tea Kalska

Teksti: Tea Kalska

]]> The life work of famous Finnish physicist Olli Viktor Lounasmaa was a laboratory performing neuromagnetic brain research and research in low temperature physics. Today, the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory of Aalto University is a renowned research unit in the forefront of the international science community.

Professor Pertti Hakonen, the director of the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory, says that the laboratory that was founded in 1965 as the Low Temperature Laboratory has a long tradition in two research fields: low temperature physics and brain research. The laboratory has broken the world record of low temperatures several times in experiments related to the nuclear magnetism of metals. In brain research, the laboratory was one of the first to develop equipment for measuring magnetic brain signals.

“There have constantly been significant research results that the laboratory can be proud of. The laboratory is very well-known around the world, as is its founder: O. V. Lounasmaa is often the Finnish physicist whom foreign physicists know.”

From the Low Temperature Laboratory to the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory

The Aalto University Low Temperature Laboratory was renamed at the beginning of 2012 and became the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory. The reason behind the new name is giving the two main research fields, low temperature physics and brain research, an equal standing.

Olli Viktor Lounasmaa 1930–2002

  • Finnish physicist and brain researcher

  • Received the honorary title of Academician in 1997

  • Founded the Low Temperature Laboratory in 1965 (now the O. V. Lounasmaa Laboratory)

  • Directed the Low Temperature Laboratory from 1965 to 1995

  • Was awarded the Fritz London Memorial Prize (1984) and the Kapiza Gold Medal (1995) among other awards

“The name of the Low Temperature Laboratory dated back to the founding year 1965 when the laboratory focused on low temperature physics. At the beginning of the 1980s, brain research came into the picture and Academy Professor Lounasmaa became interested in it. Therefore the name of the founder of the laboratory was a natural choice for the new name,” Hakonen explains.

The Low Temperature Laboratory has not ceased to exist, but will continue as a research unit of the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory. Two research units operate within the O.V. Lounasmaa Laboratory of Aalto University: the Low Temperature Laboratory, LTL, focuses on the study of low temperatures and nanophysics and the Brain Research Unit, BRU, on systemic neuroscience and brain imaging.

Text: Tea Kalska

Teksti: Tea Kalska

]]> Transparent plastic-like packing material from birch fibril pulp 2012-01-24T11:57:52+00:00 2012-01-24T11:57:52+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14682a4ad3fae468211e1835a83439a8336833683 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre have developed a method which for the first time enables manufacturing of a wood-based and plastic-like material in large scale. The method enables industrial scale roll-to-roll production of nanofibrillated cellulose film, which is suitable for e.g. food packaging to protect products from spoilage.

Nanofibrillated cellulose typically binds high amounts of water and forms gels with only a few per cent dry matter content. This characteristic has been a bottleneck for industrial-scale manufacture.

In most cases, fibril cellulose films are manufactured through pressurised filtering but the gel-like nature of the material makes this route difficult. In addition, the wires and membranes used for filtering may leave a so-called “mark” on the film which has a negative impact on the evenness of the surface.

According to the method developed by Aalto University and VTT nanofibrillated cellulose films are manufactured by evenly coating fibril cellulose on plastic films so that the spreading and adhesion on the surface of the plastic can be controlled. The films are dried in a controlled manner by using a range of existing techniques.
Thanks to the management of spreading, adhesion and drying, the films do not shrink and are completely even. The more fibrillated cellulose material is used, the more transparent films can be manufactured.

Several metres of fibril cellulose film have been manufactured with VTT’s pilot-scale device in Espoo. All the phases in the method can be transferred to industrial production processes. The films can be manufactured using devices that already exist in the industry, without the need for any major additional investment. 

Aalto University and VTT are applying for a patent for the production technology of NFC film. Trial runs and the related development work are performed at VTT.

The invention was implemented in the Naseva – Tailoring of Nanocellulose Structures for Industrial Applications project by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) that is included in the Finnish Centre for Nanocellulosic Technologies project entity formed by Aalto University, UPM and VTT.
Nanofibrillated cellulose grade used was UPM Fibrilcellulose supplied by UPM.

]]> Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre have developed a method which for the first time enables manufacturing of a wood-based and plastic-like material in large scale. The method enables industrial scale roll-to-roll production of nanofibrillated cellulose film, which is suitable for e.g. food packaging to protect products from spoilage.

Nanofibrillated cellulose typically binds high amounts of water and forms gels with only a few per cent dry matter content. This characteristic has been a bottleneck for industrial-scale manufacture.

In most cases, fibril cellulose films are manufactured through pressurised filtering but the gel-like nature of the material makes this route difficult. In addition, the wires and membranes used for filtering may leave a so-called “mark” on the film which has a negative impact on the evenness of the surface.

According to the method developed by Aalto University and VTT nanofibrillated cellulose films are manufactured by evenly coating fibril cellulose on plastic films so that the spreading and adhesion on the surface of the plastic can be controlled. The films are dried in a controlled manner by using a range of existing techniques.
Thanks to the management of spreading, adhesion and drying, the films do not shrink and are completely even. The more fibrillated cellulose material is used, the more transparent films can be manufactured.

Several metres of fibril cellulose film have been manufactured with VTT’s pilot-scale device in Espoo. All the phases in the method can be transferred to industrial production processes. The films can be manufactured using devices that already exist in the industry, without the need for any major additional investment. 

Aalto University and VTT are applying for a patent for the production technology of NFC film. Trial runs and the related development work are performed at VTT.

The invention was implemented in the Naseva – Tailoring of Nanocellulose Structures for Industrial Applications project by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) that is included in the Finnish Centre for Nanocellulosic Technologies project entity formed by Aalto University, UPM and VTT.
Nanofibrillated cellulose grade used was UPM Fibrilcellulose supplied by UPM.

]]> Timo Löyttyniemi is School of Economics Alumnus of the Year 2012 2012-01-24T08:59:03+00:00 2012-01-24T08:59:03+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e14669aa2b28e2466911e1b1a9598c4dea708b708b Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> D. Sc. (Econ.) Timo Löyttyniemi (b. 1961), Managing Director of the State Pension Fund, has been chosen by the Aalto University School of Economics as its Alumnus of the Year 2012.

Aalto-yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulun vuoden alumni Timo Löyttyniemi

Timo Löyttyniemi is an important player in the Finnish economy and in this role he has significantly contributed to the interaction between Aalto University and the business world. 

- I’m really delighted for the award. After all, internationally, the School of Economics is a top-ranking unit in economics and business administration. The School is of great importance for the Finnish business life and I'm proud to be able to be a member of this community. Both the business world and the School of Economics benefit from this active cooperation, concludes Löyttyniemi.

Timo Löyttyniemi graduated as Doctor of Science (Econ.) in 1992, writing his thesis about national economics.
He has worked for the HSE Executive Education (now Aalto University Executive Education), both as a trainer and a board member.
Löyttyniemi joined the School of Economics Alumni Board in 1993 and served as its chairman in 2007 - 2010.

He has also been a member of the fundraising campaign working group and taken part in the EQUIS and FINHEEC evaluations carried out at the School of Economics. He has also given lectures as part of his own lecture series and written a book about the reward system of top executives. The book, published in 2003, was a joint project between Löyttyniemi and the professors of the School of Economics.

Timo Löyttyniemi is currently a member of Aalto University’s advisory investment committee and he has also contributed to many other aspects of Aalto University (for example, as member of the committee choosing the name for it).

Löyttyniemi has served as the Managing Director of the State Pension Fund since 2003. Before that he worked as Capital Markets Director at Mandatum & Co Ltd and Managing Director of Norvestia Oyj. He is also a board member of a number of companies, including Itella and INREV.

The selection of the Alumnus of the Year was announced at the Aalto University School of Economics in connection with the Jaakko Honko Lecture on January 23th, 2012.

Further information: Timo Löyttyniemi, tel. 050 336 2094, timo.loyttyniemi@ver.fi

Jaakko Honko medals were awarded

Also Jaakko Honko medals were awarded at the lecture to persons who have significantly influenced promoting research in business and economics. Medals are granted by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Aalto University School of Economics and HSE Foundation.

Jaakko Honko medals were awarded to:
Per-Jonas Eliaeson, Professor Emeritus, Handelshögskolan
Kari Jordan, President and CEO of the Metsäliitto Group
Petteri Karttunen, CEO, SEB Gyllenberg Asset Management Ab
Marja Makarow, Chief Executive, European Science Foundation, ESF
Lasse Männistö, Parliamentary Representative, M.Sc.
Arja Talma, CEO of Rautakesko

Basis and justification for Jaakko Honko medals.

]]> D. Sc. (Econ.) Timo Löyttyniemi (b. 1961), Managing Director of the State Pension Fund, has been chosen by the Aalto University School of Economics as its Alumnus of the Year 2012.

Aalto-yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulun vuoden alumni Timo Löyttyniemi

Timo Löyttyniemi is an important player in the Finnish economy and in this role he has significantly contributed to the interaction between Aalto University and the business world. 

- I’m really delighted for the award. After all, internationally, the School of Economics is a top-ranking unit in economics and business administration. The School is of great importance for the Finnish business life and I'm proud to be able to be a member of this community. Both the business world and the School of Economics benefit from this active cooperation, concludes Löyttyniemi.

Timo Löyttyniemi graduated as Doctor of Science (Econ.) in 1992, writing his thesis about national economics.
He has worked for the HSE Executive Education (now Aalto University Executive Education), both as a trainer and a board member.
Löyttyniemi joined the School of Economics Alumni Board in 1993 and served as its chairman in 2007 - 2010.

He has also been a member of the fundraising campaign working group and taken part in the EQUIS and FINHEEC evaluations carried out at the School of Economics. He has also given lectures as part of his own lecture series and written a book about the reward system of top executives. The book, published in 2003, was a joint project between Löyttyniemi and the professors of the School of Economics.

Timo Löyttyniemi is currently a member of Aalto University’s advisory investment committee and he has also contributed to many other aspects of Aalto University (for example, as member of the committee choosing the name for it).

Löyttyniemi has served as the Managing Director of the State Pension Fund since 2003. Before that he worked as Capital Markets Director at Mandatum & Co Ltd and Managing Director of Norvestia Oyj. He is also a board member of a number of companies, including Itella and INREV.

The selection of the Alumnus of the Year was announced at the Aalto University School of Economics in connection with the Jaakko Honko Lecture on January 23th, 2012.

Further information: Timo Löyttyniemi, tel. 050 336 2094, timo.loyttyniemi@ver.fi

Jaakko Honko medals were awarded

Also Jaakko Honko medals were awarded at the lecture to persons who have significantly influenced promoting research in business and economics. Medals are granted by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Aalto University School of Economics and HSE Foundation.

Jaakko Honko medals were awarded to:
Per-Jonas Eliaeson, Professor Emeritus, Handelshögskolan
Kari Jordan, President and CEO of the Metsäliitto Group
Petteri Karttunen, CEO, SEB Gyllenberg Asset Management Ab
Marja Makarow, Chief Executive, European Science Foundation, ESF
Lasse Männistö, Parliamentary Representative, M.Sc.
Arja Talma, CEO of Rautakesko

Basis and justification for Jaakko Honko medals.

]]> Conservative investment strategy protected the Aalto University Endowment in the challenging investment environment of 2011 2012-01-20T10:05:29+00:00 2012-01-20T10:05:29+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e1434e483cd720434e11e196b0af295df9b7dfb7df Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Aalto University investment strategy emphasized securing the capital of the endowment during the first years of operations.

In the end of 2011, 19% of the endowment was invested in equity mutual funds and 81% in fixed income and money market. The year-end weight of the money market investments increased in December, as the university received the final part of the government capitalization.

Total return of the endowment was -0,7% in 2011, while the return of the benchmark set for the endowment was -1,8%. Return from equity investments was -9,4% and from fixed income and money market investments +2,5%. Since the implementation of the investment strategy in May 2010, the return of the endowment was +1,4%. Return of the benchmark was +0,2% during the same period.

Aalto University fundraising campaign ended in June 2011 and reached the goal of 200 million euros set for private donations. The last part of the government capitalization was received in December 2011 and hence the total value of the endowment reached 819 million euros at the end of 2011.

The uncertainty in the financial markets is expected to continue in early 2012. Therefore the endowment strategy for 2012 will remain conservative. The return target and equity weight of the portfolio will be moderately increased in line with the long term targets.
Aalto University will report its endowment more thoroughly in the Board Annual Report 2011, which will be published in March-April 2012.

The purpose of the Aalto University Endowment is to generate additional funding for world class research and education. The endowment provides the university with greater financial independence and enhances its ability to direct resources to strategic focus areas.

The returns from the endowment are expected to cover 6 to 8 percent of the university 400 million euro annual operative budget

Additional information: CFO Marianna Bom, Aalto University, +358 50 575 3762, marianna.bom@aalto.fi.

]]> Aalto University investment strategy emphasized securing the capital of the endowment during the first years of operations.

In the end of 2011, 19% of the endowment was invested in equity mutual funds and 81% in fixed income and money market. The year-end weight of the money market investments increased in December, as the university received the final part of the government capitalization.

Total return of the endowment was -0,7% in 2011, while the return of the benchmark set for the endowment was -1,8%. Return from equity investments was -9,4% and from fixed income and money market investments +2,5%. Since the implementation of the investment strategy in May 2010, the return of the endowment was +1,4%. Return of the benchmark was +0,2% during the same period.

Aalto University fundraising campaign ended in June 2011 and reached the goal of 200 million euros set for private donations. The last part of the government capitalization was received in December 2011 and hence the total value of the endowment reached 819 million euros at the end of 2011.

The uncertainty in the financial markets is expected to continue in early 2012. Therefore the endowment strategy for 2012 will remain conservative. The return target and equity weight of the portfolio will be moderately increased in line with the long term targets.
Aalto University will report its endowment more thoroughly in the Board Annual Report 2011, which will be published in March-April 2012.

The purpose of the Aalto University Endowment is to generate additional funding for world class research and education. The endowment provides the university with greater financial independence and enhances its ability to direct resources to strategic focus areas.

The returns from the endowment are expected to cover 6 to 8 percent of the university 400 million euro annual operative budget

Additional information: CFO Marianna Bom, Aalto University, +358 50 575 3762, marianna.bom@aalto.fi.

]]> A place has no spirit without the people 2012-01-20T08:20:08+00:00 2012-01-20T08:20:08+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e1433f906eda34433f11e1be60e384d4456c136c13 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> - The idea for Genius loci book came out of a project exploring the campus identity of the School of Economics and the walking tours arranged at and around the school. A place has no spirit without the people living and working there, and making the place their own, says Docent Annukka Jyrämä. Jyrämä is the second author of the book.

The Genius loci book which introduces art and design at the School of Economics of the Aalto University was published on 16 January 2012. On that day the school was also 101 years old. The book is written by Annukka Jyrämä and Saara Karhunen. Jyrämä works as a Docent at the School of Economics and Karhunen is an art historian.

The beautiful pictures taken by Aki-Pekka Sinikoski take the main role in the book. Pictures show surroundings of the school and its great details. - The light and the amount of it are the most impressive things in the surroundings: almost all the big halls have large windows through which beautiful natural light can enter, says Sinikoski.

The main building of the School of Economics is a great example of post-war reconstruction era architecture in Finland. The building was completed in 1950, and it was realized as a communal effort in a nation recovering from the war. Genius loci book takes you on a tour through the School of Economics, acting as your tour guides will be the school's students, researchers, alumni and personnel.

The walking tours introducing the art, design and architecture treaseures of the School of Economics are arranged when ordered. The next walking tour will be on the World Design Capital weekend, Friday 3 February at 1 pm. The tour starts from the Entrance Hall at the Main building of the School of Economics (Runeberginkatu 14-16).

You can order book at: books.aalto.fi

]]> - The idea for Genius loci book came out of a project exploring the campus identity of the School of Economics and the walking tours arranged at and around the school. A place has no spirit without the people living and working there, and making the place their own, says Docent Annukka Jyrämä. Jyrämä is the second author of the book.

The Genius loci book which introduces art and design at the School of Economics of the Aalto University was published on 16 January 2012. On that day the school was also 101 years old. The book is written by Annukka Jyrämä and Saara Karhunen. Jyrämä works as a Docent at the School of Economics and Karhunen is an art historian.

The beautiful pictures taken by Aki-Pekka Sinikoski take the main role in the book. Pictures show surroundings of the school and its great details. - The light and the amount of it are the most impressive things in the surroundings: almost all the big halls have large windows through which beautiful natural light can enter, says Sinikoski.

The main building of the School of Economics is a great example of post-war reconstruction era architecture in Finland. The building was completed in 1950, and it was realized as a communal effort in a nation recovering from the war. Genius loci book takes you on a tour through the School of Economics, acting as your tour guides will be the school's students, researchers, alumni and personnel.

The walking tours introducing the art, design and architecture treaseures of the School of Economics are arranged when ordered. The next walking tour will be on the World Design Capital weekend, Friday 3 February at 1 pm. The tour starts from the Entrance Hall at the Main building of the School of Economics (Runeberginkatu 14-16).

You can order book at: books.aalto.fi

]]> Audio piece for Aalto University chosen 2012-01-18T10:33:50+00:00 2012-01-18T10:33:50+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e141bfe943d5dc41bf11e1aac235d19a095e1b5e1b Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> A competition to find an audio piece to identify Aalto University has ended. The winning entry, ‘Knowledge Transfer', was chosen from a total of 963 entries by 264 composers from 43 different countries, including Finland, France, Italy, Spain, USA, and the UK.

The winner 'Knowledge Transfer' has been created by Michiel Nijhof from the Netherlands. The competition was organised in co-operation with AudioDraft on 11 November–9 December 2011. AudioDraft has been founded by former Aalto University students. The winner will receive a monetary prize of USD 3,000.

You can listen to the winning entry on the competition site (audiodraft.com)

The task was to create a 30-second audio piece that would strengthen and enhance the university's identity alongside with its messages and visual identity. The piece can be used, for instance, in audiovisual productions, at events, in presentations, or as a ringtone.

Aalto University organised the audio competition to invite its stakeholders to have an input on the further development of the university's image. The four-week competition was open to potential and present students, personnel, alumni, and other stakeholders interested in Aalto University.

The jury: Kim Kuusi, Chair of the Board at Teosto (Finnish Composers' Copyright Society), members Tapio Hedman, Communications Director, Kirsi Ihalainen, MA student, Sound in New Media, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Antti Ikonen, Lecturer, Sound in New Media, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, and Hannu Seristö, Vice President, Knowledge Networks.

For further information, please contact

Hanne Haapoja, Head of Marketing
mobile +358 40 353 8347.

AudioDraft, founded by former Aalto University students in 2010, helps companies to outsource their audio productions through engaging sound design contests. AudioDraft has over 15,000 sound designers and musicians in more than 90 countries.

]]> A competition to find an audio piece to identify Aalto University has ended. The winning entry, ‘Knowledge Transfer', was chosen from a total of 963 entries by 264 composers from 43 different countries, including Finland, France, Italy, Spain, USA, and the UK.

The winner 'Knowledge Transfer' has been created by Michiel Nijhof from the Netherlands. The competition was organised in co-operation with AudioDraft on 11 November–9 December 2011. AudioDraft has been founded by former Aalto University students. The winner will receive a monetary prize of USD 3,000.

You can listen to the winning entry on the competition site (audiodraft.com)

The task was to create a 30-second audio piece that would strengthen and enhance the university's identity alongside with its messages and visual identity. The piece can be used, for instance, in audiovisual productions, at events, in presentations, or as a ringtone.

Aalto University organised the audio competition to invite its stakeholders to have an input on the further development of the university's image. The four-week competition was open to potential and present students, personnel, alumni, and other stakeholders interested in Aalto University.

The jury: Kim Kuusi, Chair of the Board at Teosto (Finnish Composers' Copyright Society), members Tapio Hedman, Communications Director, Kirsi Ihalainen, MA student, Sound in New Media, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Antti Ikonen, Lecturer, Sound in New Media, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, and Hannu Seristö, Vice President, Knowledge Networks.

For further information, please contact

Hanne Haapoja, Head of Marketing
mobile +358 40 353 8347.

AudioDraft, founded by former Aalto University students in 2010, helps companies to outsource their audio productions through engaging sound design contests. AudioDraft has over 15,000 sound designers and musicians in more than 90 countries.

]]> Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen, Ph.D., to head Aalto University Library 2012-01-17T11:03:25+00:00 2012-01-17T11:03:25+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e140fae0ff21b240fa11e19e900f87a9b328392839 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen, Ph.D., has been invited to become Chief Librarian of Aalto University Library. She has previously worked at the Library of Helsinki School of Economics for a long period of time, between 1998 and 2009 in the post of Chief Librarian. From 2010 onwards, she has been Vice Director of Aalto University Library, and since autumn 2011 she has served as Acting Library Director.

Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen completed her dissertation on the history of Finland at the University of Joensuu (now University of Eastern Finland) in 1994 and was appointed Adjunct Professor of Cultural History of Finland there in 1997. She has vast experience in the development of university library activities as well as regarding their links to research and teaching.

- We warmly welcome Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen to her new position. We have great appreciation for her long experience and ability to continuously renew and refine university library activities, says Tuula Teeri, President of Aalto University.

Further information: Vice President Heikki Mannila, +358 (0)50 511 2913

]]> Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen, Ph.D., has been invited to become Chief Librarian of Aalto University Library. She has previously worked at the Library of Helsinki School of Economics for a long period of time, between 1998 and 2009 in the post of Chief Librarian. From 2010 onwards, she has been Vice Director of Aalto University Library, and since autumn 2011 she has served as Acting Library Director.

Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen completed her dissertation on the history of Finland at the University of Joensuu (now University of Eastern Finland) in 1994 and was appointed Adjunct Professor of Cultural History of Finland there in 1997. She has vast experience in the development of university library activities as well as regarding their links to research and teaching.

- We warmly welcome Eeva-Liisa Lehtonen to her new position. We have great appreciation for her long experience and ability to continuously renew and refine university library activities, says Tuula Teeri, President of Aalto University.

Further information: Vice President Heikki Mannila, +358 (0)50 511 2913

]]> Media challenge stereotypical representations of femininity 2012-01-13T10:58:59+00:00 2012-01-13T10:58:59+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13dd5987742da3dd511e1ae4d7f458a27e6aae6aa Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Gender does not always connote stereotypical meanings in public discourse. In contrast to previous research, the dissertation shows that the media do not only reinforce existing gender stereotypes but that they also challenge stereotypical representations of femininity.

Taija Townsted

The findings also show that women leaders use gender as a strategy for image management.

As an investigation on communication, gender and leadership, Taija Townsend's study examines how women leaders operating in the political and business domains are characterized in public discourse.

The main argument of the doctoral dissertation is that the meaning of gender in relation to leadership is currently transforming and there are multiple understandings of gender competing for legitimacy in our global society.

Women exploit gender stereotypes in image management

The thesis focuses on the representation of two high-status women leaders, namely Hillary Clinton (U.S. Secretary of State) and Nicola Horlick (U.K. captain of industry). It looks at the manner in which they are portrayed in news reports as well as the manner in which they present themselves in autobiographies.

In the data, Hillary Clinton and Nicola Horlick are not consistently described in accordance with existing gender stereotypes. Rather, media characterizations of both women leaders depend on the situational context and especially on whether or not gender stereotypes make the overall news story more or less newsworthy.

In their autobiographies, Clinton and Horlick exploit existing gender stereotypes in order to create their own leadership images. This suggests that the meaning of gender can be changed and that new perceptions can be composed through old perceptions of women leaders.

The doctoral dissertation draws attention to linguistic communication processes and the idea that meanings of social phenomena are generated at all levels of language use.

Doctoral Dissertation

Taija Townsend (MA, University of Helsinki) will defend her dissertation Women as Leaders in Public Discourse in the subject area of International Business Communication on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12.15 pm in the Chydenia Building, Stora Enso Hall (3rd floor), Aalto University School of Economics, Runeberginkatu 22-24.

Associate Professor Geert Jacobs (Ghent University) will act as opponent, and Professor Emerita Mirjaliisa Charles will act as custos.

Media representatives may request free copies of the dissertation from the Communications Unit of the Aalto University School of Economics at viestinta-econ@aalto.fi or tel. +358 50 566 5673.

Please order a copy of the dissertation at toolo@ayy.fi.

Further information:

Taija Townsend
taija.townsend@aalto.fi
tel. +358 (0)40 7275983

]]> Gender does not always connote stereotypical meanings in public discourse. In contrast to previous research, the dissertation shows that the media do not only reinforce existing gender stereotypes but that they also challenge stereotypical representations of femininity.

Taija Townsted

The findings also show that women leaders use gender as a strategy for image management.

As an investigation on communication, gender and leadership, Taija Townsend's study examines how women leaders operating in the political and business domains are characterized in public discourse.

The main argument of the doctoral dissertation is that the meaning of gender in relation to leadership is currently transforming and there are multiple understandings of gender competing for legitimacy in our global society.

Women exploit gender stereotypes in image management

The thesis focuses on the representation of two high-status women leaders, namely Hillary Clinton (U.S. Secretary of State) and Nicola Horlick (U.K. captain of industry). It looks at the manner in which they are portrayed in news reports as well as the manner in which they present themselves in autobiographies.

In the data, Hillary Clinton and Nicola Horlick are not consistently described in accordance with existing gender stereotypes. Rather, media characterizations of both women leaders depend on the situational context and especially on whether or not gender stereotypes make the overall news story more or less newsworthy.

In their autobiographies, Clinton and Horlick exploit existing gender stereotypes in order to create their own leadership images. This suggests that the meaning of gender can be changed and that new perceptions can be composed through old perceptions of women leaders.

The doctoral dissertation draws attention to linguistic communication processes and the idea that meanings of social phenomena are generated at all levels of language use.

Doctoral Dissertation

Taija Townsend (MA, University of Helsinki) will defend her dissertation Women as Leaders in Public Discourse in the subject area of International Business Communication on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12.15 pm in the Chydenia Building, Stora Enso Hall (3rd floor), Aalto University School of Economics, Runeberginkatu 22-24.

Associate Professor Geert Jacobs (Ghent University) will act as opponent, and Professor Emerita Mirjaliisa Charles will act as custos.

Media representatives may request free copies of the dissertation from the Communications Unit of the Aalto University School of Economics at viestinta-econ@aalto.fi or tel. +358 50 566 5673.

Please order a copy of the dissertation at toolo@ayy.fi.

Further information:

Taija Townsend
taija.townsend@aalto.fi
tel. +358 (0)40 7275983

]]> Material Technology Invention Prize awarded to inventors of a new direct dissolving method of cellulose 2012-01-13T10:22:56+00:00 2012-01-13T10:22:56+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13dd08f60fe343dd011e1937b19b1a74b9aed9aed Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Aalto University’s Material Technology Invention prize is awarded to researchers from Tampere University of Technology (TUT) for their invention “Economical direct dissolving method of cellulose”.

The invention was created by researchers Marianna Vehviläinen, Taina Kamppuri and Maija Järventausta and Professor Pertti Nousiainen from the Department of Material Science at TUT. The prize was awarded on January 13 during the Technology Days event at Dipoli in Espoo, Finland. The prize is 20,000 euros.

In the method developed by the researchers, cellulose is treated with enzymes and subsequently mixed with an alkali, frozen and then melted. The result is an alkali cellulose solution. The process is environmentally friendly and does not require hazardous chemicals, contrary to the viscose method in which cellulose is treated with carbon disulfide, among other things. The invention represents modern clean tech thinking. It is also simple, ingenious and potentially cost-effective. The invention may have a significant national impact as it has direct relevance to the forest industry. The invention can be applied in several different industries.

There have been preliminarily discussions with a Finnish company on the commercialization of the invention. The improvement of the quality of the fibers and the productivity to the required level are prerequisites for commercialization. The Award Committee, in its justification, concluded that the quality of the product needs further improvement for commercial use.

The objective of the prize is to support the development of valuable inventions from free university research

Aalto University grants the Material Technology Prize through an initiative of the UMK Center for New Materials. The objective of the prize is to support the development of valuable inventions for Finland that are the result of free university research. The prize covers only those inventions to which the inventors or the university had ownership when the first patent application was filed. Furthermore, national applications must have been filed in key countries to achieve international patent protection.

The most important evaluation criterion is how simple and ingenious the invention is.  Secondly, the national impact is assessed, along with how the invention can be realized and taken into use. The third criterion is the commercial potential of the invention.
The Centennial Foundation of Technology Industries of Finland is the main sponsor of the Prize. Other sponsors are companies Beneq, Okmetic, Patent Agency Papula-Nevinpat, Reddal, Spinverse and Patent Agency Seppo Laine, and the Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the Center for New Materials (UMK) at Aalto University.

More information:
Professor Pertti Nousiainen
TUT, Department of Material Science
phone.  +358 400 632 051
pertti.nousiainen@tut.fi

Director Runar Törnqvist
Center for New Materials (UMK), Aalto University
phone. +358 50 380 0564
runar.tornqvist@aalto.fi

]]> Aalto University’s Material Technology Invention prize is awarded to researchers from Tampere University of Technology (TUT) for their invention “Economical direct dissolving method of cellulose”.

The invention was created by researchers Marianna Vehviläinen, Taina Kamppuri and Maija Järventausta and Professor Pertti Nousiainen from the Department of Material Science at TUT. The prize was awarded on January 13 during the Technology Days event at Dipoli in Espoo, Finland. The prize is 20,000 euros.

In the method developed by the researchers, cellulose is treated with enzymes and subsequently mixed with an alkali, frozen and then melted. The result is an alkali cellulose solution. The process is environmentally friendly and does not require hazardous chemicals, contrary to the viscose method in which cellulose is treated with carbon disulfide, among other things. The invention represents modern clean tech thinking. It is also simple, ingenious and potentially cost-effective. The invention may have a significant national impact as it has direct relevance to the forest industry. The invention can be applied in several different industries.

There have been preliminarily discussions with a Finnish company on the commercialization of the invention. The improvement of the quality of the fibers and the productivity to the required level are prerequisites for commercialization. The Award Committee, in its justification, concluded that the quality of the product needs further improvement for commercial use.

The objective of the prize is to support the development of valuable inventions from free university research

Aalto University grants the Material Technology Prize through an initiative of the UMK Center for New Materials. The objective of the prize is to support the development of valuable inventions for Finland that are the result of free university research. The prize covers only those inventions to which the inventors or the university had ownership when the first patent application was filed. Furthermore, national applications must have been filed in key countries to achieve international patent protection.

The most important evaluation criterion is how simple and ingenious the invention is.  Secondly, the national impact is assessed, along with how the invention can be realized and taken into use. The third criterion is the commercial potential of the invention.
The Centennial Foundation of Technology Industries of Finland is the main sponsor of the Prize. Other sponsors are companies Beneq, Okmetic, Patent Agency Papula-Nevinpat, Reddal, Spinverse and Patent Agency Seppo Laine, and the Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the Center for New Materials (UMK) at Aalto University.

More information:
Professor Pertti Nousiainen
TUT, Department of Material Science
phone.  +358 400 632 051
pertti.nousiainen@tut.fi

Director Runar Törnqvist
Center for New Materials (UMK), Aalto University
phone. +358 50 380 0564
runar.tornqvist@aalto.fi

]]> Distinguished professionals honoured at the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture 2012-01-11T12:44:17+00:00 2012-01-11T12:44:17+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13c51f96aeb303c5111e1aa023fd67f76661d661d Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture started its first year with an anniversary gala where for the first time representatives of the design sectors were joined by architectural professionals. The anniversary gala continues the festive traditions of the former School of Art and Design as part of which distinguished and successful professionals are honoured for their work and new professors give their opening lectures.

Mika Ripatti is 2012 Alumnus of the Year

Each year, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture selects an alumnus of the year in recognition of pioneering or outstanding work in the field of design and architecture.

This year the award went to animator Mika Ripatti, a graduate of the Degree Programme in Graphic Design. Already during his student days, Ripatti was a pioneer in computer animation and later taught the subject in the Media Laboratory. He also worked on the development of the brand of the Nelonen Media television company in which he was able to make use of advanced and extremely sophisticated animation graphics. In the year 2000, Mika Ripatti managed to get a job at Blue Sky Studios in New York where the production of the film "Ice Age" was about to start.

Since then Mika Ripatti has become one of Hollywood's top animators and millions of viewers around the world have been able to enjoy his graphics in a large number of successful films and other programmes. Mika Ripatti's career is a fine example of an international success story and the School hopes that its students will emulate him, using their talent and the skills that they have developed in a creative academic environment.

Five new honorary members

Personalities who have actively supported the School of Arts, Design and Architecture or distinguished themselves in the fields it represents and other cultural activities are invited as honorary members of the School each year. At this year's anniversary gala, five persons were bestowed with an honorary membership.

Elena Kolovskaya, director of the Pro Arte foundation based in St. Petersburg, has been actively working in a number of fields to strengthen cooperation between education and research in arts and design in Russia and to make them more internationally oriented. She has been instrumental in developing cooperation between the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Saint Petersburg State University, one of the top universities of Russia. At the same time, she has established a successful partnership with Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, in which the School of Arts, Design and Architecture acts as a coordinator.

Industrial designer Jussi Ahola worked as a professor of industrial design at the School of Art and Design in 1987-1993 and has also taught in a number of other design institutions in Finland and other countries. Jussi Ahola's career as a teacher of an analytical and research-based design approach and his pioneering efforts to make design research a reality formed a basis for design research that is now, two decades later, recognised by Aalto University. Ahola wrote the first Finnish-language textbook on industrial design, which was published in 1980, and he has also received wide recognition for the functional design that his design office has produced since 1986.

Kari Moilanen, Architect SAFA, has played a central role in Finnish architecture and urban planning as the Head of Espoo City Planning. During his tenure, Espoo City Planning has developed into an ambitious and dynamic institution. Kari Moilanen has played a central role as an organiser and jury member in a number of important and groundbreaking architectural competitions. Under his guidance, the area around Otaniemi is in the process of developing into an amazing combination of technology, gardens and services. Kari Moilanen is a visionary in a post where one is expected to take creative risks so that the world can be changed in the spirit of Aalto University.

Workshop master Jussi Laasasenaho started at the School of Art and Design as a caretaker in 1966 and then moved on to take up the post of workshop master. Throughout his long career, Laasasenaho worked in customer service duties. He was known as a helpful and active staff member who enjoyed the trust of all those working with him. He made an exemplary contribution to the smooth running of the day-to-day affairs of the School. Possessing a great amount of expertise and an excellent sense of humour, Laasasenaho worked as a contact person for different events and helped both students and other staff members in practical problems.

Meri-Helga Mantere, Licentiate of Arts, worked as a lecturer in art education for many years. She initiated art-based environmental education, an area of specialisation that was unique in the world and many years ahead of its time. For Mantere, an art-based approach means active embracing of nature, observations by artistic means and the attitude of non-interference: the aim is to understand nature as an entity of its own and art as an activity that does not impose its will on nature. Methods developed by Mantere are used in many countries.

Three new professors, Alastair Fuad-Luke (Emerging Design Practices), Sampsa Hyysalo (Design and Design Cooperation) and Eero Miettinen (Design and International Product Development) gave their opening lectures at the anniversary event. The decorations awarded by the President of the Republic on 6 December 2011 (the Finnish Independence Day) were also presented during the event. The recipients were: Development Manager Pekka Saarela (Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland), Mikko Tuori, Workshop Master at the Department of Motion Picture, Television and Production Design (First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross) and Timothy Persons, who has made the photography of Helsinki School known around the world (Knight of the White Rose of Finland).

Further information:
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Communications Manager Anna Tapanainen, tel. +358 50 434 9711, anne.tapanainen@aalto.fi

]]> The Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture started its first year with an anniversary gala where for the first time representatives of the design sectors were joined by architectural professionals. The anniversary gala continues the festive traditions of the former School of Art and Design as part of which distinguished and successful professionals are honoured for their work and new professors give their opening lectures.

Mika Ripatti is 2012 Alumnus of the Year

Each year, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture selects an alumnus of the year in recognition of pioneering or outstanding work in the field of design and architecture.

This year the award went to animator Mika Ripatti, a graduate of the Degree Programme in Graphic Design. Already during his student days, Ripatti was a pioneer in computer animation and later taught the subject in the Media Laboratory. He also worked on the development of the brand of the Nelonen Media television company in which he was able to make use of advanced and extremely sophisticated animation graphics. In the year 2000, Mika Ripatti managed to get a job at Blue Sky Studios in New York where the production of the film "Ice Age" was about to start.

Since then Mika Ripatti has become one of Hollywood's top animators and millions of viewers around the world have been able to enjoy his graphics in a large number of successful films and other programmes. Mika Ripatti's career is a fine example of an international success story and the School hopes that its students will emulate him, using their talent and the skills that they have developed in a creative academic environment.

Five new honorary members

Personalities who have actively supported the School of Arts, Design and Architecture or distinguished themselves in the fields it represents and other cultural activities are invited as honorary members of the School each year. At this year's anniversary gala, five persons were bestowed with an honorary membership.

Elena Kolovskaya, director of the Pro Arte foundation based in St. Petersburg, has been actively working in a number of fields to strengthen cooperation between education and research in arts and design in Russia and to make them more internationally oriented. She has been instrumental in developing cooperation between the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Saint Petersburg State University, one of the top universities of Russia. At the same time, she has established a successful partnership with Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, in which the School of Arts, Design and Architecture acts as a coordinator.

Industrial designer Jussi Ahola worked as a professor of industrial design at the School of Art and Design in 1987-1993 and has also taught in a number of other design institutions in Finland and other countries. Jussi Ahola's career as a teacher of an analytical and research-based design approach and his pioneering efforts to make design research a reality formed a basis for design research that is now, two decades later, recognised by Aalto University. Ahola wrote the first Finnish-language textbook on industrial design, which was published in 1980, and he has also received wide recognition for the functional design that his design office has produced since 1986.

Kari Moilanen, Architect SAFA, has played a central role in Finnish architecture and urban planning as the Head of Espoo City Planning. During his tenure, Espoo City Planning has developed into an ambitious and dynamic institution. Kari Moilanen has played a central role as an organiser and jury member in a number of important and groundbreaking architectural competitions. Under his guidance, the area around Otaniemi is in the process of developing into an amazing combination of technology, gardens and services. Kari Moilanen is a visionary in a post where one is expected to take creative risks so that the world can be changed in the spirit of Aalto University.

Workshop master Jussi Laasasenaho started at the School of Art and Design as a caretaker in 1966 and then moved on to take up the post of workshop master. Throughout his long career, Laasasenaho worked in customer service duties. He was known as a helpful and active staff member who enjoyed the trust of all those working with him. He made an exemplary contribution to the smooth running of the day-to-day affairs of the School. Possessing a great amount of expertise and an excellent sense of humour, Laasasenaho worked as a contact person for different events and helped both students and other staff members in practical problems.

Meri-Helga Mantere, Licentiate of Arts, worked as a lecturer in art education for many years. She initiated art-based environmental education, an area of specialisation that was unique in the world and many years ahead of its time. For Mantere, an art-based approach means active embracing of nature, observations by artistic means and the attitude of non-interference: the aim is to understand nature as an entity of its own and art as an activity that does not impose its will on nature. Methods developed by Mantere are used in many countries.

Three new professors, Alastair Fuad-Luke (Emerging Design Practices), Sampsa Hyysalo (Design and Design Cooperation) and Eero Miettinen (Design and International Product Development) gave their opening lectures at the anniversary event. The decorations awarded by the President of the Republic on 6 December 2011 (the Finnish Independence Day) were also presented during the event. The recipients were: Development Manager Pekka Saarela (Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland), Mikko Tuori, Workshop Master at the Department of Motion Picture, Television and Production Design (First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross) and Timothy Persons, who has made the photography of Helsinki School known around the world (Knight of the White Rose of Finland).

Further information:
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Communications Manager Anna Tapanainen, tel. +358 50 434 9711, anne.tapanainen@aalto.fi

]]> Mobile phones soon to be rolled up and wrapped around the wrist 2012-01-11T11:18:11+00:00 2012-01-11T11:18:11+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13c45f27b42f43c4511e1ae2f1139bde7e7c9e7c9 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Mobile phone manufacturers have previously presented mobile phones whose display can be controlled by bending it. In these designs, the phone will only bend slightly on the edges, however.

With the production technology developed in Aalto University and Nagoya University in Japan, a phone could become flexible enough to be wrapped around the wrist or folded like a sheet of paper.

"The production technology we have developed enables manufacturing such bendy touch screens on phones that you could even roll a phone up," says Esko I. Kauppinen, Professor of Applied Physics in Aalto University.

The new manufacturing technology resembles printing, and it is both inexpensive and fast. It also enables producing improved quality in electronics. A high-performance phone screen will reproduce video in good quality, for example.

Flexible electronics produced from carbon

Kauppinen explains that flexible electronics requires flexible production materials and technologies that allow easy and inexpensive production of electronics components. Such components include transistors and plastic substrates. When transistors and substrates bend, a mobile phone can also bend.

"Traditionally, electronics manufacture has made use of, e.g. silicon, which is an inflexible material. On a phone screen, silicon can be replaced with carbon nanotubes," which are flexible and tubular structures formed by carbon atoms.

The method developed in Aalto University and Nagoya University allows transferring carbon nanotubes onto a plastic substrate surface. This way, it is possible to use carbon nanotubes to manufacture flexible, high-performance thin-film transistors on plastic substrates in a matter of seconds.

Text: Tea Kalska

]]> Mobile phone manufacturers have previously presented mobile phones whose display can be controlled by bending it. In these designs, the phone will only bend slightly on the edges, however.

With the production technology developed in Aalto University and Nagoya University in Japan, a phone could become flexible enough to be wrapped around the wrist or folded like a sheet of paper.

"The production technology we have developed enables manufacturing such bendy touch screens on phones that you could even roll a phone up," says Esko I. Kauppinen, Professor of Applied Physics in Aalto University.

The new manufacturing technology resembles printing, and it is both inexpensive and fast. It also enables producing improved quality in electronics. A high-performance phone screen will reproduce video in good quality, for example.

Flexible electronics produced from carbon

Kauppinen explains that flexible electronics requires flexible production materials and technologies that allow easy and inexpensive production of electronics components. Such components include transistors and plastic substrates. When transistors and substrates bend, a mobile phone can also bend.

"Traditionally, electronics manufacture has made use of, e.g. silicon, which is an inflexible material. On a phone screen, silicon can be replaced with carbon nanotubes," which are flexible and tubular structures formed by carbon atoms.

The method developed in Aalto University and Nagoya University allows transferring carbon nanotubes onto a plastic substrate surface. This way, it is possible to use carbon nanotubes to manufacture flexible, high-performance thin-film transistors on plastic substrates in a matter of seconds.

Text: Tea Kalska

]]> Ideas contest to improve the quality of life 2012-01-10T10:54:24+00:00 2012-01-10T10:54:24+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13b7975a03d1a3b7911e19a0c4d76f39f80408040 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> On the 10th of January 2012, Aalto University launched an ideas contest open to all at ideas.aalto.fi. The contest is also to invite new ideas from potential students to improve the quality of life in the urban environment, bearing in mind sustainability and the environment. There are three categories in the contest: Art & Design, Business, and Technology.

The contest is open on the internet during 10 January–31 March 2012 at ideas.aalto.fi.

The contest participants write their ideas on virtual post-it notes.Your idea can be a maximum of 160 characters, therefore the idea needs to be fine-tuned and to the point.All ideas are visible to everyone at ideas.aalto.fi.The winners will be selected in two phases. The first phase is a public vote, based on Facebook likes, from which the TOP 20 will be chosen in each category. Out of these shortlists, the Jury will choose a winner per category.

The winning trio will receive a monetary prize of 1,000 euro each. The copyright of each idea will stay with the original inventor. The winners will be announced in April.

For more information about the contest, please visit ideas.aalto.fi.

More information on applying to Aalto University on the Studies site (studies.aalto.fi)

]]> On the 10th of January 2012, Aalto University launched an ideas contest open to all at ideas.aalto.fi. The contest is also to invite new ideas from potential students to improve the quality of life in the urban environment, bearing in mind sustainability and the environment. There are three categories in the contest: Art & Design, Business, and Technology.

The contest is open on the internet during 10 January–31 March 2012 at ideas.aalto.fi.

The contest participants write their ideas on virtual post-it notes.Your idea can be a maximum of 160 characters, therefore the idea needs to be fine-tuned and to the point.All ideas are visible to everyone at ideas.aalto.fi.The winners will be selected in two phases. The first phase is a public vote, based on Facebook likes, from which the TOP 20 will be chosen in each category. Out of these shortlists, the Jury will choose a winner per category.

The winning trio will receive a monetary prize of 1,000 euro each. The copyright of each idea will stay with the original inventor. The winners will be announced in April.

For more information about the contest, please visit ideas.aalto.fi.

More information on applying to Aalto University on the Studies site (studies.aalto.fi)

]]> Take in part in the Aalto-Gift Design Competition for product design and business 2012-01-04T07:00:00+00:00 2012-01-04T07:00:00+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e136cfb679145036cf11e1b65463df6b2c21de21de Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> In order to create a compelling and distinctive business gift as a symbol for Aalto-University and to encourage students and employees of Aalto University in establishing their own businesses, Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship proudly launches The Aalto-Gift Design Competition.

Purpose of the competition is to highlight creativity and profitable business thinking, and to find a ready-to-give mass-produced design business gift by bringing together talents from all departments of the University.

The idea is that multidisciplinary teams will realize not only design but the whole value chain of the business concept.

Objective: Company gift product(s). Aim that Aalto would be the first client (exclusivity for year 2012).

Rules: Final applications have to include design mock-ups, sketches, preliminary production plan, biz plan (in business model canvas -format) for a company.

Prizes:

  • Grand prize: The first prize is 5.000 euro + the first production series.
  • Special prizes: can be also given, e.g. for the distinctive features and innovative solutions.

Please find out more on the Aalto-Gift website (ace.aalto.fi)

Please submit your proposals to the application form latest by 17th January at 4 pm.

Competition is open to all Aalto-University current students and faculty staff.
Participants may compete as a team of minimum two members in which at least one has to be Aalto university student or employee.

The Aalto-Gift Design Competition is a part of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.

]]> In order to create a compelling and distinctive business gift as a symbol for Aalto-University and to encourage students and employees of Aalto University in establishing their own businesses, Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship proudly launches The Aalto-Gift Design Competition.

Purpose of the competition is to highlight creativity and profitable business thinking, and to find a ready-to-give mass-produced design business gift by bringing together talents from all departments of the University.

The idea is that multidisciplinary teams will realize not only design but the whole value chain of the business concept.

Objective: Company gift product(s). Aim that Aalto would be the first client (exclusivity for year 2012).

Rules: Final applications have to include design mock-ups, sketches, preliminary production plan, biz plan (in business model canvas -format) for a company.

Prizes:

  • Grand prize: The first prize is 5.000 euro + the first production series.
  • Special prizes: can be also given, e.g. for the distinctive features and innovative solutions.

Please find out more on the Aalto-Gift website (ace.aalto.fi)

Please submit your proposals to the application form latest by 17th January at 4 pm.

Competition is open to all Aalto-University current students and faculty staff.
Participants may compete as a team of minimum two members in which at least one has to be Aalto university student or employee.

The Aalto-Gift Design Competition is a part of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.

]]> School of Arts, Design and Architecture began operations at the start of the year 2012-01-02T13:58:33+00:00 2012-01-02T13:58:33+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e13549dba8b8de354911e1aaef6b4a4b91fb3bfb3b Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> The former Aalto University School of Art and Design and the Department of Architecture of the School of Engineering have merged to form Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The new school began operations on 1 January 2012.

Professor Helena Hyvönen acts as Dean of the school. Hyvönen was Dean of Aalto University School of Art and Design.

A special jury consisting of the management of Aalto University and the new school, experts, students and a representative of the alumni decided on a new name for the school with the help of suggestions from a name competition organised in the autumn.

"The new school is a wonderful opportunity for Aalto University to strengthen its profile and international interest," states Dean Helena Hyvönen. "Combining teaching and research related to humanistic and cultural traditions and the environment in the same school is also important for society. At the same time, it will help to strengthen the status of architecture, art, media and design in the Finnish culture and economy and society at large," outlines Helena Hyvönen, Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The website for the new school will be updated between January and February.

]]> The former Aalto University School of Art and Design and the Department of Architecture of the School of Engineering have merged to form Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The new school began operations on 1 January 2012.

Professor Helena Hyvönen acts as Dean of the school. Hyvönen was Dean of Aalto University School of Art and Design.

A special jury consisting of the management of Aalto University and the new school, experts, students and a representative of the alumni decided on a new name for the school with the help of suggestions from a name competition organised in the autumn.

"The new school is a wonderful opportunity for Aalto University to strengthen its profile and international interest," states Dean Helena Hyvönen. "Combining teaching and research related to humanistic and cultural traditions and the environment in the same school is also important for society. At the same time, it will help to strengthen the status of architecture, art, media and design in the Finnish culture and economy and society at large," outlines Helena Hyvönen, Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The website for the new school will be updated between January and February.

]]> Aalto EE invests in the growing Taiwanese education market 2012-01-02T12:38:53+00:00 2012-01-02T12:38:53+00:00 http://www.aalto.fi/en/midcom-permalink-1e1353eba841c94353e11e195098bb62f2a2a402a40 Aalto-www <verkkotoimitus@aalto.fi> Aalto EE and its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore have taken a rather radical approach to their expansion activities. This September, Aalto EE's Asia-Pacific hub signed an agreement with Pan Asia International Education Center. This agreement set forth the Aalto EE roadmap in Taiwan for the next 4 years.

The strategic importance of China made many business schools jump into the bandwagon and start offering their MBA and Executive MBA programs through alliances with Chinese universities.

Pan Asia International Education Center is a subsidiary of Pan Asia Human Resources Management Consultant group, a leading HR company in Taiwan. The Education Center provides services for advanced studies. By building strategic partnerships with international universities it makes the attainment of a foreign degree a reality for many Taiwanese who cannot afford the opportunity to study overseas.

Steve Tsai, CEO of Pan Asia International Education Center says: "With the partnership with Aalto EE, Pan Asia hopes to bring the level of EMBA education to another higher level. With the strong combination of Aalto EE, a Triple Crown accredited business school - its faculty ensemble of top local and international professors, a cutting edge curriculum and the best business minded EMBA executives in class - Aalto EMBA will set the benchmark in the Taiwanese market."

Both Aalto EE and Pan Asia look forward to a strong and fruitful relationship.

Further information:

Dr. Pekka Mattila, Group Managing Director and Associate Dean, Aalto EE
pekka.mattila@aaltoee.fi
Mob. +358 40 738 7221

Dr. Jari Talvinen, Managing Director, Aalto EE (Asia Pacific)
jaritalvinen@aaltoee.sg
Tel. +65 6339 7338

]]> Aalto EE and its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore have taken a rather radical approach to their expansion activities. This September, Aalto EE's Asia-Pacific hub signed an agreement with Pan Asia International Education Center. This agreement set forth the Aalto EE roadmap in Taiwan for the next 4 years.

The strategic importance of China made many business schools jump into the bandwagon and start offering their MBA and Executive MBA programs through alliances with Chinese universities.

Pan Asia International Education Center is a subsidiary of Pan Asia Human Resources Management Consultant group, a leading HR company in Taiwan. The Education Center provides services for advanced studies. By building strategic partnerships with international universities it makes the attainment of a foreign degree a reality for many Taiwanese who cannot afford the opportunity to study overseas.

Steve Tsai, CEO of Pan Asia International Education Center says: "With the partnership with Aalto EE, Pan Asia hopes to bring the level of EMBA education to another higher level. With the strong combination of Aalto EE, a Triple Crown accredited business school - its faculty ensemble of top local and international professors, a cutting edge curriculum and the best business minded EMBA executives in class - Aalto EMBA will set the benchmark in the Taiwanese market."

Both Aalto EE and Pan Asia look forward to a strong and fruitful relationship.

Further information:

Dr. Pekka Mattila, Group Managing Director and Associate Dean, Aalto EE
pekka.mattila@aaltoee.fi
Mob. +358 40 738 7221

Dr. Jari Talvinen, Managing Director, Aalto EE (Asia Pacific)
jaritalvinen@aaltoee.sg
Tel. +65 6339 7338

]]>