• Research focus areas
• Research organization
• Multidisciplinary Aalto
• Research assessment

Research focus areas

The research assessment exercise carried out in 2009 identified the following areas as the key strong points of Aalto:

• Computation and modeling
• Materials research 
• Design 
• ICT and media

Computation and modeling

The Aalto University expertise in computational science and modeling is concentrated particularly in the Departments of Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science, Information and Computer Science as well as to the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT) and the Low Temperature Laboratory. All of the above were assessed as having research of outstanding international level in the research assessment exercise carried out in 2009.

The research groups of the units develop new computation methods and apply them to the needs of other disciplines and industry. Their research fields range from theoretical modeling and nanosciences to various practical applications such as the mechanisms of genetic regulation and telecommunication systems.

At Aalto University, computational science and modeling find new kinds of practical applications and links to other disciplines. This top expertise in the field may be applied, for instance, to traditional engineering sciences and economics.

Materials research

The wide spectrum of expertise in materials sciences at Aalto University offers extensive opportunities for new kinds of collaboration. Materials science research is carried out in all the faculties of the Aalto University School of Science and Technology. Its research areas include nanotechnology, microfabrication and biomaterials, as well as advanced functional materials. The Aalto University School of Art and Design focuses on promoting profound understanding of the characteristics of various materials, which is crucial, for instance, for sustainable textile design.

The Otaniemi campus offers an excellent environment for high-quality materials research. It is home to, e.g. the Nanomicroscopy Center and world-class cleanroom facilities, jointly owned by Micronova and VTT.

Design

The Department of Design at the Aalto University School of Art and Design carries out high-quality research comparable to that of the best schools of design in the world. It focuses on usability, user-centered design, user experiences and domestication of design. The research on these fields may be further developed by combining this expertise with high-quality and practice-oriented research. In addition, the multidisciplinary research environment of Aalto University offers brand new opportunities for the interaction of design research and other disciplines.

For instance, combining a user-centered approach to design with technological expertise can offer a fresh approach to, for instance, questions of sustainable development. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach allows the University to produce research findings which contribute to the development of society and the economy in new and innovative ways.

ICT and media

The success story of the Finnish ICT first started at the Aalto University School of Science and Technology, which has a long tradition of research in the field. ICT research examines a wide range of topics from the mathematical methods of computation and of modeling electromagnetic fields to various practical applications in telecommunications, communication, business, and information management.

In addition to the research units of computational science (cf. computation and modeling), ICT research is carried out in the Faculty of Information and Natural Sciences and in that of Electronics, Communications and Automation of the Aalto University School of Science and Technology. Together these units make up a strong concentration of ICT expertise, which will gain many new collaboration opportunities in the multidisciplinary research environment of Aalto, e.g. through collaboration with the Media Lab of the School of Art and Design and with the Department of Business Technology of the School of Economics.

The combination of theoretical ICT research, user-centered design, content production and business expertise will provide an excellent launch pad for new innovations. For instance, digitalization and social media are topics which may only be profoundly understood from a multidisciplinary viewpoint combining arts, science and technology.