Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Wood Material Science

The wood material science group, led by Professor Lauri Rautkari, focuses on a variety of subjects ranging from developing novel modification processes and improving the properties of wooden construction materials to microbiology and chemistry of wood and wood components. The task for this group is to develop new sustainable, environmentally friendly and diverse wood products with enhanced properties.
Photo of research group members outdoors
Group photo by Kristina Tsvetkova (2022)

Our key research areas:

CHEM_Prof Lauri Rautkari

Join us!

We are continuously looking for talented researchers (Aalto students, MSc thesis workers, doctoral students and postdocs).

For further information, contact Prof. Lauri Rautkari ([email protected])

Kristiina Lillqvist

Senior University Lecturer

Emil Jansson

Doctoral Researcher

Pasi Herranen

Doctoral Researcher

Katja Vahtikari

Doctoral Researcher

Faksawat Poohphajai

Doctoral Researcher

Callum Hill

Visiting Scientist

Related content:

New Academy Projects to be launched in September

New Academy Projects funded by the Academy of Finland involve expertise from all six Aalto schools

Organ type of image with white "veins" and small bacteria dots in red background, original image by Valeria Azovskaya

Associate Professor Lauri Rautkari appointed as Deputy Head of the Department at Bio2

Associate Professor Lauri Rautkari has been appointed Deputy Head of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at the School of Chemical Engineering as of 1.8.2023.

Prof Rautkari

Nearly 20 million euros for research

The Academy of Finland funding brings nine new posts as Academy Research Fellow, 15 new Postdoctoral Researchers and 24 new Academy Projects to Aalto University.

Four engineering scientists in pink t-shirts in front of an an engine

Anything but an ordinary greenhouse

A wood-structured windowless greenhouse consumes only half as much energy as a traditional glass greenhouse. In addition to producing food, Pasi Herranen’s invention could generate electricity and excess heat in the future.

Kuvassa Pasi Herranen, Orvokki Ihalainen ja Panu Miettinen

Wood Wonders exhibition showcases climate-friendly building concepts

If all the buildings constructed in Finland each year were made of wood, the amount of wood needed for their construction would grow back in ten hours.

Wood Wonders exhibition at Helsinki airport. Photo: Anne Kinnunen

New minor: Aalto Wood

For students in any field interested in wood!

Cross-cut wood disk on a wooden table

Wood science teaching

Wood science is taught by the Department of Bioproducts and Bioprocesses.

Cross-cut wood trunk in the forest

Investments in wood competence

Significant sum of donations of 700 000 euros enables high-quality wood science teaching with wider availability.

Sun peaking through Finnish spruce forest

Latest publications:

Degradation by brown rot fungi increases the hygroscopicity of heat-treated wood

Tiina Belt, Michael Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Martin Nopens, Lauri Rautkari 2024 International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation

Side-stream lignins: Potential antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in milk

Crisiane A. Marangon, Caio G. Otoni, Paula C. Bertuso, Patrícia F. Rossi, Danilo M. dos Santos, Tainise V. Lourençon, Virginia C.A. Martins, Ana Maria G. Plepis, Luiz H.C. Mattoso, Marcia Nitschke 2024 FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL

Impact of a conditioning step during the treatment of wood with melamine-formaldehyde resin on dimensional stabilisation

Md Tipu Sultan, Daniela Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Lauri Rautkari, Michael Altgen 2024 Holzforschung

Hollow Filaments from Coaxial Dry-Jet Wet Spinning of a Cellulose Solution in an Ionic Liquid: Wet-Strength and Water Interactions

Shiying Zhang, Guillermo Reyes, Alexey Khakalo, Orlando J. Rojas 2024 Biomacromolecules

Chemical imaging to reveal the resin distribution in impregnation-treated wood at different spatial scales

Michael Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Daniela Altgen, André Klüppel, Gerald Koch, Mikko Mäkelä, Andrea Olbrich, Lauri Rautkari 2023 Materials & design

Limits in reaching the anhydrous state of wood and cellulose

Michael Altgen, Michael Fröba, Julius Gurr, Andreas Krause, Martin Ohlmeyer, Uta Sazama, Wim Willems, Martin Nopens 2023 Cellulose

Urban vertical farming with a large wind power share and optimised electricity costs

Vahid Arabzadeh, Panu Miettinen, Titta Kotilainen, Pasi Herranen, Alp Karakoc, Matti Kummu, Lauri Rautkari 2023 Applied Energy

Multivariate analysis of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for identification of moisture content in wood under static load

Muhammad Awais, Michael Altgen, Tiina Belt, Ella Mahlamäki, Mikko Mäkelä, Lauri Rautkari 2023

Oleogels and reverse emulsions stabilized by acetylated Kraft lignins

Antonio M. Borrero-López, Ling Wang, Haiming Li, Tainise V. Lourençon, Concepción Valencia, José M. Franco, Orlando J. Rojas 2023 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal
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