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How does trust occur in our networked everyday lives? What happens when we exceed the limits of the body? What is wise failure like? We have covered these themes in the issues of Aalto University Magazine. In the main story, the reader is introduced to the theme of the magazine by an interesting group of experts from different fields.
Construction remains a major climate culprit, yet it could also hold the key to cutting emissions. Change is already underway in infrastructure materials, as researchers, cities and companies work together to find more sustainable – even carbon-storing – ways to build.
Universities struggle with shrinking funding while expectations continue to rise. New revenue streams and broad societal support are more critical than ever.
Experts explain how the scarcity of water impacts both global politics and the economy
Whenever humans interact – with other humans, animals or technology – there are always power dynamics at play. Three researchers from different disciplines explain how they bring to light the hidden ways power is used in human interactions.
Green hydrogen promises to turn Europe into an energy heavyweight, make traffic emission-free and replace carbon in steel manufacturing. But can it actually deliver – and how?
How can we make a city flourish when one resident hopes for more forests and another wants parking lots? Data and keen listening can help, say urban planners and researchers.
Neuroscience and neurotechnology are gaining a fresh ally in the form of artificial intelligence, which can assess dementia risk and enhance the effectiveness of depression treatments.
Every year, 2 000 students graduate from Aalto University. Where do they end up in their careers? In each issue of the magazine, we interview an interesting alumnus/alumna who tells, ‘how I became me’.
Maija Itkonen, CEO of Onego Bio, is known for popularising the meat alternative Pulled Oats and now also for egg protein made without chickens. She believes business can change the world for the better.
Little did a young business student know that the most valuable lessons of her career wouldn’t come from lectures but from student union work. Over the years, Salla Vainio has found herself in many extraordinary situations in leadership roles around the world.
Counsellor of Education Alma Muukka-Marjovuo grew up surrounded by art. Now she works to ensure that all children and young people in Finland have access to top-notch art education.
Arnevi Rautanen and Juha Utriainen gave up their careers to take up farming in the village of Joroinen in Eastern Finland. At their family farm, values are more than just empty words — they are principles that the couple lives by every day.
Finland seemed a bit like destiny for this Ugandan-born entrepreneur and Aalto alumnus.
Our feature story takes you on a journey.
Startup Reverlast repurposes discarded wind turbine blades into durable floating docks, the first of which supports a beloved community sauna on the university’s shoreline.
Professor Jukka Tuhkuri studies ice in Otaniemi and around the world. Ice has fundamentally changed – we’ve messed up, he says. Now we need to understand what that means for humanity.
Aalto University has produced a film to highlight its creative culture.
Alusta, built from clay and populated by plants, is a sanctuary for pollinators and a meeting place for all living things
The psychology of motivation coupled with mixed reality games can get kids moving
Finnish forests are typically nourished with fertilisers containing energy-intensive nitrogen and phosphorous mined in Morocco. Researchers have now developed an ecological alternative with ingredients sourced from a waste processing plant. It is good for forests and the environment – but legislation has to change first.
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.
This column focuses on the personal choices experts make related to their field of research.
Senior Scientist Hovatta explores the mysteries of the universe at Aalto University’s Metsähovi Radio Observatory.
This Associate Professor of Electromagnetics manipulates and directs light with materials.
This doctoral researcher responds to the need for a home, not just a shelter – amid the most complex humanitarian crises.
This professor of practice wants to solve frustrating problems with simple tools.
Assistant Professor Russell Lai wields mathematical symbols and German longswords.
This academy research fellow and assistant professor delights in cold water, both in nature and in the lab.
The science stories shed light on current top-level research at Aalto.
Doctoral researchers at Aalto University Bioinnovation Center discuss accelerating the sustainable bioeconomy, the importance of collaboration and bold entrepreneurial dreams.
Located in Kirkkonummi, southern Finland, Metsähovi Radio Observatory collects information on the Sun, quasars, and black holes, while training space scientists of the future.
Aalto University’s researchers are contributing to the creation of redesigned maternity and child health clinics and positive childbirth experiences in their research projects. The visions seize the potential of technology, such as childbirth simulation in a 3D-video conference using an avatar, a virtual character. On the other hand, the researchers would also like to hold on to the best practices from the past, such as the traditional child health clinic card, genuine human interaction and the rotina tradition, visits by family and close-ones to meet the newborn and bring foods as a gift.
In a smart building, the lighting system learns how occupants move throughout the building, transport robots talk to lifts, and users are guided to available workspaces by a mobile app. A new doctoral school at Aalto University is set to boost development in the field of smart buildings.
What do computers, cell phones and GPS navigation have in common? And what about digital cameras, solar panels and fibre optics? The answer is that the functioning of these devices is based on quantum phenomena.
Building wisely with wood is an efficient way to combat climate change. It’s possible to build almost anything with wood if we develop our expertise and adjust our attitudes, an expert says.
Sharing the interest makes a good conversation.
A joint Nordic project is developing light- and heat-reactive textiles. In the future, curtains will regulate room temperature, clothing will help monitor blood pressure, and cotton will clean itself in sunlight.
Is there any skill more important in today’s work world than the ability to cope during challenging times and bounce back quickly?
Professor Susanna Helke looks at health and social services through the lens of a filmmaker, Laura Arpiainen as an architect and professor. Both are concerned about the crisis in the care sector in Finland.
In years to come, autonomous ships could reshape the entire maritime industry, say marine technology experts Mashrura Musharraf and Sauli Eloranta.
A professor and an entrepreneur talk about what women's networks can offer: inspiration and advice, peer support, and even help landing a new job.
The biggest environmental act would be not building at all. But a circular economy can also mitigate the environmental impact of construction.
Designer Noora Yau and materials scientist Konrad Klockars have used wood to conjure up a colour, which is transparent yet glows like a copepod in shallow water. The pair’s good chemistry and open attitude towards asking silly questions is a great help in their work.
36 Acts of change, September 2025
35 Follow the money, May 2025
34 Makers of the impossible, September 2024
33 Invisible, September 2023
32 Aspirational actions, April 2023
31 Living spaces, October 2022
30 Bodily boundaries, April 2022
29 The art of change, October 2021
28 Trust in the digital world, April 2021
27 Leaving a trace, October 2020
26 Trial and error, April 2020
25 University as an influencer in society, October 2019
24 Continuous learning, April 2019
23 Artificial intelligence, October 2018
22 Sustainability, April 2018
21 Human-centered living environments, January 2018
20 Game changers and the new work, October 2017
19 Multidisciplinarity, April 2017
18 Art and creative practices, December 2016
17 Entrepreneurship, October 2016 (in Finnish only)
16 Materials research, May 2016
15 Global business dynamics, December 2015
14 Health technology, October 2015
13 Aalto University five years, May 2015
12 Research, December 2014
11 Educating game changers, October 2014
10 Big data, March 2014
09 Health care, December 2013
08 Energy, October 2013
07 Creativity, May 2013
06 Entrepreneurship, March 2013
05 Housing and living environments, December 2012
04 Bioeconomy, October 2012
03 Time – solutions of a new generation, May 2012
02 Wellbeing, February 2012
01 Risks, October 2011
Aalto University, Communications
PO Box 11000, FI-00076 AALTO
magazine@aalto.fi
Editor-in-chief
Communications manager
Anitta Pirnes
anitta.pirnes@aalto.fi
tel. +358 50 564 4028
Managing editor
Paula Haikarainen
paula.haikarainen@aalto.fi
tel +358 50 314 1545
AD & photo editing
Dog Design
dog@dogdesign.fi
Illustration & photos
Students and alumni of Aalto University
Change of address by email: crm-support@aalto.fi
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Finnish edition 27 000 copies,
English edition 3 000 copies
ISSN 2489-6772 (print)
ISSN 2489-6780 (online)
