A hand with a blue vinyl glove adjusts complicated research instruments.

Who are we?

Our research focuses on materials physics, quantum technology, soft and living matter, and advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. Department of Applied Physics educates future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

The department hosts the Academy of Finland Centres of Excellence Quantum Technology Finland (QTF, 2018-2025) and Life Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER, 2022-2029). Further quantum technologies are facilitated by the national quantum institute – InstituteQ, coordinated by Aalto University since 2021.

The department is a major user of the national research infrastructure OtaNano that provides fabrication, characterisation and measurement equipment and facilities for students, scientists and high-tech businesses. The Nanomicroscopy Center and the Low Temperature Laboratory of OtaNano are critical assets for our researchers. We extensively utilise and contribute to the development of the national and international cloud and supercomputing resources and databases.

Top news

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Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Getting bacteria into line

Physicists use magnetic fields to manipulate bacterial behaviour
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Press releases, Research & Art, Studies Published:

Compostable wood foam replaces plastic in shoe insoles

Aalto University students develop prototype of durable wood-based insole – Finnish shoe company starts testing material on users this autumn
A glass needle probes a tiny droplet sitting on a black surface.
Press releases Published:

Physicists explain—and eliminate—unknown force dragging against water droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces

Aalto University researchers adapt a novel force measurement technique to uncover the previously unidentified physics at play at the thin air-film gap between water droplets and superhydrophobic surfaces.
Olli Ikkana in Otaniemi, photo by Lasse Lecklin.
Research & Art Published:

Bioinspired colours and adaptable materials - Professor Olli Ikkala's third EU project builds on living systems

Department of Applied Physics Professor Olli Ikkala received his third Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) on 11 April 2024. The funding amounts to €2.5 million and the project will run for five years.
An artistic rendering of two chips on a circuit board, one is blue and the other is orange and light is emitting from their surf
Press releases Published:

New method of measuring qubits promises ease of scalability in a microscopic package

Aalto University researchers are the first in the world to measure qubits with ultrasensitive thermal detectors
An artistic rendition of a photo colliding with other particles.
Studies Published:

Bridging gaps in reactor damage modelling and embracing diversity in academia

With a keen interest in electron-ion interactions, doctoral researcher Evgeniia Ponomareva describes her experience in the Nuclear Materials and Engineering (NuME) research group led by Assistant Professor Andrea Sand in the Department of Applied Physics.

Research groups

Additional resources

Logo of the PHYS Diversity Team in Aalto colours

Department of Applied Physics Diversity Team

The Diversity Team of the Department of Applied Physics aims to build an inclusive, diverse and welcoming work environment

Department of Applied Physics
Life at the campus.

Careers at Aalto

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We are an international community of 20,000 bold thinkers who shape a sustainable future with education, research breakthroughs and innovative ideas and solutions. Join us in changing the world – we have many attractive career opportunities to offer.

InstituteQ

The goal at InstituteQ is to improve the readiness of Finland for the disruptive potential quantum technologies will have for society and the economy at large. By 2026, novel educational programs, growing quantum industry and eminent research directions are expected to be in full motion. The efforts of InstituteQ facilitate fundamental scientific findings, the adoption of novel technologies and the development of new commercial opportunities. The aim is to carry, implement and mutually benefit front line education, research, innovations, and infrastructures.

White InstituteQ logo on dark background

InstituteQ - The Finnish Quantum Institute (external link)

InstituteQ coordinates quantum research, education, and business in Finland

QTF-hero logo

Quantum Technology Finland – The National Centre of Excellence (external link)

The national Quantum Technology Finland (QTF) Centre of Excellence brings together scientific and technological excellence and cutting-edge research infrastructures to harness quantum phenomena in solid-state-based quantum devices and applications.

A map of Finland sits on top of an artistic illustration of small-scale circuits.

Aalto University to coordinate Finnish quantum initiatives in latest national flagship programme

The flagship unites dozens of research institutions, companies, and startups in new collaborative front

News
A detail of Aalto University Otanano infrastructure, image by Mikko Raskinen

Events

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Academic events, Exhibitions

Sustainable Innovations in Nonwovens

Transforming the nonwoven industry by developing sustainable, renewable alternatives for everyday items such as diapers, face masks, and packaging. In this hybrid seminar, members of the SUSTAFIT research project share insights on how to develop solutions that are not only planet-friendly, but also economically viable.
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Workshops

CodeRefinery 10-12 & 17-19/September/2024

If you are writing (or will write!) code that is used in research, then this workshop is for you!
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Lectures and seminars

Department of Computer Science: MSc Thesis Presentations

Nelly Kytölä will present their MSc thesis on Tuesday 10 September at 13:00 in Zoom
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For Aalto community Information sessions

Erasmus+ mobility grants for Aalto staff - online info session on 10.9.2024

Are you interested in getting to know Aalto's partner universities by going on staff exchange abroad for a few days and develop your competences?
Erasmus+ staff exchange is a great opportunity for this.

Where to find us

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo. Puumiehenkuja 2. Kuva / Image: Aalto-yliopisto / Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University

Kide

Konemiehentie 1

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Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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