Department of Applied Physics

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

A woman with blonde hair stands with arm resting on a ledge with a grey background.
Appointments Published:

Physics professor: Nuclear simulations need powerful computers, and ‘Finland is at the forefront’

Andrea Sand leads the Nuclear Materials and Engineering research group – a large team of international researchers with funding resources and collaboration opportunities spanning the European continent.
bakteereja ohjataan magneettikentän avulla
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Getting bacteria into line

Physicists use magnetic fields to manipulate bacterial behaviour
insole at pdp gala
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

Recent News

Aalto Open Science Award 2024. A light blue podium hovering over a blue-pink gradient background with the help of squishy-looking balloons with colored lights inside.
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Call for nominees for Aalto University’s Open Science Award 2024

Nominate yourself, your colleague, a research group, a department, or a project for the award.
Photo of Hang Zhang against a dark background.
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

1.5-million-euro ERC grant for creating physical feedback loops in life-inspired materials awarded to Hang Zhang

Dr. Hang Zhang was granted 1.5 million euros on Thursday by the ERC to create coupled physical feedback loops in hydrogels with varying dimensions.
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Research & Art Published:
Artistic illustration showing the creation of topological magnets.
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Researchers create entangled quantum magnets with protected quantum excitations

Researchers created a new quantum state of matter, dubbed a high-order topological magnet, that may address key issues in quantum technology.

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

Events

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For Aalto community Other

Cancelled! Aalto Wellbeing Week 2024 Reflections - A Workshop Using Arts Therapy Methods

Welcome to explore work in a workshop using arts therapy methods.
The logo of the Helsinki Term Bank for the Arts and Sciences
Training to support research, Workshops

Term Bank workshop for doctoral students in pre-examination phase

Find out what help is offered for the compulsory terminology work and what is required from the definitions of the key words before they can be added to the Term Bank.
A title text "Self-leadership - Maximize your potential" and a photo of a person raising their hand in class.
For Aalto community Students, Workshops

Aalto Wellbeing Week 2024 Self-leadership — Maximize your potential (external link)

Let’s learn how to regain personal agency by exploring various topics in self-leadership.
Ilona Jääskeläinen standing in front of the class during a lecture at summer course Digital Business.
For Aalto community Communications training

Plain language writing for web

On this training you will learn some of the modern trends in content creation for digital environments.

Where to find us

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo

Kide

Konemiehentie 1

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Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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