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

Man wearing a grey jumper and jeans crouching in front of a purple dotted background with neon green outline
Appointments, Research & Art Published:

Prof. Anton Zasedatelev: Light and matter in the quantum realm

The new Assistant Professor aims to develop optical computing technologies operating at the fundamental limits of speed and energy.
Two images of a cracked wall, the left one light grey and the right one dark grey.
Press releases Published:

More durable airplanes and buildings possible after physicists untangle engineering paradox

A team of researchers combined statistical physics and fracture mechanics to explain why cracks and faults travel faster when stress in materials is allowed to relax once in a while.
Artistic representation of hydrogels in a mobius-ring formed through self-healing by Margot Lepetit, Aalto University.
Press releases Published:

Researchers create gel that can self-heal like human skin

Until now, artificial gels have either managed to replicate this high stiffness or natural skin’s self-healing properties, but not both. Now, a team of researchers from Aalto University and the University of Bayreuth are the first to develop a hydrogel with a unique structure that overcomes earlier limitations, opening the door to applications such as drug delivery, wound healing, soft robotics sensors and artificial skin.
A man in a dark suit and white bow tie against an orange dotted circle and dark background.
Awards and Recognition, Studies Published:

Doctoral thesis on nuclear fusion at over one hundred million degrees Celsius awarded European physics prize

Henri Kumpulainen's PhD thesis found out how to best predict the behaviour of fusion energy materials in temperatures of over one hundred million degrees Celsius.
A person with long, brown hair is holding a glass frame
Awards and Recognition Published:

Surface repelling different kinds of drops and fog lands Innovation Prize at Department of Applied Physics

The team plans to find industrial partners for their environmentally friendly and scalable hydrophobic surface.
A person in a tweed jacket stands in front of a whiteboard covered in diagrams. Next to them is intricate gold machinery.
Press releases Published:

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium pursue room-temperature superconductivity with quantum geometry and AI

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium aim to realize the energy-saving reality of superconductors operating at higher temperatures than near-absolute zero.

Recent News

Aalto Open Science Award Ceremony, May 20, 2025, 1-2.30pm, Mordor A Grid, Otakaari 5 02150 Espoo. Programme: Welcome words, award video screening, AALTOLAB, Aki Vehtari, Rupesh Vyas, panel discussion on open science, coffee & ice cream. All Aaltonians welcome!
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Join us for the Aalto Open Science Award 2024 Ceremony

All Aaltonians are welcome – no registration required!
Man wearing a grey jumper and jeans crouching in front of a purple dotted background with neon green outline
Appointments, Research & Art Published:

Prof. Anton Zasedatelev: Light and matter in the quantum realm

The new Assistant Professor aims to develop optical computing technologies operating at the fundamental limits of speed and energy.
Growth entrepreneur Teemu Myllymäki
Cooperation Published:

Growth entrepreneur Teemu Myllymäki: I wanted to see where the rabbit hole leads

An entrepreneurial mindset and the lessons learned during doctoral studies at Aalto University have helped Teemu Myllymäki to become a founding partner and CEO of Measurlabs, a company selling chemical measurement services.
scrolling website
For Aalto community Research & Art Published:

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.

Logo with the word 'InstituteQ' featuring a gold and black circular design, on a white textured 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

Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.
Public defences

Public defence in Computer Science, M.Sc. Sophie Wharrie

Advancing Towards Personalized Medicine: Probabilistic Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Health and Genetics (title of the thesis).
Students wearing overalls and student caps
Campus

Wappu 2025

Aalto University's vappu, May Day
Ask a Data Agent, weekly RDM support hour, 1-2 PM on Zoom
For Aalto community Support for teams, Training to support research

Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom

Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
A student orchestra performs on steps while a crowd of students in colourful overalls and white caps watches.
Networking

Kemman wappusimat

Welcome to Otaniemi for the first wappu event of the current Aalto CHEM 🎉 This is an excellent opportunity to meet old friends and the leadership of the School of Chemical Engineering, hear the latest news from Chem, and enjoy the wappu atmosphere with sima, doughnuts and music.

Where to find us

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo

Kide

Konemiehentie 1

Aalto_University_Otakaari2B_

Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!