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.
Group members standing around a tree.

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 and technology is taught by the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems.

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

Influence of moisture on the sound absorption properties of wood-based pulp fibre foams

Jose Cucharero Moya, Muhammad Awais, Mikko Valkonen, Kari Kammiovirta, Lauri Rautkari, Tapio Lokki, Tuomas Hänninen 2024 Materials Today Sustainability

Insights into the action of phylogenetically diverse microbial expansins on the structure of cellulose microfibrils

Majid Haddad Momeni, Aleksi Zitting, Vilma Jäämuru, Rosaliina Turunen, Paavo Penttilä, Garry W. Buchko, Salla Hiltunen, Natalia Maiorova, Anu Koivula, Janak Sapkota, Kaisa Marjamaa, Emma R. Master 2024 Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts

Review: interaction of water vapour with wood and other hygro-responsive materials

Callum Hill, Michael Altgen, Paavo Penttilä, Lauri Rautkari 2024 Journal of Materials Science

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

Self-assembly of mixed-linkage glucan hydrogels formed following EG16 digestion

Nicholas G.S. McGregor, Paavo Penttilä, Leena Pitkänen, Pezhman Mohammadi, Maisa Vuorte, Kiyohiko Igarashi, Suvi Arola 2024 Carbohydrate Polymers

Critical comment on the assumptions leading to 24-chain microfibrils in wood

Paavo A. Penttilä, Antti Paajanen 2024 Nature Plants

Bioinspired Living Coating System for Wood Protection: Exploring Fungal Species on Wood Surfaces Coated with Biofinish during Its Service Life

Faksawat Poohphajai, Ana Gubenšek, Anja Černoša, Karen Butina Ogorelec, Lauri Rautkari, Jakub Sandak, Anna Sandak 2024 Coatings

Acetylation of wood: Understanding the risk of de-acetylation during exposure to elevated temperature

Maik Slabohm, Lukas Emmerich, Mikko Juhani Valkonen, Lauri Rautkari, Holger Militz 2024 Holzforschung
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal
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