Electrifying society
Chemical engineering research at Aalto University works to solve bottlenecks in electrification


The EU and Finland aim to sharply increase the production of emission-free electricity and to electrify everything that can be electrified: most transport, industry, and heating. Indeed, electrification is seen as one of the most important ways to mitigate climate change.
Electrification alone is no miracle cure for climate change. Availability of the required metals will soon become an obstacle without more versatile and innovative ways to use materials and to produce energy. More mines will certainly be needed. However, the need can be reduced through circular economy, by saving energy, and by setting priorities for the uses of the critical raw materials involved.
Shortages, especially of minerals required by wind energy and electric cars, threaten to emerge in the near future, because supply cannot keep up with demand. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the same minerals are used in consumer electronics and modern arms technology, for example. Digitalisation and, for example, the Internet of Things are also boosting overall demand for energy. Aalto University produces information aimed at solving the sustainability crisis.
Related news

Innovative metal recovery technique: turning low-concentration solutions into valuable resources
EDRR: a recent review article explores latest developments of a novel method for efficient precious metal recovery and creation of high-value-added materials
Five things decision-makers should know about the electrification of society
Electrification plays a key role in solving the climate crisis. Aalto University researchers describe what kind of challenges this entails and how they can be tackled.
DNA origami boosts electrochemical biosensor performance
New results provide a platform for more efficient, selective, and sensitive DNA biosensors that can be used in detecting various pathogens and diseases.
Inkjet printers and hydrogen dreams: Millennium Graduate Student winner Sanaz Zarabi Golkhatmi
Sanaz Zarabi employed a fabrication technique that promises to wildly increase the effectiveness of our renewable energy solutions. With it, she won first place in the Millennium Graduate Student Contest 2022.Videos
Our researchers





Events
- Published:
- Updated: