Natural luxury – Wooden crystals make fashion shine
Biomaterials and 3D-printing conjure a sparkle out of wood without harming people or the environment
Bioeconomy 2.0
Unseen bio-based materials. See this and other fascinating projects on display in the Designs for a Cooler Planet main exhibition in Marsio on 6 Sept – 3 Oct 2024.
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Wood-derived lignocellulose is an abundant renewable raw material and the backbone of the Finnish economy. However, as our natural resources are declining, we must use them more wisely, creating more value from less raw material.
Bioeconomy 2.0 demonstrates how this challenge can become an opportunity in the right hands and through collaboration. These five novel, high-value applications of woody biomass aim to disrupt the status quo in materials, textiles and health technology, harnessing natural properties of lignocellulose to develop materials we have never seen before.
Projects on display
A hybrid material combining nanocellulose and a self-sterilizing pigment that kills aerosol pathogens when exposed to sunlight. It can be used for face masks or to sterilise surgical equipment in crisis areas lacking electricity.
SolarSafe: Light-mediated self-sterilizing composite cellulosic materials
Team
Research Fellow Eduardo Anaya-Plaza (CHEM)
Professor Mauri Kostiainen (CHEM)
Doctoral Researcher Daniel Langerreiter (CHEM)
Research Scientist Katariina Solin (VTT)
Research Scientist Maija Vuoriluoto (VTT)
Senior Scientist Suvi Arola (VTT)
Research Scientist Tuuli Virkkala (VTT)
Superblack wood that absorbs over 99.65% of visible light that can be used for example in lasers, optics, and space exploration.
BLACKWOOD: Sustainable Superblack Materials from Wood for Light Management and Harnessing
Team
Senior Scientist Bruno Mattos (CHEM)
Doctoral Researcher Bin Zhao (CHEM)
Senior Scientist Alexey Khakalo (VTT)
An interactive optical fibre made from wood cellulose that can be used in health monitoring such as breath and heart rate sensing during MRI scans.
BIOPTICS: Biocomposite optical fibers for smart interactive textiles and sensing
Team
Distinguished Professor Olli Ikkala (SCI)
Doctoral Researcher Sofia Guridi (ARTS)
Research Team Leader Hannes Orelma (VTT)
Research Scientist Ilona Leppänen (VTT)
Research Scientist Aayush Jaiswal (VTT)
Delving into the ecological concerns of modern fashion, the project addresses the environmental impact of traditional crystals, tainted by their origin in plastic and metallic effect pigments. This collaborative project, which includes The Structural Colour Studio and designer Anna Semi, redefines fashion sparkle with premium renewable materials. These crystals signify a step towards a more ecological and ethical future for fashion.
The “shimmering wood crystal” -concept explores nanocellulose-based, structural colour within the realm of fashion. The wood crystal is crafted by 3D printing a biodegradable wood filament pattern directly on a textile fabric (silk organza). This printed structure is then adorned with structural colour. The colour is entirely wood, does not fade like pigment or dye colours, and is fully biodegradable and non-toxic.
Wood-based glitter created through microscopically small structures from nanocellulose which can be used in design applications like clothing, architecture and furniture.
"Shimmering wood" project shortlisted in Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards
Team
Doctoral Researcher Noora Yau (ARTS)
University Teacher Anna Semi (ARTS)
Konrad Klockars (CHEM)
A life-saving sensor that utilizes nanocellulose and carbon nanotubes to rapidly detect very small concentrations of drug molecules, like paracetamol, to prevent drug poisoning and overdose.
Team
Professor Emeritus Jari Koskinen (CHEM)
Professor Tomi Laurila (ELEC)
Senior Scientist Katri Kontturi (VTT)
Research Scientist Vasuki Durairaj (VTT)
FinnCERES - Flagship for boosting bioeconomy (external link)
Boosting the world’s bioeconomy by developing new bio-based materials with Aalto University and VTT, companies, and research organizations through a shared passion to create a sustainable future and a belief in innovations based on solid scientific foundations.
Nina Pulkkis
Tiago Martins Pinto
Jukka Hassinen
Zachary Compton
Slate Grove
Samuli Parkkinen
Helmi Remes
Maria Mastola
Pekka Tapaninen
FinnCERES is a joint Flagship program hosted by Aalto University and VTT.
FinnCERES is funded by the Research Council of Finland. Doctoral candidates Langerreiter and Guridi are also funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.
Designs for a Cooler Planet
Discover tomorrow at Aalto University's biggest exhibition! Open 1 September – 30 October 2026.
