Aalto experts for international media

Professor Jukka Manner, Mobile Internet, Mobile Services, Mobile Computing, Datacentres, Cyber security, Energy efficiency, Computer networks, Wireless networking, Smart phones, Green ICT, Sustainability, Electronics, Communications engineering, Software engineering, Operating systems: jukka.manner@aalto.fi. 

Professor Vili Lehdonvirta, Digital Economic Security Lab DIESL, Geopolitics and Geoeconomics of Cloud Computing, AI compute, and Digital Platforms: vili.lehdonvirta@aalto.fi, diesl.eu

Associate Professor Antti Oulasvirta, User Interfaces research group. Human-computer interaction, User interfaces, Human factors, Human performance, Interactive AI, computational design, Computational modeling, Cognitive modeling, Computer and information sciences: antti.oulasvirta@aalto.fi, cbl.aalto.fi

Frank Martela, Assistant Professor, philosopher and researcher of psychology specialising in meaningfulness, happiness and how organisations and countries can unleash human potential. A globally recognised expert on both Finnish happiness and the happiness of nations: frank.martela@aalto.fi.

It’s no coincidence that international comparisons not only show Finland to be a happy nation, but also a trusting one, says Marjo‑Riitta Diehl, Associate Professor of Management and Organisation. Diehl’s recent research focuses on organisational justice and fairness at work: marjo-riitta.diehl@aalto.fi.

Associate Professor Matti Sarvimäki is a strong advocate of data-driven decision-making, and expects the research findings to truly affect policy decisions: matti.sarvimaki@aalto.fi.

Landscape architecture experts Associate Professor Ranja Hautamäki and Assistant Professor Elisa Lähde do not think it is a coincidence that green cities rank highly for happiness. The researchers are collaborating with the municipalities of the Greater Helsinki region, working with urban planners to ensure that any planned construction or renovation meets clear, science-based metrics for wellbeing, biodiversity and climate adaptation: ranja.hautamaki@aalto.fi, elisa.lahde@aalto.fi.

Architect Jaakko Torvinen designs unique buildings using natural, unfinished wood, complete with knots, branches and striking organic forms. His latest project, Puusauna, is part of his quest to prove that what would usually be considered waste timber has utility and economic value: jaakko.torvinen@aalto.fi. Get a taste of the Finnish slow life in this short video. 

Postdoctoral researcher Tatsiana Padhaiskaya deep dives in her research into cold water swimming. Swimmers report long-lasting benefits from even the briefest of dips, including mental clarity and the ability to draw on inner resilience long after they leave the water: tatsiana.padhaiskaya@aalto.fi.

Internationally renowned researcher Sanna Lehtinen is driven by an interest in what we find beautiful and why. An expert in urban and environmental aesthetics, she says Finns value proximity to nature and make room for aesthetic diversity — as such, the beauty and stark contrast between Finnish seasons brings them joy: sanna.lehtinen@aalto.fi, sannalehtinen.com.

Buildings affect both our happiness and health, says Professor of Architecture, Laura Arpiainen. Human scale, our sensory experience of materials, and the freedom to adapt and personalise the spaces we’re in can shape our sense of belonging, even our identity: laura.arpiainen@aalto.fi.

Aalto Ice and Wave Tank is the largest ice tank in the world by surface area. The dimensions of 40 x 40 m and the square plan allow ice testing at a globally unique scale. The new wavemaker allows the first experiments ever on wave-ice and wave-ice-ship interaction in short-crested irregular waves, as well as making major contributions to the very active wave ice research currently ongoing. Read more: Aalto Ice and Wave Tank. Contact: Otto Puolakka, Laboratory Manager, otto.puolakka@aalto.fi.

Professor Jukka Tuhkuri researches ice mechanics and arctic marine technology. He has studied, among other topics, fracture of ice, formation and strength of sea ice ridges, ice failure process against inclined structures, and crushing of ice. He is conducting both numerical work by using the discrete element method and experimental research including field experiments – which has taken him both to the Arctic and the Antarctic – and laboratory experiments in the Aalto Ice and Wave Tank. He gained international recognition for uncovering the cause of the sinking of the explorer Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated ship, Endurance. Contact: jukka.tuhkuri@aalto.fi.

Associate Professor Arttu Polojärvi researches ice mechanics, and he has for example built a geophysical model of the whole Baltic Sea – you can run ships through it, change ice flows, study wind turbines, etc. Contact: arttu.polojarvi@aalto.fi.

Assistant Professor Mikko Suominen focuses on ship performance in ice and ice-induced loads on the ship hull measurements in model-scale and full-scale. He is especially interested in measurement methods and technology related to these topics. In addition, ice conditions measurements and determination (e.g. mechanical properties of ice and ice thickness) have been closely related to his research. Contact: mikko.suominen@aalto.fi.