Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

Multifunctional Materials Design

The Multifunctional Materials Design research group (MMD) led by Prof. Jaana Vapaavuori focuses on experimental studies of soft materials, as well as inorganic-organic hybrids. Our ultimate goal is to combine multiple functionalities in the same material through supramolecular chemistry and designing hierarchical structures. We also aim to convert external stimuli into useful responses via photoactuation, photovoltaics and photocatalysis.
MMD webpage main image. GIF image by Aalto University, Giulnara Launonen

Highlights:

More 'Recent news' and 'Related content' in the corresponding sections below.

EU research results CORDIS (image with logos)

‘Green’ wearable sensors can detect early signs of hypothermia (external link)

Wearable sensors made of biodegradable materials can provide continuous monitoring of the body to detect hypothermia at early stages in vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

Lupine yarns production. Photo by Giulnara Launonen / Aalto University

New textiles can make the clothing industry more sustainable (external link)

Many of the textiles produced today have a huge impact on the environment. Consequently, Nordic researchers have now developed prototypes of what could become the sustainable textiles of tomorrow.

Recovery of Gold as Nanoparticles; Reima Herrala

Waste not: A new electrochemical method to recover noble metals as particles

The EARMetal process innovates with electrochemistry to efficiently recover noble metals from complex production solutions, potentially reducing environmental impacts and streamlining metal retrieval

News

Our research focuses and group members

Beakers / Photo by Aalto University, Aleksi Poutanen

MMD research focuses

Multifunctional Materials Design research group (MMD)

Department of Chemistry and Materials Science
MMD research group 20220615_2.jpg

MMD team

Multifunctional Materials Design: research group members

Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

Our projects:

Beyond e-Textiles project

Nordic network on smart light-conversion textiles beyond electric circuits

Beyond e-Textiles webpage, main image. Image by Aalto University, Giulnara Launonen, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan

AIyarn project (Bioinnovation)

AI-guided biohybrid assembly platform for e-textiles

AIyarn project main image. Photo by Aalto University / Matteo Iannacchero, Maija Vaara

EARMetal project

Electrochemically-Assisted Aqueous Reduction of Waste Streams for Metals Recovery and Functional Surfaces

EARMetal webpage, main image. Photo by Aalto University, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan

MMD FinnCERES: Energy

MMD projects funded by FinnCERES (theme Energy)

MMD FinnCERES projects main image. Photo by Aalto University / Mithila Mohan, Maija Vaara

MMD FinnCERES: Acoustics

MMD projects funded by FinnCERES (sub-theme Acoustics)

Measurement of how sound waves bend towards the absorption material. Photo by Aalto University, Tapio Lokki

ModelCom project

Autonomously adapting and communicating modular textiles

ModelCom webpage, main image, nylon yarn helix. Photo by Aalto University, Maija Vaara

SUBSTAINABLE project

Multifunctional, high performance cellulose-based substrates for photovoltaics and optoelectronics

SUBSTAINABLE webpage, main image. Photo by Aalto University, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan

SUPER-WEAR project

Super-stretchable functionalized materials and fibers for third generation wearable technology

SUPER-WEAR webpage, main image. Photo by Aalto University, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan

WEARSENSNANO project

Continuous monitoring of hypothermia in elderly people by the novel integrated wearable sensor system based on cellulose hydrogel and metallic nanowires

WEARSENSNANO webpage, main image. Photo by Aalto University, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan

Contact information:

Professor Jaana Vapaavuori
Professor Jaana Vapaavuori

We are a group that embraces cross-disciplinary research and co-creative approaches. If you are interested in our projects or to join the group, please contact Prof. Vapaavuori by e-mail.

Mailing address: Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI-00076 AALTO, Finland

Visiting address: Office B209b, Kemistintie 1 (Chemistry building), 02150 Espoo, Finland

Lobby service in the Chemistry building: 
+358 50 384 1658

You can approach us by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Follow us on social media

Latest publications:

Heat-Induced Actuator Fibers: Starch-Containing Biopolyamide Composites for Functional Textiles

Hossein Baniasadi, Zahra Madani, Mithila Mohan, Maija Vaara, Sami Lipponen, Jaana Vapaavuori, Jukka Seppälä 2023 ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Silver Nanowire-based Capacitive Type Pressure and Strain Sensors for Human Motion Monitoring

Fevzihan Basarir, Hamidreza Daghigh Shirazi, Zahra Madani, Jaana Vapaavuori 2023 Nanowires

Acoustic Properties of Aerogels: Current Status and Prospects

Tatiana Budtova, Tapio Lokki, Sadeq Malakooti, Ameya Rege, Hongbing Lu, Barbara Milow, Jaana Vapaavuori, Stephanie Vivod 2023 Advanced Engineering Materials

Recent developments of electrodeposition-redox replacement in metal recovery and functional materials: A review

Linfan Cui, Kirsi Yliniemi, Jaana Vapaavuori, Mari Lundström 2023 Chemical Engineering Journal

Potato virus A particles – A versatile material for self-assembled nanopatterned surfaces

Swarnalok De, Hoang M. Nguyen, Ville Liljeström, Kristiina Mäkinen, Mauri Kostiainen, Jaana Vapaavuori 2023 Virology

In-situ Monitoring of Photocontrollable Wrinkle Erasure in Azobenzene-based Supramolecular Systems

Yujiao Dong, Pedro E.S. Silva, Jaakko V.I. Timonen, Jaana Vapaavuori 2023 ChemPhysChem

Textile Intersections exhibition

Delia Dumitrescu, Riikka Talman, Anne Louise Bang, Malene Harsaae, Inger Marie Ladekarl, Lena Kramer Pedersen, Tina Bull Nielsen, Amalie Ege, Alicja Lawrynowicz, Kati Miettunen, Rustem Nizamo, Jaana Vapaavuori, Laura Koskelo, Maija Vaara, Mithila Mohan, Pedro Santos Silva, Zahra Madani 2023

Textile Intersections exhibition

Sofia Guridi Sotomayor, Matteo Iannacchero 2023
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal

News

Recovery of Gold as Nanoparticles; Reima Herrala
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Waste not: A new electrochemical method to recover noble metals as particles

The EARMetal process innovates with electrochemistry to efficiently recover noble metals from complex production solutions, potentially reducing environmental impacts and streamlining metal retrieval
Recent developments of EDRR
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

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
Schematic of azopolymer/PDMS double layer. Image by Yujiao Dong, Aalto University
Research & Art Published:

From Light to Motion: Shaping surfaces with light

Multifunctional Materials Design group: A quantitative study that leads to a more precise control of the photoactive surface
A visual representation depicting the experimental setup employed in this study for achieving the hierarchical micro-nano porous network. Image by Aalto University, Hoang M. Nguyen
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Nature-inspired hierarchical material design: exploring micro- and nanoscale pores for enhanced functionality

Researchers from the Multifunctional Materials Design research group created a hierarchical structure made up of micro- and nanoscale pores

Past events

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 – Events programme

Welcome and participate in Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 through a variety of different events, from live talk shows to webinars, workshops and guided exhibition tours.

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2023 main visual with Events title.

Beyond e-Textiles: ENTANGLED

Prototype exhibition of the 'Beyond e-Textiles' project

Entangled exhibition, Beyond e-Textiles project.

Beyond e-Textiles: public lecture (June 7, 2023)

The 5th iterative workshop of the 'Beyond e-Textiles' project

Beyond e-Textiles, Public lecture (June 7, 2023)

MMD Colloquium 2022: Wearables Technology

Multifunctional Materials Design: a series of online lectures by invited guests

MMD Colloquium 2022 main image

FinnCERES Scientific Seminar 2022: Back to Fundamentals - Fibre, Water & Interactions

The FinnCERES Scientific Seminar 2022 Back to Fundamentals - Fibre, Water & Interactions will explore the full potential of bio-based raw materials. This year we will focus on how to fully harness the inherent properties of all the lignocellulosic fractions to develop new bio-based and bio-inspired materials.

FinnCERES Scientific Seminar 2022
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