Aalto at Slush 2025: measuring ultracold temperatures, bubble wrap from wood, dementia treatment – and much, much more
Aalto presents 12 innovations shaping a sustainable future
Aalto at Slush: creative design and new innovations
At the Finnish start-up and tech event Slush Aalto University highlighted its research-based innovations that are shaping a sustainable future. Amongst them was a design-based material innovation Bubbles with Benefits. The event also showed how design can accelerate technical breakthroughs. The event was held at Expo and Convention Centre Messukeskus in Helsinki 19–20 November.
Aalto University was once again present at Slush, showcasing fresh innovations born from cutting-edge research. This year, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture highlighted a design-driven innovation Bubbles with Benefits, which is an example of how creative experimentation and scientific insight can spark entirely new possibilities.
Bubbles with Benefits is developing biobased protective foams and bubble wrap made from cellulose. Its materials provide great protection to deliveries, thanks to sealed air bubbles and foam that bounce back. Unlike many alternatives, these materials are soft, they don’t scratch surfaces, and have a premium look that catches attention.
In addition to the innovation itself, our design students have taken a central role in shaping how Aalto’s innovations are demoed and experienced at the event. They have designed the spatial and experiential concepts that bring complex research to life for Slush attendees — making emerging technologies tangible, engaging and meaningful.
Most importantly, Aalto’s this year’s presence at Slush underscores how design plays a vital role in advancing even deeply technical innovations. Design is not an add-on but a driver of impact: a way to understand users, shape sustainable futures and turn research into real-world value.
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Bubbles with Benefits
100% bio-based packaging materials to replace plastics
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