Magazine puts focus on materials research

Materials have been researched from many perspectives by Aalto scientists for quite some time and a broad group of researchers and professors work in this field. There are also significant business opportunities here.

This issue's main articles showcase three companies that have emerged from our University: bone-lengthening treatment developer Synoste as well as the nanotech companies Canatu and Picosun.

Canatu founder, Professor Esko Kauppinen reminds us that it takes a lot of time before a laboratory discovery is ready from the store shelf. For him and his colleagues, it took ten years of intensive research, and a smattering of good luck was also needed.

In Avauksia (Openings), President Tuula Teeri notes that Aalto's strategy has produced results: “University rankings and our success in applying for the most contested funding demonstrate that our international standing has strengthened rapidly. We've managed to develop solutions for the challenges of a rapidly changing knowledge economy. Studies show that the ecosystem, which has sprung up around Aalto, produces half of all university-rooted new companies in Finland.”

The alumnus interview Who hears from Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of the boards of directors at F-Secure and Nokia, who says he will always be an entrepreneur: “For me, entrepreneurship is first and foremost a way to be responsible; it's about not shying away from problems and letting others sort them out.”

Pick up a copy of Aalto University Magazine on campus. An electronic facsimile is available on issuu.com and English-language translations of some articles are posted on aalto.fi/magazine.