Towards Efficient Orbital-Dependent Density Functionals for Weak and Strong Correlation
Together with Igor Zhang, John Perdew and Matthias Scheffler, we developed a new density-functional that also works for strong correlation.
Our new functional is called ZRPS and is based on the wave-function inspired correlation functional that we recently developed. By solving the Bethe-Goldstone equation (BGE) we can incorporate 2 electron correlations exactly. In ZRPS we screen BGE and combine it with exact exchange, PBE exchange and correlation and the Tkatchenko-Scheffler van der Waals energy. This combination provides an excellent description of weakly and moderately correlated systems and excells in difficult, strongly correlated cases, such as bond-dissociation and reactions that involve multi-reference states. More information can be found here Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 133002 (2016).
Read more news

Sustainability Science Days 2023: Call for Abstracts
The SSD2023 call for abstracts is now open! Please submit an abstract to the session that you think best fits your topic by the latest February 22, 2023, at 23:59 Finnish time.
Semiconductor sector summer jobs open in research groups
The growth of the semiconductor sector and its investments in Finland are also increasing the need for skilled personnel. Thanks to a donation from four semiconductor companies Picosun, an Applied Materials Company, Okmetic, Murata, and KYOCERA Tikitin. Aalto University will offer exciting summer jobs in the School of Electrical Engineering and the School of Chemical Engineering in the summer of 2023. Semi-Summer 2023 Programme will provide an opportunity to gain the skills needed in a growing and international field.
Sakari Poikkimäki is replacing harmful chemicals with enzymes: ‘We can use small biological organisms in many everyday products’
Chemical engineering alumnus Sakari Poikkimäki works as a fermentation expert at Roal Oy, a company that manufactures enzymes. Studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering lead to a dream job where small living organisms are harnessed for good.