School of Chemical Engineering

Welcome to the School of Chemical Engineering!

Studies in chemical engineering offer a unique combination of natural sciences and technology.

Students

Spotlight

Bio-based opacifiers offer solutions to cleaner environment

The CELLIGHT project, backed by approx. €1.3 million in funding from Business Finland, aims to develop cellulose-based alternatives to titanium dioxide (TiO2 ), a widely used whitener in paints, cosmetics, and coatings.

Aaltocell Excellence

Professor Maarit Karppinen appointed as a member of the European Research Council

Maarit Karppinen, professor of inorganic materials chemistry at Aalto University, will begin her term as member of the ERC Scientific Council on January 1, 2025.

Professor Maarit Karppinen

Three new university lecturers at the School of Chemical Engineering

The School of Chemical Engineering is strengthened with the appointment of Heli Lehtivuori, Otto Mustonen and Suvi Holmstedt as university lecturers. Their expertise in areas such as spectroscopy, materials chemistry and organic chemistry will enrich the teaching and research at Aalto University.

University lecturers Heli Lehtivuori, Suvi Holmstedt ja Otto Mustonen

Emma Kemppinen: Semiconductor industry offers a lot of opportunities both in industry and academia

Emma got her summer job in a research group thanks to donations from companies in the semiconductor industry. The summer job confirmed her interest in the field.

Emma Kemppainen at Aalto campus

News

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Aaltocell Excellence
Research & Art Published:

Bio-based opacifiers offer solutions to cleaner environment

The CELLIGHT project, backed by approx. €1.3 million in funding from Business Finland, aims to develop cellulose-based alternatives to titanium dioxide (TiO2 ), a widely used whitener in paints, cosmetics, and coatings.
Sekajätekasa Ämmässuon jätteenkäsittelylaitoksella.
Campus, Cooperation, University Published:

Recycling campaign starts on Otaniemi campus

We will launch a waste recycling campaign on the Otaniemi campus in early October. The aim is to increase the recycling rate and reduce the amount of mixed waste.
5 people seen from above in the woods examining something together.
Campus Published:

Keys to your wellbeing series is in Aaltogether

The Aaltogether Keys to your wellbeing series: science-based articles, podcasts, videos, trainings and exercises for the community.
Aalto-yliopiston kampus syksyllä
Studies Published:

Aalto University graduates feel well prepared for working life

Aalto University graduates feel that their degree is valued in the labour market.
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Events

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Campus, Information sessions, Service competence –

ACRE Day October 9th 2024

Together on campus: building the future through interaction!
Introduction to research data management
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research –

Introduction to Research Data Management, Oct 9, 2024

Get to know the basics of RDM with Data Agent, Dr. Essi Viitanen from Research Services.
Image of the globe with text Open Science Policy Forum.
Information sessions, Networking, Workshops –

Open Science Policy Forum - Enabling a European Open Science and Innovation University

The forum aims to co-create a white paper that will shape national and European science and innovation policies.
On orange background in bold black text "From Lab to Market" and a black-and-white photo of a bridge. On the side org logos.
Lectures and seminars, Networking, Students –

From Lab to Market (external link)

An event series bringing together research and entrepreneurship.
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Our students and alumni

Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

Read student stories, learn about our guilds and what it is like to study here!

A group of chemical engineering students in front of the CHEM main building.

More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

Blogposts by Aalto Squad student ambassadors. Read all about student life and studies at Aalto University!

Image from remote site: ourblogs.aalto.fi

Departments

We advance sustainable solutions and breakthroughs by scientific and engineering excellence.

The research at the School of Chemical Engineering focuses on forest products technologies, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, materials science and nanotechnology, metals and minerals processing and energy technology.

Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Enabling bio and circular economy

Researchers in the lab

Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Sustainable future with high performance products

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Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

World-class materials research

We are enthusiastic about...

    Structural colors

    What if we had wood-based colours that never faded?

    The color is nontoxic, produced 100% from wood, and can be industrially and economically produced.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/structuralcolor

    Color from wood

    What if the colour of your jeans grew in your garden?

    We explore how to produce and utilise natural dyes derived from plants in a sustainable way.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/willowbark

    Metal coating

    What if metals could be protected with wood?

    In its pure, additive-free form, lignin coatings have already been proven to be effective in minimising the corrosion of metal surfaces.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/metal-coating

    Fish scales

    What if solar cells could be made out of fish scales?

    We are exploring how natural materials like wood or organic byproducts –  or even waste like fish scales – could be used for solar cells.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/fish-scales

    3D arm bone

    What if you could 3D print custom bone implants?

    Thanks to 3D printing, we can manufacture individualized, custom implants that enhance bone growth and degrade as the patient heals.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/3d-bones

    Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround

    What if bandages could be grown by bacteria?

    Although some bacterial colonies can threaten human life, bacteria can be used to produce essential molecules and materials like bacterial cellulose.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/bacterial-cellulose

    Cow hair

    What if cattle all over the world were eating Finnish wood?

    Microcrystalline cellulose is truly a power food for ruminants, and so it could be used to raise the caloric density of animal feed.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/aalto-cell

    Ioncell wood textile

    What if the textiles of the future are growing in Finnish forests?

    Ioncell, a fibre woven from cellulose, is a strong contender as a sustainable alternative to cotton and polyester.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/ioncell

    Beakers

    What if chemists were also programmers?

    When modelling chemical engineering processes, programming skills are essential – and understanding programming basics is an asset in many other tasks as well. 

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/chem

    Black stain

    What if every engineer thought like an artist?

    Breaking out of one’s own bubble challenges the brain and changes attitudes. This is why arts courses at Aalto are available to everyone.

    https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/take5-1

    What if logo

    At Aalto University, we believe in the power of curiosity. We encourage our students and staff to explore the unknown, learn and do things in completely new ways – to break boundaries together.

    See more projects at: https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/

    Collaborate with us
    We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers

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    Careers

    Open positions

    Looking for a job at Aalto University? See our open positions.

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    Tenure track

    Aalto University’s tenure track career system offers a well-supported and clear career path for professor-level academics towards a permanent professorship.

    At work

    Contact information and buildings

    Contact information and about us

    Contact information for the School of Chemical Engineering

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    Vuorimiehentie 1

    Aalto Bioproduct Centre

    Vuorimiehentie 1

    Micronova

    Tietotie 3

    Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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