School of Chemical Engineering

Spotlight

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

Success of BATCircle2.0 bolsters Finnish leadership in Li-ion battery supply chain

The Aalto-led collaboration between researchers and industry resulted in impressive research outputs

Close-up of a green battery with the text Battery must be Recycled or Disposed of properly

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

Aalto Distinguished Professor Tapani Vuorinen: “Only through collaboration can we achieve greater impact”

Tapani Vuorinen, professor of forest products chemistry at the School of Chemical Engineering, was appointed Aalto Distinguished Professor at the opening of the academic year on 3 September.

Tapani Vuorinen in a black suit, facing camera in front of large windows.

Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Full Professor at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Full Professor position at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering as of 1 September 2024. The field of the professorship is Process Systems Engineering.

Iiro Harjunkoski

News

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.
Professor Maarit Karppinen
Appointments, Research & Art Published:

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.

Events

Visual designer Merle Karp made this collage with AI, using photos by Mikko Raskinen, Anne Kinnunen and Aleksi Poutanen.
Lectures and seminars, Networking

Artificial Creativity – Aalto LASER Talks

Is artificial intelligence simply a tool, or does it possess creative capabilities?
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.
Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone
Public defences

Public defence in processing of materials, M.Sc. (Tech.) Marja Rinne

Title of the thesis: Prospective life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical cobalt processes for the battery value chain
Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone
Public defences

Public defence in Chemical Engineering, M.Sc. (Tech.) Penghui Yao

Title of the thesis: Rational design of nickel-based perovskite-type cathode for improved performance of protonic ceramic fuel cells

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

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/

    Careers

    Open positions

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

    Aalto University - people

    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

    Kemistintie 1

    Kemistintie 1

    Kemistintie 1

    Vuorimiehentie 1

    Aalto Bioproduct Centre

    Vuorimiehentie 1

    Micronova

    Tietotie 3

    Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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