School of Chemical Engineering

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

Attractiveness leap of chemical engineering has been a unique transformation process

Aalto University's recognition awards for 2024 were announced at the opening ceremony of the academic year 2024. The School of Chemical Engineering was recognised for its attractiveness work and exceptional achievements in research.

A new eco-friendly method to modify cellulose for sustainable materials

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to modify cellulose, reducing toxic solvent use by over ten times compared to traditional methods. This innovation has potential applications in eco-friendly nanocomposites, cellulose-based membranes, and biomedical devices, supporting sustainable material development.

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.

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.

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.

See all

Campus Sustainability Champion 2024 voittajat

Awards and Recognition, Campus Published: 22.10.2024

Student-driven projects to become Campus Sustainability Champions

This year, two student-led projects were selected as Campus Sustainability Champions. The awards were presented at the annual ACRE Day on 9 October 2024.

Next to the red-brick university building, a maple glows in the colours of autumn bushes, a work of art on the green lawn in the foreground

Studies Published: 21.10.2024

Aalto University Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan 2025–2028 – Share your views

Welcome to comment the EDI plan and the principles of a safer space until 31 October

Merja Tornikoski ihastelemassa revontulia Aalto-yliopiston Metsähovin radio-observatoriolla.

University Published: 21.10.2024

Merja Tornikoski: I am an observing astronomer by soul

'I spend a lot of sleepless nights because of my hobby. I am especially interested in night photography and natural phenomena, and the Northern Lights photography combines both elements. I think the northern lights are the most beautiful manifestations of solar activity.'

Tiny plant with text aside Unite! Seed Fund 2024

Awards and Recognition, Cooperation Published: 17.10.2024

Unite! Seed Fund 2024 awards funding to three collaborative teaching projects involving Aalto

The Unite! Seed Fund aims to stimulate and support bottom-up proposals by teachers, researchers and students for collaborative activities.

See all

23.10.

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Support for teams, Training to support research 23.10.2024 13:00 – 14:30

ABC of Open Access Publishing, Oct 23, 2024

Learn about Open Access publishing with Information Specialists Katri Seitsonen and Eeva Savolainen from Research Services.

23.10.

Feature image for US alumni get-to-together

Information sessions, Networking 23.10.2024 18:00 – 20:00

Aalto alumni After Work in Munich

Join us for this relaxed get-together of Aalto alumni in Munich!

Text Open Science Policy Forum, 24-25 October 2024, ULisboa Main Building. Logos of Unite! and Unite!Widening.

Information sessions, Networking, Workshops 24.–25.10.2024

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.

24.10.

Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone

Public defences 24.10.2024 13:00 – 15:00

Public defence in Chemistry, M. Sc. Ahmed Soliman

Title of the thesis: Tailoring the Electrocatalytic and Supercapacitor Performance Through Materials Design and Nano-engineering

See all

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

Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Enabling bio and circular economy

Sustainable future with high performance products

World-class materials research

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers