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Michael Gasik is a Professor at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University. With over 30 years of experience in technology transfer, he has led initiatives across the EU, Japan, and the Middle East, including BC-Net (EC DG Enterprise). He serves as an expert for European bodies like EC/REA, COST, and ERC since 1993. His research spans biomaterials ceramic materials metals processing sustainable manufacturing additive manufacturing green energy systems and focuses on interdisciplinary applications in biomedical and environmental engineering. Recent research trends include advanced biomaterials for medical implants (e.g., PEO-coated magnesium alloys) multi-material 3D printing for industrial components green hydrogen production via HyS cycle optimization sustainable polymer composites photocatalytic nanomaterials blockchain-enabled recycling for electric vehicles Scientific accolades include 2023 EORS Ambassador for Finland 2015 National State Prize of Ukraine 2013 M.M. Dobrohotov Award 1997 JSPS Scholarship 1995 Best Doctorate Thesis Award 2007 Certificate of Appreciation for Functional Graded Materials He has secured funding through 10 EU projects, 2 IEA projects, and over 15 national projects, contributing to >300 publications and patents. His expertise extends to technology transfer leadership and peer review for journals and funding agencies in multiple countries.

• Materials Engineering
• Medical Biotechnology
• Mechanical Engineering
• +5 more

Olli Dahl is a Professor at Aalto University's Department of Forest Products Technology, specializing in Clean Technologies and Environmental Management. His work focuses on waste valorization, biorefinery processes, and sustainable resource utilization. Key areas include microplastic dynamics in composting systems, biochar applications for heavy metal decontamination, and optimization of mineral processing with recycled water. Research highlights include an international award for biorefinery innovation and groundbreaking studies on nickel recovery in flotation processes. He leads interdisciplinary projects addressing water quality impacts on ore processing and thermochemical conversion of agricultural residues into bioenergy. Dahl's recent work emphasizes closing material loops through circular bioeconomy strategies and advancing sustainable industrial practices. Awards: 2015 International Biorefinery Competition 2nd Place (Ministry of Employment & Economy, Finland) Key Themes: Waste-to-resource systems, industrial water management, bio-based materials, and metallurgical sustainability

• Environmental Management
• Clean Technologies
• Biorefinery
• +5 more

Marjo Yliperttula is a Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. She serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Programmes in Biomedicine, Drug Research, and Materials Research and Nanosciences, with expertise in biomaterials and pharmaceutical technology. Her research focuses on nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels for wound healing and drug delivery, extracellular vesicle (EV) engineering for therapeutic applications, and freeze-drying technologies for biomaterial preservation. Key contributions include NFC-based wound dressings that enhance platelet-rich plasma release (2024), Raman spectroscopy methods for monitoring freeze-drying-induced mutarotation (2024), and tandem chromatography techniques for high-purity EV isolation (2023). Her work bridges pharmaceutical sciences with regenerative medicine, emphasizing translational applications in chronic wound treatment and targeted drug delivery. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Optimization of NFC hydrogels for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration, (2) Advanced characterization of EV phenotypes under hypoxic conditions for improved therapeutic efficacy, and (3) Development of analytical methods (Raman spectroscopy, chromatography) to address manufacturing challenges in biopharmaceuticals. These themes reflect her group's commitment to solving critical problems in biomaterial stability, EV-based delivery, and precision wound care. Professor Yliperttula has supervised 10 doctoral theses, including recent work on NFC for skin substitutes (Elle Koivunotko), freeze-drying of hydrogels (Arto Merivaara), and mesenchymal stromal cells for wound healing (Jasmi Snirvi). She currently leads the Academy of Finland-funded GeneCellNa project (2024-2026) on gene/cell/nanotherapy for chronic diseases and a Finnish Red Cross project (2023-2024) on NFC for blood products, with cumulative project funding spanning 18 initiatives since 2005. She heads the Biopharmaceuticals Group within the Drug Research Program, fostering collaborations across pharmaceutical biosciences, materials science, and clinical medicine to advance next-generation therapeutic platforms.

• Biomaterials
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery
• +5 more

Jouko Peltonen is a Professor in Chemistry at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Molecular Science and Technology, focusing on sustainable material development and biomedical applications. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals through green chemistry innovations. Ph.D. in Chemistry (Åbo Akademi, 1994) Licentiate in Chemistry (Åbo Akademi, 1992) Master's in Chemistry (University of Helsinki, 1988) Peltonen's research spans materials science , polymer chemistry , and sustainable technology , with emphasis on nanocellulose composites , antibacterial materials , and bio-based packaging . Recent projects explore biofilm modeling and lignin valorization. His publications (216 total) demonstrate interdisciplinary impact across biomedical engineering , environmental science , and chemical manufacturing . Key collaborations include NordForsk-funded initiatives and EU projects like PACKER 2020. Research grants include: Printed Intelligence Infrastructure (Academy of Finland, 2024-2028) Nordic POP (NordForsk, 2018-2025) ABC-Health (Jane och Aatos Erkkos Foundation, 2021-2024)

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Sustainable Technology
• +3 more

Antti Koistinen is a Doctoral Researcher at Aalto University's School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems. He holds a Master's degree in Engineering and Technology from Aalto University. Research Interests Koistinen specializes in material science and bioproducts, focusing on cellulose-based materials, composite materials, and sustainable technologies. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through advancements in bioproducts and biosystems. Publications & Activities Koistinen's research output centers on cellulose processing, pore structure analysis, and nanocellulose applications. Recent work explores thermomechanical pulps and polylactic acid composites, with a focus on material characterization techniques like differential scanning calorimetry and enzymatic hydrolysis. Scientific Awards Granted funding (personal grants) in 2023 Presentations Koistinen has presented at international conferences on topics such as kraft pulp reactivity assessment and cellulose dissolution in alkaline solvents. His collaborations span countries and institutions, reflecting a global network in bioproducts research.

• Material Science
• Bioproducts
• Cellulose Research
• +3 more

Professor Hongbo Zhang is a leading academic at Åbo Akademi University , affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering and the InFLAMES (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) flagship program. With over 227 publications and 21 active/completed projects since 2006, his research spans Functional Materials , Drug Delivery , and Clinical Translation . Research Interests: His work focuses on Engineering nanostructures for blood-brain barrier penetration Microfluidics-enabled biomedical devices Antimicrobial resistance solutions Cellulose-based sustainable materials Mitochondrial delivery systems Theranostic hydrogels Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2024) MDPI Pharmaceutics Young Investigator (2020) Chinese Orthopedic Association 1st Prize (2019) Best Oral Drug Formulation (Control Release Society, 2014) 10 Leading Chinese Talents in Europe (2023) Collaborative Network: Actively hosts international researchers and contributes to EU/Nordic-funded projects like NAP4DIVE and Printed Intelligence Infrastructure . His recent publications demonstrate expertise in nanomedicine, biocomposites, and lignin valorization.

• Functional Materials
• Drug Delivery
• Biomedical Engineering
• +4 more

Jouni Paltakari is a Professor in Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University. His research focuses on paper converting and packaging technology, with particular interest in value-added fiber-based substrates, nanocellulose applications, and intelligent packaging solutions. He leads research activities in material characterization, composite modeling, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Institution: Aalto University Department: Bioproducts and Biosystems Research Areas: Paper converting, Packaging technology, Nanocellulose, Sustainable composites Email: jouni.paltakari@aalto.fi

• Paper converting technology
• Packaging technology
• Fiber-based substrates
• +5 more

Liqiu Hu is a Doctoral Researcher at the Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology , affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University. Their research focuses on bio-based materials , polymerization techniques , and nanocellulose applications , contributing to Sustainable Development Goals like responsible consumption and climate action. Key research areas: Lignin, Nanocellulose, Polymerization, Bio-based films, Green chemistry, Biocomposites Recent work trends: In-situ polymerization, Pickering emulsions, Drug delivery systems, Agricultural waste upcycling, Aqueous dispersion processing Collaborations include researchers from Åbo Akademi University and TAPPI Press. Publications span from 2017 to 2025, highlighting innovations in biopolymer interfaces and sustainable packaging . The laboratory's fingerprint indicates strong alignment with lignin (100%), nanocellulose (75%), and polymerization (66%) research.

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Technology
• +3 more

Lauri Rautkari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, Finland. His research focuses on water interactions in biomaterials, particularly wood, with an emphasis on developing advanced analytical methods for water vapor sorption, creating novel low-sorption materials, and investigating hygroscopicity and fungal decay resistance in modified wood systems. Research Highlights: Gas-phase ozone treatment for improved wettability, thermal and chemical wood modification, hyperspectral imaging for moisture prediction, bioinspired coatings for fungal protection, and interlaboratory studies on sorption data quality. Recent Publications: Key contributions to understanding lignin's role in moisture interactions, acetylation reversibility, and the impact of fungal degradation on heat-treated wood. The trend in his publications reflects a strong focus on hygroscopicity, chemical modification techniques (acetylation, melamine-formaldehyde impregnation), advanced imaging methods (hyperspectral, neutron scattering), and the development of sustainable wood-based materials for construction and acoustic applications. Collaborative interlaboratory efforts dominate his work, ensuring standardized methodologies for moisture analysis.

• Materials Engineering
• Wood Science
• Biomaterials
• +4 more

Sami Virolainen is a Research Professor and Head of the Department of Separation Technology at LUT University's School of Engineering Sciences. His work focuses on hydrometallurgy, particularly in metal separation processes critical for the green transition and resource recovery. Education: LUT University (Chemical Engineering diploma, PhD in 2009) Research interests span separation technology for battery material recycling, rare earth element recovery, and applications in water purification, biorefinery, and Power-to-X technology. His department investigates resource-efficient methods for critical metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium. Recent publications emphasize sustainable metallurgy , including solvent extraction, ion exchange, and nanofiltration techniques for battery waste and industrial byproducts. Key areas include multi-metal recovery , acid recycling , and rare earth purification . Virolainen leads cross-disciplinary collaborations under LUT's SCI-MAT platform, integrating separation science with economics and sustainability. He advocates for European self-sufficiency in critical metals while acknowledging market-driven challenges. Based in Lappeenranta, he has spent over two decades at LUT University, starting as a chemical engineering student in 2001. His department operates across LUT's geographical locations, including Lappeenranta, Lahti, Mikkeli, and Kouvolan campuses. Outside academia, Virolainen is connected to regional sports culture as a lifelong supporter of Finnish hockey teams like Mikkelin Jukurit and SaiPa, and currently involved with youth basketball through Catz Lappeenranta.

• Hydrometallurgy
• Chemical Engineering
• Metal Separation
• +7 more

Timo Laaksonen is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , Finland. His research spans biomaterials, photo-activated systems, and controlled drug release mechanisms, with a focus on nanocellulose applications and photon upconversion technologies. Doctor of Science (Technology), Helsinki University of Technology (2007) Master of Science (Technology), Helsinki University of Technology (2002) Docent, University of Helsinki (2010) Research interests include: Utilizing nanofibrillar cellulose for sustained drug delivery Developing light-responsive hydrogels via triplet energy transfer Advancing photon upconversion for low-power drug release Modeling drug release kinetics from nanomaterials His recent publications highlight trends in DNA origami nanocarriers , liposomal photorelease , and 3D-printable hydrogels , blending nanophotonics and biomaterials engineering . Awards include the Young Researcher's Award 2012 and Gust. Komppa Prize 2008 for his doctoral thesis. He supervises doctoral research and leads projects like Bioblocks (Foundation for Pharmaceutical Sciences) and TARDIS (Academy of Finland).

• Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
• Biomaterials
• Photon Upconversion
• +7 more

Wenwen Fang is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, affiliated with the Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering research group within the School of Chemical Engineering. Her work is centered on sustainable biomaterials and green processing technologies. Her research interests span nanocellulose , ionic liquids , cellulose films , fiber spinning , and biorefining , with applications in environmental sensing and biomedical materials. She actively contributes to advancing circular economy principles in materials science. The recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in developing functional, sustainable materials—particularly through solvent-based cellulose processing, novel biorefinery concepts, and smart nanocellulosic sensors. The work integrates green chemistry with advanced material engineering for industrial scalability. Although no formal awards are listed, her research has been highlighted in media coverage by Aalto University, focusing on sustainable textile fiber applications and spinning process optimization. She collaborates extensively with researchers such as Herbert Sixta, Mariko Hummel, and Ingrid Schlapp-Hackl. Her work involves advising on doctoral theses and contributing to large-scale research outputs, though specific students are not named. She is involved in lab-based experimental research, particularly in fiber and film fabrication, and is part of a network focused on sustainable material innovation.

• Biopolymer Chemistry
• Nanocellulose
• Ionic Liquids
• +7 more

Sesilja Aranko is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University , affiliated with the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems. Her research focuses on protein engineering, biomolecular condensates, and sustainable materials derived from biological macromolecules. Research Groups : Cellular Engineering Email : sesilja.aranko@aalto.fi Her work explores protein self-assembly mechanisms, particularly in spider silk and collagen systems, leveraging liquid-liquid phase separation for advanced biomaterial design. Recent studies investigate how polymer length and modular protein architecture control condensate properties, alongside developing bio-inspired adhesives from recombinant proteins and nanocellulose. She has pioneered the use of Catcher/Tag click-reaction tools for protein engineering and developed sustainable methods for spider silk production with inherent functionalization potential. Collaborative projects span marine biology (sea cucumbers) and keratin waste upcycling for textile applications. Key methodologies include intein-mediated protein splicing, segmental isotopic labeling, and structural characterization of protein ligation systems. Her research bridges fundamental biophysics with industrial applications in sustainable chemistry and biomimetic composites.

• Protein Engineering
• Biomaterials
• Biological Macromolecules
• +5 more

Professor Maarit Salolainen is a distinguished textile expert and educator at Aalto University, where she serves as Associate Professor of Textile Design and Head of the MA Major in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. With extensive international experience across the textile industry, including leadership roles at Vanelli Textile in Turkey and various positions in Austria, Finland, India and Turkey, she bridges academic research with practical application in textile design and sustainability. Her research and teaching focus on textile thinking – a holistic approach that combines technical knowledge with creative expression. She has developed innovative studio pedagogy that exposes students to hands-on experimentation with textile materials and processes. Salolainen's work emphasizes the critical role of textiles in sustainability and circular economy, advocating for systemic changes in textile production and consumption practices. Salolainen's publication Interwoven – Exploring Materials and Structures (AaltoARTS Books 2022) represents a comprehensive textbook on textile design pedagogy and practice. The book received the International Creative Media Awards gold medal in the Educational textbook category and will be published internationally by Thames & Hudson in 2024. Her research through design focuses on developing sustainable textile practices across the entire value chain. Scientific Awards: International Creative Media Award Gold Medal (2022) for 'Interwoven: Exploring Materials and Structures' Dean's Award for Community Building Outside Own Field (2017) Designers of the Year 2014: Textile Designer of the Year (2014) Her academic work emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration , particularly between design, engineering and textile technology fields, aiming to solve sustainability challenges through innovative material approaches and systemic changes in design education. With a global perspective shaped by living and working in multiple countries, Salolainen brings unique industry experience to her academic role at Aalto University.

• Textile Design
• Sustainable Textiles
• Circular Economy in Textiles
• +5 more

Aayush Jaiswal is a scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and holds a doctoral degree from Åbo Akademi University. His research focuses on advanced applications of nanocellulose materials in optical engineering, environment sensing, and sustainable electronics. Key contributions include developing thermoresponsive nanocellulose films for optical modulation and exploring rheological properties of cellulose suspensions. Selected publications highlight his work on: Cellulose nanomaterials for optics and electronics (2025) Carboxymethyl cellulose-based environment sensing optical fibers (2022) Thermochromic nanocellulose films as smart materials (2021) Collaborations span institutions like Åbo Akademi University and VTT Technical Research Centre, with research outputs receiving significant citations and Mendeley readership. Current projects involve creating value-added applications for cellulose nanomaterials in sustainable technology domains.

• Nanomaterials
• Optical Engineering
• Sustainable Technology
• +3 more