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Mika Järvinen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, leveraging fundamental sciences—physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and numerical modeling—to address cross-sector energy challenges. His research spans sustainable bioenergy and inter-linked circular economy systems integrating energy, materials, and environmental considerations across biomass, pulp/paper, metallurgy, and waste-to-energy industries. His expertise centers on sustainable bioenergy and circular economy frameworks, utilizing numerical modeling to optimize combustion engineering and metallurgical processes. By maintaining diverse industrial engagement, he ensures research continuity during economic fluctuations while advancing black liquor spraying technologies and energy-material-environment synergies. This approach enables flexible, physics-based solutions for complex industrial energy conversion problems. Professor Järvinen's 2025 publications reveal a cohesive focus on renewable energy systems operating within planetary boundaries, spanning carbon capture (calcium looping), low-temperature heat engines, and comprehensive textbook development. His work integrates solar, wind, bioenergy, and storage technologies into holistic frameworks that balance technical innovation with ecological constraints, emphasizing system-level sustainability over isolated component optimization. His scientific recognition includes: Best Dissertation Award (2002) from Helsinki University of Technology's Department of Machine Technology for research on black liquor droplet conversion Resonate Award (2015) from Caltech University's Resnick Institute As lead of the Energy Conversion and Systems research group, he directs projects bridging fundamental modeling with industrial applications while developing educational resources for next-generation energy engineers. His laboratory work emphasizes experimental validation of numerical models across combustion, metallurgical, and biomass conversion processes.

• Sustainable Bioenergy
• Circular Economy
• Energy Conversion Systems
• +4 more

Professor Ville Alopaeus holds a faculty position at Aalto University’s School of Chemical Engineering, specifically within the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. He has been a professor since 2008, following a career at Neste in process development. His research focuses on separation processes, phase equilibria, and modeling for sustainable energy and materials. Key contributions include advancing the green transition through economically viable renewable energy solutions and optimizing processes for materials like ionic liquids and bio-compounds. Education and Career: Alopaeus has led teaching evaluation committees and departmental roles, emphasizing education alongside research. He has supervised over 130 master’s theses and contributes to chemical engineering education programs, blending research insights into teaching. His courses cover fundamentals and applied topics like plastics recycling and renewable raw materials. Research Interests: Alopaeus’ work spans process modeling, phase equilibria, and multiphase phenomena. He develops data-driven models for predicting thermodynamic properties (e.g., infinite dilution activity coefficients) and explores sustainable solvents like ionic liquids. Recent studies include CO₂ capture, hydrogen solubility in bio-oils, and biorefinery processes. Awards and Recognition: Honors include the Teacher of the Year award (Aalto University Student Union), Young Researcher Prize, and scholarships from Finnish foundations. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing large-scale sustainability challenges. Grants and Labs: He collaborates on projects like the AI-on-Demand platform and contributes to research groups focused on chemical engineering and process innovation. His lab focuses on multiphase systems, CFD modeling, and sustainable process design.

• Separation Processes
• Process Modeling
• Phase Equilibria
• +3 more

Golam Sarwar is a Senior University Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at Aalto University. He holds a Doctoral degree (D.Sc. Tech.) from Helsinki University of Technology, awarded in 1999, and has maintained an active research career spanning over 25 years. His educational background includes: Doctoral degree in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology (1999) Licentiate degree in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology (1995) Master's degree in Engineering and Technology from National Technical University Kharkov Polytechnical Institute (1987) Dr. Sarwar's research focuses on chemical engineering applications for sustainable energy systems. His work particularly emphasizes biomass conversion technologies, supercritical water processes, and techno-economic analysis of biorefinery systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding gasification processes, particularly for black liquor, and has developed novel integration concepts for lignocellulosic biomass processing. His fingerprint analysis reveals strong expertise in carboxylic acid chemical engineering (100%), gasification (66%), supercritical water (66%), and biomass conversion (44%). His research also extends to thermodynamic modeling, including Gibbs free-energy-based approaches for electrolyte activity coefficient models. His publication record shows sustained research activity from 1993 through 2019, with a notable increase in output after 2015. His most impactful works include the 2019 paper on supercritical water gasification of black liquor (48 Scopus citations), the 2018 colloidal lignin particles assessment (66 citations), and the highly cited 2017 biorefinery integration concept paper (138 citations). Dr. Sarwar has been active in the academic community, participating in events such as the W2-Seminar on Circular Economy Now! in 2018 and serving as a visiting researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 2019. His work has been featured in media related to Bangladesh-Japan ICT training programs in early 2021, highlighting the international impact of his research and professional activities. His research activities contribute to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable energy and responsible consumption and production, reflecting his commitment to developing engineering solutions with real-world environmental impact.

• Chemical Engineering
• Biomass Conversion
• Gasification
• +7 more

Zubair Riaz is a researcher affiliated with the School of Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. His work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through research in chemical engineering thermodynamics and phase equilibria. Doctoral Researcher in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Active in thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and chemical recycling Recipient of a personal grant for postgraduate studies (2024) Collaborator at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Jan–Mar 2024) Research Interests: Zubair’s research focuses on liquid-liquid, vapor-liquid, and solid-liquid equilibria in complex chemical systems, particularly those involving ε-Caprolactam, water, n-Hexadecane, and o-Xylene. His work addresses thermodynamic modeling, activity coefficients, and phase interface behavior, with applications in distillation processes and sustainable chemical recycling. Scientific Awards: Personal grant for postgraduate studies (2024) Conference Participation: Zubair presented research at conferences in June 2024 and August 2024, including work on upgrading chemically recycled plastic waste via distillation.

• Chemical Engineering
• Thermodynamics
• Phase Equilibria
• +8 more

Henrik Saxén is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , Process and Systems Engineering Laboratory of Åbo Akademi University. His work focuses on hydrogen-based sustainable steelmaking , blast furnace optimization , and metallurgical process modeling . With over 222 publications and 15 ongoing/finished projects since 2003, Saxén leads initiatives like FFS2 (Fossil-free Steelmaking) and IRONH2 (Hydrogen Reduction of Iron). Current projects: FFS2, AGIFLEX, H2TRANSBF2030 Key collaboration: European Commission, Business Finland, Research Council of Finland Research spans hydrogen reduction kinetics , CO2 emission minimization , and data fusion for temperature prediction , aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable industry and climate action. He has supervised academic visits (2022, 2024) and served as reviewer for journals like International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials .

• Hydrogen Reduction Engineering
• Blast Furnace Technology
• Direct Reduction Shaft Furnace
• +4 more

Ari Jokilaakso is an Associate Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Aalto University . His work focuses on metallurgical processes, sustainable materials recycling, and pyrometallurgical technologies. He actively participates in academic committees and steering groups, alongside teaching and supervising students in BSc, MSc, and doctoral programs. His research emphasizes critical raw materials, battery recycling, and industrial process optimization. Key research areas include: Metallurgical process modeling (CFD, phase equilibria) Valorization of industrial waste via slag cleaning and smelting Extraction of cobalt, lithium, and rare earth metals from battery scrap Development of sustainable pyrometallurgical methods for carbon neutrality His recent work highlights innovative approaches to recover valuable metals from end-of-life batteries and industrial byproducts, integrating computational modeling with experimental validation. Collaborations with industry stakeholders and EU-funded projects demonstrate his commitment to bridging academic research with industrial applications.

• Metallurgy
• Materials Recycling
• Pyrometallurgical Processes
• +5 more

Rodrigo Serna Guerrero is an Associate Professor at Aalto University's Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, specializing in sustainable materials processing and battery recycling. He leads research in mineral processing, metallurgical engineering, and circular economy strategies, focusing on resource recovery from end-of-life batteries and industrial waste. His work bridges environmental science with advanced analytical techniques like X-ray tomography and statistical entropy analysis. Affiliations: Research Group in Mineral Processing and Recycling (Aalto University) Key Expertise: Froth flotation optimization, electrochemical discharge methods, and life cycle assessment for lithium-ion batteries. His research emphasizes innovative approaches to battery recycling, including data-driven process design and exergy/environmental analysis of solar panel and battery materials. Recent studies explore selective separation techniques (e.g., flocculation-flotation), material recovery from historical tailings, and circularity metrics for evaluating recycling systems. Publications from 2023–2025 highlight advancements in graphite recovery from mixed battery chemistries, energy quantification in electrochemical discharge, and integration of metallurgical processes with battery recycling. He has also contributed to exentropy-based frameworks for assessing material and energy circularity in lithium-ion battery systems. Grants & Labs: Active in collaborative projects on battery waste valorization and sustainable chemical processing. No specific grant details provided in text. Labs/Teams: Involved with Aalto’s Mineral Processing and Recycling group, focusing on experimental and computational studies for resource efficiency.

• Battery Recycling
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• +3 more

Mikko Helle is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Process and Systems Engineering within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University. His research focuses on blast furnace engineering, sustainable industrial processes, and carbon reduction strategies in metallurgy. He has contributed to advancing technologies such as model-based analysis of blast furnace conditions, drainage system optimization, and biomass integration into steel production. Current projects include the EU-funded AGIFLEX initiative (2023–2028), which develops agent-based models to minimize carbon usage in steelworks, and ULLEVI (2023–2025), enhancing energy efficiency in industrial processes. Previous projects span biomass utilization studies and process integration for low-carbon footprints. Research interests emphasize data-driven analysis of blast furnace operations, including wear modeling, liquid level estimation, and sulfur flow behavior. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy and climate action. Publications span 2006–2022, with a focus on process optimization, sustainable materials, and model-based diagnostics. Collaborations include European and Finnish institutions, addressing global challenges in metallurgical sustainability.

• Blast Furnace Engineering
• Process Optimization
• Sustainable Materials Processing
• +5 more

Hussain Ahmed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, affiliated with the Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering department. His research focuses on optimizing industrial processes, particularly in copper smelting and wastewater treatment. Key research interests include process scheduling frameworks, price-based coordination strategies, and metallurgical optimization. He explores both environmental applications (e.g., activated sludge modeling) and industrial systems (e.g., Peirce-Smith converter efficiency). His work integrates mathematical modeling, heuristic algorithms, and real-world process data to enhance resource utilization and operational efficiency in critical industrial sectors.

• Copper Smelting Process Optimization
• Industrial Process Scheduling
• Wastewater Treatment Modeling
• +3 more

Rodrigo Serna is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University specializing in mineral processing and recycling. His research focuses on developing sustainable methods for extracting valuable materials from waste, particularly through flotation processes and battery recycling. He emphasizes minimizing environmental impact by optimizing resource recovery and integrating circular economy principles. His work includes advancing froth flotation techniques to separate minerals and recover metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper from tailings and battery waste. He also explores novel approaches such as electrochemical discharge for safer battery recycling and statistical entropy analysis to evaluate recycling efficiency. Key research areas include: Flotation process optimization for battery materials Circular economy metrics for resource recovery Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical integration Waste valorization and exergy analysis Automated contact time analysis for bubble-particle interactions Recent studies highlight innovations like using cellulose-based frothers for greener mineral processing and developing multi-dimensional indicators to assess material and energy circularity in battery recycling systems. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His research has been consistently published since 2011, with a strong focus on CO₂ capture technologies transitioning into modern battery recycling challenges.

• Mineral Processing
• Battery Recycling
• Circular Economy
• +3 more

Filip Tuomisto is a Professor at the University of Helsinki's Department of Physics, specializing in materials science with a focus on the interplay between macroscopic properties and atomic-level structure. His research employs positron annihilation spectroscopy to study defects in semiconductors and advanced materials. Leading a globally recognized team, he develops methodologies for defect characterization in materials like (Al,Ga)N and β-(Al,Ga)₂O₃ alloys. His work emphasizes applications in nuclear fusion, high-entropy alloys, and optoelectronics. Projects: UWBGS US DoD Trial (2023–2026): Focuses on ultra-wide bandgap materials for defense applications. EUROFUSION ERG Vuoriheimo (2025–2027): Addresses fusion-related material challenges. WIBASE Co-Innovation (2025–2028): Aims to scale high-tech manufacturing techniques. Research Highlights: Recent studies include vacancy dynamics in high-entropy alloys, irradiation effects in tungsten, and defect mechanisms in gallium oxide. His team's work bridges theoretical modeling and experimental observations, contributing to advancements in semiconductor engineering and fusion materials. Labs: Heads the Kiihdytinlaboratorio (Acceleration Laboratory) within the Department of Physics, focusing on defect analysis and material characterization.

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Defect Characterization
• +3 more

Iida Pankka is a Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering within the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, affiliated with the Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modelling research group. Her research spans key areas in sustainable metallurgy: Thermodynamics modeling of metallurgical processes Hydrogen reduction for metal extraction Characterization of refractory materials using X-ray computed tomography Thermal properties of industrial slags Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in thermal conductivity of ladle slag linings, recycling of end-of-life refractories, and thermodynamic behavior of trace elements during hydrogen reduction, collectively advancing energy efficiency and circular economy in metallurgy. No scientific awards were mentioned in source materials. Pankka participates in major funded projects: TOCANEM 2: Towards Carbon Neutral Metals (2024-2026) PhosPath: High temperature chemistry of phosphorus (2021-2025) TOCANEM: Initial carbon neutrality phase (2020-2023) These Business Finland and Academy of Finland-funded initiatives focus on decarbonizing metal production through innovative recycling and hydrogen-based processes. She collaborates extensively with researchers including David Lindberg, Pekka Taskinen, and Juha Tammela within Aalto University's metallurgical research ecosystem.

• Metallurgy
• Materials Science
• Thermodynamics
• +3 more

Minna Rämä is a Researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering, focusing on extractive metallurgy and sustainable materials processing. Her work addresses critical challenges in metallurgical sustainability and circular economy applications. Educational Background: Dipl.ins. in Chemical Engineering (2017), Tekn.kand. in Materials Engineering and Rock Engineering (2016) Her research spans pyrometallurgy, zinc recovery, and non-fossil reductant utilization. Key projects include: ENICON (2022–2026): Sustainable processing of low-grade ores into battery-grade metals TOCANEM (2020–2023): Carbon-neutral metals production SYMMET (2018–2020): Symbiosis of metals production and environmental conservation CMEco (2017–2019): Aluminum oxide and copper smelting research Her publications highlight experimental investigations into zinc and lead residue processing, leveraging biochar and non-fossil reductants for environmental compliance and resource conservation. Trends include slag optimization, metal removal, and scalable metallurgical solutions. Her contributions intersect with UN Sustainable Development Goals in environmental stewardship and sustainable industrial practices. Research Outputs: 5 publications (2018–2023) in journals like ACS Omega and Journal of Cleaner Production , focusing on residue treatment and carbon-neutral metallurgy. Collaborations: Projects with EU Horizon Europe, Business Finland, and industry partners

• Extractive Metallurgy
• Sustainable Materials Processing
• Pyrometallurgy
• +9 more

Hanna Sahivirta is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalto University, affiliated with the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. She actively contributes to the Mineral Processing and Recycling research group, focusing on sustainable practices in metallurgical engineering and battery technology. Research Interests: Her work bridges Mineral processing Recycling methodologies Thermodynamic modeling Corrosion mechanisms Circular economy for energy storage systems . Scientific Contributions: Recent articles highlight her expertise in graphite recovery via froth flotation and sustainable design for hybrid EV batteries , aligning with trends in eco-friendly metallurgy and battery recycling. Collaborations: She collaborates with researchers like Benjamin P. Wilson, Mari Lundström, and Rodrigo Serna-Guerrero to advance sustainable material processing.

• Mineral Processing
• Recycling
• Metallurgical Engineering
• +5 more

Minerva Maria Vierunketo is a Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Aalto University. Her work focuses on advancing circular economy principles in lithium-ion battery recycling through innovative process simulations and multi-dimensional indicators. Research Trends : Recent publications analyze electrochemical discharge impacts, grave-to-cradle material flows, and exergy-based circularity metrics for Li-ion batteries, emphasizing resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. Collaborations : Works with researchers like Anna Klemettinen, Rodrigo Serna-Guerrero, and Markus Reuter on sustainable energy systems and materials recovery.

• Mineral Processing
• Recycling
• Sustainable Energy
• +3 more