معرفی
Essi Sarlin is a Professor of Materials Science at Tampere University, appointed in July 2024 within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. She leads the Plastics and Elastomer Technology research group, focusing on polymer-based materials including plastics, rubbers, and their composites. With an 18-year career at Tampere University's Hervanta campus, she has progressed from Researcher to her current professorship, delivering her inaugural lecture on May 15, 2025.
Her educational journey includes a Doctor of Science in Technology (Materials Engineering) from Tampere University of Technology in 2014, a Master of Science in Technology in 2008, and basic studies in university pedagogy from 2012-2014. She began her academic path as a Researcher, Research Assistant, and Teaching Assistant at Tampere University of Technology from 2006-2009.
Professor Sarlin's research centers on sustainable development of polymer products, with particular emphasis on addressing plastics' sustainability challenges. Her work investigates the properties of polymer-based materials, recycling technologies for composites, microplastics in environmental systems, and the relationship between microscopic and macroscopic material properties. She employs advanced techniques including micro-/precision-robotic test concepts to study mechanical properties at micro scales. A strong advocate for industry collaboration, she believes engineering research achieves societal impact through partnerships with companies.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on sustainable materials development, particularly in polymer recycling, microplastics research, and advanced characterization techniques. Her work spans fundamental polymer science, environmental impact assessment, and practical applications for industry. Key trends include innovative recycling methods for composite materials, sophisticated analytical approaches for microplastics detection, and the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
Professor Sarlin actively supervises doctoral students and postdocs, with more than 50% of her working hours dedicated to research collaboration and supervision, and approximately 25% to teaching. She finds particular joy in working with young researchers, describing it as 'invigorating' and emphasizing how being surrounded by 'smart young people' fuels her research passion. Her leadership extends to major EU-funded projects like RECREATE (Recycling Technologies for Circular Reuse and Remanufacturing of Fibre-reinforced Composite Materials), where her team investigates optimal methods to valorize recycled fiber-reinforced composites.
Her research group maintains strong collaborative networks both within academia and with industry partners. Beyond her academic work, Sarlin balances the demands of her professorship with salsa dancing, which she describes as 'extremely relaxing, joyous and uplifting,' providing essential counterbalance to her leadership responsibilities.
