Jaakko Akola is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on computational materials science, particularly density functional theory (DFT) and atomistic simulations of materials, nanoparticles, molecules, and interfaces. He leads significant projects such as "SIDI" (inoculation in cast iron), "Infinity-RETIS" (chemical rare events), and "AllDesign" (rational alloy design), alongside coordinating EU-funded initiatives like "CritCat" for catalyst development. The Materials Theory group under Akola employs DFT, molecular mechanics, and Monte Carlo methods to explore atomic-scale structures and functions in technological applications. Key research areas include platinum-free catalysts for hydrogen energy, amorphous semiconductors for memory devices, noble metal nanoparticles in biological environments, and alloy design for cast iron and aluminum. Recent work integrates machine learning to advance theory-driven material design, reducing reliance on experimental trial-and-error. Akola's publications highlight advancements in hydrogen evolution catalysis, phase-change memory materials, and alloy precipitation. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations with experimental teams. He teaches Quantum Physics 1 (FY2045) and Computational Physics (TFY4235) at NTNU, reflecting his commitment to education alongside research.


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