Simo Hostikka is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Aalto University's School of Engineering. His research focuses on fire safety engineering , utilizing numerical fire simulations to address critical challenges in building and infrastructure safety. Key Expertise: Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) development, thermal radiation heat transfer, pyrolysis modeling, fire toxicity calculations, and probabilistic risk analysis. Leadership: Supervises advanced fire safety research and contributes to international fire safety standards. Research Trends: Recent publications emphasize fire toxicity modeling , hydrogen fire safety , radiation heat transfer , and fire retardancy of polymeric materials . His work bridges computational methods with real-world fire safety applications. Scientific Awards: Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence (2008, 2005) Sjölin Award (2012) Interflam Trophy (2007) Harmathy Award (2020, 2019) Dean’s Award for Best MSc Thesis (2020) Best Paper in Rakenteiden Mekaniikka (2009) Advising: Supervised Topi Sikanen, who received the Young Talent Award from the International Water Mist Association.
Professor Jukka Konttinen serves as Professor of Chemistry of Biorefining at Tampere University within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and Department of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering. Previously, he held professorships at the University of Jyväskylä (2009-2014) and research positions at Åbo Akademi University and industry firms including Carbona Inc. His expertise spans thermochemical biomass conversion and sustainable energy systems. Education: D. Sc. (Chemical Engineering), Åbo Akademi University, 1998 Research Interests: Konttinen specializes in biorefining via thermochemical conversion processes including gasification, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and combustion. His work encompasses hybrid energy systems integrating solid/liquid biofuels, biogas, and solar power at distributed scales. He develops chemical process engineering solutions through modeling, simulation, and experimental validation from laboratory to commercial implementation. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2013-2024) demonstrate concentrated expertise in biomass conversion technologies, emphasizing process optimization for lignocellulosic feedstocks, syngas quality enhancement, and techno-economic-environmental assessments. Key themes include pretreatment methods, gasification kinetics, and integration of thermochemical processes with circular economy principles across agricultural and industrial waste streams. Scientific Awards: Supervisor of Best Academic Dissertation (Tiina Keipi) by Tampere University (2019) Supervisor of Best Academic Dissertation (Tiina Keipi) by Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK (2019) Advising and Grants: Konttinen has supervised 13 PhD students (10 completed, 3 ongoing), 70 Master's theses, and 25 Bachelor's theses. His funding portfolio includes €250k as PI for Bio4all (Business Finland, 2024), €861k as WP leader for BL2F (EU Horizon, 2019-2024), plus €425k in confidential contracts (2014-2024) and €1.5M in prior grants. Labs and Teams: He leads the Bio and Circular Economy research unit and previously directed the Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering (2017-2018). Current projects include EU Horizon's BL2F and Business Finland's Bio4all initiatives focused on climate-neutral energy systems and biorefinery commercialization.
Patrik Yrjas is a Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , Åbo Akademi University , affiliated with the Laboratory of Molecular Science and Engineering Technologies for a Sustainable Future . His work focuses on high-temperature corrosion, biomass combustion, and ash behavior in thermal systems. Research Interests: High-Temperature Corrosion Biomass and Waste Combustion Fluidized Bed Technology Ash Melting and Agglomeration Chemical Looping Combustion Key Article Trends: His recent publications (2024–2023) address pyrolysis of biomass, cold-end corrosion from ammonium chloride, and molten phase effects in superheater corrosion. Earlier works (2022–2015) explore ash melting, coating durability, and alkali chloride impacts using thermal analysis and microscopy. Projects: 2021–2023: Investigated chemical looping combustion and boiler corrosion. 2023: Analyzed fluidized bed agglomeration. Contact: Email: patrik.yrjas@abo.fi Phone: +358-469219021
Anna Lähde is a Professor in Aerosol Technology at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. She leads the Sustainable Materials Group at the Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory . Her work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of sustainable nano- and microparticles for clean energy and environmental applications. Academy of Finland Research Fellow (2017-2022) Specializes in graphene, carbon nanostructures, and metal oxides via aerosol processes Key methods: induction annealing, chemical vapor synthesis, spray pyrolysis Her research spans Li-ion battery materials , water treatment nanocomposites , and toxicological analysis of airborne particles . She has published extensively on carbon-based anode materials , photocatalytic systems , and environmental applications of aerosol technology . Recent work includes CO2 adsorption catalysts and biomass-derived graphene . She has received recognition through the Academy of Finland Fellowship and contributes to circular economy projects like EKOAKKU.
Chunyan Tang is a University Lecturer at the Department of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University. Her research focuses on environmental engineering with emphasis on water quality management, sediment dynamics, and hydrodynamic modeling. She has conducted extensive studies on Lake Taihu, investigating sediment resuspension mechanisms, algal bloom control, and the impact of human activities such as ship traffic and water diversion. Her work integrates field measurements, numerical modeling, and laboratory analyses. Key contributions include advancing understanding of turbulent burst dynamics in shallow lakes, evaluating ecological risks of heavy metal pollution, and developing novel sigma coordinate systems for hydrodynamic simulations. She collaborates on projects addressing eutrophication mitigation, sediment remediation, and climate change impacts on water resources. Notable methodologies in her research include ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter) measurements for suspended sediment quantification, coupled hydrodynamic-water quality modeling, and kinetic analysis of pyrolysis processes for waste conversion. Her studies often combine environmental chemistry, fluid dynamics, and geospatial analysis to provide interdisciplinary solutions for complex water systems.
Marjatta Louhi-Kultanen is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering in Aqueous Systems at Aalto University's School of Chemical Engineering. Her research focuses on separation science, purification technologies, and zero-discharge effluent strategies through crystallization and advanced oxidation processes. Areas of Expertise: Separation Science 215 Chemical Engineering 2 Engineering and Technology Her work emphasizes batch cooling crystallization, wastewater treatment, and real-time process monitoring using Raman spectroscopy and process analytical technology (PAT). Recent publications address pharmaceutical crystallization, industrial side-stream valorization, and freeze concentration methods for biochemical recovery. Key collaborations include projects on lithium carbonate precipitation, biorefinery solvent recovery, and eutectic freeze crystallization for metallurgical waste. She contributes to international workshops (BIWIC) and co-edits special issues on industrial crystallization advancements.
Tapio Salmi is a Professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University , specializing in Technical Chemistry and Reaction Engineering . His research focuses on sustainable chemical processes, including catalysis, epoxidation, and waste valorization technologies. Current Projects: Sustainable Marine Science Center (SOS) Hydrochlorination of glycerol Catalytic ozonation for pharmaceutical waste removal Microwave-assisted vegetable oil epoxidation Research Trends: Development of solid foam catalysts Xylitol production from biomass Advanced oxidation processes for water treatment Continuous flow reactor technologies Global Collaborations: Università degli Studi di Padova University of Naples 'Federico II' EU-funded BioDemo project Publications: Over 498 research outputs spanning 30+ years, with recent focus on sustainable catalysis and environmental engineering. Active in peer-reviewed journals like Chemical Engineering Journal and Applied Catalysis A: General . External Engagements: Regularly participates in international collaborations, including visiting researcher appointments at Italian institutions in 2024. Contributes to conferences on biomass processing and green technologies.
Juho Lehmusto, holding the title of Academy Research Fellow at Åbo Akademi University within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering , specializes in Molecular Science and Engineering Technologies for a sustainable future . His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in corrosion science and sustainable energy solutions. Current research focuses on high-temperature corrosion mechanisms, biomass pyrolysis kinetics, and industrial corrosion monitoring Active project: Initiation and propagation of high-temperature corrosion reactions in complex oxygen-containing environments (2022-2027) Recent publications highlight advancements in: Multi-oxidant corrosion analysis using isotopic tracers Comparative studies of Indian and Finnish biomass feedstocks under high-pressure pyrolysis Novel electrochemical methods for low-temperature corrosion monitoring Scientific recognition includes: Academy Research Fellow grant from Finland's Academy of Finland Active in international knowledge exchange through conference presentations, academic collaborations, and seminar leadership, with 15 recorded professional activities between 2022-2024.
