Department of Applied Physics

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Our research focuses on materials physics, quantum technology, soft and living matter, and advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. Department of Applied Physics educates future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

The department hosts the Academy of Finland Centres of Excellence Quantum Technology Finland (QTF, 2018-2025) and Life Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER, 2022-2029). Further quantum technologies are facilitated by the national quantum institute – InstituteQ, coordinated by Aalto University since 2021.

The department is a major user of the national research infrastructure OtaNano that provides fabrication, characterisation and measurement equipment and facilities for students, scientists and high-tech businesses. The Nanomicroscopy Center and the Low Temperature Laboratory of OtaNano are critical assets for our researchers. We extensively utilise and contribute to the development of the national and international cloud and supercomputing resources and databases.

Two images of a cracked wall, the left one light grey and the right one dark grey.
Press releases Published:

More durable airplanes and buildings possible after physicists untangle engineering paradox

A team of researchers combined statistical physics and fracture mechanics to explain why cracks and faults travel faster when stress in materials is allowed to relax once in a while.
Artistic representation of hydrogels in a mobius-ring formed through self-healing by Margot Lepetit, Aalto University.
Press releases Published:

Researchers create gel that can self-heal like human skin

Until now, artificial gels have either managed to replicate this high stiffness or natural skin’s self-healing properties, but not both. Now, a team of researchers from Aalto University and the University of Bayreuth are the first to develop a hydrogel with a unique structure that overcomes earlier limitations, opening the door to applications such as drug delivery, wound healing, soft robotics sensors and artificial skin.
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Awards and Recognition, Studies Published:

Doctoral thesis on nuclear fusion at over one hundred million degrees Celsius awarded European physics prize

Henri Kumpulainen's PhD thesis found out how to best predict the behaviour of fusion energy materials in temperatures of over one hundred million degrees Celsius.
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Awards and Recognition Published:

Surface repelling different kinds of drops and fog lands Innovation Prize at Department of Applied Physics

The team plans to find industrial partners for their environmentally friendly and scalable hydrophobic surface.
A person in a tweed jacket stands in front of a whiteboard covered in diagrams. Next to them is intricate gold machinery.
Press releases Published:

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium pursue room-temperature superconductivity with quantum geometry and AI

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium aim to realize the energy-saving reality of superconductors operating at higher temperatures than near-absolute zero.
A gold-plated cryostat sits half open with many cables coming out from the bottom.
Awards and Recognition Published:

OtaNano included in roadmap of Finnish research infrastructures with ‘lighthouse’ status

The lighthouse status, granted by the Research Council of Finland, demonstrates OtaNano’s position as a unique infrastructure for high impact research.
A man in a dark suit and white bow tie against an orange dotted circle and dark background.
Awards and Recognition, Studies Published:

Doctoral thesis on nuclear fusion at over one hundred million degrees Celsius awarded European physics prize

Henri Kumpulainen's PhD thesis found out how to best predict the behaviour of fusion energy materials in temperatures of over one hundred million degrees Celsius.
Kuvassa vasemmalta oikealle Petrus Mikkola, Jane Seppälä, Kim Myyryläinen, Sakari Lepikko ja Eric Hyyppä
Awards and Recognition Published:

School of Science awards outstanding doctoral and master's theses

Doctoral Thesis Award was granted to Eric Hyyppä, Sakari Lepikko, Kim Myyryläinen, Jane Seppälä, Julia Jaatela, Petrus Mikkola, Shuzhe Wang and Ana Triana Hoyos. Master's theses award was received by Matteo Merler, Aapo Pajala and Tuomas Uusnäkki.
A person with long, brown hair is holding a glass frame
Awards and Recognition Published:

Surface repelling different kinds of drops and fog lands Innovation Prize at Department of Applied Physics

The team plans to find industrial partners for their environmentally friendly and scalable hydrophobic surface.
Two images of a cracked wall, the left one light grey and the right one dark grey.
Press releases Published:

More durable airplanes and buildings possible after physicists untangle engineering paradox

A team of researchers combined statistical physics and fracture mechanics to explain why cracks and faults travel faster when stress in materials is allowed to relax once in a while.

Logo of the PHYS Diversity Team in Aalto colours

Department of Applied Physics Diversity Team

The Diversity Team of the Department of Applied Physics aims to build an inclusive, diverse and welcoming work environment

Department of Applied Physics
Life at the campus.

Careers at Aalto

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We are an international community of 20,000 bold thinkers who shape a sustainable future with education, research breakthroughs and innovative ideas and solutions. Join us in changing the world – we have many attractive career opportunities to offer.

The goal at InstituteQ is to improve the readiness of Finland for the disruptive potential quantum technologies will have for society and the economy at large. By 2026, novel educational programs, growing quantum industry and eminent research directions are expected to be in full motion. The efforts of InstituteQ facilitate fundamental scientific findings, the adoption of novel technologies and the development of new commercial opportunities. The aim is to carry, implement and mutually benefit front line education, research, innovations, and infrastructures.

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InstituteQ - The Finnish Quantum Institute (external link)

InstituteQ coordinates quantum research, education, and business in Finland

QTF-hero logo

Quantum Technology Finland – The National Centre of Excellence (external link)

The national Quantum Technology Finland (QTF) Centre of Excellence brings together scientific and technological excellence and cutting-edge research infrastructures to harness quantum phenomena in solid-state-based quantum devices and applications.

A map of Finland sits on top of an artistic illustration of small-scale circuits.

Aalto University to coordinate Finnish quantum initiatives in latest national flagship programme

The flagship unites dozens of research institutions, companies, and startups in new collaborative front

News
MyCourses training
For Aalto community Support for digital teaching

MyCourses Basics Self-study Online Course for teachers

Start anytime! Learn the basics of MyCourses as a teacher whenever needed, in 3-4 hours.
It shows the JET tokamak, which was made of glass, and how the light emitting from the plasma would look.
Public defences

Public defence in Engineering Physics, MPhys James Simpson

A Sun on Earth: How the confined and unconfined plasma interacts in Tokamak devices—devices used to create nuclear fusion on Earth.
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For Aalto community Pedagogical training

Pedagogical training: Teaching in Executive Education (2 ECTS), spring 2025

Teaching period: 8.4.-20.5.2025, in English, register by 23.3.2025
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For Aalto community Lectures and seminars

CS Doctoral Seminars

Welcome to learn more about the work of our doctoral researchers.

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Nanotalo

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Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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