School of Science

Research at the School of Science

Find out more about our research, infrastructures and major projects
Three people look at a quantum computer

Centers of Excellence and Flagships we coordinate

The School of Science coordinates several world-class research hubs.

A brand logo with the letters "FQF," with the title "Finnish Quantum Flagship" below it.

Finnish Quantum Flagship (external link)

Aalto University is coordinating the Finnish Quantum Flagship — an eight year project uniting quantum science and technology research institutions and and companies throughout Finland.

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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.

Centers of Excellence and Flagships we participate in

The School of Science and our researchers take part in a number of world-class research hubs.

Birch leaves. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

FinnCERES - Flagship for boosting bioeconomy (external link)

Boosting the world’s bioeconomy by developing new bio-based materials with Aalto University and VTT, companies, and research organizations through a shared passion to create a sustainable future and a belief in innovations based on solid scientific foundations.

LIBER community

The LIBER Centre of Excellence

LIBER aims to create dynamic and soft hybrid materials with a capability to learn, adapt or response to the environment. LIBER combines eight research groups with expertise on molecular self-assembly, soft robotics, surfaces and interfaces, genetic engineering of proteins, biotechnological production of engineered biomolecules, and computational modelling.

Photo: Artistic paper sample

Aalto University Bioinnovation Center

To achieve human wellbeing in planetary boundaries, we need new sustainable solutions to wisely use our natural resources. The Bioinnovation Center especially focuses on innovations in sustainable bio-based materials, with special focus on textiles and packaging.

Suomen Akatemia

GeneCellNano – Gene, Cell and Nano - Academy of Finland (external link)

The GeneCellNano flagship is hosted by Aalto, Universities of Eastern Finland, Helsinki, Oulu, and Finnish Red Cross Blood Service.

Inverse problems research, screens and laboratory equipment

FAME - Flagship of Advanced Mathematics for Sensing, Imaging and Modelling (external link)

Develops methods of applied mathematics and physics for the benefit of society

prein

PREIN – The Flagship on Photonics Research and Innovation (external link)

PREIN Flagship is a Photonics Research and Innovation platform focusing on
light-based solutions from scientific excellence to industrial and societal impact.

Strategic clusters and institutes

The School of Science and our researchers host and are involved in a number of world-class research hubs and initiatives.

HIIT logo

Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT (external link)

Collaborative institute for research on information technology.

HAIC

Helsinki-Aalto Institute for Cybersecurity (external link)

Strategic initiative set up by Aalto University and the University of Helsinki to ensure excellence in information security research and education.

ABC logo

Aalto Brain Centre

Strategic initiative of neuroscience and neurotechnology

School of Science
Seven people wearing laboratory coats in a hospital room surrounded with medical devices

Biodesign Finland

Need-driven medical technology strategic initiative

School of Science
White InstituteQ logo on dark background

InstituteQ - The Finnish Quantum Institute (external link)

InstituteQ coordinates quantum research, education, and business in Finland

Opiskelijoita kävelemässä alas portaita Kandidaattikeskuksessa

House of AI

The new centre brings together top researchers and companies to develop new applications and possibilities for artificial intelligence

Kandidaattikeskus

Aalto Science Institute (AScI)

AScI is a strategic initiative of the Aalto University School of Science that promotes internationalisation through a variety of instruments.

Research infrastructures

Picture of OtaNano lab equipment.

OtaNano

OtaNano is Finland's national research infrastructure for micro-, nano-, and quantum technologies

MAGICS infrastructure header image

MAGICS infrastructure

The MAGICS infrastructure, uniquely integrates art and science for advanced research and learning. It offers tools for 4D digitization and measuring human behaviour in digital environments, supporting areas like AI, gamification, and immersive realities. It connects expertise from academia and industry, fostering robust partnerships and providing open access to its facilities for a wide user base.

Research and learning infrastructures
ANI

Aalto NeuroImaging (ANI) Infrastructure

ANI research infrastructure houses three functional neuroimaging modalities, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at Advanced Magnetic Imaging (AMI) Centre, magnetoencephalography (MEG) at MEG Core and Aalto Behavioral Laboratory (ABL).

Piece of code on the computer screen, colourful text

Science-IT

Infrastructure for high-level computational research.

Services

Recent funding news

Vili Lehdonvirta, phóto: Mikko Raskinen, Aalto University

Cloud empires: Mapping the geopolitics of data infrastructures

The trend towards hyperscale cloud infrastructures is creating powerful global gatekeepers of computational capability. We must understand the geopolitical implications.

News
Olli Ikkana in Otaniemi, photo by Lasse Lecklin.

Bioinspired colours and adaptable materials - Professor Olli Ikkala's third EU project builds on living systems

Department of Applied Physics Professor Olli Ikkala received his third Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) on 11 April 2024. The funding amounts to €2.5 million and the project will run for five years.

News
An illuminated gold-plated cryostat built by Bluefors sits on a black background.

Physicists embark on six-year hunt for dark matter particle

Researchers to probe the galactic halo in search of axions

News
Assistant Professor Matilda Backholm looks at shrimp via a screen connected to a microscope.

Tiny organisms, big discoveries: How swarming shrimp could influence a new wave of ‘mesorobotics’

Aalto researcher aims to understand the complex movement of brine shrimp—a gateway to physics on an unfamiliar scale

News
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