Topic outline

  • Welcome to CHEMARTS Summer School!

    CHEMARTS Summer School is an intensive, experimental and interdisciplinary course focusing on plant-based materials research. It is strongly based on ecological values. During the course students familiarise with Finnish wood-based and other biomaterials, and explore working methods used in materials research and design practice. The course includes thematic lectures, visits to nature, group discussions and assignments, independent background research and creative hands-on workshops. Full-time commitment required.

    The schedule of the course has been added.


    Learning Outcomes:

    After the course the student will

    • be familiar with and inspired by Finnish biomaterials, including cellulose fibers, micro- and nanofibrillar cellulose, cellulose derivatives, lignin, bark extractives and novel combinations of these, and other biomaterials from the Finnish nature
    • recognise the main sustainability issues related to these materials
    • know some working methods for material exploration in laboratory environment, and have ability to apply those in their material experiments
    • understand the basics of up-scaling processes related to bio-based material innovations
    • have ability to envision how advanced bio-based materials can enhance sustainable way of living


    Evaluation criteria:

    • Active participation in the lab work and lectures. (25%)
    • A short report including documentation of your working process and outcome (50%) work and a 10 min presentation to be presented at the end of the course. (25%)


    Teachers and teaching assistants

    • Pirjo Kääriäinen pirjo.kaariainen@aalto.fi
    • Tapani Vuorinen tapani.vuorinen@aalto.fi
    • Janika Lehtonen janika.lehtonen@aalto.fi
    • Pia Johansson pia.s.johansson@aalto.fi
    • Anna Ihamuotila anna.ihamuotila@aalto.fi