In addition, the Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (VERIFIN) operates at the Department. The Unit of Chemistry Teacher Education actively researches the teaching of chemistry and the development of teaching methods.
Research methods range from laboratory work to demanding equipment technologies, computational research and modelling. Research projects are often multidisciplinary. Researchers at the Department of Chemistry have joint projects with University units in the fields of, for example, physics, biological sciences, pharmacy and medicine. Other key partners include Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and many universities, research institutes and companies in Finland and abroad.
Our materials chemistry research focuses on the green transition and digitalisation. We develop new methods for synthesizing and processing materials, with an emphasis on thin films, responsive polymers, novel catalysts, green solvents, and material recycling. Target application areas include the microelectronic, solar cell, and biomass industries.
Our researchers study material properties for renewable energy systems, develop novel catalytic concepts, innovate cleaner chemical syntheses, develop knowhow for safe nuclear waste management, and devise new technologies for the selective recovery of energy-critical elements. Our mission is to conduct cutting-edge fundamental and applied research in the energy sector that contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable world.
Our research helps to understand the impact of climate change and environmental pollution from the bedrock to the atmosphere and provides sustainable solutions to these global problems. Additionally, we harness cutting edge chemistry to visualize and monitor the human body in health and disease and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in applications such as biomarker discovery, drug delivery, and radiopharmaceutical chemistry.