A selection of Aalto University Magazine articles
Otaniemi, meet A!ex, our autonomous car
This white car may look like a regular SUV, but a closer examination reveals a laser scanner on its roof. Inside, it’s missing a gear stick, as A!ex shifts gears with the aid of an algorithm.
Oops: A circular economy workshop abuzzed activity and ejected personal biases
Head of Radical Creativity Riikka Mäkikoskela witnessed the power of creativity while leading a workshop.
Everyday choices: As an expert of lifewide learning, what skill did you learn most recently, Laura Sivula?
The Head of Aalto's Summer School and an expert of life-wide learning is constantly trying to learn new things.
Insulation from old jeans, walls from waste concrete – less guilt and more solutions are needed for construction
The biggest environmental act would be not building at all. But a circular economy can also mitigate the environmental impact of construction.
Material can be trained like a Pavlov dog – Professor Olli Ikkala and his team develop new materials
The sharpest tip of materials science is coming up with answers to questions such as can materials ‘learn’ new properties or how to keep a cancerous tumour alive outside the body.
Alum Sini Merikallio and the makings of an astronaut
Veterinarian and former space researcher turns her gaze back to the stars.
Four years and lots of tears – three experts tell how they succeeded in making the change
Many entrepreneurs and researchers set their goals based on a realisation that something needs to be done differently. The change they envision might be a new product or material, or it can be a new way to do things. Implementing change isn’t always easy, however, and it demands a stomach for uncertainty, say Professor Michael Hummel and entrepreneurs Annu Nieminen and Richard Nordström.
How a space scientist became a veterinarian – Aalto University Magazine introduces you to a group of people well-versed in the art of change
This issue’s articles look at people who see and do things differently.
Researchers develop the perfect recycled fertilizer for forests - saves 88% of energy normally used but still not legal
Finnish forests are typically nourished with fertilisers containing energy-intensive nitrogen and phosphorous mined in Morocco. Researchers have now developed an ecological alternative with ingredients sourced from a waste processing plant. It is good for forests and the environment – but legislation has to change first.
Aalto University Magazine examines trust in the digital world, commerce and between people
In this issue’s articles, the theme is discussed by Aalto alumnus Mårten Mickos, the philosopher Esa Saarinen and Swappie co-founder Sami Marttinen.
The builders of digital trust
A society gone online needs encrypters, white hats and appropriately suspicious citizens.
Specialised networks to provide information security
We all know that any information shared on the internet is not necessarily private. However, specialised networks with mobile access would offer isolation from the internet, and therefore, better information security.
Conquering the world with refurbished phones
Sami Marttinen bought a phone through an online flea market, but never actually got the device. This incident spurred the creation of used iPhone refurbisher and seller Swappie, which is growing rapidly across Europe.
Online shops predict what customers want to buy
Knowledge management in e-commerce gives benefits to consumers – at least as long as the algorithms that collect the data are used for good.
Everyday choices: Kaie Kubjas, why does mathematics feel safe?
For a professor of mathematics, logical thinking is as important as the provability of results.
Oops: Research data at the mercy of weather and insects
Assistant Professor Miri Stryjan learned how small bumps along the way could affect the big picture.
Fencing, figure-skating, sailing – any sport can be combined with studies
Aalto University is participating in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Sports Academy Urhea, whose goal is to support the flexible coupling of sporting careers with academic studies.
A sport for gentleman thugs
Rugby is a tough contact sport that requires players to absorb constant hits while maintaining absolute trust in their teammates in every situation – not unlike research work.
A remote device helps medical staff in the fight against time
How can we improve the monitoring of patient vital signs when hospitals are full of Covid-19 patients? An international group of students, whose award-winning innovation led to establishing a company, has the solution.
AI technique captures complexity of human faces to help create realistic photo edits
The ability to distil images to their most essential components and anticipate new scenes is what could drive computer vision and robotics forward
