ɫɫÀ²

News

Professor Michael Hummel awarded a Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council

The ERC grant facilitates the commercialisation of developments that evolved from ERC-funded research projects.
Professor Michael Hummel
Professor Michael Hummel. Photo:Aalto University / Jaakko Kahilaniemi)

Professor Michael Hummel has received 150 000€ to develop his bio-based carbon fibre Proof of Concept (PoC) ready for commercialisation. Every year the ERC awards grants to help in assisting with such things as developing viability and direction, clarifying intellectual property, market studies and additional research. Hummel received the ERC Starting Grant for his project -Unlocking the Entire Wood Matrix for the Next Generation of Carbon Fibers (WoCaFi)-in 2016. 

Professor Hummel’s project aims at creating and scaling bio-based carbon fibres that can be used in composite materials as modern, lightweight and cost worthy solution for replacing metal components in the automotive industry. ‘The carbon fibre reinforced composite (CFRC) elements provide significant weight reduction while maintaining the necessary strength and safety properties needed for cars’, Professor Hummel says.

The ERC evaluates each PoC proposal based on the following points:

  • Excellence in Innovation potential: Proposals will have to demonstrate that the proposed Proof of Concept activity could greatly help move the output of research towards the initial steps of pre-commercialisation or social innovation.
  • Impact: The submitted Proof of Concept proposal is expected to generate effects or benefits to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services.
  • Quality and efficiency of the implementation (Quality of the Proof of Concept plan):  The proposed Proof of Concept proposal is based on a sound approach for establishing technical and commercial feasibility of the project.

       ()

Read more

The ERC is funding ground-breaking, cutting edge research. What is needed for opening up new paths?

‘Cooperations that allow for a multi-disciplinary approach are very central. In addition to experts in wood chemistry and forest products technology, we have various specialists in engineering and other sciences’, says Michael Hummel.

Seven-figure grant for researcher producing carbon fibre from wood

Michael Hummel, the recipient of the much sought-after ERC Starting Grant, knows that there is a great need for more affordable carbon fibre.

News
Michael Hummel, kuva: Jaakko Kahilaniemi

Michael Hummel: Sustainable and renewable materials will replace oil-based products

Researchers need to be team players, says Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering.

News
Michael smiling in Dipoli building

Get to know us: Associate Professor Michael Hummel

Michael Hummel had plans to stay in Finland for only a year or so. In the end, he enjoyed his work at Aalto so much that he decided to stay.

News
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

A group sitting around tables in a modern room; some are holding papers and discussing. Photo from the EDI workshop in June 2025.
University Published:

Creating room for connection, dialogue, and collective planning is more important than ever

Two workshops were organised to build bridges and foster meaningful action on EDI at the Aalto School of Business.
Abstract image of glowing teal shapes and pink blocks on a striped yellow and green surface, with a dark background.
Research & Art Published:

Researchers turn energy loss into a way of creating lossless photonics-based devices

Turning energy loss from a fatal flaw into a dial for fine-tuning new states of matter into existence could yield better laser, quantum and optical technology.
A person reads a book in front of a large illuminated 'A' sign.
Press releases Published:

Half of highly educated immigrants find employment through Espoo and Aalto’s collaboration

The exceptional employment outcomes are the result of collaboration, in which service design research has played a key role.
A complex, large installation of twisted white paper structures with various spirals and curves against a dark background.
Aalto Magazine Published:

Five things: Origami unfolds in many ways

The word ori means ‘folded’ and kami means ‘paper’ in Japanese. Origami refers to both the traditional Japanese art of paper folding and to the object it produces. At Aalto University, this centuries-old technique finds applications across a variety of disciplines. Here are five examples: