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Significant grants for science from the Finnish Cultural Foundation

A total of thirty individuals and research groups from Aalto University received grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation for science and art. Professors Harri Lipsanen and Zhipei Sun and their team, were awarded a large grant to develop electronic components mimicking the structure and function of the human brain. Among the grantees is also Professor Mikko Alava, whose team is developing water-resistant foams as substitutes for plastic using AI-based methods.
Mikko Alava ja kolme muuta tutkimusryhmän jäsentä kuvattuna teknisen laitteen äärellä.
Professor Mikko Alava and his research group. Photo: The Finnish Cultural Foundation.

This time grants were awarded especially for research supporting Finland's competitiveness in industry and business.

One of the largest grants, 200,000 euros, went to Professor Mikko Alava from the Department of Applied Physics, whose research group is developing water-resistant foams as substitutes for plastic. The research utilises biomimetics, imitating the structure of wood using AI-based methods.

Professors Harri Lipsanen and Zhipei Sun from the Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering and their group received 250,000 euros to develop neuromorphic electronic components mimicking the structure and function of the human brain. They aim to find new solutions for environmentally friendly technology.

Based on applications received in October 2023, the Finnish Cultural Foundation awarded over 30 million euros in grants for the benefit of science, art, and culture. For the first time, the application threshold of 10,000 was exceeded, and one out of every ten applications succeeded.

43 percent of the grant funds were allocated to art, and 57 percent to science. Science is emphasised because the majority of the donors to the Cultural Foundation wished to support various fields of science.

For the list of Aalto University grantees, please see the article in Finnish.

Congratulations to all!

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Press release by the Finnish Cultural Foundation:

Article about the research of Mikko Alava and his team:  (Finnish Cultural Foundation)

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