Aalto Field of Specialization

Aalto University is a new multidisciplinary university, where science and art meet technology and business, and the research focus is in major global issues. The combination of six schools opens up new possibilities for strong multidisciplinary education and research. The new university's ambitious goal is to be one of the leading institutions in the world in terms of research and education in its own specialized disciplines. New research environments often evolve into larger research programs or units through themes that require a cross-disciplinary approach.

The School of Chemical Technology responds to the current environmental challenges through quality research and teaching. Its strength is in combining its expertise in natural sciences with engineering sciences and educating diverse and responsible professionals. The graduates are employed in versatile positions within the major industrial fields, such as forest based industries, metal and electronics, as well as in chemical, biotechnology and food industries.

The research foci in the School include energy technologies, new materials and sustainable processing of natural resources, as well as products derived from these resources. These foci are also reflected in the curriculum. Research and teaching at the School is supported by an extensive academic and industrial network which includes both domestic and international partners.

Energy efficient building and zero energy (plus energy) buildings form one of Aalto University’s multidisciplinary areas of research and education. The Luukku house designed by students of Aalto University won the first prize in architecture and was ranked fifth overall in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition. The Solar Decathlon is a contest for energy-efficient construction and architecture, for which teams of students from 20 universities have each designed and built an energy-independent, solar-powered house. The teams compete in ten categories, including architecture, engineering, market viability, lighting and energy balance. As a building, the wooden, solar-powered Luukku produces as much energy as it needs per year.