Nanoscience in the Helsinki region

The leading research institutes operating in nanoscience in the Helsinki region are Helsinki University of Technology (HUT), the Finnish Technical Research Centre VTT and the University of Helsinki. Both HUT and VTT are situated at the Otaniemi Campus, while in the University of Helsinki, especially at the campus in Kumpula, Viikki and Meilahti are significant centres in nanoscience. The three institutes have, in total, over 30 laboratories and research groups working on nanoscience. The work involves about 200 researchers.

When the studies approach atom level, it is impossible to separate phenomena respectively related to chemistry, physics or biology. Research into nanotechnology therefore requires an interdisciplinary approach, which naturally leads to collaboration between researchers in the different disciplines. Also, nanotechnology can be used in a wide area of applications, ranging from medicine to molecular electronics. The nanoscience groups have already networked within and between the universities. Some of the campus areas have coordinated infrastructure investments, and have equipment in joint use. HUT, VTT and the University of Jyväskylä have also teamed up at the national level.

Some examples of the topics in which research teams of the region have high-level expertise are, among others, nanoparticle applications, thin films made with atom-layering techniques, functional materials like nanopolymer structures based on self-assembly, carbon nanotubes, modelling of nanoscale phenomena, nanostructures used in biological applications, and quantum electronics components and structures.

In the Helsinki region, nanoscience has also proceeded to commercial applications. In medicine, for instance, Orion Diagnostics has nanotechnology applications in diagnostics. Research groups have also patented several innovations. Some of the companies are