Olli Ikkala

Prof. Olli Ikkala is at the Department of Applied Physics of Aalto University (formerly Helsinki University of Technology) in Espoo near Helsinki. His research interest is to develop functional materials based on hierarchical self-assemblies, biomimetics, and starting materials originating from nature. Originally educated in physics, he was affiliated 10 years in chemical industry mostly related to development of polymer blends and electrically conducting polymers. 1994 he returned in academia and established the Molecular Materials Laboratory at Helsinki University of Technology. The laboratory is multidisciplinary, combining physics, chemistry, and materials science. Professor Olli Ikkala has more than 200 articles, several articles in Science and Nature family, as well as ca. 20 patents, and has been cited over 12,000 times. He is a recipient of Advanced Grant of ERC, two times Academy Professorship of Academy of Finland, and heads the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Engineering of Biosynthetic Hybrid Materials Research of Academy of Finland, and is elected in Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and Technology Academy Finland. He works in several advisory and evaluation duties and has collaborated over the years with polymer, paint, and forest product industry.