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Here are the recipients for CHEM Awards 2025. Congratulations everyone!

CHEM Teaching Act of 2025

University Lecturer Minna Nieminen, Senior University Lecturer Jari Aromaa, and
University Lecturer Eero Hiltunen for outstanding development of the BSc thesis seminar course

Minna, Jari, and Eero developed the BSc thesis seminar course significantly for the academic year 2024-2025. The students can now choose their thesis topics based on their BSc major. This has ensured that every student has the possibility to choose a topic that really motivates them to write the thesis.

For the academic year 2025-2026, Minna, Jari, and Eero revised completely the thesis evaluation criteria, together with support from other CHEM faculty. This work resulted in clear and rigorous evaluation criteria which support the thesis advisors in their grading work.

The emphasis on giving feedback has led to a doubling of the Bachelor’s feedback rate, which is vital for continuous program improvement and impacts basic funding. Their efforts have facilitated larger student cohorts completing their BSc theses without bottlenecks, contributing to a record number of BSc degrees at CHEM in 2024, with expectations of surpassing this record in 2025.

Teaching Act 2025 honorary mention

Aapeli Mölsä, Veera Mettänen, Jonna Järvelin, Joel Oksanen, Saimi Teräväinen, Aidar Ali, Stella Freystätter, Eden Getachew, Leevi Härkönen and Karelia Keskimäki for their excellent performance as Teaching Assistants in the “Atomirakenne ja spektroskopia” and ”Termodynamiikka” courses

They performed their duties beyond expectations supported students’ learning and well-being in these courses by creating a community atmosphere that supports learning, developing innovative and motivating pedagogical strategies that make learning both fun and approachable, acting exemplarily in resolving and de-escalating challenging situations, and serving as role models.

CHEM Impact Act of 2025

Authors of the Mainiot Materiaalit / Marvelous Materials book: Greta Isola, Susanna Ahola, Pirjo Kääriäinen, and Tapani Vuorinen

Workshops and events related to the book have reached more than 1700 children, teachers, and other professionals during 2024-2025. Helsingin Sanomien Lasten uutiset have reached around 
100 000 views per episode.

The books have been showcased in several national and international exhibitions with a total of 25000 visitors (e.g. Designs for a Cooler Planet at Aalto, Graphic Days Turin, Italy and Dutch Design Week, Holland).

Seven teacher trainings have been organized to spread the message. Teachers have told that they have used the book in their teaching. Three summer camps were organized for children in collaboration with Aalto Junior, leading to comprehensive learning about bio-based materials.

The book has been featured in 12 national or international media including, e.g. a news item in magazine, a major voice in the forefront of global design and creativity.

CHEM Service Act of 2025

Dora Javor, Ben Wilson and Milla Vikberg for organising Coffee and Science events at CMAT & CMET

Coffee and Science events are an excellent way to build a feeling of community and enhance networking within, between, and outside the departments.

They are low threshold events that enable learning from a variety of activities with presenters ranging from PhD and MSc projects to visiting professors and external experts.

The events work smoothly and with little effort from the participants due to the background work done by Dora, Ben and Milla.

CHEM Research Act of 2025

Doctoral Researcher Alisa Bogdanova for her contributions to exceptionally high-quality research regarding battery materials development with potential for high societal impact

In her research, Alisa has opened a new research direction developing a new kind of gas-phase coating technology for battery materials. Her work has advanced both equipment (a custom ALD) and method development.

In 2025, Alisa published her work as first author in high impact journal, as well as co-authored a review paper and another research paper.

Further, Alisa has contributed to the academic community as an advisor for summer student and master’s students, supported a doctoral student, and acted as a mentor at the ELMO-LION Summer School on Li-ion batteries.

She also took part in the Shaking Up Tech event as a laboratory host, introducing women and gender minorities to research in chemical engineering. She is also involved in organizing the upcoming NordBatt conference, contributing to international collaboration and visibility of battery research in Finland. In addition, she promotes a positive and supportive group atmosphere by organizing social group activities.

Her actions show both initiative and ambition as well as high potential for societal impact in battery materials development.In her research, Alisa has opened a new research direction developing a new kind of gas-phase coating technology for battery materials. Her work has advanced both equipment (a custom ALD) and method development.

CHEM Innovation Act of 2025

Doctoral Researcher Wouter Badenhorst for the development of the copper flow battery technology and creation of the spinoff Halide Energy

Wouter is the primus motor in taking the all-copper flow battery innovation to the next level by setting up a start-up company 'Halide Energy’.

The research to business project CuRen accelerated the technology's development, which has been under research at Aalto since 2013, successfully scaling from a 20 W cell to a 1200 kW system in one year, and achieving promising performance & unit cost targets. These efforts have been recognised with significant interest from investors and industrial adopters.

In his role as CTO, while finalising his Doctoral degree, Wouter is continuing the innovation and development efforts made at Aalto with preparation for pilot manufacturing and system deployment.

Photos: Juuso Mäntykivi / 911������.