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Forestry and the forest industry prevail in the development of sustainable technologies

The University of Eastern Finland is exceptionally multidisciplinary even from a global perspective. The Sustainable Technologies programme focuses on the manufacture of sustainable materials products and biorefinery products. The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology conducts research and education into how digitalisation and data management are revolutionising production and product development processes, and under what conditions they enable the creation of sustainable business.

We improve the usability of new sensors and smart algorithms for high-quality positioning and research area modelling. We create preconditions for developing the automation of natural resource data and for collecting accurate data. One aim is to develop innovative technologies that can be used to create accurate digital twins of forests.

We have already succeeded in developing solutions that enable the utilisation of agricultural by-products such as barley, straw and surplus lignin from the paper industry as raw materials for different carbon structures. One use case is in the battery industry, replacing critical earth metals whose availability is limited. By utilising renewable biomass-based raw materials and other carbon-containing waste, it is also possible to reduce environmental load. In research addressing the main components of wood – cellulose and lignin – our programme aligns itself with global trends in the manufacture of materials, chemicals and energy products, and brings unique input to the thermochemical processing of forest industry side streams.

The sustainable technologies competence area of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology has built an exceptionally robust global ecosystem around it with business partners in forestry and the gaming industry. Compared to competing fields of education, the Sustainable Technologies programme stands out by its unique combination of education on materials products, chemical products, processes and digital products with an emphasis on industrial economy and data management.

Rapidly growing photonics research brings exceptionally broad competitive advantage

An internationally unique collection of experts in the fields of photonics, chemistry, computing, biology and technical physics. Photonics applications and components manufactured by our business partners can be utilised directly in industry and in consumer-level electronic products. Extended and virtual reality, meta reality and 3D printing offer countless application opportunities and competitive advantages. 

The University of Eastern Finland and the Photonics Center, offering shared infrastructure for companies, create a framework for the education of experts in the field, start-up entrepreneurship and the production of service packages. We have world-class equipment and research infrastructure, which companies and researchers can utilise in pilot and trial phases. The University of Eastern Finland coordinates the Academy of Finland’s Flagship Programme project in photonics and has become an international pioneer in areas such as hyperspectral imaging, industrial quality control, remote sensing and miniaturisation of photonics, which involves reducing the size of devices. 

UEF educates photonics professionals with a multidisciplinary background who know how light behaves and how to apply that knowledge because they understand what is inside a camera or sensor, what can be done, and how solutions can be developed and applied. Applied photonics as an industry is growing twice as fast as the general economic growth globally, and in Finland, that growth is doubled still. The growth is estimated to continue at an annual rate of 6 to 9%.

Medical physics and technology research always aims to benefit the patient

The University of Eastern Finland is especially focused on applications of medical imaging, measurement technology, modelling and signal analytics. Our research and education aim to ensure that health care professionals have access to the best possible information and tools for developing diagnostics and treatment and for using the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

Medical physics and technology is a field of research that aims to utilise the latest advances in basic science to develop methods for identifying pathogenic mechanisms and to improve and develop the quality of medical applications.

Ageing, lifestyles and health, and diseases associated with these, currently constitute one of the most important profile areas of the University of Eastern Finland. Education in medical physics and technology is strongly linked to research in this profile area and offers solutions to modern challenges in society and industry. The focus of our research is particularly on benefiting patients. Smooth university-business collaboration and interaction with clinical experts is an essential part of this objective. Our research in medical physics and technology is of the highest international standard. We are at the forefront of methodological and device development in aspects such as diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, sleep research, treatment of patients with depression or pain, and patients undergoing neurosurgery, methods of rehabilitation for stroke patients and rehabilitation based on measuring movement and physical activity.

The green transition benefits especially from nanomaterials research

The University of Eastern Finland makes extensive use of nanomaterials to support the green transition, sustainable use of natural resources and the development of effective cancer treatments. For example, new functional battery technologies have almost unlimited growth potential, real-time environmental monitoring, especially of water bodies, needs to be developed to improve environmental health, and cancer medicine can be improved with smart nanobots.

For more than two decades, nanomaterials have been subject to great hopes for commercial solutions in both medicine and the improvement of materials properties. Especially in medicine, these hopes have only just begun to come true. Still, the risks of nanomaterials need to be a consideration – we are not fully aware of the long-term effects of different nanomaterials on our health and the environment.

Materials technology solutions play a key role in the development of new technologies that support the well-being of people and low-carbon options. Our interdisciplinary research creates new solutions at the intersection of disciplines, raising the kind of multidisciplinary experts that are sorely needed in industry and the public sector. One interesting path for students is to start commercialising a winning idea of their own; our education provides an excellent foundation to do so as well.

Climate research at the University of Eastern Finland spans from the atmosphere to forest carbon sequestration

One of the key objectives of the University of Eastern Finland is to increase understanding of climate change, and of changes in air quality. Responding to these national and global challenges is important to support the carbon neutrality goals of Finland, the European Union and the international community, to curb air pollution and to maintain a clean atmosphere. 

The University of Eastern Finland is home to state-of-the-art multidisciplinary atmosphere and climate expertise, which has been harnessed to find more efficient ways of carbon sequestration from the atmosphere and reliable verification of carbon sequestration. We evaluate the measures taken to promote climate neutrality and air quality management. We actively support companies’ efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. Striving for clean air, clean water and a safe climate constitutes one of our key objectives. 

The goal of research and education is to mitigate climate change by increasing carbon sequestration in forests and soil and to improve air quality globally. Active cooperation between the competence centre and actors in the public and private sectors enables effective mitigation and adaptation measures both nationally and internationally. Collaboration with business and industry creates new practical solutions, such as atmospheric measurement instruments and climate and air quality analysis services. In connection with education and research, we work together with the energy, transport, technology, food and forest sectors.

Solutions to challenging real-world problems are often based on computational engineering

Brain slice images, increasingly accurate weather and climate forecasts and energy-efficient solutions in the process industry are generally thought of as everyday things. What people do not often know is that solutions to these problems are largely based on in-depth mathematical modelling and technological and scientific computing. Education in computational engineering at the University of Eastern Finland specifically focuses on modelling and solving these problems.

Research in computational engineering develops computational and measurement methods that can be utilised in several different areas of application. For instance, our research has led to the development of methods for minimising imaging time and the radiation dose received by the patient in X-ray tomography, producing accurate images of the patient’s circulation using light and sound, imaging and assessing the amount of groundwater from wave measurements made on the ground, monitoring the state of stroke patients, imaging and assessing the sources of pollutant emissions, and non-invasively determining the condition of concrete structures.

Computational engineering gives the skills needed to apply competence in many different areas of industry and society. Research and education provide top-of-the-line tools for creating significant new innovations in sectors ranging from medicine to industry. Our computational engineering research being recognised as a national Centre of Excellence, our active cooperation with industrial companies, Kuopio University Hospital and other research institutes and the experience of our researchers guarantee an international standard of research, high-quality results and, in particular, the industrial utilisation of research results.

Research-based development of technology education enhances studies and improves graduates’ employment skills

Education in the field of technology at the University of Eastern Finland is based on robust research expertise, as the development of education in natural sciences and mathematics has been one of the research priorities of our academic departments for decades. By utilising this expertise, all degree programmes in technology can be developed to serve the well-being of students and the progress of their studies as well as the future needs of business and industry. 

Several experts specialised in the research of teaching are working in the field of technology, which provides excellent opportunities for monitoring the learning, satisfaction and coping of technology students. Systematic research allows us to develop the teaching and support systems of degree programmes to meet students’ needs and challenges. High-quality education supports students in succeeding in their studies and preparing for employment. At the same time, this work improves the attractiveness of the field of technology. 

UEF educates well-adjusted professionals who graduate on time and are familiar with the needs of business and industry in the fields of technology. The fields of technology and science suffer from a shortage of experts, and students drop out in this field fairly often. Research-based development of teaching makes degree programmes in technology attractive and engaging, which is important because growth in the sector has direct consequences for both regional and national economies.