Projects per year
Organisation profile
Organisation profile
Molecular Materials
Molecular Materials (Molmat) is a multidisciplinary research group consists of physicists, chemists and biologists aiming at functional materials based on supramolecular and supracolloidal self-assembly and its hierarchies. Molmat group is located at the Nanotalo building in the Otaniemi campus area. Currently, we are engaged in the bio-mimetic self-assembly and biosynthetic hybrid materials.
LIBER
The Molecular Materials group is member of Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), funded by Academy of Finland’s Center of Excellence Programme (2022-2029).
Nanomicroscopy Centre (NMC)
The Molecular Materials group is also a part of the Nanomicroscopy Center administered by Professor Janne Ruokolainen. NMC is a cutting-edge microscopy facility offering us a number of high-resolution imaging and fabrication tools for soft, hard and biomaterial characterization.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Profiles
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Sourov Chandra
- Department of Applied Physics - Research Fellow
- Molecular Materials - Research Fellow
Person: Postdoctoral researchers
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Valentina Chiapponi
- Department of Applied Physics - Doctoral Researcher
- School of Science
- Molecular Materials - Doctoral Researcher
Person: Doctoral students, Doctoral Student
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Yuhuang Fang
- Department of Applied Physics - Doctoral Researcher
- School of Science
- Molecular Materials - Doctoral Researcher
Person: Doctoral students, Doctoral Student
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-: LIBER jatko/Ikkala
Ikkala, O. (Principal investigator), Sheng, J. (Project Member), Liang, C. (Project Member), Pi, H. (Project Member), Kang, J. (Project Member), Fang, Y. (Project Member) & Lin, Z. (Project Member)
01/01/2024 → 31/12/2026
Project: RCF Academy Project
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-: LIBER/Ikkala
Ikkala, O. (Principal investigator), Pi, H. (Project Member), Chandra, S. (Project Member), Kang, J. (Project Member), Liang, C. (Project Member), Gustavsson, L. (Project Member), Lin, Z. (Project Member), Hong, X. (Project Member), Fang, Y. (Project Member), Sheng, J. (Project Member) & Miao, Z. (Project Member)
01/01/2022 → 31/12/2024
Project: RCF Academy Project
Research output
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Bioinspired Sensory Transduction for Magnetic Profile Recognition and Encryption
Miao, Z., Hu, X., Liu, K., Hu, S., Yan, G., Tan, H., Ikkala, O., Lv, Z. P. & Peng, B., 27 Apr 2026, In: Advanced Materials. 38, 24, p. 1-11 11 p., e15994.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Fabricating crumpled membranes using self-assembled porous nanoparticles for efficient organic solvent nanofiltration
Pei, T., Lin, Z., Jiang, S., Zhu, A., Hong, Y. & Zhang, Q., Jun 2026, In: AIChE Journal. 72, 6, 11 p., e70317.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Hydrogel-based 3D culture systems for modeling breast cancer
Heilala, M., 2026, Aalto University. 153 p.Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis › Collection of Articles
Open Access
Datasets
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In-situ temperature/strain-dependent SAXS/WAXS measurement of a thermo-responsive hydrogel with switchable micromorphology and optical prope
Fang, Y. (Creator), Hu, S. (Creator), Huang, X. (Creator), Liang, C. (Contributor), Lyu, Z. (Creator), Zhang, H. (Contributor) & Sztucki, M. (Contributor), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 4 Apr 2028
DOI: 10.15151/esrf-es-2036032827, https://doi.esrf.fr/10.15151/ESRF-ES-2036032827
Dataset
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CCDC 1449804: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Fernandez-Palacio, F. (Contributor), Ikkala, O. (Creator), Metrangolo, P. (Contributor), Poutanen, M. (Creator), Resnati, G. (Contributor), Saccone, M. (Contributor), Siiskonen, A. (Contributor) & Terraneo, G. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre , 1 Jan 2017
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1knmwq, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1knmwq&sid=DataCite
Dataset
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CCDC 1449805: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Fernandez-Palacio, F. (Contributor), Ikkala, O. (Creator), Metrangolo, P. (Contributor), Poutanen, M. (Creator), Resnati, G. (Contributor), Saccone, M. (Contributor), Siiskonen, A. (Contributor) & Terraneo, G. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre , 1 Jan 2017
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1knmxr, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1knmxr&sid=DataCite
Dataset
Prizes
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Academy professor of Academy of Finland 2005-2010
Ikkala, O. (Recipient), 2005
Prize: Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career
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Academy professor of Academy of Finland 2012-2016
Ikkala, O. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career
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Alexander von Humboldt Research Award
Ikkala, O. (Recipient), 25 Nov 2019
Prize: Award or honor granted for academic or artistic career
Activities
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Oral presentation: Surface-modified nanocellulose hydrogels for modulating macrophage phenotype in 3D culture
Heilala, M. (Speaker)
7 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Oral presentation: Fibrin stiffness regulates phenotypic plasticity of metastatic breast cancer cells
Heilala, M. (Speaker)
25 Apr 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Poster presentation: Cellulose hydrogels for immune cell ex vivo applications
Heilala, M. (Speaker)
4 Sept 2023 → 8 Sept 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
Press/Media
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Eläinvapaat geelit edistävät solututkimusta
Heilala, M.
17/12/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Social media activity
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Tutkijat kehittivät ihonkaltaisen geelin, joka korjaa itse itsensä vuorokaudessa
Ikkala, O., Zhang, H. & Liang, C.
06/09/2025
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance
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Kestävä pinta robotille – tutkijat kehittivät ihonkaltaisen geelin, joka osaa korjata itse itsensä
07/03/2025 → 09/03/2025
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance