Helsinki area, Finland

Nordic Biomaterials

when 7 August 2023 - 18 August 2023
language English
duration 2 weeks
credits 6 EC
fee EUR 1600

In the coming years, our material world will change dramatically. The overuse of existing raw materials cannot continue and global consumption must decrease. However, our need for materials will not disappear: also in the future, materials will come to nurture us, cover us, comfort us, delight us, as well as keep us alive. This means that we need many new ideas, collaboration across all borders and hard work to replace our existing material systems and consumption habits with more sustainable ones.

If used wisely, wood- and plant-based materials offer one possible pathway towards a more sustainable material world: they come from renewable sources, can be modified on a chemical level, and can be used for recyclable or biodegradable products.

Nordic Biomaterials by CHEMARTS (CHEM-E0165) inspires students to combine design and material science for new cellulose-driven concepts and ideas. Combining natural materials with advanced technologies offer new possibilities for sustainable development within existing and emerging industries.

This graduate-level course teaches students with varying backgrounds (design, science, engineering, business) to combine design with material research. It introduces a broad spectrum of biomaterials, especially wood-and plant-based. During the course, students familiarise themselves with practice-based material research, experience how interdisciplinary material research happens in practice, and explore how raw materials could be turned into innovative business ideas in the context of circular economy.

Course leader

The use of materials today is not sustainable for the environment and our future. Take action and learn how to create new concepts for sustainable material development by combining design, technology and natural materials science.

Target group

graduate students, professionals, lifelong learners

Fee info

EUR 1600: The tuition fee for external students is 1600€ (including VAT 24%). The tuition fee is to be paid by credit card or a Finnish online bank. If the fee is not paid by the due date, the application will be considered lapsed.

No tuition fee for:

Nominated exchange students from a partner institution of Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering
Aalto degree students
Reduced tuition fee (-30%):

Students from partner institutions of Aalto University who are not nominated for exchange
EUR 300: The programme fee for all students except Aalto degree students is 300€ (including VAT 24%).

The programme fee includes:

Course trips
Professional portfolio photography of your coursework
Summer School social programme