Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Research profile
There are four main, largely independent areas of research in the unit: functional 
materials and thin films, luminescent and solid state materials, analytical applications 
of electrogenerated chemiluminescence, and organometallic catalysis. The focus is on 
basic research directed at obtaining a fundamental understanding of chemical 
principles. Increased collaboration and concentration of research areas are considered 
as the keys to competitive success.
The unit is currently led by four professors, leading the four main research areas 
with expertise in analytical, inorganic, materials and physical chemistry.
Research in the area of functional materials has a focus on materials at the 
nanoscale and the thin films prepared from them. The classes of materials considered 
are broad, ranging from carbon nanotubes to biological polyelectrolytes. 
Luminescence studies deal with persistent luminescence, up-conversion materials and 
electrogenerated luminescence, though work in this last area has moved elsewhere. 
Although the research is basic, applications, in particular medical ones, are an actual 
and potential outcome. Olefin metathesis by new Mo and W catalysts is the active 
research area of the organometallic chemistry group. The unit also has a tradition of 
instrument construction, which broadens the range of available experimental 
techniques.