Project Employee / Research Assistant for printable 2D nanomaterial ink formulation and testing

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and nearly 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. We actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

At the Department of Applied Physics, our pioneering research in physical sciences creates important industrial applications that hold great technological potential. Our research focuses on Materials physics, Quantum technology, Soft & living matter, and Advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. We educate future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

The Department of Applied Physics is looking for either a Project Employee (M.Sc.) or a Research Assistant (Bachelor or Master level student) to work on printable 2D nanomaterial ink formulation.

The work is in the context of Business Finland -supported Research-to-business program and will be performed in close collaboration with industrial partners.

According to the World Health Organization, pollution and toxic gases are relevant to 7 million deaths annually, 12% of global fatality. This causes a 6% loss in the global gross domestic product, as estimated by the World Bank. Thus, knowing the type and level of surrounding gases is increasingly urgent. Further issues come from climate change and the escalated geopolitical tension that can lead to the use of battle gases.

The commercial gas sensors made by conventional electronics have intrinsic drawbacks, e.g., high production and energy costs, low selectivity leading to false alarms, difficulty in calibrations, replacements, and recycling, which make them unable to adapt to the future sustainability. In the sustainable smart gas sensor (SGS) project, we aim to develop a low-cost, low-energy consumption, and biodegradable multi-gas sensor by printing, and further estimating possibilities for scaling up.

The SGS project is in perfect alignment with the strategic goals of Finland, where sustainability, bio-derived materials, high-value applications, and dual-use technologies hold significant importance. This alignment ensures that the SGS will contribute substantially to the Finnish business landscape.

Your role and goals

The final goal of the full Research-to-Business project (R2B) is to demonstrate a bio-degradable smart gas sensor, capable of detecting various analysts at low concentrations. The project consists of three major parts: sensor printing, circuit design and integration and development of an AI algorithm.

In your role you will formulate the printable ink and develop reliable printing protocols with various printing technologies. The role requires close collaboration with electrical engineers for circuit design and materials scientists for sensing measurement and AI training.

You will formulate and optimize the rheology and composition of our nanocomposite inks for various printing methods (mainly ink-jet printing, extrusion printing and screen printing will be studied with our partners). You will print gas sensors on various substrates (papers, polymer sheets) using the above-mentioned inks and test their performance with the team members and our partners.

The goal is a proof of concept that our nanocomposites can print gas sensors with distinct performance towards targeting gases. Together with the team, you will identify the feasible technology for large-scale sensor fabrication in the future as well as technical problems that need to be solved for further development.

Your network and team

The position is at the Department of Applied Physics of Aalto University School of Science. The work will be done in collaboration with industrial clients. Dr. Zhongpeng Lyu will act as daily supervisor and Prof. Olli Ikkala as the manager.

Your experience and ambitions

Required and desired qualifications:

• Hands-on experience on ink formulation, rheology measurement and various printing technologies
• Hands-on experience in wet chemistry synthesis and chemical safety
• Knowledge of colloids and nanomaterials
• Basic skills in device measurement