Bio Materiality
As biomaterial is a broad and currently widely used term, the students learn to explore and discover new perspectives to biomaterials and understand how to create their own creative approach towards these materials.
MUO-E5021
Pirjo Kääriäinen
Senior Advisor, CHEMARTS & Bioinnovation Center.
Pirjo Kääriäinen serves as a Senior Advisor at Aalto University, focusing on fostering collaboration across disciplines, particularly in exploring new material innovations. Her academic journey has spanned several key roles: she worked as a professor of Design and Materialities, as a Professor of Practice, and as a Professor in Textile Art and Design (TaiK). Having joined Aalto University in 2008, Kääriäinen played a significant role in the CHEMARTS collaboration, a joint effort between the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the School of Chemical Engineering. The initiative, which she co-facilitated from 2011 to 2025, aims to inspire both students and researchers to innovate with bio-based materials and develop sustainable concepts. Before her academic career, Pirjo Kääriäinen gained experience in the textile industry and business, and worked as an entrepreneur and consultant in the creative industries. Her professional interests are: bio-based materials, interdisciplinary collaboration, design for sustainable materials, experimental design, future textiles.
Webpages related to her work:
Previous courses
News
Revolutionary bio-based materials took center stage at Dutch Design Week
Aalto University Bioinnovation Center participated in the prestigious Dutch Design Week (DDW) for the very first time, joined by several experimental initiatives from the Aalto ChemArts program.
Chem Awards 2025 recipients announced
The School of Chemical Engineering recognises outstanding individuals and teams for their exceptional contributions over the year
Nordic Biomaterials with CHEMARTS – a crucial course for future-changers
The Aalto University Summer School course Nordic Biomaterials in collaboration with CHEMARTS gathered students from Sweden, the USA, Germany, Norway and Belgium for a summer course on campus for the first time since the pandemic.
Bacterial bandages and recycled fibres: Aalto brings a materials revolution to Slush
New materials play an important role in sustainable development and combatting climate change. New uses for old materials can also be a major industrial opportunity: for example, the value of biomass from forests in Finland can be doubled if used for manufacturing products of higher added value.
Jenni Haukio’s Independence Day gown sets the stage for Finland’s next 100 years
Designed by Aalto students Emma Saarnio and Helmi Liikanen, the dress evokes nature with exquisite materiality and minimalist lines
Companies want to develop innovations from biomaterials together with FinnCERES
A large group of representatives of industry took part in the Industry Meets FinnCERES event on 5 November 2018 at Paasitorni in Helsinki.
Aalto-Helsinki awarded gold medal in iGEM 2018
Multidisciplinary student team from Aalto University and the University of Helsinki made it to the top category out of three in iGEM Giant Jamboree 24–28 October in Boston.