Aalto University

Ena Naito, Louise Kallai, Emilia Ikävalko, Sari Kupiainen

DipWrap is a sustainable alternative to plastic shrink wrap used to protect grocery store produce. Vegetables and fruits are dipped into an aqueous solution of DipWrap consisting of agar, cellulose nanocrystal, and carnauba wax which then forms a solid film. Once peeled off, the biodegradable film can be easily disposed of.

Finalist Team + Outstanding Science Prize Winner

Oskari Honka, Iina Martikainen, Elmeri Lankinen, Alejandra Alarcon

Into the Woods is a project that encourages people to practice fermentation with ingredients from their backyard. An ever-growing recipe bank is then created by the participating community.

Amir Tahvonen, Silja Malin, Maari Sinivuori

Kaarnahka is a prototype concept for biodegradable, cellulose-based handlebar tape. Combining cellulose, pulp, potato starch, and natural colorants from ground pine bark, willow, and hemp fibers, the tape is positioned to replace conventional fossil fuel-based tapes with a more sustainable alternative.

Weronika Wojnicka, Topias Lankinen, Jenni Pärkinen,

Taísa Helena

The O-bag is an easy-to-produce and environmentally friendly alternative to canvas bags. The O-bag combines the structural integrity and multi-functionality of cellulose with glycerol, cornstarch and vinegar to produce a functional, recyclable, and biodegradable alternative for your shopping trips.

Moa Vesterlund, Tilda Sjöholm

Serum Solanum is a skincare serum derived from potato peels, which contain skin-nourishing micronutrients. The byproducts of the manufacturing process are then used to create a protective bioplastic film on all of the product’s containers.

Pirjo Kääriäinen is Associate Professor of Design and Materialities at Aalto University's School of Arts, Design, and Architecture. Her background is in textile design and manufacturing. Together with professor Tapani Vuorinen she has facilitated the interdisciplinary CHEMARTS collaboration between the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture (ARTS) and the School of Chemical Engineering (CHEM) since 2011. CHEMARTS aims to inspire students and researchers to explore design-driven approaches in materials research and to create future-oriented concepts, applications, and business seeds for a more sustainable world of materials.

Tapani Vuorinen is Professor of Forest Products Chemistry at Aalto University's School of Chemical Engineering, Finland. He has co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers on the structure and chemistry of plant biomass and its conversion into chemical and material products. His current research focuses on the chemistry, nanostructure, and reactivity of the plant cell wall. Besides his own scientific substance, Tapani has promoted collaboration between academic disciplines, external stakeholders, and the public through co-organizing interdisciplinary CHEMARTS courses, real-life boot camps, and other partnerships within industrial companies and secondary schools.

Janika Lehtonen is currently working as a university teacher in the CHEMARTS program at Aalto University. She holds a D.Sc. (Tech.) degree in bioproduct technology from Aalto University. She is interested in the new opportunities provided by sustainable bio-based materials and multidisciplinary collaboration in the fields of science and art and design. Her research work has included studying the biofabrication of nanocellulosic 3D structures and the utilization of cellulose nanomaterials for water purification.