Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Research networking and interaction
There is good collaboration with other universities in Finland concerning the efforts 
in printed electronics. In particular, the joint project with VTT will pave the way for 
more applied research. In the field of carbon nanotubes, the unit has international 
research collaboration with the University of Arizona. The unit also has some 
common papers with groups at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the US.
Recommendations
The unit is small and thus very vulnerable when it comes to staffing and funding. The 
panel recommends that the Department quickly decide on the number of permanent 
professors in the unit, and that it together with the unit formulate a scientific strategy 
for the unit in an effort to increase the scientific overlap between units. This process 
should also address the foreseeable generation change in the unit.
Compared to other units, the unit has a relatively modest funding contribution 
from external sources. This must also be a point of focus in the new strategy for the 
unit. More external funding should be used to train more PhD students and to ensure 
a much younger graduation age for the PhDs.
The activities in both photo- and electroactive chemical compounds are relevant 
and interesting, and since they are both heavily dependent on research collaboration, 
these connections should be strengthened and expanded on.
Although it is clear that the instrumentation of the analytical group is insufficient 
for a serious research effort in metabolomics, the panel assesses that such investment 
must await a formulation of a research strategy for the Department.

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