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Aalto University


Locally based Haitian social entrepreneurs empower disaster-stricken villagers to rebuild and improve their communities

Research in Haiti highlights the need for longer-term approaches to rebuilding, focusing on local community empowerment and trust development. Locally-based social entrepreneurs like Steve and Gabi have successfully mobilized villagers to build new schools, toilet centers, and farmers' cooperatives.

SourceAalto University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateJun 18, 2019

Brain scans on movie watchers reveal how we judge people

Researchers used brain scans to explore unconscious biases in movie watchers, finding that the brain is naturally biased towards people who are like us, but also against those who are different. The study suggests that our brains can be influenced by learned knowledge and external factors, changing how we perceive others.

SourceAalto University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateApr 24, 2019

What the Finnish concept of sisu can offer the world

A new study from Aalto University proposes that sisu, a universal human strength, can help individuals surpass preconceived limitations through stored-up energy reserves. However, excessive sisu can lead to burnout and an attitude of mercilessness, emphasizing the need for balance and self-awareness.

SourceAalto University·JournalInternational Journal of Wellbeing·DateApr 5, 2019

Brain scans shine light on how we solve clues

Researchers at Aalto University used brain scanning to study how people reconstruct facts from clues, revealing the brain's ability to activate a range of properties associated with a concept. The method has potential applications in detecting memory disorders and understanding individual differences in perception.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2019

Faster method to read quantum memory

Aalto University scientists have developed a new method to read information from qubits, the basic building blocks of a quantum computer. By applying two microwave pulses instead of one, they were able to complete the readout in 300 nanoseconds, faster than previously possible.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 25, 2019

Life on the edge in the quantum world

Researchers at Aalto University have successfully controlled quantum phenomena in a custom-designed electrical circuit called a transmon. They were able to make the transmon jump multiple energy levels in one go, achieving speeds close to the theoretically calculated quantum speed limit.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2019

Measuring forces of living cells and microorganisms

A new technique using micropipette force sensors measures the tiny forces exerted by living cells and microorganisms with high precision. The method allows for testing the reaction of cells to environmental factors and has potential applications in biomedicine, such as identifying drugs for infectious diseases.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Protocols·DateJan 28, 2019

What do we see in a mirror?

Aalto University scientists develop gradient metasurfaces that can appear 'bright' at one direction and 'dark' for the opposite direction, breaking conventional symmetric responses of mirrors. This innovation uses evanescent fields engineering to engineer contrast ratios in angle spectrum.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 21, 2018

Will there be enough water in the future?

The Water Scarcity Atlas provides an interactive map visualizing water scarcity around the globe, highlighting its evolution over the past century. The tool enables users to explore how their daily choices, such as diet and food waste, affect water resources worldwide.

Password managers vulnerable to insider hacking

Researchers from Aalto University and the University of Helsinki discovered over ten computer security-critical applications, including password managers, are susceptible to insider attacks. These vulnerabilities arise from inadequate protection of internal communication channels, allowing malicious processes to access sensitive data.

Einstein's 'spooky action' goes massive

Researchers at Aalto University have successfully generated and detected entanglement in massive mechanical oscillators, opening doors for new quantum technologies. The achievement uses a theoretical innovation developed by Dr. Matt Woolley and Prof. Aashish Clerk to stabilize exotic quantum states.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature·DateApr 25, 2018

Diamond-like carbon is formed differently to what was believed -- machine learning enables development of new model

A team of researchers has developed a new method for modeling the formation of diamond-like carbon at the atomic level, which challenges the prevailing understanding of the process. The approach uses machine learning to simulate thousands of atoms over long periods, revealing a more accurate picture of how the material forms.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 19, 2018

A new Bose-Einstein condensate created at Aalto University

Aalto University researchers have successfully created a new Bose-Einstein condensate that doesn't require cooling to near absolute zero. The condensate is made up of light and electrons in motion in gold nanorods, allowing for faster information processing and potentially enabling the creation of extremely small and fast light sources.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018