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Professor Topi Rönkkö wins the Aerosol Award

Published on 28.8.2024

Tampere University

Topi Rönkkö, a Professor of Aerosol Physics at Tampere University, has been awarded by the Finnish Foundation of Aerosol Research for his significant contributions to advancing aerosol research in Finland. The Young Aerosol Scientist Award was granted to Juha Kangasluoma, a Docent of Physics at the University of Helsinki.

The Aerosol Award given by the Finnish Foundation of Aerosol Research – valued at €20,000 – was presented at the European Aerosol Conference 2024.

The Finnish Foundation of Aerosol Research has a mission to advance and support research and education in aerosol science. The award recognises outstanding mid-career researchers who earned their doctoral degrees 5 to 20 years ago. According to the Finnish Foundation of Aerosol Research, Professor Topi Rönkkö has made notable contributions to aerosol science, education and technology. The award acknowledges his exceptional achievements in advancing aerosol science in Finland and demonstrating strong research leadership.

Rönkkö is honoured to receive the award.

“This award confirms the importance of the work done by my research group and our collaboration partners. Our research on atmospheric emissions and air quality, both indoors and outdoors, aims to enhance our living environment and contribute to a more sustainable world, addressing both climate and air quality concerns,” he says.

Experimental research on the formation and effects of particle emissions

Topi Rönkkö earned his Master of Science in Technology degree from the then Tampere University of Technology (TUT) in 2003. He went on to complete his doctorate in 2009, with a dissertation exploring the measurement of vehicle exhaust emissions. Rönkkö continued his research career at TUT, delving into aerosol physics and related phenomena.

Today, Rönkkö leads a research group that conducts experimental research on aerosol emissions and air quality.

“Aerosol physics is an incredibly versatile field of research, and my group's work is endlessly fascinating. Over the past year, we have investigated, for instance, the emissions of heavy-duty vehicles during winter, the impact of traffic on non-exhaust emissions of particulate matter in urban areas, and the potential of hybrid engines to reduce particle emissions. In the autumn of 2024, we will study air quality in an underground mine and examine how different types of aviation fuels affect secondary aerosol formation in the atmosphere. We will also examine vehicular brake emissions and the fuels used in ships.”

“Our research sheds light on the formation and evolution of particle emissions and their impact on air quality, human health and the climate. Through research, we aim to develop solutions for reducing emissions and mitigating their effects.”

There is a great demand for this type of research, as it addresses both climate change and air quality – two vast, global challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic was also closely connected to aerosols. A special feature in Rönkkö’s research is close collaboration with industry and city stakeholders.

“We view collaboration as an essential component of our research, as many research challenges are shared. Practical collaboration often leads to tangible benefits from our research,” he adds.

In addition to studying black carbon, Rönkkö and his research group have participated in numerous large-scale research projects, all connected by the common theme of aerosols. One of their recent projects is the EU-funded PAREMPI project, which studies the effects of different traffic sectors on secondary particle formation. In the GIANT project launched in 2024, Rönkkö leads a broad consortium investigating indoor and outdoor air pollution. Rönkkö’s research group is also involved in the extensive Excellence in Pandemic Response and Enterprise Solutions Co-Innovation project (E3), which seeks ways to prevent the airborne transmission of viruses and pathogens indoors during pandemics.

In 2022, the Aerosol Research Fund presented its Young Aerosol Scientist Award to Rönkkö’s colleague, Assistant Professor Panu Karjalainen of Tampere University.