Current projects
Bacteriosafe - Active wound dressings based on biological mimicry
This project is concerned with a rapid, simple diagnostic for pathogenic bacteria in wounds and a concomitant release of a therapeutic agent. It is base on the development of a multilayer based wound dressing, which is decorated with surface attached containers in the size range 100 nm to 10 µm. The nanocapsules are based on natural and engineered polymer systems that will be breached by specific bacterial toxins to release either (a) a dye acting as a colourimetric indicator of bacterial infection, (b) an antiseptic substances to treat bacterial infection, or (c) a combination of the two in hybrid nanocapsules encompassing both the dye and the antiseptic substances. The role of ASTRaL is to develop the systems which will enable these nanocapsules to be applied at industrial scale.
Partners: Max Planck Society (Germany), University of Bath (UK), University of Siegen (Germany), University Medicine Mainz (Germany), Dublin City University (Ireland), CENTEXBEL (Belgium), North Bristol National Health Service Trust (UK), Paul Hartmann AG (Germany), Freudenberg Vliesstoffe KG (Germany) and University of South Australia (Australia).
The project is funded by the EU under Framework 7.
PlasTEP - Dissemination and fostering of plasma-based technological innovation for environment protection in the Baltic Sea region
PlasTEP project belongs to the European Union's Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007 - 2013.
In PlasTEP ASTRaL develops (photo)catalytic materials for catalytic activities when they are exposed to UV radiation from plasma. These materials will be used in plasma process for VOC decomposition. Pore penteration characteristics of catalytic coatings and coating performance on modules for integration into the combined plasma/catalytic module will be optimized.
Partners: Technology Centre of Western Pomerania, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, and VDI Mecklenburg Western Pomerania from Germany; Risoe National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy and Technological University of Denmark from Denmark; Riga Technical University from Latvia; Lithuanian Energy Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University from Lithuania; Uppsala University, The Angstroem Laboratory from Sweden; Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid Flow Machinery, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Association of Polish Electrical Engineers, Szczecin Branch from Poland; and University of Tartu from Estonia.
Funders: Ministry of the Environment, Miktech Oy.
RRALD: Roll-to-roll atomic layer deposition process development
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is one of the most interesting thin film deposition techniques studied today. In the ALD process, thin layers are formed in a controlled manner one atomic layer at a time such that the produced layer has a dense and pinhole-free character. ASTRaL has a long experience in the development of different atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes and it works in a front line of ALD studies in the world.
This project is aimed towards developing a large-scale roll-to-roll process for atomic layer deposition. The ability to do an effective roll-to-roll process would open up a whole range of new applications to the ALD including, e.g. high volume productions of fibre-based materials, polymer films and flexible packaging materials. This project has a strategic character and the consortium has a leading role in the development of roll-to-roll ALD process.
Partners: Tampere University of Technology (Paper Converting and Packaging Technology), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Funders: TEKES, Stora Enso Oyj, UPM Raflatac Oy, Innovia Films Ltd. 
RRALD brochure
Recent projects
World Class Materials Technology in Mikkeli
This project aims to increase the transfer knowledge of thin film technology to industrial applications. Funders: European social fund, Etelä-Savon ELY-keskus, Mikkeli City, Savcor Group Ltd., Environics Oy, Beneq Oy.
CALD: Continuous atomic layer deposition process
This project is aimed towards developing a continuous roll-to-roll process for atomic layer deposition. The application is barrier layers on paper-based materials. Partners: Tampere University of Technology (Paper Concerting Technology), Dublin City University (National Institute of Cellular Biotechnology). Funders: TEKES, Savcor Group Ltd., Stora Enso Oy, UPM Raflatac Oy.
FIRECO: Fire resistance treatments for polymer composites
This project is focussed on increasing the fire resistance of polymer composites by improving the fire retarding properties of the matrix and filler and by surface coating by a mixture of thermal barrier and diffusion barrier coatings. Partners: Tampere University of Technology (Polymer and Elastomer Technology). Funders: TEKES, A.Graveolens Oy, Contecor Oy, Dynea Chemicals Oy, Ekin Muovi Oy, Esmarin Oy, Finnester Coatings Oy, Fibrocom Oy, FY Composites Oy, Medifiq Healthcare, UPM-Kymmene Oyj.
ALDEUX: ALD coating for industrial applications
This project is intended to explore the application of atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology to industrial uses such as optical coatings, coatings on polymers, etc. Partners: Helsinki University of Technology Department of Micro and NanoSciences. Funders: TEKES, Beneq Oy, Okmetic Oy, Oxford Instruments Analytical, Silecs Oy.
DEMIST: Development of Mikkeli Surface Technology
This project aims to develop the level of expertise in surface technology in the ASTRaL research unit in Mikkeli and collaborate with regional companies in developing applications. Funders: Itä-Suomen Lääninhallitus, European Social Fund, Mikkeli City, Environics Oy
CALAPET: Catalyst Layers on Plastic for Effluent Treatment.
This project aims to develop photocatalytic materials coated onto plastic substrates for removal of organic contamination from waste water. Funders: Miktech Oy, Mikkeli University Centre
DELTA: Development of Low-Temperature ALD Research in Mikkeli.
This project supports researchers working on development of low temperature deposition processes by atomic layer deposition which are suitable for application to sensitive materials.
Funder: Mikkeli University Centre
COATCOM: Coatings on Composites
This object of this project was to apply wear resistant coatings to carbon fibre composites to explore the possibility of replacing metal parts by coated composite parts for cost and weight saving. Funders: Tekes, Savcor Coatings Oy, Exel Oy, Fibrocom Oy, Metso Paper Oy.
Jalo-ALD: ALD-Prosessien Kehittäminen Jalometalliohut-Kalvojen Kasvattamiseksi
Funders: Tekes, Environics Oy
ELCO: Electrochemical Electrode Coating Funder: Savcor Process Oy