Professor Olli Ikkala is a faculty member in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University (previously known as Helsinki University of Technology) in Espoo, near Helsinki. His research focuses on creating functional materials through hierarchical self-assemblies, biomimetics, and natural starting materials. Trained initially in physics, he spent ten years in the chemical industry, primarily working on the development of polymer blends and electrically conducting polymers before returning to academia. The Faul Group hosts him as he visits.

Prof. Ikkala is photographed giving a lecture on life-inspired soft matter dynamics and functionalities below.