The structures of materials and their internal processes are complex and often invisible phenomena. However, they can be studied at the atomic and molecular level using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). My research focuses on developing and applying NMR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to visualize and quantitatively analyze structural and dynamic properties in a variety of materials, including biomaterials where diffusion, relaxation, and mass transport are interrelated.
My work primarily focuses on bio-based materials, such as wood and lignin, and how chemical and physical treatments affect their structure and properties. The aim is to understand how natural polymers degrade, react, and reorganize under different conditions, and how this knowledge can be applied to develop renewable and sustainable materials. The NMR analysis methods I develop provide new insights into the micro- and nanostructure of materials without destroying the samples.
In recent years, I have expanded my research to include interactions between construction materials and ionizing radiation. We study how different geopolymers and alkali-activated binders attenuate gamma radiation compared to conventional Portland cement, and how material composition and density influence radiation propagation. This research connects to both low-carbon construction and the development of radiation measurement and shielding materials.
I work at the University of Oulu as a researcher in physics, supported by a Research Council of Finland funded Academy Research Fellowship. My doctoral and postdoctoral research has combined perspectives from physical chemistry, materials science, and method development. I approach research questions through fundamental science while always seeking connections to practical applications, whether in renewable biomaterials, radiation management, or the preservation of archaeological cultural heritage.