The EMPART research group is a multidisciplinary research unit. Its main activities lie in two focus areas of the University of Oulu, concentrating both on the electronics materials and devices, and nanotechnology. The group is a key player in the Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre of the University of Oulu, where our overall target is to integrate nanostructures enabling novel functionality of electronic, telecommunication, bio/medical and environmental devices.

The group comprises of specialists in microelectronics, materials, mechanical engineering, measuring techniques, and also in chemistry and physics. The personnel consists of six professors, eight post-doctoral researchers and 24 doctoral students.

The group in 2010 was funded by the University of Oulu, Tekes, EU, Academy of Finland, Nordic Innovation Centre, Scientific Advisory Board for Defense and by domestic and foreign industry. Global research co-operation is a characteristic feature of the EMPART group, having key roles in several EU and other international projects.

In accordance with the long term research targets, we have continued the integration of interdisciplinary topics towards future advanced device and component implementations. In addition, a wide range of application areas utilizing the generic materials knowledge of the group have had great importance from the application point of view.

Value-chain approach provides solutions capable of creating new business opportunities.

 

The group co-operated in 2010 with other Infotech Oulu research groups, especially with the Optoelectronics and Measurement Unit, being also a partner in PrintoCent (Printed Electronics and Optical Measurements Innovation Center) having an established printed electronics laboratory. National and international research co-operation included common projects and publications, and student, researcher and lecturer exchange. The group also acknowledges Finnish and foreign industrial partners for their active participation in research projects.

Materials, components and technologies developed by the group are widely applied in the national electronics industry, especially in wireless telecommunication, sensors/actuators and hybrid microelectronics technology. LTCC micromodules and printed electronics devices are important examples of present exploitation, together with recent scientific achievements of nanotechnology with applications. Novel materials, as well as the progress in fabrication have been utilized in antennas, gas sensors, ceramic/polymer integrations, filters, micro-pumps, lens and mirror positioning systems, energy harvesters, etc.

The EMPART group achieved remarkable results in the history of Infotech Oulu when considering the amount of scientific refereed journal publications. The total amount was around 50 with increasing impact factors.

Bernas H, Eränen K, Simakova I, Leino A-R, Kordás K, Myllyoja J, Mäki-Arvela P, Salmi T & Murzin DY (2010) Deoxygenation of dodecanoic acid under inert atmosphere. Fuel 89, 2033-2039.

Dombovari A, Halonen N, Sapi A, Szabo M, Toth G, Mäklin J,  Kordás K, Juuti J, Jantunen H,  Kukovecz A & Konya Z (2010) Moderate anisotropy in the electrical conductivity of bulk MWCNT/epoxy composites. Carbon 48, 1918-1925.

Gracia-Espino E, Sala G, Pino F, Halonen N, Luomahaara J, Mäklin J, Tóth G, Kordás K, Jantunen H, Terrones M, Helistö P, Seppä H, Ajayan PM & Vajtai R (2010) Electrical transport and field-effect transistors using inkjet-printed SWCNT films having different functional side groups.  ACS Nano 4, 3318-3324.

Halonen N, Rautio A, Leino A-R, Kyllönen T, Tóth G, Lappalainen J, Kordás K, Huuhtanen M, Keiski RL, Sápi A, Szabó M, Kukovecz A, Kónya Z, Kiricsi I, Ajayan PM & Vajtai R (2010) Three-dimensional carbon nanotube scaffolds as particulate filters and catalyst support membranes. ACS Nano / DOI: 10.1021/nn100150x.

Hannu J, Juuti J & Jantunen H (2010) Recent patents on piezoelectric energy harvester transducer structures. Recent Patents on Electrical Engineering 3, 19-24. 

Hannu J, Saikkonen T, Häkkinen J, Karttunen J & Moilanen M (2010) Enabling remote testing: embedded test controller and mixed-signal test architecture. Journal of Electronic Testing 26, 641-658, / DOI 10.1007/s10836-010-5175-6.

Huttunen A, Myllymäki S, Komulainen M & Jantunen H (2010) Capacitive sensor arrangement to detect external load on a mobile terminal antenna. Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letters 15, 13-18.

Juuti J, Teirikangas M, Sonoda K & Jantunen H (2010) Thermoplastic 0-3 ceramic-polymer composites with adjustable magnetic and dielectric characteristics for radio frequency applications. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology 7, 452-460.

Koskela P, Teirikangas M, Alastalo A, Forsman J, Juuti J, Tapper U, Auvinen A, Seppä H, Jantunen H & Jokiniemi J (2010) Synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles to enhance magnetic permeability of metal-polymer composites. Advanced Powder Technology, doi:10.1016/j.apt.2010.09.010.

Kukkola J, Rautio A, Sala G, Pino F, Tóth G, Leino A-R, Mäklin J, Jantunen H, Uusimäki A, Kordás K, Gracia E, Terrones M, Shchukarev A & Mikkola J-P (2010) Electrical transport through single-wall carbon nanotube-anodic aluminum oxide-aluminum heterostructures. Nanotechnology 21, 035707. 

Kukovecz A,  Molnár D,  Kordás K, Gingl Z,  Moilanen H, Mingesz R, Kónya Z,  Mäklin J, Halonen N,  Tóth G, Haspel H,  Heszler P,  Mohl M, Sápi A, Roth S, Vajtai R, Ajayan PM, Pouillon Y, Rubio A & Kiricsi I (2010). Carbon nanotube based sensors and fluctuation enhanced sensing.  Phys. Status Solidi (C) 7, 1217-1221, / DOI 10.1002/pssc.200982973.

Lappalainen J, Puustinen J, Hiltunen J & Lantto V (2010) Pulsed-laser deposited amorphous-like PZT thin-films: microstructure and optical properties. Journal of the European Ceramic Society 30, 497-502.

Mohl M, Pusztai PJ, Kukovecz A, Konya Z, Kukkola J, Kordás K, Vajtai R & Ajayan PM, Low-temperature large-scale synthesis and electrical testing of ultralong copper nanowires. Langmuir 26(21): 16496-16502.

Molnar D, Heszler P, Mingesz R, Gingl Z, Kukovecz A, Konya Z, Haspel H, Mohl M, Sapi A, Kiricsi I, Kordás K, Mäklin J, Halonen N, Toth G, Moilanen H, Roth S, Vajtai R, Ajayan PM, Pouillon Y & Rubio A (2010) Increasing chemical selectivity of carbon nanotube-based sensors by fluctuation enhanced sensing.  Fluctuation and Noise Letters 9(3): 277-287.

Myllymäki S (2010) Dual-dome micromechanical resonator fabricated with reactive ion etching and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques. Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 9, 023012.

Myllymäki S, Huttunen A, Palukuru VK, Jantunen H, Berg M & Salonen E (2010) Capacitive recognition of the user’s hand grip position in mobile handsets. Progress In Electromagnetics Research B 22, 203-220.

Nelo M, Sowpati AK, Palukuru VK, Juuti J & Jantunen H (2010) Formulation of screen printable cobalt nanoparticle ink for high frequency applications. Progress In Electromagnetics Research 110, 253-266.

Palosaari J, Juuti J, Heinonen E, Moilanen V-P, & Jantunen H (2010) Non-uniform electric field in poling of structurally graded monolithic piezoactuator. Journal of Electroceramics, DOI 10.1007/s10832-010-9609-4.

Palukuru VK, Sonoda K, Surendran R & Jantunen H (2010) BST_COC composite based rectangular DI-electric resonator antenna (DRA) for 2.4 wlan wrist applications. Progress In Electromagnetics Research C 16, 195-205.

Peräntie J, Hagberg J, Uusimäki A & Jantunen H (2010) Electric-field-induced dielectric and temperature changes in a <011> - oriented Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ single crystal. Phys. Rev. B 82, 134119, 8 p.

Plekh M, Narkilahti J, Levoska J & Tyunina M (2010) Polydomain configuration in epitaxial Pb0.5Sr0.5TiO₃/La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ heterostructures. Applied Physics Letters 97, 202909 (1-3).

Puustinen J, Lappalainen J, Hiltunen J, Lantto V & Jantunen H (2010) Orientation dependend dielectric characteristics of nanocrystalline Pb(Zr_xTi_1-x)O₃ films with inter digital electrodes. Ferroelectrics 405, 227-235.

Sebastian MT & Jantunen H (2010) Polymer-ceramic composites of 0-3 connectivity for circuits in electronics: a review. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology 7, 415-434.

Sobocinski M, Zwierz R, Juuti J, Jantunen H & Golonka L (2010) Electrical and electromechanical characteristics of LTCC embedded piezoelectric bulk actuators. Advances in Applied Ceramics 109(3): 135-138.

Sonoda K, Juuti J, Moriya Y & Jantunen H (2010) Modification of the dielectric properties of 0-3 ceramic-polymer composites by introducing surface active agents onto the ceramic filler surface. Composite Structures 92, 1052-1058.

Sowpati AK, Palukuru VK,  Pynttäri V,  Mäkinen R, Kartikeyan MV & Jantunen H (2010) Performance of printable antennas with different conductor thicknesses. Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letters 13, 59-65.

Teirikangas M, Juuti J & Jantunen H (2010) Layered dielectric-magnetic composite structures for Rf-applications. Composite Structures 93, 179-183.

Tyunina M, Levoska J, Nuzhnyy D & Kamba S (2010) Enhanced relaxor behavior in epitaxial PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ films. Physical Review B 81, 132105 (1-4).

Tyunina M, Narkilahti J, Plekh M, Oja R, Nieminen RM, Dejneka A & Trepakov V (2010) Evidence for strain-induced ferroelectric order in epitaxial thin-film KTaO₃. Physical Review Letters 104, 227601.

Valant M, Dunne L, Axelsson A-K, Alford NM, Manos G, Peräntie J, Hagberg J, Jantunen H & Dabkowski A (2010) Electro­caloric effect in a ferroelectric Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ single crystal. Physical Review B 81, 214110.