Research and project cooperation

The research activities presented on this website focus especially on applied research, which focuses on good indoor air quality and building health. Information on basic research is provided on e.g. website Good indoor air and building health | University of Oulu.

Applied research aims to address questions arising from needs to develop models, methods, or technologies with direct practical value. Unlike basic research, it seeks to produce solutions that can be rapidly implemented in the operations of companies or the public sector.

Applied research may be conducted through pilot projects, student theses, or collaboration between companies and research organisations. The knowledge generated supports both the development of the field and the growth of expertise, while also offering companies an opportunity to engage in innovative, low-threshold research collaboration.

Ongoing projects

•  The Key Technologies for the Design, Use and Evaluation of Low-Carbon and Healthy Buildings (LCHB) project aims to develop technologies that ensure a sustainable and healthy indoor environment. In addition, the goal is to create energy-efficient ventilation and purification solutions that improve the quality of the indoor environment with as little energy consumption as possible. The project is funded by Business Finland. 
• The Risk of Infection at Construction Sites project examines how the spread of pandemic and influenza viruses can be prevented at construction sites. The focus is on technical solutions, instructing employees, developing worksite practices and improving the efficiency of cleaning. The aim was to identify ways to improve the health security of construction sites. The project has been funded by the Finnish Construction Trade Union, the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries and the Finnish Work Environment Fund. 

How will the pilot project be implemented?

Pilot projects offer a low-threshold way to test new solutions and produce reliable research data. The implementation of the pilot project will proceed in stages: 

1. Idea and need: a company, student or researcher brings up a development or research idea. 
2. Evaluation: the suitability research resources for the project will be determined. 
3. Cooperation: defining roles, goals, timetable and possible funding. 
4. Implementation: the study is carried out in a laboratory or in a field environment. 
5. Analysis of the results: observations, measurements and conclusions are compiled. 
6. Reporting and exploitation: the results are published and put into practice. 

Theses and student collaboration 

Cooperation with companies related to theses benefits all parties: the student gets a working life-oriented research environment, the company receives information and development proposals, and the research unit receives valuable information about the needs of the field. Companies can participate in theses by providing a topic, hiring a student, or proposing a joint pilot study. The thesis offers the company an opportunity to obtain up-to-date research information and solutions to its own practical challenges. 

The supervision of the thesis at the university is provided by the faculty and staff and it does not incur any costs for the client. In addition, e.g. research equipment is available to the student. Laboratory environments also provide an opportunity to carry out practical and research-based theses.  

Why collaborate?

Business collaboration is an essential part of applied research. The cooperation offers companies the opportunity to test new solutions, obtain research-based information and develop their own services or products. At the same time, the research unit receives important information about the needs of the field and can direct research to the right practical questions. 

How to start the cooperation?

Starting a collaboration is easy. The company can contact the research unit and tell them about its development needs or research idea. The process proceeds as follows: 

1. Needs assessment 
2. Defining a common goal 
3. Planning a pilot or project 
4. Implementation in the laboratory or in the field 
5. Reporting of results and follow-up 

The collaboration can be a single pilot study or a longer development project.