WHAT IS SPM
We conduct research at the borderline between stimuli-responsive materials and photonics. We aim on one hand at using light to control molecular order (oftentimes using azobenzene photoswitches), and on the other hand at using molecular motions to control the properties of light. We harness light to control light and to create motion.
SPM group photo, demolishing of former offices in Sähkötalo in the background,2024
GROUP LEADER
Prof. Arri Priimägi
I am a Professor of Chemistry and lead a research group Smart Photonic Materials. We conduct research on functional soft materials whose properties can be controlled by external stimuli. We especially focus on light-activated materials because light offers a clean and remote stimulus that can trigger material changes with high spatial and temporal resolution. We apply these materials to various directions such as soft robotics, photonics and biomaterials science.
Light has many faces, as do functional materials. Put them together, and the possibilities are limitless!
MEET THE TEAM
Postdoctoral researchers
Dr. Hongshuang Guo
I received my Ph.D. from the School of Chemical Engineering at Tianjin University, specializing in the preparation of functional coatings, electronic skin, and self-healing materials. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher in the Smart Photonic Materials group, my primary focus lies in synthesizing novel liquid crystal elastomeric materials. My goal is to contribute innovative materials and structural designs through my research, aiming to introduce new phenomena that can extend the boundaries of existing research fields.
Dr. Jie Jiang
I completed Ph.D. in Chemistry at Université de Sherbrooke. My research interest is studying porous liquid crystal elastomer and exploring new actuations/functions, and their applications. I joined the SPM group as a postdoctoral researcher in January 2024. Currently, my work focuses on two main aspects: i) humidity-sensitive /water-containing LCEs; ii) electrically responsive LCEs. The research aims to contribute to the development of new-generation LCEs with multifunctional actuating mechanisms, and diverse applications through molecular-level and material structure design.
Zixuan Deng
I started as a postdoctoral researcher in SPM after PhD completion in the group in September 2025. My research is dedicated to designing and developing light-fueled soft robotics with varied functionalities. In particular, I am interested in coupling light-sensitive elements into liquid crystal elastomers, guided by the principle of ‘functioning at out-of-equilibrium’, which enables these actuators to perform tasks autonomously, and adaptively.
Dr. Jose Guillen Campos
Chemistry graduate of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and PhD graduate (2025) of University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB) with diverse experience in synthesis and characterization of donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs), azobenzene photoswitches, and liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Now a postdoc in Arri Priimägi’s Smart Photonic Materials Group, I am diving deeper into light-responsive materials and adaptive soft matter, chasing my dream of creating synthetic systems that evolve, communicate, learn, and maybe someday complain about the price of beer in Finland. Outside the lab, you’ll likely find me exploring Tampere’s food scene, loudly arguing that Santa Barbara does get cold, or wondering how many layers of clothing are “socially acceptable” in a Finnish winter.
Doctoral students
Mari Isomäki
I’m especially interested in cell-material interface and how we can harness light to create dynamic light-responsive platform for studying mechanobiology of cells. In my research, I use azobenzene-based thin films, which can be reversibly surface patterned with light. The light-triggered topographies can be used to guide cell alignment and migration. Other topic of my research aims to use light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers for cell culture applications.
Matias Paatelainen
Studied physics and chemistry, combined with pedagogical theory and teacher training. Currently doing PhD on hydrogel photonics in Smart Photonic Materials research group at Tampere University. My interest is in finding new possibilities to combine light and dynamic nature of hydrogels that could find use e.g. in medical treatments diagnosis in the future.
Yasaman Nemati
I hold a master‘s degree in Polymer Engineering and joined the SPM Group in late 2021. My research focuses on multi-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), specifically magneto-photo-responsive ones. The goal is to create light robots, and I’m genuinely excited about the potential applications of these materials in the future.
Henning Meteling
I am an organic chemist with a deep passion for supramolecular chemistry and all the beautiful phenomena that can be achieved by intermolecular recognition and interaction. My research resolves around the development of novel photo-responsive soft materials by synthesising both molecular (photo)switches and tailored polymers by controlled polymerisation and using these as building blocks for complex adaptive structures such as hydrogels.
Sami Vesamäki
I have always been interested in natural sciences and technology. I graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry in January 2021. Currently my doctoral studies focus around multiresponsive azobenzene derivatives. The main research questions are: How does humidity affect the isomerisation kinetics of certain azobenzenes, how can the humidity sensitivity be controlled and what applications can benefit from this property? My work involves thin film fabrication and steady-state and time-resolved UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Roshan Nasare
I am working on multi-responsive liquid-crystal elastomers, especially those driven by light and humidity. My research background is related to computational and synthetic chemistry. My work is related to the synthesis of novel azobenzene-based photoswitchable molecules, understanding in depth their photophysics, and applying them to potential applications in soft robotics. In addition, I am trying to understand halogen-bonded self-assembly in liquid crystal elastomers.
Artem Boichuk
My research interests are: 1) studying dependencies between the chemical structure of photochromic liquid crystalline polymers, their phase behavior, and photo-optical properties, 2) development of new photoresponsive LC materials and exploring their applications. Currently, I am working in the field of photoalignment of azobenzene LC polymers and exploring the features of phototuning of the helix pitch length of promising hydrazone-containing LC polymers.
Antti Siiskonen
I am an organic chemist with background in medicinal chemistry. At the moment my research focuses on studying the azobenzene structures and their interactions with emphasis on halogen bonding.
Sudharsana Pillailokam
Driven by a strong zeal for light-matter interaction, I pursue my doctoral research in harnessing digital holographic microscopy for enhanced light-patterning of photonic components. The focus is to explore the photomechanics of light-sensitive polymers for the precise fabrication of various smart photonics materials. This will certainly help us to extend the real-world applications of DHM. Previously, I had short stints in metaplasmonics and nanooptics research.
Pedram Tootoonchian
Coming from a Chemistry background, with a focus on hydrogel actuators and nanoparticle synthesis in gel media, I intend to do research on dual-responsive hybrid actuators by combining light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with magneto-sensitive hydrogels for soft robotics applications for my doctoral studies in the Smart Photonic Materials (SPM) research group at Tampere University.
VIPs
Dr. Markus Lahikainen
I’m a university teacher with a PhD, specializing in chemistry. My role extends beyond the lecture room, delving into research on light-activated polymers, including hydrogels and liquid crystal polymers.
Dr. Ekaterina (Katya) Lisitsyna
I am a research project manager responsible for research administration and coordination in the group such as research data management organization, group web page construction, organization of research events, reporting to funding agencies and many other tasks. I also have PhD and over-10-year research experience mainly in interdisciplinary projects combining physical chemistry, biology and pharmaceutical sciences with a particular focus on biomaterials development and using light-based technologies in materials engineering.
Dr. Suvi Lehtimäki
I work as a staff scientist in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, in the Materials Science and Environmental Engineering unit. My main resopinsibilily is the Redlabs research infrastructure, which comprises research equipment for photochemistry, photonics, solar cells and synthetic chemistry research. My research interests include soft and polymeric materials, liquid crystal elastomers, atomic force microscopy and the mechanical testing of soft materials.
