The synthetic chemist Velma Kimbi Yaah from the FunMaters division of the NANOMO unit at University of Oulu visited the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu. The specific aim of the visit was to share experience and best practices in the synthesis of Ce- and Bi-based photocatalytic nanomaterials with material scientists from Tartu. During several days, joint synthetic work was actively carried out by Velma Kimbi Yaah, Alexander Vanetsev, and Aadil Shafi Bhat. A series of materials was successfully prepared, and knowledge about the synthesis was effectively transferred.

Velma Kimbi Yaah and Aadil Shafi Bhat during one of the syntheses in the chemistry laboratory of the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu.

Velma Kimbi Yaah and Alexander Vanetsev are listening to Rainer Pärna’s explanations about the XPS equipment for the characterization of the synthesized materials.

Date: Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Venue: Online in Zoom (https://ut-ee.zoom.us/j/92201179433?pwd=LpRyBP9y72Mnuwg0PCpirpjbf4s6iB.1 Meeting ID: 922 0117 9433 Passcode: 267686)

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Last week our Twinning team from the University of Oulu and the University of Tartu came together for an online seminar on equity, inclusion and research ethics. Although our project focuses on antimicrobial materials, this session reminded us of something essential: science doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it grows from people and the environments we create around them.

We are thankful to all 26 participants of the event and especially acknowledge three excellent speakers who set the tone for a very honest and open discussion.

🔹 Taina Cooke (University of Oulu) shared how Oulu approaches diversity and inclusion — from long-term strategies and equality plans to practical tools like unconscious-bias training, support networks and visible low-threshold initiatives.
🔹 Mika Huuhtanen (University of Oulu) spoke about research ethics as a culture, not a checklist: curiosity, honesty, transparency, responsible authorship and the difficult balance between open science and commercial interests.
🔹 Raili Marling (University of Tartu) walked us through UT’s evolving equal treatment policies and the important grassroots shifts — especially the network of support persons who help colleagues navigate sensitive issues safely.

💬 What happened next was equally important

After the talks, participants joined three virtual breakout rooms, each moderated by one of the speakers. And that’s where the real conversations unfolded:

🟦 Room with Taina Cooke — Belonging, inclusion, and everyday challenges

We discussed what “belonging” truly means in a university setting, especially for international staff and students.
Topics included peer-to-peer mentoring, information hubs, and how to respond quickly when someone feels excluded from team life or informal networks — concerns that are often difficult to raise directly with a supervisor.

🟩 Room with Raili Marling — How to make institutions change — and how to make that change fair

This room turned into a thoughtful conversation about organisational culture.
Participants highlighted the value of more democratic decision-making, where important decisions are shared, transparent, and rooted in collective responsibility rather than individual authority.

🟧 Room with Mika Huuhtanen — Research ethics in real life

Here we explored how science actually self-corrects.
One participant noted that research, as a self-regulating system, is not threatened by false results — the community simply stops citing them, and they disappear.
We also discussed the complexities of authorship in collaborative projects and how scientific conferences help reveal each researcher’s genuine contribution through live discussion and debate.

🌱 Takeaway

Despite working in different national and institutional contexts, we shared similar ideas and hopes: stronger structures, more democratic practices, and environments where people feel safe, respected and heard.

It was one of those meetings that stays with you — not because of slides, but because of the honesty in the room(s) and the feeling that cultural change grows from exactly these conversations.

Looking forward to carrying these insights forward in our Twinning collaboration. The materials and details of the seminar are available here.

The seminar took place at the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu (Ostwaldi 1, room A411). The event featured three speakers breafly introduced below.

Raiņis Venta, who holds a PhD in biotechnology, is the innovation manager for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals at the Institute of Bioengineering (looglab.com; digibio.ut.ee). His professional work includes building strategic bridges between Estonia and Singapore.
Relika Alliksaar Williams is an expert in knowledge transfer, intellectual property, and science-driven innovation. She works at the University of Tartu’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, supporting researchers in navigating the pathways from scientific ideas to commercial value.
Sven Lange holds a PhD in materials science and is an expert in laser spectroscopy. He heads the Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory at the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, and has extensive experience working with and partnering alongside different industrial companies.

Raiņis Venta spoke about the stages of commercializing scientific developments. On this path, a researcher progresses from the first laboratory results toward the creation of a market-ready product. Each step requires increasingly substantial investment, and therefore the costs of commercialization typically far exceed those of the initial scientific research. The work of a scientific start-up involves greater risks and requires significant contributions from investors, many of whose funded ideas may never reach profitability. Yet, in the start-up environment, failure is an expected and normal part of the process: often, only one out of hundreds of projects becomes successful. Importantly, the potential returns from this single successful venture may far outweigh the cumulative investment in less successful attempts. For researchers, patenting an idea early is essential. Even if the technology is later realized by competitors, they must pay for the use of the patent if they intend to develop it further. Early engagement with large companies is equally important, as their interest significantly increases the value and prospects of emerging innovations.

Relika Alliksaar Williams gave a report titled “Knowledge transfer, science and innovation at the University of Tartu.” She discussed how universities build bridges between researchers and industry through knowledge transfer processes, innovation services, and commercialization support. She outlined the roles of innovation teams, described how research outputs evolve into societal impact, and explained why intellectual property (IP) is crucial for protecting and leveraging new ideas. Her presentation provided an overview of different types of IP, what can be patented, and how patenting works in practice. She highlighted the importance of patent searches and freedom-to-operate analyses, as well as common mistakes researchers should avoid. Real-world examples — including Google’s PageRank and Amazon’s One-Click patent — illustrated how effective IP strategies can drive the success of research-based spin-offs. Her key message emphasized that early and proactive IP management, together with timely interaction with the University’s Technology Transfer Office, is vital for evaluating commercial potential, safeguarding scientific innovations, and transforming research into real-world value.

In his talk “Case studies of university–enterprise partnerships,” Sven Lange shared his personal experience collaborating with the company Estiko Plastar. He emphasized that even a product based on a scientifically strong idea must meet consumer expectations. For instance, an unsatisfactory visual appearance may prevent a product from entering the market, regardless of its innovative qualities or strong functionality. He also presented examples of start-ups nurtured at the Institute of Physics, demonstrating that even successful founders face both technical and marketing challenges. The success of companies such as GScan and LightCode Photonics—based on muon tomography and 3D imaging technology respectively—ultimately depends on how relevant the applied problem is and on the degree to which their solutions differentiate themselves from existing market offerings. He noted that in the current global climate, product development in the fields of protection, defense, and security represents one of the most promising directions.

After the presentations, participants had the opportunity to join a pitching masterclass led by Gleb Maltsev, a communication specialist with 13 years of experience. He helps researchers and entrepreneurs explain complex ideas in clear and accessible ways—whether in investor pitches or scientific presentations. Describing such a masterclass is not an easy task. One participant captured the experience in the following reflection:

“If you think that giving a one-minute talk about your work is easy, you’re absolutely wrong.
Gleb showed in the most inspiring way that words are a craft. Every sentence must sound like a song, one from which you cannot remove a single word. A pitch has to be complete in itself, crystal-clear to anyone, and so memorable that people will immediately want to meet you again. Some will want to do business with you, others will simply want to be friends — because you come across as interesting, attentive, and genuinely caring.
A special thank you goes to Niclas Schneider for his courageous pitch and the powerful idea of converting waste into biofuel — for doing everything to make our planet cleaner. You are a true inspiration!
Gleb, thank you once again for this masterclass and for helping each of us find our own unique voice and style. It was powerful, practical, and incredibly human.”

The masterclass concluded the event, highlighting the importance of clear scientific communication as an essential complement to innovation, commercialization, and university–industry collaboration within the Horizon Europe twinning coordination and support actions.

The seminar attended 20 participants the seminar materials are available here.

As part of the knowledge exchange on photocatalytic materials and their applications (WP6), the University of Tartu welcomed a group of researchers from the University of Oulu, Finland:

• Prof. Marko Huttula, Head of the NANOMO Research Unit, expert in nanosystem dynamics and the hydrogen transition;
• Prof. Satu Ojala, specialist in environmental catalysis and pollutant treatment;
• Prof. Wei Cao, group leader in advanced nanomaterials and functional photocatalytic surfaces.

The lectures’ materials of these invited speakers are available here. Please look below the details related to their visit and delivered lectures about catalytic materials and their applications.

On the morning of Monday, 6 October, the guests visited the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, where they met with Prof. Angela Ivask and her Microbe & Material Interactions Research Group. Prof. Ivask, together with researcher Dr. Merilin Rosenberg and students Hanna Ainelo and Cristina Durante Cruz, presented recent research results on microbial biofilm formation on surfaces and genetic mutations in microbes in response to antimicrobial agents, as well as on the efficiency of such agents. The presentations evolved into a productive discussion about possible antimicrobial mechanisms of the photocatalytic nanopowders developed at the University of Oulu, which may be further evaluated in upcoming experiments within Prof. Ivask’s group.

In the afternoon, Prof. Wei Cao and Prof. Satu Ojala delivered lectures at the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, during a joint seminar of the Laboratory of X-ray Spectroscopy and the Laboratory of Physics of Ionic Crystals.

“Photocatalysis as a Phenomenon and Its Applications” (by Prof. S. Ojala)
“Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: Bottom-up Track from Electronic Structures to Onsite Pilot” (by Prof. W. Cao)

The lectures sparked great interest among the audience, which included many University of Tartu students. The seminar attracted over 30 participants. On the morning of 7 October, the guests toured several laboratories at the Institute of Physics, discussing in particular the possibilities for photoluminescence measurements and characterization of catalytic nanopowders synthesized jointly at the Universities of Tartu and Oulu. Special attention was given to the role of light activation in enhancing both photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity.

Later that day, the guests continued their lecture series at the Institute’s general physics seminar, presenting the following talks:

“Photocatalysis and Its Applications in Pollutant Treatment” (Prof. S. Ojala)
“Bi-compound Photocatalytic System for Hydrogen Evolution and Organic Pollutant Removal” (Prof. W. Cao)
“Clean Hydrogen Transition for the Future: Research Perspectives” (Prof. M. Huttula)

The seminar was held in hybrid format, with over 25 participants attending in person and 9 joining online via Microsoft Teams. The talks were followed by a lively discussion covering the comparison of theoretical and experimental catalytic efficiencies, the potential economic viability of hydrogen energy versus nuclear energy, and the issue of material embrittlement caused by hydrogen exposure.

During the visit, the researchers also held joint discussions on current results and progress within the FAST-Real project between the University of Oulu and the groups of Prof. Angela Ivask and Dr. Vambola Kisand at the University of Tartu. Promising results were presented on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye obtained at the University of Tartu using nanopowders synthesized in collaboration with Prof. Wei Cao’s group from Oulu. These results were chosen as a basis for further experiments.

The teams also agreed on the importance of harmonizing the light sources used for photocatalyst activation at both institutions, to ensure comparable testing conditions and systematic exploration of factors influencing photocatalytic efficiency.

The visit of the University of Oulu research group was organized in line with Task 6.1 of the FAST-Real project, aimed at delivering educational lectures on photocatalytic materials. The scientific discussions conducted during the visit were directly relevant to Task 5.1: Establishment of a Concept for Optimal Photocatalytic Visible-Light-Induced Antimicrobial Surfaces. The joint progress on both WP5 and WP6 objectives made this visit particularly productive and valuable for the consortium.

We are excited to share that the FAST-REAL project team participated in the European Researchers’ Night, organized 26 September 2025 as part of the University of Tartu events. Families with children of all ages visited particularly the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu to explore the wonders of science.
For the occasion, a special FAST-REAL banner was prepared, featuring QR codes that allowed both young and more experienced visitors to test their knowledge of the microbial world. Participants also explored wetting properties on different antibacterial surfaces, applying droplets with micropipettes and observing their shapes firsthand.
At the Institute of Physics, engaging interactive installations illustrated the possibilities of monitoring the microscopic world:

• Visitors looked through microscopes
• Observed light interference in thin films
• Monitored real-time data from instruments in a climate chamber to track airborne microparticles
• Witnessed invisible inks based on quantum dots and phosphors become visible under UV light

Meanwhile, at the Institute of Microbiology, participants learned about microbial control methods and the role of light-activated photocatalytic surfaces.
It was inspiring to see curiosity and excitement from attendees of all ages! More than 100 participants visited the European Researchers’ Night in Tartu University.

The Seminar was held in a hybrid format. Speakers from the Biodeterioration and Reference Organisms Division of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, BAM, Berlin delivered on-site presentations at the Institute of the Molecular and cell Biology, University of Tartu (Riia 23, room 217).

Dr. Frank Schreiber gives an on-site presentation.

While speakers from Biointerfaces research team of Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, EMPA participated online.

Prof. Qun Ren gives an online presentation.

More than 30 attendees represented various institutions and departments of the University of Tartu. The seminar participants learned about advanced methods and research findings in the fields of antimicrobial agent efficacy and microbial resistance studies. In particular, promising approaches involving probiotics and phage therapy were discussed.

The seminar program included the following presentations.

„Antimicrobial and wound healing properties of probiotics“ Prof. Qun Ren (EMPA) (online)

„Delivery of probiotics and phages“ by Dr. Siyuan Tao (EMPA) (online)

„Biocides as drivers for the selection and evolution of antimicrobial resistance” by Dr. Frank Schreiber (BAM)

„Phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial lag times and antibiotic tolerance induced by the disinfectant glutaraldehyde” by Dr. Frank Schreiber (BAM)

„A Customizable Procedure for Predicting Antibiotic Resistance Selection on Novel Antimicrobial Coatings” by Dr. Roberto Marano (BAM)

„Engineering of growth-coupled Escherichia coli biosensors” by Dr. Paul Alejandro Gomez Coronado (BAM)

The seminar materials are available under this link. If you have any questions about the seminar materials, please contact: leonid.dolgov@ut.ee

The guests from BAM participated in working meetings with members of the Microbe & Material Interactions Research Group, led by Prof. Angela Ivask, and with materials scientists from the Institute of Physics, led by Prof. Vambola Kisand. They were also introduced to the laboratories and equipment at both the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu.

Guests from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, in the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences during a tour of the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu. Right to left: Dr. Roberto Marano, Dr. Frank Schreiber, Dr. Paul Alejandro Gomez Coronado.

Researchers Alexander Vanetsev, Rainer Pärna, and Mati Kook from the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, visited the FunMaters group (led by Prof. Wei Cao) at the NANOMO Unit of the University of Oulu as part of Project Task 6.2. The main aim of the visit was hands-on training for UTARTU researchers in synthetic and coating techniques for preparing visible light-active photocatalytic materials in the form of thin films on glass, metal, and other types of surfaces. They synthesized a series of photocatalytic material samples with heterojunctions in powder form with the support of their Finnish colleagues. The resulting composite materials were dispersed in a polymer solution and applied to glass surfaces using plate-coating and spin-coating techniques. These materials will be tested at IF UT for photocatalytic activity under visible light and UV-A radiation.

Left picture: Mati Kook and Alexander Vanetsev are collaborating with Andres Galdanes Martinez in the NANOMO unit laboratory. Right picture: Rainer Pärna and Alexander Vanetsev are working with Velma Beri Kimbi Yaah on the synthesis of nanomaterials in the NANOMO unit at the University of Oulu.

Mati Kook, Alexander Vanetsev, and Rainer Pärna are listening to a report in the seminar room at the University of Oulu.

In spring 2025, researchers Merilin Rosenberg and Sandra Park from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Tartu University visited Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin in frame of the project Task 6.7. The hands-on training of UTARTU researchers on methodologies for antimicrobial resistance development was realized. They investigated, in partnership with Prof. Frank Schreiber group, how exposure to antimicrobial copper surfaces affects bacterial survival and resistance. They mimicked real-world contamination by exposing E. coli to dry copper surfaces and then studied surviving bacteria using a ScanLag system, which tracks how long individual cells take to start growing again. They found that killing of bacteria on copper surfaces affects bacterial tolerance towards other antimicrobial materials. These results raise concern that bacteria surviving on antimicrobial surfaces could potentially contribute to antimicrobial tolerance. The study suggests that combinations of antimicrobial agents may be needed to prevent such unintended effects.

PhD student Sandra Park and Dr. Merilin Rosenberg presented their research and spoke about their Estonian colleagues at the research seminar of Professor Frank Schreiber’s group in Berlin.

During joint experiments at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing: Right – PhD student Sandra Park beside the ScanLag setup, an incubator equipped with nine scanners, each accommodating six Petri dishes to measure growth parameters of individual bacterial colonies. Left – Dr. Merilin Rosenberg manually counting tens of thousands of bacterial colonies during a control experiment.

This workshop was organized by Prof. Angela Ivask from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Tartu to enhance grant proposal writing skills among both experienced and early-career researchers. Kadri Raav, an officer from the Estonian Research Council, gave an overview presentation on different types of grant applications for the European Research Council. Then, Prof. Wei Cao and Dr. Satu Ojala from the University of Oulu shared their experiences with European Research Council grant projects. All workshop participants were invited to discuss statistical data on ERC projects from previous years and to gain insights into the most promising research directions, their objectives, and key factors influencing the success of grant proposals. Workshop materials can be accessed here. Contact for detail information: leonid.dolgov@ut.ee

The StartUp days held in Tartu, Estonia is one of the largest events in the Baltic countries, which has an international reach and annually brings together representatives of start-up companies, research organizations and investors to exchange experiences, ideas and profitable investments. In 2025, the moto of the event is “From zero to hero!” The FAST-Real project team presented its exposition in the demo area of ​​one of the halls and took part in several seminars and master classes. They were aimed at developing the skills of pitching their ideas and results and focused on transforming scientific ideas into relevant applications using the capabilities of start-up companies. Initial contact was made with the biotech startup company TIKO, which is interested in antibacterial solutions for the application of covering materials used in the treatment of wounds.
Asvel startup company became interested in the potential application of antimicrobial coatings for electronic medical endoscopic instruments. Such interest can serve as a starting point for introducing the scientific developments of the FAST-Real project into practice and the possibility of cooperation with commercial and technology companies.

Demonstrative examples of structured surfaces. The team from the University of Tartu at the FAST-Real project area during the Startup Days.

It was an event of around 50 people, mainly from EU projects STOP (Surface Transfer of Pathogens), AIMed and European Ceramics Society. Coordinator of the FAST-Real Project Prof Angela Ivask delivered conference report “From lab to real life with antimicrobial surface coatings”. The focus was on antimicrobial surface coatings and their efficacy testing. The information about successful starting of the FAST-Real project was disseminated and possible collaboration with the conference participants was discussed. As a result of this event it is planned to prepare joint COST project in one of the future rounds.

The scope of FM&NT-NIBS 2024 conference covers experimental and theoretical research on functional materials, nanotechnology, optical materials, novel characterisation methods, low dimensional systems and green and sustainable energy technologies and environment, bioengineering materials, biotechnologies and health, and yet more. FM&NT-NIBS 2024 provides an ideal academic platform for researchers to present their latest research findings and describe emerging technologies and directions in Functional Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Innovation issues.

One of the key investigators of the FAST-Real project Prof. Vambola Kisand from the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, outlined the state of novel inorganic coatings prospective for the antimicrobial applications at the University of Tartu in the conference report “Photocatalytic materials for antimicrobic coatings” made on October 08, 2024 at 11:20. He accentuated that FAST-Real project appeared in course of the development of long-term cooperation between the groups of material scientists from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the University of Tartu. In particular, a group of microbiologists led by professor Angela Ivask, coordinating FAST-Real project, conducted a number of experiments confirming the prospects for the development and use of antimicrobial photocatalytic surfaces with the involvement of leading international institutions in this field, such as EMPA (The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technologies), UOULU (the University of Oulu, Finland), BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and testing) performing as twinning partners and sharing their experience with the University of Tartu.

Ensuring such development through the implementation of the Fast-Real project interested the conference participants, who also actively communicated with the speaker at the rolled-up banner of the FAST-Real project presented at the conference.

quests and excursions to the laboratories.  The event attracted attention both general public and university students and researchers.

Young researchers obtained nice possibility to train their speaking and presentational skills in front of an audience. Experienced researchers got acquainted with the scientific topics of their colleagues in related fields of knowledge and were interested in ongoing and new scientific projects, their goals, plans and prospects for involvement in the work. In particular, the FAST-Real project banner attracted the attention of both experienced and young researchers.

It is because the project co-adviser Prof. Vambola Kisand fascinatingly told about the present achievements and nearest plans for development of antibacterial photocatalytic surfaces. He especially emphasized the opening possibilities for training and scientific and management carrier development for the young researchers. It became possible by means of planned trainings, staff exchange visits and sharing with Tartu University of the best practice by the project participants from the University of Oulu, Finland,the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology and Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany.

The start of the FAST-Real project was marked by the press-release from the University of Tartu.