Computational Chemistry Days 2025
2 June @ 1:00 pm - 3 June @ 12:00 pm
The Computational Chemistry Days is the main annual event of the computational chemists and materials scientists of Finland. The event has a well-established tradition and serves the purpose of bringing the national community together. Its role to keep researchers of different chemistry (and related) departments in Finnish universities in contact with one another cannot be overstated. This event showcases current trends in computational chemistry research, enables kickstarting of collaborative efforts and allows emerging researchers to advertise their work to the national community. Topics vary widely and cover the thematic areas of computational chemistry rather comprehensively, except for perhaps continuum modeling: organic and inorganic materials chemistry, molecular modeling, electrochemistry and electrocatalysis, soft- and bio-materials modeling, polymers, etc. Methodologically, atomistic modeling is usually best represented, density functional theory being the most popular technique, followed by force field simulations and, more recently, machine learning potentials. Coarse-grained models are also usually represented. Sampling techniques include molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, enhanced sampling, structure search algorithms, transition-state theory, etc.
In 2025, the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science at Aalto University takes the baton from University of Jyväskylä, which organized the 2024 edition, and organizes the event jointly by the four computational groups that operate at the department. We will continue the tradition of giving the stage to researchers at all career levels. The event is informal and short, although relatively large in size, since it caters to (and aspires to gather) the whole Finnish community. Since this year we are back to the metro area, and having a large local community present, we estimate a particularly high attendance from across Finland. The event has short sessions and many breaks, to foster networking.
Invited speakers
Prof Fernanda Duarte, University of Oxford (UK)
Prof Karoliina Honkala, University of Jyväskylä
Prof Matti Javanainen, Tampere University
Dr Konstantinos Konstantinou, University of Turku
Dr Petra Vasko, University of Helsinki
Program
The program starts onf Monday 2 June 2025 after lunch (~1pm) and end on Tuesday 3 June before lunch (~12pm). The idea is to allow for train travel in the morning from the main Finnish cities to minimize the financial cost to participants of attending the conference (only one overnight hotel stay).
The program will be updated later with details. The rough format will be as follows:
Monday 2 June 2025, starting ~1pm: Three afternoon sessions with invited and contributed talks + evening poster session
Tuesday 3 June 2025, ending ~12pm: Two morning sessions with invited and contributed talks
Venue
The Computational Chemistry Days 2025 will take place in the main campus of Aalto University, in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The conference venue is lecture hall 305 (Ke1) in the main building of the School of Chemical Engineering, Kemistintie 1, Espoo, 02150 Finland.
Aalto University is very well connected within the Helsinki metro area. The Otaniemi campus can be reached via metro (“Aalto University” stop) and the light rail (“Maari”, “Aalto-yliopisto” and “Otaranta” stops, from west to east). Please visit the website of HSL, the company operating the public transport system in the Helsinki metro area. This includes buses, the metro, trains, downtown trams, the light rail, and some municipal ferry services (e.g., to the Suomenlinna fortress island). Public transport in the Helsinki metro area is safe, clean and reliable. The easiest way to use the public transport system is to download the HSL app on your phone.
The Aalto University campus can be reached from Helsinki airport, e.g., by combining the train with the metro (changing at Helsinki’s Central Railway Station). Non-collective public transport options like taxis are also available, including popular apps like Uber; these are significantly pricier than collective transportations but might be more convenient depending on the situation (e.g., if you are in a hurry to reach the airport or train station).
Registration
The Computational Chemistry Days 2025 is open to all participants within the Finnish computational chemistry community and related fields. The event is free of charge thanks to the support from Aalto University’s Department of Chemistry and Materials Science and the CECAM-FI node. You can register to attend the event until 16 May 2025. To submit an abstract for a poster or oral presentation, the deadline is 30 April 2025. All the presentations are in English. To register for the event, please follow this link. Please note that the event has no registration fees but you or your institution needs to cover your travel expenses.
Organizers
The Computational Chemistry Days 2025 is jointly organized by the four computational chemistry groups at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science of Aalto University, led by Dr Miguel Caro (Data-driven Atomistic Simulation, chair), Prof Antti Karttunen (Inorganic Materials Modelling), Prof Kari Laasonen (Computational Chemistry) and Prof Maria Sammalkopi (Soft Materials Modelling).
Sponsors
The Computational Chemistry Days 2025 are possible, free of charge, thanks to the generous support from Aalto University’s Department of Chemistry and Materials Science and the CECAM-FI node.
