Taltech Research and Development 2018 1 Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn University of Technology

TALTECH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 2018 1 TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FOUNDED IN 1918, UNIVERSITY STATUS IN 1936 MAIN FIGURES 2018 (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Rector: Professor JAAK AAVIKSOO Academic Incl.129 professors e-mail: [email protected] 995 staff 456 researchers Defended Vice-Rector Doctoral doctoral for research: Professor RENNO VEINTHAL 537 students 77 dissertations e-mail: [email protected] 1209 Scientific publications

SCHOOLS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES SCHOOL OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY

162 129 PROFESSORS 110 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 128 TEACHING ASSISTANTS 24 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 156 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 276 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 10

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CONTENTS

TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY...... 3 SCHOOLS...... 3

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING...... 9 DEPARTMENTS, COLLEGES...... 9 DEPRATMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE...... 10 ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN STUDIES...... 11 BUILDING LIFECYCLE RESEARCH GROUP...... 12 NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS NZEB RESEARCH GROUP...... 13 ROAD ENGINEERING AND GEODESY RESEARCH GROUP...... 14 STRUCTURAL AND FLUIDS MECHANICS RESEARCH GROUP...... 15 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP...... 16 WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING...... 17 DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING AND MECHATRONICS...... 18 ELECTRICAL MACHINES RESEARCH GROUP...... 19 ENERGY ECONOMICS RESEARCH GROUP...... 20 RESEARCH GROUP OF FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING...... 21 HIGH-VOLTAGE RESEARCH GROUP...... 22 MECHATRONICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS CENTRE...... 23 MICROGRIDS AND METROLOGY...... 24 POWER ELECTRONICS GROUP...... 25 POWER SYSTEMS RESEARCH GROUP...... 26 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY...... 27 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ...... 28 LABORATORY OF FUEL AND AIR EMISSION ANALYSES...... 29 RESEARCH LABORATORY OF COMBUSTION PROCESSES ...... 30 SMART DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS OF GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS ...... 31 DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY...... 32 LABORATORY OF BIOFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS...... 33 LABORATORY OF CHEMICAL THIN FILM TECHNOLOGIES...... 34 LABORATORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY...... 35 LABORATORY OF INORGANIC MATERIALS...... 36 LABORATORY OF OPTOELECTRONIC MATERIALS PHYSICS...... 37 LABORATORY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MATERIALS RESEARCH...... 38 LABORATORY OF POLYMERS AND TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY...... 39 LABORATORY OF WOOD TECHNOLOGY...... 40 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING...... 41 ACOUSTIC RESEARCH ...... 42 ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY ...... 43 AUTONOMOUS SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES...... 44 CERAMIC-BASED COMPOSITES...... 45 DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF ADVANCED MATERIALS, STRUCTURES AND PRODUCTS ...... 46 DEVELOPMENT OF REAL-TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PREDICTION MODELS ...... 47 INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS ...... 48

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PRODUCT AND SERVICE SYSTEMS DESIGN GROUP ...... 49 RECONFIGURABLE MANUFACTURING BASED ON INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS ...... 50 RESEARCH GROUP OF LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT ...... 51 SMART AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPOSITES: DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ...... 52 SMART INDUSTRY...... 53 TRIBOLOGY AND RECYCLING...... 54 TARTU COLLEGE...... 55 BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP...... 56 RESEARCH GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES...... 57 VIRUMAA COLLEGE...... 58 FUELS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH-TESTING LABORATORY AT OIL SHALE COMPETENCE CENTER ...... 59

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES...... 61 DEPARTMENTS...... 61 DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS...... 62 CENTRE FOR DEPENDABLE COMPUTING SYSTEMS...... 63 CENTRE FOR BIOROBOTICS...... 64 CENTRE FOR INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS...... 65 DEPARTMENT OF SOFTWARE SCIENCE...... 66 BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY GROUP...... 67 CENTRE FOR DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY...... 68 DATA SCIENCE GROUP...... 69 HIGH-ASSURANCE SOFTWARE LABORATORY...... 70 INFORMATION SYSTEMS GROUP...... 71 LABORATORY OF SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS...... 72 LABORATORY OF LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY...... 73 LABORATORY OF PROACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES...... 74 MODEL-BASED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING GROUP...... 75 NONLINEAR CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP...... 76 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES...... 77 BRAIN BIOELECTRICAL SIGNALS RESEARCH GROUP ...... 78 eHEALTH APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES RESEARCH GROUP...... 79 RESEARCH GROUP ON DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS...... 80 RESEARCH GROUP OF e-NMR...... 81 SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (SensorTechBME) RESEARCH GROUP ...... 82 THOMAS JOHANN SEEBECK DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS...... 83 RESEARCH GROUP OF COGNITIVE ELECTRONICS AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ...... 84 RESEARCH GROUP OF IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY ...... 85 RESEARCH GROUP OF SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS...... 86

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE...... 89 DEPARTMENTS...... 89 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY...... 90 ADVANCING ANALYTICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY METHODS FOR REGULATORY DECISIONS...... 92 ANGIOGENESIS RESEARCH GROUP ...... 93 APOPTOSIS OF NEURONS ...... 94 BIOMEDICINE...... 95 COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY...... 96

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RESEARCH GROUP OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY...... 97 GENETIC AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS...... 98 IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF LEUKOCYTE ACTIVATION...... 99 INTERACTION BETWEEN PLANT VIRUSES AND THEIR HOSTS...... 100 LIPID BIOCHEMISTRY RESEARCH GROUP ...... 101 RESEARCH GROUP OF METALLOPROTEOMICS...... 102 MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP...... 103 MOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING...... 104 OXIDATION RESEARCH GROUP ...... 105 PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS...... 106 THE GROUP FOR THE STUDY OF LIGNIN BIODEGRADATION...... 107 RESEARCH GROUP OF CATALYSIS...... 108 RESEARCH GROUP OF REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY...... 109 RESEARCH GROUP OF GREEN CHEMISTRY...... 110 SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY GROUP...... 111 SYSTEMS BIOLOGY OF BACTERIA...... 112 DEPARTMENT OF CYBERNETICS...... 113 GROUP AND SEMIGROUP THEORY RESEARCH GROUP...... 114 INVERSE PROBLEMS AND STOCHASTIC METHODS RESEARCH GROUP...... 115 MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS RESEARCH GROUP...... 116 NONLINEAR WAVE DYNAMICS RESEARCH GROUP...... 117 RHEOLOGY OF COMPOSITES RESEARCH GROUP...... 118 SYSTEMS BIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP...... 119 THEORETICAL PHYSICS RESEARCH GROUP...... 120 WAVE ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP...... 121 DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY...... 122 DIVISION OF BEDROCK GEOLOGY...... 123 DIVISION OF ISOTOPE GEOLOGY...... 124 DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND APPLIED GEOLOGY...... 125 DIVISION OF MINING...... 126 DIVISION OF QUATERNARY GEOLOGY...... 127 DEPARTMENT OF MARINE SYSTEMS...... 128 RESEARCH GROUP ON DYNAMICS OF GRADIENT SYSTEMS...... 129 RESEARCH GROUP ON MODELLING AND REMOTE SENSING OF MARINE DYNAMICS ...... 130

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE...... 133 DEPARTMENTS...... 133 DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION...... 134 ACCOUNTING RESEARCH GROUP...... 135 ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH GROUP...... 136 ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH GROUP...... 137 MARKETING RESEARCH GROUP ...... 138 ORGANISATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUP...... 139 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP...... 140 URBAN AND RESIDENTIAL STUDIES GROUP...... 141 WORKING ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP...... 142 DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE...... 143 COMPANIES’ PRODUCTIVITY, INVESTMENTS AND EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS...... 144 ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE: INTEGRATION, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY...... 145 FINANCE AND THE REAL ECONOMY: FINANCIAL BEHAVIOUR, MARKETS, AND COMPETITIVENESS...... 146 KNOWLEDGE INTENSITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT...... 147 6 TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF LAW...... 148 LEGAL POLICY AND NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK OF EU DIGITAL MARKET AND TECHNOLOGIES AND IT’S APPLICATION IN PARTNER COUNTRIES...... 149 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SECURITY, LAW AND TECHNOLOGY ...... 150 RAGNAR NURKSE DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND GOVERNANCE...... 151 e-GOVERNANCE...... 152 GOVERNANCE...... 153 FISCAL GOVERNANCE...... 154 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY...... 155 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY...... 156 PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION...... 157 TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION POLICY...... 158

ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY...... 161 ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY (EMERA) ...... 162 NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND HYDRODYNAMICS...... 163

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Dean: Professor ARVO OORN MAIN FIGURES 2018 e-mail: [email protected] (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

Academic Incl. 46 professors Vice-Dean for staff Research: Professor 332 150 researchers ARGO ROSIN Defended Doctoral doctoral e-mail: [email protected] 185 students 34 dissertations 437 Scientific publications DEPARTMENTS, COLLEGES

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE Director: Professor JAREK KURNITSKI, [email protected] DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING AND MECHATRONICS Director: Professor IVO PALU, [email protected] DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY Director: Professor ANDRES SIIRDE, [email protected] DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY Director: Professor MALLE KRUNKS, [email protected] DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Director: Associate Professor KRISTO KARJUST, [email protected] TARTU COLLEGE Director: Professor LEMBIT NEI, [email protected] VIRUMAA COLLEGE Director: VIKTOR ANDREJEV, [email protected]

46 58 PROFESSORS 35 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS TEACHING ASSISTANTS 42 8 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 48 93 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 2

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DEPRATMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 CIVIL ENGINEERING (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

AND ARCHITECTURE Academic Incl. 18 professors 94 staff 28 researchers Direktor: JAREK KURNITSKI, Doctoral Defended doctoral [email protected], 51 students 6 dissertations +372 620 2406 93 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 7 RESEARCH GROUPS: ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN STUDIES. Head: Professor KIMMO SAKARI LYLYKANGAS, [email protected] BUILDING LIFECYCLE RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor IRENE LILL, [email protected] NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor JAREK KURNITSKI, [email protected] ROAD ENGINEERING AND GEODESY RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor ARTU ELLMANN, [email protected] STRUCTURAL AND FLUIDS MECHANICS RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor ALEKSANDER KLAUSON, [email protected] STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associated Professor IVAR TALVIK, [email protected] WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor KARIN PACHEL, [email protected]

13 PROFESSORS 18 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 9 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 6 10 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 5 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN STUDIES Head of the research group: Professor KIMMO SAKARI LYLYKANGAS, [email protected] Members: Irina Raud, Karin Hallas-Murula, Rein Murula, Anu Juurak, Emil Urbel, Jaan Kuusemets, Kristi Grišakov, Tea Hunt, Raoul Kurvits, Sergei Letunovitš, Katrin Paadam Postdocs: Veronika Valk-Siska, Nele Nutt, Francesco de Luca Doctoral students: Siim Sultson, Viktoria Prilenskaja, Martin Allik, Martin Allik, Kristiina Kupper, Abel Sepulveda, Hanna Vikberg

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: history of architecture, urban de- Systems for Office Buildings Energy Consump- sign, urbanism, planning, building performance, tion and Cooling Load Assessment. Manage- daylighting, sustainability ment of Environmental Quality: An Interna- tional Journal, 29 (5), 978−998. The research work of the Academy comprises the practical and analytical cycle of architectural De Luca, F.; Dogan, T.; Kurnitski, J. (2018). design and urban planning, integrating different Methodology for determining fenestration rang- fields of engineering and humanities, incl. social es for daylight and energy efficiency in Estonia. spheres related to the functioning of the society, Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation real estate management, etc. for Architecture and Urban Design, TUDelft, Delft, The Netherlands, 04–07 June 2018. The research team has top expertise in the fol- ACM, 63−70. lowing fields: Sustainable performance of built environment (De Luca, Lylykangas), for example daylighting and energy-efficiency; History of architecture (Hallas-Murula); Research by design (Valk-Siska) New methods and practices in planning and landscape architecture (Grišakov; Nutt).

SELECTED PROJECTS VNP17105 “Performative Integrated Architectur- al Design and Planning” (15.06.2017−1.10.2018). VIR17104 “Baltic Urban Living. Brownfields regeneration in sustainable and resources efficient mixed-use areas for eco-social living and working” (1.09.2017−31.08.2018).

SELECTED ARTICLES De Luca, F.; Simson, R.; Kurnitski, J.; Voll, H. (2018). Daylighting and energy performance design for single floor commercial hall buildings. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 29 (4), 722−739. De Luca, F.; Voll, H.; Thalfeldt, M. (2018). Comparison of Static and Dynamic Shading

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BUILDING LIFECYCLE RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor IRENE LILL, [email protected] Members: Roode Liias, Raido Puust, Lembi-Merike Raado, Emlyn David Qivitoq Witt, Tiina Nuuter, Tiina Hain, Erki Soekov, Kuulo Mõisnik, Tanel Tuisk Doctoral students: Virgo Sulakatko, Eneli Liisma, Abdulquadri Ade Bilau, Viktorija Prilenska, Ergo Pikas, Margarita Ratšinski, Theophilus Oluwarotimi Olatunde Olowa, Kaleem Ullah

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: multiple criteria management strategies; building information modelling (BIM); construction economics; construction management; building life cycle; technical conditions of housing; disaster resilience of built environment; construction regulations, standards; utilization of oil shale ash in the production of building materials; energy saving materials for the renovation of buildings The Research Group approaches the building lifecycle as a whole, integrating the construction process and its outcomes with management strategies, technologies, building materials, economics and facilities management. Research involves the following studies: Main characteristics of binders or binder constituents based on oil shale ashes from electrostatic precipitator systems; Basics of new utilization processes for oil shale combustion solid wastes; Low strength backfilling concrete based on the residues of oil shale processing; Frost resistance of various concretes and comparison of their test methods; VERT15041, “Intersections in built environment: promoting interdisciplinary Building properties of chemically treated higher education in the Baltic Sea Region timber; (BeInterBaltic)” Durability characteristics (vapour and water migration) of facade systems, thermal SELECTED ARTICLES insulation and external facade coverings. Bilau, A. A.; Witt, E.; Lill, I. (2018). Practice The Research and Testing Laboratory of Building Framework for the Management of Post-Disas- Materials has certified testing personnel, stand- ter Housing Reconstruction Programmes. ards, methods and equipment for the evaluation of Sustainability, 10 (11), 3929. conformity for various building products: cement, mortar, grout and concrete products and products Sulakatko, V.; Vogdt F. U. (2018). Construction from natural and artefact stones and insulation Process Technical Impact Factors on Degrada- materials. tion of the External Thermal Insulation Com- posite System. Sustainability, 10 (11). SELECTED PROJECTS Tupenaite, L.; Kaklauskas, A.; Lill, I.; Geipe- le, I.; Naimaviciene, J.; Kanapeckiene, L.; LEP17099, “Digital Model of Building Kauskale, L. (2018). Sustainability Assessment Lifecycle” of the New Residential Projects in the Baltic LMIN18069, “Developing a unified con- States: A Multiple Criteria Approach. struction classification system” Sustainability, 10 (5), 1−21.

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NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS NZEB RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor JAREK KURNITSKI, [email protected] Members: Targo Kalamees, Hendrik Voll, Endrik Arumägi, Kalle Kuusk, Andrea Ferrantelli, Simo Ilomets, Dmitri Loginov, Peeter Parre, Martin Thalfeldt, Marko Ründva, Peeter Linnas Doctoral students: Raimo Simson, Jevgeni Fadejev, Alo Mikola, Ülar Palmiste, Anti Hamburg, Kaspar Tennokese, Aleksander Kovšikov, Paul Klõseiko, Peep Pihelo, Tuule Mall Kull, Villu Kukk, Johanna Liblik, Jaanus Hallik, Karl Villem Võsa, Martin Kiil, Kristo Kalbe

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: building physics, HVAC, building Quantification of economic benefits and job service systems, indoor climate, radon, energy creation through renovation of apartment performance of buildings. buildings; The main research topics have been focused on Scenario analyses for energy savings and technical solutions and system integration for investment needs within the framework of NZEB most urgently needed in Estonia, but the Estonian energy action plan ENMAK also to NZEB development European and world 2030+; wide. In addition to solutions for new buildings, Preparation of European nZEB technical the group has been extensively working on reno- definitions and system – REHVA nZEB vation and development of energy calculation definition 2013, within the REHVA nZEB methodology. task force and cooperation with CEN; The research group has the NZEB technologi- Preparation of the Estonian regulation on cal research facility as a full scale test build- minimum energy performance requirements, ing, climate chambers for controlled labora- calculation methodology and the energy tory experiments, and heating and ventilation performance certificate, including the acts of laboratories. MKM m63 2012 and 2018, MKM m58 2012 The group has contributed to European NZEB and 2019 and MKM m36 2012 and 2019; technical definitions and system boundaries Development of completely new Estonian preparation especially through REHVA nZEB regulation for the indoor climate and ven- Task Force, has participated in EPBD 2nd gen- tilation requirements since 2015, expected eration standards development in CEN TC371, to be published in 2019. TC156 and TC228 standardization committees, has contributed to the preparation of the Estonian energy action plan ENMAK 2030+ and Estonian nZEB requirements and energy calculation methodology development. Some examples of research topics and outcomes: Heat emission efficiency measurement and simulation methodology development for EN EN15306-2; Occupancy and internal heat gain schedules development for prEN16798-1 and ISO 17772-1; Geothermal energy piles and ground source heat pump modeling in a whole building simulation environment for heating and free cooling purposes; Overheating prevention solutions and temperature simulation based compliance assessment methodology development for residential buildings; Development and validation of simplified energy performance compliance assessment method for Estonian regulation based on the specific heat loss correlation;

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ROAD ENGINEERING AND GEODESY RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor ARTU ELLMANN, [email protected] Members: Juhan Idnurm, Andrus Aavik, Ain Kendra, Luule Kaal, Inna Romandi, Arto Lille, Harri Rõuk, Nelli Ustinova, Tiit Metsvahi, Kalev Julge, Silja Märdla, Sander Varbla Doctoral students: Sander Sein, Kristjan Lill, Elzbieta Birgiel, Karli Kontson

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: roads, bridges, geodesy, geoinfor- Development of geodetic infrastructure (e.g. matics establishment/validation of gravity databases, geoid modelling computations, mean sea The main research topics of the Road Engineer- surface modelling, studies of shipborne GNSS ing and Geodesy research group are as follows: to evaluate geoid models at sea) for finalizing Monitoring of deformation, wearing and hydrographic surveys in the Baltic Sea. other exploitation properties of pavement Development of technological solutions for and manhole structures of Tallinn city combining different spatial data acquisi- streets using laser scanning technology tion sensors in a mobile platform and cor- for the evaluation of the properties of responding data processing. pavement structures based on the actual traffic load, geological and hydrological Laser scanning research with relevance to conditions. concrete road construction experiments, with relevance to optimization of as-built Development of the methodology for elas- survey results to be entered into InfraBIM. tic pavement design. Research on the road construction mate- SELECTED ARTICLE: rials (bitumen, asphalt mixes, oil shale Metsar, J.; Kollo, K.; Ellmann, A. (2018). ash, etc.) Modernization of the Estonian National GNSS Reference Station Network. Geodesy and Car- Analysis of increase in traffic and its tography, 44 (2), 55−62. impact, traffic safety (road safety audit- ing and inspection, road network impact analysis, safety analysis, etc.). Participation in the development of COST Action TU1406: Quality Specifications for Roadway Bridges, standardization at the European level. Development of the calculation method for steel tube bridges based on the interaction between arc and soil. Development of bridge managing systems and life cycle calculation for bridges. Specification of the load bearing capacity for Soviet Union time standard reinforced concrete bridges according loadings based on Eurocode. Geoid modelling research with emphasis on the Nordic-Baltic region. Development of the system of geographically and climatically integrated field laboratories and automatic stations (in the framework of Estonian Research Infrastructures Roadmap project “Estonian Environmental Observatory”).

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STRUCTURAL AND FLUIDS MECHANICS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor ALEKSANDER KLAUSON, [email protected] Members: Ivar Annus, Madis Ratassepp, Kristjan Tabri, Anatoli Vassiljev, Janek Laanearu, Hendrik Naar, Andrus Räämet, Andres Braunbrück, Raido Puust, Aleksander Kartušinski, Medhat Hussainov Doctoral students: Katrin Kaur, Monika Kollo, Mikloš Lakatoš, Mikro Mustonen, Nils Kändler, Muhamed Saladin Prawirasrsra, Saeed Hosseinzadeh

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: underwater acoustics, anthro- genic and natural ambient sound in underwater pogenic noise, urban drainage systems, water sound recordings is under development. distribution systems, hydrodynamics, pipe flow, The direction of non-destructive testing is the modelling, ultrasonics, non-destructive evalu- use of guided waves for defect detection and ation, structural health monitoring, composite characterization in thin-walled structures materials. including advanced high resolution imaging The research team works in three research techniques in aerospace, oil and gas and energy fields: industry. 1. Reducing risk and energy consumption in hydraulic systems SELECTED ARTICLES: The research is focused on optimization, plan- Kändler, N.; Annus, I.; Vassiljev, A.; Puust, R.; ning, development, risk assessment and mitiga- Kaur, K. (2019). Controlling Stormwater tion of failures of hydraulic systems (e.g. urban Runoff from Impermeable Areas by Using drainage systems, water distribution networks). Smart Inlets. Green Energy and Technology: The developed solutions enable analysis of the New Trends in Urban Drainage Modelling. effect of old rough pipes on the modelling of wa- UDM 2018. Editors Abbr Mannina, G. Spring- ter quality in WDS. In the Interreg BSR project er, Cham, 263−268. NOAH (coordinator Ivar Annus) a new holistic Vassiljev, A.; Kaur, K.; Annus, I. (2018). approach for urban planning will be developed Modelling of nitrogen leaching from water- to reduce the flood risk in dense urban areas. sheds with large drained peat areas. The dynamics of air-water mixed flow in a Advances in Engineering Software, 125, 94. laboratory-scale pipeline were analyzed using a 3D CFD tool. It was shown that the turbulent- kinetic-energy maximum at the cross sections of the hydraulic jump is essentially related to the air-water mixing at the interface and in the fully filled pipe section the turbulence is associated with instability of boundary layers. 2. Boundary condition analysis of ship structures The simplified collision, grounding and ultimate strength assessment model ADSAM (Accidental Damage and Spill Assessment Model) is a result of several years of development work and provides a model for a rapid assessment of the consequences of maritime accidents. The focus is on the response of deformable ship structures at flow field, such as spray rails and active fins, and on the resistance and overall response of a ship structure under the action of fluid loads. 3. Structural and underwater acoustics Underwater sound monitoring provides information needed for the assessment of the anthropogenic noise levels in the Baltic Sea and helps to establish threshold values for underwater anthropogenic noise levels as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). A methodology of the extraction of the anthropo-

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STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Associate Professor IVAR TALVIK, [email protected] Members: Alar Just, Ahti Lääne, Aldur Parts, Johannes Pello, Kristo Paalandi, Priit Luhakooder Doctoral students: Johanna Liblik, Eero Tuhkanen, Mattia Tiso, Andrei Kervalishvili, Katrin Nele Mäger

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: structural engineering, fire resist- The research results have direct connection with ance, Eurocode, cross-laminated timber, glulam the revision process of Eurocode 5. The studies of the group are related to the Other topics of research cover connections and analysis of various building structures and stiffness properties of cross laminated timber foundations. elements and behaviour of steel elements and connections in fire. A large scale natural fire test of a Current research is focused on timber and steel cross laminated building was carried out in 2017, structures at ambient and elevated tempera- which provides valuable information for develop- tures. Design methods are developed regarding ment of fire safe timber buildings in the future. the effect of the charring layer on resistance of timber elements in fire. Interaction of timber The members of the group provide their expertise structures with different insulation materials in industrial research and development projects and claddings is also studied. of the construction sector. The research group cooperates with other technical universities and research institutes (ETH, RISE, TUM). Members of the research group have participated in European cooperation projects for science and technology such as COST Action FP 1402 “Basis of Structural Timber De- sign” and COST Action FP 1404 “Fire Safe Use of Bio-based Building Products”.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Tiso, M.; Just, A. (2017). Fire Protection Pro- vided by Insulation Materials – A New Design Approach for Timber Frame Assemblies. Structural Engineering International, 27 (2), 231−237. Mäger, K. N.; Just, A.; Schmid, J.; Werther, N.; Klippel, M.; Brandon, D.; Frangi, A. (2018). Procedure for implementing new materials to the component additive method. Fire Safety Journal. Östman, B.; Schmid, J.; Klippel, M.; Just, A.; Werther, N.; Brandon, D. (2018). Fire design of CLT in Europe. Wood and Fiber Science, 50. 68–82.

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WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Head of the research group: Professor KARIN PACHEL, [email protected] Members: Arvo Iital, Enn Loigu, Alvina Reihan, Viktoria Voronova, Kristjan Piirimäe, Kati Roosalu, Argo Kuusik, Valdu Suurkask, Olev Sokk, Jaak Jaaku, Eve Pehka Doctoral students: Marija Klõga, Erki Lember, Hakan Berber, Hanna-Lii Kupri, Vallo Kõrgmaa, Rene Reisner

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: Water quality, water resources, climate changes, hydrology, pollution load, water supply, sewerage, water monitoring, nutrients, wastewater, stormwater, sewage, sludge, waste This is an interdisciplinary research group, where engineers, hydrologists, water chemists and other specialists from both water and environmental engineering participate. Research is developed in the following directions: Sustainable management of water resources and water quality. Hydrological studies of rivers from engineering view- point. Climate change and its impact on the quantity and quality of water. Floods and draughts. Studies on pressures having impact on water quality. Regularities in water quality formation in both natural conditions as well as under various anthropogenic impacts. Studies in the field of riverine pollution SELECTED PROJECTS loads. Water protection measures. Innova- tive methods of water monitoring (automat- VA18024 “Sustainable management of ic systems for water monitoring). Studies Phosphorus in Baltic countries, InPhos” on diffuse pollution and mitigation thereof. VIR17106 “Better efficiency for industrial Urban water supply (domestic water) and sewage treatment” sewage systems (sewerage, wastewater, VIR17111 “Integrated Nitrogen Manage- stormwater), including pipelines outside ment System for the Gulf of Riga” buildings, internal pipelines in buildings, treatment facilities, engineering solutions and technologies, studies for SELECTED ARTICLES improving design and construction. Phar- Lember, E.; Pachel, K.; Loigu, E. (2018). maceutical residues and heavy metals Heavy metals removal in biological wastewater in municipal wastewater and sludge, as treatment, dependent on process parameters. well as elaboration of relevant treatment Desalination and Water Treatment, 133 (2018), technologies. 245−251. Waste management. Waste utilisation. Jurgelėnaitė, A.; Kriaučiūnienė, J.; Reihan, A.; Treatment technologies for landfill leach- Latkovska, I.; Apsīte, E. (2018). Spatial dis- ate water, engineering solutions. Inves- tribution and temporal changes in river water tigation of the possibilities of production temperature in the Baltic States. IWA Publish- of biogas from biodegradable waste and ing: Hydrology Research, 49 (2), 318−331. by-products of the processing industry. De Francisci, D.; Su, Y.; Iital, A.; Angelidaki, I. For scientific and experimental research the (2018). Evaluation of microalgae production group uses its own internationally accredited coupled with wastewater treatment. Environ- water quality laboratory. mental Technology, 39 (5), 581−592.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 ELECTRICAL POWER (as of Dec. 31, 2018) ENGINEERING AND Academic Incl. 6 professors staff MECHATRONICS 53 37 researchers Doctoral Defended doctoral students dissertations Director: Professor IVO PALU, 50 4 [email protected], Scientific publications +372 620 3752 135

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 8 RESEARCH GROUPS: ELECTRICAL MACHINES. Head: Senior Research Scientist ANTS KALLASTE, [email protected] ENERGY ECONOMICS. Head: Professor IVO PALU, [email protected] FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING. Head: Professor LAURI KÜTT, [email protected] HIGH-VOLTAGE RESEARCH LABORATORY. Head: Senior Lecturer PAUL TAKLAJA, [email protected] MECHATRONICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS CENTRE. Head: Professor MART TAMRE, [email protected] MICROGRIDS AND METROLOGY. Head: Professor ARGO ROSIN, [email protected] POWER ELECTRONICS. Head: Lead Research Scientist DMITRI VINNIKOV, [email protected] POWER SYSTEMS. Head: Associated Professor JAKO KILTER, [email protected]

6 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 18 4 1 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 5 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 1 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 8 10 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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ELECTRICAL MACHINES RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist ANTS KALLASTE, [email protected] Members: Anouar Belahcen, Toomas Vaimann, Anton Rassõlkin, Heigo Mäemuru, Levon Gevorkov, Antti Lehikoinen Doctoral students: Payam Shams Ghahfarokhi, Hamidreza Heidari, Bilal Asad, Hans Tiismus, Abhisek Majumder

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: electrical machines, electrical The societal impact of the research is mainly drives, fault diagnostics connected to solving of environmental issues. The group is actively involved in wind genera- The Electrical Machines Research Group is tor research, including developing, testing and mainly involved in analysis, design, testing, designing of the generators, which supports the development etc. of electrical machines, includ- development and wider use of environmentally ing wind generators. Additionally, the research friendly energy sources. group deals with electrical machine diagnostics, developing of permanent magnet materials for the use in electrical machines, novel method- MAIN RESEARCH RESULTS IN 2018: ologies for design and optimization of electrical Launching of the project PSG137 “Additive Man- machines and drives. ufacturing of Electrical Machines” (2018−2021) and the finalization of three additively manufac- The group is actively involved in scientific tured electrical machine prototypes. partnership with other universities and R&D institutions. Services, such as consultations, In the project “Self-driving car”, the working pro- trainings, expert assessment, etc., are provided totype of ISEAUTO self-driving car was realized. for industrial partners. The group member Anton Rassõlkin is involved as the project leader of the electronics team. According to the results of the projects “Additive Manufacturing of Electrical Machines” (PSG137) and “Deployment of Digitalization in Operation and Condition Monitoring of Energy Conversion Systems” (MOBTP13) the utility model application “Method for monitoring of the technical condition of the electrical machine” (Owner: Tallinn University of Technology; Authors: Toomas Vaimann, Jan Sobra, Anouar Belahcen, Ants Kallaste; Priority nr.: U20180009; Priority date: 25.04.2018) was handed in.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Vaimann, T.; Sobra, J.; Belahcen, A.; Rassõlkin, A.; Rolak, M.; Kallaste, A. (2018). Induction machine fault detection using smart- phone recorded audible noise. IET Science, Measurement & Technology, 12 (4), 554−560. Shams Ghahfarokhi, P.; Belahcen, A.; Kallaste, A.; Vaimann, T.; Rassõlkin, A. (2018). Determi- nation of natural convection heat transfer coefficient over the fin side of a coil system. Interna- tional Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 126 (A), 677−682. Shams Ghahfarokhi, P.; Belahcen, A.; Kallaste, A.; Vaimann, T.; Rassõlkin, A. (2018). Hybrid Thermal Model of a Synchronous Reluctance Machine. Case Studies in Thermal Engineer- ing, 12, 381−389.

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ENERGY ECONOMICS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor IVO PALU, [email protected] Members: Juhan Valtin, Heiki Tammoja, Arvi Hamburg (Visiting Professor), Reeli Kuhi-Thalfeldt, Matti Keel, Victor Astapov, Jelena Šuvalova, Hannes Agabus, Tarmo Trummal Doctoral students: Karl Kull, Sambeet Mishra, Lauri Ulm, Cletus John Crasta, Aron Kuhi-Thalfeldt, Mihkel Härm, Tarmo Mere, Arbo Reino, Martin Saks, Margus Laanetu, Elina Rebecka Rikkas, Madis Uuemaa, Hardi Koduvere

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: power converters for renewables, Møller Sneum, D.; Sandberg, E.; Koduvere, H.; energy systems for near-zero energy buildings, Olsen, O. J.; Blumberga, D. (2018). Policy in- power converters for energy storages. centives for flexible district heating in the Bal- tic countries. Utilities Policy, 1−12. The research team specializes in energy systems by looking and taking into account the different Wiese, F.; Bramstoft, R.; Koduvere, H.; Pizarro components and challenges that the energy mar- Alonso, A.; Balyk, O.; Kirkerud, J. G.; Grytli ket consists of in today’s society. By conducting Tveten, A.; Folsland Bolkesjø, T.; Münster, M.; various analysis, the team is able to create order Ravn, H. (2018). Balmorel open source energy and gain insight into the complex field of energy system model. Energy Strategy Reviews, 20, forecasting. 28−34. In everyday practice, the team has vast resources Shokolakova, Sh.; Keshuov, S.A.; Saukhimov, of information on the Estonian energy system A.A.; Tokhtibakiev, K. K.; Ceylan, O.; Shuvalo- and by implementing it with modelling software va, E. (2018). Optimization of mode in distribu- like Balmorel, LEAP, EnergyPro and TIMES, it tion electrical grid by using renewable energy is possible to make breakthroughs and define sources for rural energy supply. International conclusions on the economic aspects and the Journal of Mechanical Engineering & Technol- future of the energy system. ogy (IJMET), 9 (7), 1396−1404. The energy economics research team is able to create complicated models, which take into account possible future technologies and trends in order to help assess the economic aspect of new power plants and their competitiveness in tomorrow’s market. The energy system is bound by energy law and regulations. By analysing the energy system with broader models, it is possible to forecast the developments and general impact, which different policies may implicate. This in return helps the government and policymakers to create better long-term development plans and aid the economic growth in general. The research team has raised its international competence in the fields of technology applicability and real investment profitability analysis. An additional area of research is the digitalization of the energy sector, where the focus is on leveraging climate finance/green investments and modernizing the electricity market design with products and services based on new technologies.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Söder, L.; Lund, P. D.; Koduvere, H.; Folsland Bolkesjø, T.; Høyvik Rossebø, G.; Rosenlund- Soysal, E.; Skytte, K.; Katz, J.; Blumberga, D. (2018). A review of demand side flexibility potential in Northern Europe. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 91, 654−664.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Head of the research group: Professor LAURI KÜTT, [email protected] Members: Aleksander Kilk, Martin Jaanus, Toomas Vinnal, Tarmo Rosman, Heigo-Elmar Vahesaar Doctoral students: Muhammad Naveed Iqbal, Noman Shabbir, Marek Jarkovoi

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: electromagnetic compatibility, electric power quality, electromagentic research, electrical engineering, circuit analysis, thermoelectric generators The main research activities are related to electric power supply quality and electromagnetic compatibility. In the field of electric power quality, research was carried out in the topics of voltage quality, voltage dips and voltage waveform distortions of distribution networks. Scientific efforts were made for preparations of a larger study of non-linear waveform distortions in the alternating current (AC) grids. The target is to investigate the effects of the near-zero energy buildings connection to the grid. In the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) the capabilities of the EMC laboratory were further developed. The electric power quality and EMC topics are of high importance and have an impact on the distribution grid operators as well as electric and electronic product developers. For meeting the targets of EU energy directives, the distribution grid operator has to provide support for connecting a large number of power electronic inverters to the grid. This is needed for connecting the renewable generators, such as photovoltaic and low-power wind turbines and other. Research here targets verifications of the capability of networks to include the new sources without violat- ing voltage level and waveform criteria for other customers/components. The research is directly pacity of renewable energy sources in the related to the field of EMC research (voltage distribution networks”. waveform distortions and necessary measures Completion of a laboratory test and initial in the grid) and electric power (requirements to tests for the evaluation of the performance maintain voltage level and avoiding overload). studies of a thermoelectric module. Electric and electronic products have to meet the criteria stated in the EU LVC and EMC direc- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS tives. The EMC laboratory, which is a unique laboratory in Estonia, provides the opportunity Kütt, L.; Millar, J.; Karttunen, A.; Lehtonen, to carry out EU directive compatibility testing. M.; Karppinen, M., Thermoelectric applications Support to the product developers provides the for energy harvesting in domestic applications innovative companies an opportunity to achieve and micro-production units. Part I: Thermo- product market readiness at a faster pace. electric concepts, domestic boilers and biomass stoves, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Re- views (98), pp. 519–544. THE MAIN RESEARCH OUTCOMES IN 2018: Vinnal, T.; Kütt, L.; Jarkovoi, M. (2018). Harmonic Currents and Voltages in Industrial Successful initiation of the personal re- LV Networks – Case Studies. 2018 Internation- search grant PSG142 ”Synthesis of output al Symposium on Power Electronics, Electrical current waveforms of power electronic Drives, Automation and Motion (SPEEDAM). converters for increasing the hosting ca- Itaalia: IEEE Xplore. 21 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

HIGH-VOLTAGE RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Senior Lecturer PAUL TAKLAJA, [email protected] Members: Jaan Niitsoo, Ülo Treufeldt Doctoral student: Ivar Kiitam

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: high voltage, insulators, partial SELECTED PUBLICATIONS discharges. Kiitam, I.; Taklaja, P.; Tuttelberg, K. (2018). Research of the High Voltage research group is Effect of Electrode Shape on Medium Voltage focused on the studies of the high voltage insula- Covered Conductor Insulation Durability tion and applications associated with the high Under Electric Stress. 2018 IEEE 59th Interna- voltages and strong electrical fields. Most research tional Scientific Conference on Power and Elec- is related to the insulators and insulation used trical Engineering, RTUCON 2018, November in power lines, both overhead and cable lines are 12–14, 2018, Riga Technical University, Riga, studied. Another scope of research is the effects to Latvia. IEEE. high voltage equipment (transformers, cable power lines, etc.) caused by high loading, nonlinear loads Kiitam, I.; Taklaja, P.; Tuttelberg, K. (2018). and power quality. The influence of power quality Voltage Withstand Properties of the Insulation and dynamic power loading on the equipment, of Different Types of Medium Voltage Covered increased thermal and mechanical stress and ag- Overhead Line Conductors. Proceedings of the th ing are investigated. The research aims to provide 19 International Scientific Conference Elec- indexes of reliability, considering different stresses tric Power Engineering 2018: EPE 2018, May to the power transmission networks during their 16–18, 2018, Czech Republic. Ed. Radil, L.; lifetime, taking into account air pollution, weather, Macháček, J.; Morávek, J. IEEE, 18−21. wildlife but also influences of characteristics of the future electric loads, materials etc.

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MECHATRONICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS CENTRE Head of the research group: Professor MART TAMRE, [email protected] Members: Trieu Minh Vu, Andres Kiitam, Tiia Tammaru, Leo Teder, Dmitry Shvarts, Robert Hudjakov, Märt Juurma, Ali Zahavi, Saleh Ragheb Saleh Alsaleh Doctoral students: Dhanushka Chamara Liyanage, Even Sekhri

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: design and control of mechatronic systems, machine vision applications, UGV and UAV simulations The Centre is engaged in three connected R&D fields: 1. Professor Trieu Minh Vu continued research in the field of advance control techniques, models and algorithms including MPC, LQR, SMC, H-infinity, fuzzy logic and AI. The focus of the research is developing of vehicle maneuvering and trajectory path following mathematical models and testing these models. Atten- tion has been also on dumping models and respective model testing. From the methodological point the focus has been on Matlab and Simulink model development and investigation of these models. 2. The Quality Engineering activity direction is led by researchers Andres Kiitam and Tiia Tammaru together. The focus of R&D is concentrated on the problems of implementing of EFQM excellence models in assessing organizations and on the use of three components – basic principles, applications and respective application criteria and RADAR logic and self-assess- and simulation software development ment. The EFQM model and RADAR tools and their implementation at practical in- implementation for added benefit creation dustrial robotics, social robotics and UGV in behavioral analysis are also in focus. and UAV systems. The focus is also on Tests are carried out in organizational the development of hardware-in-the-loop self and external assessments with an simulation and test systems. aim to focus on quality in marketing and design for quality. The main outcomes are SELECTED PUBLICATIONS quality trainings and training methodical Vu Trieu Minh; Moezzi, R.; Owe, I. (2018). materials at various levels at TalTech, Fuel economy regression analyses for hybrid Estonian Association for Quality and at electric vehicle. European Journal of Electrical International Organizations in Estonia Engineering, 20 (3), 363−377. and abroad. Vu Trieu Minh.; Tamre, M.; Sekhri, E. (2018). 3. The Mechatronics Systems activity field Modeling and robust control algorithms for managed by Professor Mart Tamre is a linear belt driven system. Open Computer focused on the development of robotics Science, 8 (1), 142−153. and automation hardware and software based on AI and the development of smart Vu Trieu Minh.; Tamre, M.; Musalimov, V.; user interfaces as well as the development Kovalenko, P.; Monakhov, I. (2018). of sensor and especially machine vision Development of a Wireless Communication applications. The main attention is on Network for Monitoring and Controlling of AI and especially on Depp Learning and Autonomous Robots. International Journal of hyper- and multispectral machine vision Robotics and Automation, 33 (3), 226–232.

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MICROGRIDS AND METROLOGY Head of the research group: Professor ARGO ROSIN, [email protected] Members: Helmuth Biechl (Hochschule Kempten, Germany), Raivo Teemets, Rein Laaneots, Madis Lehtla, Elmo Pettai, Edi Kulderknup, Arvo Oorn Postdoctoral researcher: Roya Ahmadiahangar Doctoral students: Tobias Häring, Vahur Maask, Tarmo Korõtko, Andreas Christian Armstorfer, Jorge Luis Helguero Cruz, Toivo Varjas, Kaija Vill

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: microgrids, demand side manage- The main research achievements: ment, applied metrology Research and Development of Improved The studies of the research group are focused Value Stream Mapping Methodology for on (1) electricity supply of enterprises, buildings Evaluation of Demand Side Management and home users, incl. electricity efficiency, power Possibilities in the Industry Sector (PhD quality, reliability; (2) demand side management thesis of Raivo Melsas); and energy flow research in networks with alter- Preliminary research of the technological native energy sources and energy storages; (3) solution for monitoring the compensators research of electrical lighting and (4) metrology conditions at site (Lep17108); and measurement science. Development of a virtual power plant The research objectives are: higher energy/cost laboratory (Lep18038); efficiency, reliability, and flexibility of power supply systems, electrical installations, light- Optimization of power flow control in Zero ing systems; improvement of phase difference energy and resource efficient smart build- and semiconductor photodetector measurement ings and districts (TAR16012); methods. Power Electronics Based Energy Manage- ment Systems for Net Zero Energy Build- ings (PUT1680).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Rahmoun, A.; Beg, N.; Rosin, A.; Biechl, H. (2018). Stability and eigenvalue sensitivity analysis of a BESS model in a microgrid. 2018 IEEE International Energy Conference (ENERGYCON), Limassol, Cyprus, 3–7 June 2018. IEEE, 1−6. Beg, N.; Armstorfer, A.; Rosin, A.; Biechl, H. (2018). Mathematical Modeling and Stability Analysis of a Microgrid in Island Operation. 2018 International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and Technologies (SEST), Sevilla, Spain, 10–12 Sept. 2018. Sevilla, Spain: IEEE, 1−6. Korõtko, T.; Rosin, A. (2018). Search algorithm development for novel electricity auction in microgrids. 59th International Scientific Con- ference on Power and Electrical Engineering of Riga Technical University: RTUCON2018, Riga, Latvia, November 12–14, 2018. IEEE, 1−6. Roasto, I.; Rosin, A.; Jalakas, T. (2018). Multiport Interface Converter with an Energy Storage for Nanogrids. 44th Annual Confer- ence of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON2018), Washington DC, USA, October 21–23, 2018. IEEE, 6088−6093.

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POWER ELECTRONICS GROUP Head of the research group: Lead Research Scientist DMITRI VINNIKOV, [email protected] Members: Indrek Roasto, Tanel Jalakas, Andrei Blinov, Oleksandr Husev, Janis Zakis, Sergio Pires-Pimentel, Andrii Chub, Elizaveta Liivik Post-doctoral rechearchers: Serhii Stepenko Doctoral students: Roman Kosenko, Elena Makovenko, Oleksandr Korkh, Denys Zinchenko, Oleksandr Matiushkin, Mahdiyyeh Najafzadeh

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: power converters for renewables, energy systems for near-zero energy buildings, power converters for energy storages. Research in the Group is focused on the development and experimental validation of new state of the art power electronic converters for such demanding applications as renewable energy systems, rolling stock, automotive and telecom. The key research directions include synthesis of new converter topologies, development of special control and protection algorithms, implementation of new components and elaboration of design guidelines to further improve the efficiency, power density, reliability and flexibility of the on-market power electronic converters. Other research activities: development of power flow control algorithms and new supervision, fault detection, protection and communication methods for the electronic power distribution grids (Micro- and SmartGrids). 0.5 MW modulated pulses and the isolation of which The Group is one of the pioneers of the latest ad- can withstand more than 60 kV was developed for vances in the topic of impedance-source converters, this power supply. The whole device operates at 15 especially, in the field of impedance-source (IS) gal- kHz modulated frequency. To verify the concept a vanically isolated DC-DC converters for renewable prototype device was constructed and successfully energy applications. In 2018 the group proposed and tested in the TalTech power electronics laboratory. experimentally validated many novel IS DC-DC In cooperation with industrial partners the group converters including the high-performance inte- member have developed and validated several novel grated buck-boost inverters family based on unfold- power electronic systems and technologies for zero ing circuit, patent-pending family of reconfigurable energy and resource efficient buildings including the rectifiers for voltage gain extension and linearization novel concept of PV module-level power electronics of efficiency of the wide input voltage range step-up called Optiverter, residential modular AC-battery DC-DC converters and the magnetically integrated system, energy router and universal PV-to-grid in- multiphase IS converter with adaptive phase-shed- terface that enables fast deployment of residential ding control and input current ripple cancellation. microgrids. The research findings in this field were reported at the flagship conferences of the IEEE Power and Industrial Electronics Societies (PELS and IES) all SELECTED PUBLICATIONS over the world and received an extremely positive A. Blinov, R. Kosenko, A. Chub and D. Vinnikov, feedback from research institutions and industrial “Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Modular companies including 3 best paper awards from the Residential Battery Energy Storage Systems,” IEEE IES and IEEE IAS societies. in IET Power Electronics, vol. 11, no. 12, pp. The Power Electronics Group was also actively 2000–2009, 16 10 2018. involved in the R&D activities of the European Spallation Source (ESS), which is a joint project A. Chub, D. Vinnikov, E. Liivik and T. Jalakas, involving 17 European countries, including Estonia, “Multiphase Quasi-Z-Source DC-DC Converters aimed to build and operate next-generation research for Residential Distributed Generation Systems,” infrastructure for using neutrons to conduct research in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electron- on materials. The ESS will be the world’s most ics, vol. 65, no. 10, pp. 8361–8371, Oct. 2018. powerful neutron radiation source, more than 100 times greater than other similar sources. The group O. Husev, O. Matiushkin, C. Roncero, F. Blaab- members have developed a novel high voltage power jerg and D. Vinnikov, “Novel Family of Single- supply for ESS accelerator proton source klystrodes Stage Buck-Boost Inverters Based on Unfolding (IOTs). A dry isolation, high frequency pulse trans- Circuit,” in IEEE Transactions on Power Elec- former with unique construction that delivers up to tronics, 34(8), 7622–7676. 25 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

POWER SYSTEMS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Associate Professor JAKO KILTER, [email protected] Members: Tanel Sarnet, Ülo Treufeldt, Mati Meldorf, Uku Salumäe Doctoral students: Mari Löper, Triin Kangro, Kaur Tuttelberg, Madis Leinakse, Marko Tealane, Tarmo Trummal, Alexander Mazikas, Henri Manninen

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: power system analysis, wide area ering the availability of modern compensation measurements and control, power quality, load devices and wide-area information. modelling, power system stability. Cooperation with companies is focused on carry- Research activities in the group are focused on ing out multiple and important R&D activities the development of control and protection algo- related to power system planning and control rithms and applications, and performing system challenges, e.g. static and dynamic characteris- analysis considering the challenges in modern tics of the Estonian power system and reactive and future power systems. power planning in the Estonian power system. Key research areas: power system real-time con- Main research outcomes: trol protection, and analysis based on wide-area Development of information with respect to HVDC and FACTS control, wind power integration, power quality -- new methods and applications for and load modelling. Emphasis is on modern pow- power system, inertia and short-circuit er systems where the level of generation through power estimation based on PMU meas- converters is increasing and consequently the urements. level of system inertia is decreasing. -- mathematical models for power system Other research activities: the development and analysis in networks with significant assessment of power quality mitigation methods level of cables. in transmission and distribution systems consid- -- novel methods for power quality monitoring and assessment in transmission networks. -- principles for modelling and analysis of the Estonian power system black-start restoration process. Development and application of complex optimization methods for thermal power plants. Analysis and development of the power system wide-area protection concept in the scope of Estonian power system protection principles.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Tuttelberg, K., Kilter, J. Wilson, D., Uhlen, K. (2018) Estimation of Power System Iner- tia from Ambient Wide Area Measurements. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 33(6), 7249–7257. Tuttelberg, K.; Kilter, J. (2018). Estimation of transmission loss components from phasor measurements. International Journal of Elec- trical Power & Energy Systems.98, 62–71. Božiček, A.; Kilter, J.; Sarnet, T.; Papič, I.; Blažič, B. (2018) Harmonic Emissions of Power Electronic Devices Under Different Transmis- sion Network Operating Conditions. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 54(5), 5216–5226.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 4 professors Director: Professor ANDRES SIIRDE, staff 10 researchers [email protected], 21 +372 620 3902 Doctoral Defended doctoral 10 students 5 dissertations 20 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 4 RESEARCH GROUPS: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER. Head: Professor VAHUR OJA, [email protected] LABORATORY OF FUEL AND AIR EMISSION ANALYSES. Head: Associate Professor ALAR KONIST, [email protected] RESEARCH LABORATORY OF COMBUSTION PROCESSES. Head: Professor TÕNU PIHU, [email protected] SMART DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS OF GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS. Head: Senior Researcher ANNA VOLKOVA, [email protected]

4 4 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS TEACHING ASSISTANTS 2 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 3 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 1 4 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 3

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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER Head of the research group: Professor VAHUR OJA, [email protected] Members: Inna Kamenev, Sven Kamenev, Jelena Veressinina, Madis Listak Doctoral students: Carmen Siitsman, Seidy Salundi, Parsa Mozaffari, Sepehr Mozaffari, Rivo Rannaveski

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: thermodynamics, liquid fuels, envi- tion is devoted to pure compounds and their ronment, risk assessment well-defined mixtures as well as complex and ill-defined multicomponent systems, such as The aim of the chemical engineering research oils and tars from various materials (oil shale, group is to conduct research for development of biomass). In the last decade the focus of the improved chemical processes and products by research has been on the application of applied applying tools of applied chemical engineering chemical engineering thermodynamics in two thermodynamics. The research covers a range areas of world-wide importance: sustainable of topics from process design to product design. energy technologies covering both fossil fuel and The general research approach combines labora- renewable biofeedstocks, and the corresponding tory experiments and computational modelling. health, safety, and environmental risk assess- The research group possesses experimental ment issues. To support the development of capabilities suitable for experimental determi- sustainable and environmentally friendly prod- nation/ evaluation of thermodynamic and phase ucts and processes has been a major underlying equilibria data, and thermal (thermochemi- objective of the research. cal conversion) behaviour of substances. The group has developed several non-conventional experimental techniques compatible with SELECTED ARTICLES: small amounts of materials. Particular atten- Baird, Z. S.; Uusi-Kyyny, P.; Jarvik, O.; Oja, V.; Alopaeus, V. (2018). Temperature and Pressure Dependence of Density of a Shale Oil and Derived Thermodynamic Properties. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 57 (14), 5128−5135. Rannaveski, R.; Listak, M.; Oja, V. (2018). ASTM D86 distillation in the context of average boiling points as thermodynamic property of narrow boiling range oil frac- tions. Oil Shale 35(3), 254–265 Rannaveski, R.; Listak M. (2018). Flash Points of Gasoline from Kukersite Oil Shale: Prediction from Vapor Pressure. Agronomy Research, 16 (SI 1), 1218–1227.

SELECTED PROJECTS: LEP18004, “Heavy oil research” (1.01.2018–31.12.2018) VA17085, “Great Adventures with Mate- rials: Education for a Recycling Society” (1.04.2017–31.03.2019)

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LABORATORY OF FUEL AND AIR EMISSION ANALYSES Head of the research group: Professor ALAR KONIST, [email protected] Members: Birgit Maaten, Oliver Järvik, Rivo Rannaveski, Teet Parve Lab. staff: Kristiina Veldemann, Kertu Lepiksaar, Gert Kuldma, Maaris Nuutre Doctoral students: Mari Sulg, Heliis Pikkor

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: fuels, combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, ash, activation energies, CO2 emissions, CCS and CCU (inc. Oxyfuel) Moving toward zero carbon emissions is an ultimate goal for energy technology. The group intends to tackle the problem by studying the possibilities of oxy-fuel co-combustion of oil shale (OS) and biomass in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. Further, utilization of the remain- ing Ca-rich ash as a bed material for binding CO2 (also SOx and NOx) in fluidized bed combustion of biomass for achieving negative carbon emissions in biomass combustion will be studied. Lab- scale up to semi- industrial scale experiments will be carried out to investigate the combustion process parameters to achieve this. Also, the group deals with better characterization of the fly ash, in order to enable more effective use of the ash that is formed under oxyfuel combustion conditions. The “organic and inorganic” (carbon) portion of the ash is the key to success in many new utilization schemes. A broad-based scientific investigation of the form, sorptive properties and behaviour of the in/organic material in ash samples is carried out in order to help identify new commercial opportunities. The accredited laboratory group provides ac- Konist, A.; Järvik, O.; Pihu, T.; Neshumayev, credited sample analyses for various customers. D.; (2018). Combustion as a possible solution to pyrolytic wastewater utilization. Chemical En- SELECTED ARTICLES: gineering Transactions, 70, 859−864. Loo, L.; Konist, A.; Nešumajev, D.; Pihu, T.; Maaten, B.; Pikkor, H.; Konist, A. Siirde, A. Maaten, B.; Siirde, A. (2018). Ash and Flue (2018). Determination of the Total Sulphur Gas from Oil Shale Oxy-Fuel Circulating Content of Oil Shale by Using Different Ana- Fluidized Bed Combustion. Energies, 11 (5). lytical Methods. Oil Shale, 35 (2), 144−153. Maaten, B.; Järvik, O.; Loo, L.; Konist, A.; Maaten, B.; Loo, L.; Konist, A.; Siirde, A. Siirde, A. (2018). Characterization of the (2018). Mineral matter effect on the decomposi- pyrolytic water from shale oil industry. tion of Ca-rich oil shale. Journal of Thermal Oil Shale, 35 (4), 365−374. Analysis and Calorimetry, 131 (3), 2084−2091.

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RESEARCH LABORATORY OF COMBUSTION PROCESSES Head of the Laboratory: Professor TÕNU PIHU, [email protected] Members: Dmitri Nešumajev, Oliver Järvik, Teet Parve Doctoral student: Leo Rummel

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: oil shale, biofuels, effectiveness, environmental footprint The research group’s studies are focused on investigation of new opportunities for efficient and environment friendly utilization of oil shale and other local fuels. The topics involve the following basic and applied research: Environmentally and economically competitive new technologies of low grade fuel based energy production – Clean Estonian Oil Shale. Safety, reliability and environmental problems of local fuels fired power units. Combined utilization (gasification) of oil shale and biomass for energy production. The main goals of the research are: Ensuring Estonian electricity and heat production reliability, increase in competitiveness, environmental footprint reduction. Increase of effectiveness of energy equipment by augmentation of convective heat SELECTED ARTICLES: transfer. Loo, L.; Konist, A.; Nešumajev, D.; Pihu, T.; Fundamentals for shale oil and power Maaten, B.; Siirde, A. (2018). Ash and production optimization. Flue Gas from Oil Shale Oxy-Fuel Circulat- ing Fluidized Bed Combustion. Energies, 11 Basic knowledge of local biofuels en- (5).10.3390/en11051218. hancement through gasification and pyrolysis. Konist, A.; Järvik, O.; Pihu, T.; Nešumajev, D. (2018). Combustion as a possible solution to The main results will be: technology basis for oil pyrolytic wastewater utilization. Chemical En- shale combustion in oxygen rich environment. gineering Transactions, 70, 859−864.10.3303/ To carry out the research, the laboratory has: a CET1870144. batch reactor, a unique test facility with 60 kW Neshumayev, D.; Rummel, L.; Konist, A.; Ots, heat capacity, a boiler testing bench with three A.; Parve, T. (2018). Power plant fuel consump- installed boilers. tion rate during load cycling. Applied Energy, 224, pp. 124−135. SELECTED PROJECTS Rummel, L.; Neshumayev, D.; Konist, A. (2018) Lep 17006, “Fundamental Research Power plant ash composition transformations studies on Oil Shale Technologies” during load cycling. Chemical Engineering (01.01.2017–31.12.2018) Transactions, 70, pp. 655−660.

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SMART DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS OF GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS Head of the research group: Senior Researcher ANNA VOLKOVA, [email protected] Members: Andres, Siirde, Eduard Latõšov, Igor Krupenski, Inge Roos, Sulev Soosaar, Vladislav Mašatin, Kertu Lepiksaar Doctoral students: Heliis Pikkor, Meelis Eldermann, Olga Pihl, Mihail Fomitshev

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: 4th generation district heating, Low temperature DH networks; primary energy factors, CO emissions, ther- 2 mal energy storage, CHP Integration of large heat pumps into DH systems; The group deals with: (1) the development of new technical solutions for the transition Power plant operation strategy integrat- of district heating (DH) systems towards an ing an accumulator tank; intelligent, highly efficient and regenerative Development plans for DH regions; energy supply concept and (2) integrated assessment analysis of greenhouse gas emis- GIS based optimisation of district heating sions. networks; The main research topics are related to transi- A mobile app for promoting sustainable tion and improvement measures for existing district heating; and technical solutions for planned district Parallel consumption impact on district heating systems. heating; The group’s recent research activities are con- Optimisation of district heating networks; nected with the analysis of: Calculation of primary energy factors for Transition of the existing large-scale DH district heating and cooling. system towards 4th generation DH; Thermal energy storage coupling with SELECTED ARTICLES: biomass CHP; Volkova, A.; Siirde, A.; Mašatin, V. (2018). Methodology for evaluating the transition process dynamics towards 4th generation district heating systems. Energy, 150, 253−261. Latõšov, E.; Volkova, A.; Hlebnikov, A.; Si- irde, A. (2018). Technical improvement potential of large district heating network: application to the Case of Tallinn, Estonia. Energy Procedia, 149, 337−344. (The article received the award for research excellence in district heating and cooling, by International Energy Agency technology collaboration programme on District Heating and Cooling including CHP). Latõšov, E., Maaten, B., Siirde, A., Konist, A. (2018). The influence of O2 and CO2 on the possible corrosion on steel transmission lines of natural gas. Energy Procedia, 147, 63–70. Volkova, A., Latõšov, E., Andrijaškin, M., Si- irde, A. (2018) Feasibility of thermal energy storage integration into biomass CHP-based district heating system. Chemical Engineer- ing Transactions, 70, 499–504.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 MATERIALS AND (as of Dec. 31, 2018) ENVIRONMENTAL Academic Incl. 9 professors staff TECHNOLOGY 58 44 researchers Doctoral Defended doctoral students dissertations Director: Professor MALLE KRUNKS, 29 6 [email protected], Scientific publications +372 620 3363 68

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 8 RESEARCH GROUPS: LABORATORY OF BIOFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS. Head: Senior Research Scientist VITALI SÕRITSKI, [email protected] LABORATORY OF CHEMICAL THIN FILM TECHNOLOGIES. Head: Senior Research Scientist ILONA OJA ACIK, [email protected] LABORATORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY. Head: Professor MARINA TRAPIDO, [email protected] LABORATORY OF INORGANIC MATERIALS. Head: Professor ANDRES TRIKKEL, [email protected] LABORATORY OF OPTOELECTRONIC MATERIALS PHYSICS. Head: Professor MAARJA GROSSBERG, [email protected] LABORATORY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MATERIALS RESEARCH. Head: Senior Research Scientist MARIT KAUK-KUUSIK, [email protected] LABORATORY OF POLYMERS AND TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY. Head: Professor ANDRES KRUMME, [email protected] LABORATORY OF WOOD TECHNOLOGY. Head: Professor JAAN KERS, [email protected]

8 PROFESSORS 14 2 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 4 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 12 18

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LABORATORY OF BIOFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Head of the Laboratory: Senior Research Scientist VITALI SÕRITSKI, [email protected] Members: Andres Öpik, Jekaterina Reut, Roman Boroznjak, Akinrinade George Ayankojo Doctoral student: Anna Kidakova

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers, SELECTED ARTICLES: synthetic receptors, sensors, medical diagnostics, Ayankojo, A.G.; Reut, J.; Öpik, A.; Furchner, PoCT, environmental monitoring. A.; Syritski, V. (2018). Hybrid Molecularly Im- The group develops smart biosensing func- printed Polymer for Amoxicillin Detection. Bio- tional materials to propose solutions with con- sensors and Bioelectronics, 118, 102−107. siderable potential impact on essential areas of Ayankojo, A. G.; Reut, J.; Boroznjak, R.; Öpik, human life such as environmental protection, A.; Syritski, V. (2018). Molecularly imprinted medical diagnostics and cure. By employing poly(meta-phenylenediamine) based QCM sen- the molecular imprinting technology, the sor for detecting Amoxicillin. Sensors and Ac- group designs and synthesizes polymeric ma- tuators B-Chemical, 258, 766−774. terials capable of selective capturing of small (amino acid, traces of different antibiotics) and biomacromolecules (proteins e.g. antibodies and neurotrophic factors). The main benefits of these materials, so called Molecularly Im- printed Polymers (MIP), are related to their synthetic nature, i.e. excellent chemical and thermal stability associated with reproducible, cost-effective fabrication. MIPs can be easily integrated with a variety of sensor platforms allowing label-free detection of a target analyte with high sensitivity and selectivity offering thus solutions for design of multianalyte chemosensors at low cost. The promising practical applications of such sensors could be found in clinical diagnostics, where MIP-based sensors could be implemented in devices for point-of-care testing (POCT). It is expected that POCT market segment will con- tinue to grow at a rapid rate and thus will have immense importance in the healthcare systems both in Estonia and worldwide. MIPs could be also attractive materials for cost effective fabrication of chemosensors for real-time monitoring of hazardous pollutants in aquatic environment as an alternative to traditional costly and lengthy chromatography-based methods.

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LABORATORY OF CHEMICAL THIN FILM TECHNOLOGIES Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist ILONA OJA ACIK, [email protected] Members: Malle Krunks, Arvo Mere, Tatjana Dedova, Atanas Katerski, Erki Kärber, Nicolae Spalatu, Jaan Hiie Doctoral students: Svetlana Polivtseva, Inga Gromõko, Ibrahim Dündar, Abayomi Oluwabi Titilope, Jako Siim Eensalu, Jekaterina Spiridonova, Zengjun Chen

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: nanomaterials, thin films, solar cells, sensors, thin film electronics, photocatalytic coatings The main research topic of the Laboratory of Thin film Chemical Technologies is the development of multifunctional metal oxide and chalcogenide thin films or nanostructures by chemical technologies (spray pyrolysis, sol-gel, and electrochemical deposition) and vacuum based technologies (close spaced sublimation). The setup for the technologies is simple, inexpensive and easily transferrable to industrial scale. The key competences of the research group are: Development of nanostructured, semi- transparent solar cells for smart renewable energy solutions in future buildings. Development of thin films for several devices – solar cells, fuel cells, thin film transistors, gas sensors, self-cleaning coatings. Development of thin films and nanostructured materials for clean and healthy environment, including antibacterial coatings and materials for air and water cleaning. Applied research in the laboratory is devoted to the development of solar cell integrated pavement for electricity production. RESULTS: ZnO nanostructures deposited by wet chemical meth- TAR16016, Advanced materials and high- ods demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity in technology devices for energy recuperation degradation of organic pollutants in water. systems (2015−2023) AR17092, Center of nanomaterials re- Zr-doped TiO2 and ZrO2 thin films deposited by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method can be used in search and technologies (NAMUR+) semi-transparent thin film transistors. (2017−2021) The technology for the deposition of new absorber VA18048, Wide band gap oxide semiconductors for photovoltaic applications materials such as SnS and Sb2S3 thin films by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method and the close (2018−2020) spaced sublimation method were developed, their applicability in thin film and hybrid solar cells was SELECTED ARTICLES proved. Abayomi, O.; Oja-Acik, I.; Katerski, A.; Mere, Systematic studies on the development of CdS/CdTe A.; Krunks, M. (2018). Structural and electrical solar proved correlation between the defects in crystal characterisation of high-k ZrO2 thin films lattice and the electrical, optical and structural prop- deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis method. erties of CdS and CdTe thin films. Control of the film Thin Solid Films, 662, 129−136. properties by post-deposition treatments was shown. Gromyko, I.; Dedova, T.; Polivtseva, S.; Kois, J.; Puust, L.; Sildos, I.; Mere, A.; Krunks, M. SELECTED PROJECTS (2018). Electrodeposited ZnO morphology IUT19-4, Thin films and nanomaterials by transformations under the influence of SeO2 wet-chemical methods for next-generation additive: Rods, disks, nanosheets network. photovoltaics (2014–2019) Thin Solid Films, 652, 10−15. 34 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING LABORATORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY Head of the Laboratory: Professor MARINA TRAPIDO, [email protected] Members: Sergei Preis, Anna Goi, Niina Dulova, Marina Kritševskaja, Juri Bolobajev, Eneliis Kattel Doctoral students: Maarja Kask, Balpreet Kaur, Liina Kuntus, Priit Tikker

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: environmental technology, water pulsed corona discharge plasma is a new direc- and wastewater treatment, micropollutants, tion for the laboratory studies that stands close ozonation, advanced oxidation processes, pulsed to the fulfilment of the last task due to its high corona discharge plasma technology energy efficiency. The laboratory has long-term experience in Since recently, the laboratory personnel par- water, air and soil treatment technologies, with ticipate in two international projects. The main the main emphasis on the implementation of the challenge of the first one is to find the most Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The lat- cost-effective and environmentally friendly ter encompasses several oxidative technologies wastewater treatment solutions for the scattered commonly recruiting a highly powerful oxidant, dwelling households not connected to urban hydroxyl radical (•OH). Such technologies in- wastewater plants in order to protect the Baltic clude ozonation and its catalytic modification, Sea watershed. The other project addresses one Fenton and Fenton-like reagents, photolytic of the current challenges of water for human and photocatalytic processes, oxidation with consumption such as the abatement of natural peroxy-compounds, ultrasonication, and pulsed radioactivity in potable water. electric discharge plasma treatment. Applicabil- ity of AOPs and their combinations is studied for SELECTED ARTICLES degradation of so-called priority pollutants (oils, Kattel, E.; Balpreet, K.; Trapido, M.; Dulova, fuel components and additives) and emerging N. (2018). Persulfate-Based Photodegradation micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, of a Beta-Lactam Antibiotic Amoxicillin in endocrine disruptors, chlorine-containing or- Various Water Matrices. Environmental Tech- ganic compounds, synthetic sweeteners, etc.). nology. [Published online: 04 Jul 2018]. In the gas phase, attention is focused on volatile organic compounds. The laboratory studies the Krichevskaya, M.; Preis, S.; Moiseev, A.; Proni- combination of these processes with each other na, N.; Deubener, J. (2017). Gas-phase pho- and with the biological oxidation, in order to tocatalytic oxidation of refractory VOCs mix- ensure the maximum purification degree at tures: Through the net of process limitations. minimum treatment cost. Water treatment with Catalysis Today, 280 (1), 93−98.

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LABORATORY OF INORGANIC MATERIALS Head of the Laboratory: Professor ANDRES TRIKKEL, [email protected] Members: Tiit Kaljuvee, Juha Kallas, Rein Kuusik, Kaia Tõnsuaadu, Mai Uibu, Kadriann Tamm, Olga Velts-Jänes, Marve Einard, Can Rüstü Yörük Doctoral students: Hakan Berber, Ana Jurkeviciute

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: oil shale ash; apatite; carbon diox- SELECTED ARTICLES ide; thermal analysis Yörük, C. R.; Meriste, T.; Sener, S.; Kuusik, R.; Research of the laboratory is focused on waste Trikkel, A. (2018). Thermogravimetric analysis management, mainly, in oil shale industry – to and process simulation of oxy-fuel combustion reuse oil shale ash and diminish GHG emissions of blended fuels including oil shale, semicoke, with the aim to clarify chemical-technological and biomass. International Journal of Energy fundamentals of these processes in complex het- Research, 42 (6), 2213−2224. erogeneous systems. The research directions are related to PCC production and curing materials, Tõnsuaadu, K.; Gruselle, M.; Kriisa, F.; mineral carbonation, using ash as phosphorus Trikkel, A.; Gredin, P.; Villemin, D. (2018). sorbent together with extended chemistry of Dependence of the interaction mechanisms be- apatites, oil shale or semicoke oxy-combustion tween L-serine and O- phospho-L-serine with and other thermal processes. The research group calcium hydroxyapatite and copper modified uses widely thermal analysis methods together hydroxyapatite in relation with the acidity of with mathematical modelling to generalize the aqueous medium. Journal of biological inor- novel know-how obtained. ganic chemistry, 23 (6), 929−937. International research includes involvement in significant projects such as Horizon 2020 (CLEANKER) and EIT KIC network (FLAME) as well as commencement of cooperation with GTK Finland in enrichment of Estonian phosphorite ore. In cooperation with Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia, the impact of oil shale ash additive and possibilities for the production of ceramic products are studied. The impact of thermal treatment on the crystal-chemical properties of systems containing carbonate, phos- phate silicates and sulfide/sulfate is studied in cooperation with the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of Bulgaria.

SELECTED PROJECTS IUT33-19, Fundamentals of multicomponent mineral-organic systems: Chemistry, modeling and sustainable processing; VFP17114, CLEAN clinKER production by Calcium looping process

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LABORATORY OF OPTOELECTRONIC MATERIALS PHYSICS Head of the Laboratory: Professor MAARJA GROSSBERG, [email protected] Members: Jüri Krustok, Olga Volobujeva, Valdek Mikli, Sergei Bereznev, Dieter Meissner, Mati Danilson, Taavi Raadik, Svetlana Polivtseva Post-doctoral researcher: Souhaib Oueslati Doctoral students: Reelika Kaupmees, Aleksei Penezko, Akram Abdalla Mohammed Ibrahim, Zahra Loghman Nia

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: 2D materials, optoelectronic properties of materials, solar cells, conductive oxides, defect physics The Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Physics focuses on the studies of fundamental physical properties of semiconductors for optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, lasers, diodes, sensors etc. The research infrastructure enables exploration of the band structure, crystal and defect structure, phase and elemental composition, morphology, electrical and optical properties of the materials and devices. Current research is focused on the fundamental studies of different novel absorber materials for solar cells, for example Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4, Cu2Sb(S,Se)3, Cu(In,Ga) Se2, Sb2Se3, etc., and two-dimensional materials such as WS2, MoSe2 etc. The latter have versatile applications in addition to photovoltaics, namely photonics, was demonstrated. A prospective superstrate sensors, etc. In addition to the inorganic semiconduc- configuration FTO/Zn(O,Se)/CdTe/Te/Ni solar tor based structures, hybrid structures combining the cell exhibiting a cell efficiency of 7.6% was advantages of inorganic and organic semiconductors developed (Polivtseva, S., et al., 2018). are being developed and studied. The laboratory includes also the outdoor testing SELECTED PROJECTS center of photovoltaic modules, where it is possible to TAR16016 (TK141), Advanced materials monitor the dependence of modules’ output param- and high-technology devices for sustain- eters on the environmental conditions. It is possible able energetics, sensorics and nanoelec- to estimate the performance of photovoltaic modules tronics (1.01.2015−1.03.2023) at different climatic locations, analyze the energy IUT19-28, New materials and technologies rating models and calculate the cost effectiveness of for solar energetics (1.01.2014−31.12.2019) photovoltaic systems. PUT1495, SnS and SnSe thin films for Photo- In 2018 the research was focused on the following: voltaic Application (1.01.2017−31.12.2020) Radiative recombination mechanisms in the MOBJD308, Optoelectronic studies of Cu2ZnSn(SSe)4 monograin layer solar orthorhombic and tetragonal Cu2CdGeSe4 that are used as absorber material in solar cells (1.10.2017–30.09.2019) cells were found to be different. Results of the study enable modification of the synthesis of SELECTED ARTICLES the absorber with an aim to achieve optoelec- Grossberg, M.; Raadik, T.; Krustok, J.; Kauk- tronic properties suitable for PV applications Kuusik, M.; Timmo, K.; Kaupmees, R.; Mikli, (Grossberg, M., et al., 2018). V.; Mere, A. (2018). Optical and structural properties of orthorhombic and tetragonal MoS2 monolayers were grown by the chemical vapour deposition method and a detailed study polymorphs of Cu2CdGeSe4. Thin Solid Films, of the B band emission revealed the combina- 666, 44−47. tion of exciton and trion contributions enabling Kaupmees, R.; Komsa, H.-P.; Krustok, J. the determination of the B trion binding en- (2019). Photoluminescence Study of B-Trions in ergy of 18 meV (Kaupmees, R., et al., 2018). MoS2 Monolayers with High Density of Defects. A systematic study of the formationand Phys. Status Solidi B 256(3), 1800384, 1–5. structural and optoelectronic properties of Polivtseva, S.; Spalatu, N.; Abdalla, A.; Volo Zn(O,Se) thin films deposited by pulsed laser bujeva, O.; Hiie, J.; Bereznev, S. (2018). Pulsed deposition method was conducted. For the laser deposition of Zn(O,Se) layers for optoelec- first time, the applicability of Zn(O,Se) as a tronic application. ACS Applied Energy Mate- buffer layer in a complete solar cell structure rials (2018) 1, 6505–6512. 37 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

LABORATORY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MATERIALS RESEARCH Head of the Laboratory: Senior Research Scientist MARIT KAUK-KUUSIK, [email protected] Members: Mare Altosaar, Kristi Timmo, Jaan Raudoja, Maris Pilvet, Jelena Maricheva, Tiit Varema Doctoral students: Suresh Kumar, Xiofeng Li, Fairouz Ghisani, Xenia Filippova

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: monograin layer solar cell, monograin powder, absorber material, synthesis The activities of the laboratory cover the synthesis and growth of single crystalline semiconductor powders in the environment of molten salts. The group has world-class competence in the field of chemical processes in the molten salts. A lot of attention is paid to the modification of crystals surfaces by chemical and thermal treatments after synthesis with the aim to use them as absorbers in flexible and lightweight photovoltaic devices called monograin layer (MGL) solar cells. This technology can be used for different absorber materials. As the materials under study are multicomponent compounds, the synthesis and the formation of their semiconductor properties are complicated. Nevertheless, MGL solar cell efficiencies have reached the level of 14 %. The goal is to create solar cell materials from cheap and environmentally friendly components with the aim to decrease the cost of solar energy to the compatible level of the other alternative energy sources. The unique conception of the MGL solar cell is protected by different patents. MGL solar cells technology is being implemented by a a TalTech spin-off company, crystalsol GmbH. formation in CdI2. Part 1. Chemical reactions and enthalpies in mixtures of CdI2-ZnSe, CdI2 The research group is a member of the European -SnSe, and CdI2-CuSe. Journal of Thermal Energy Research Alliance (EERA) network in the Analysis and Calorimetry, 134 (1), 409−421. field of photovoltaics (EERA Joint Programme in Leinemann,I.; Pilvet, M.; Kaljuvee, T.; Traks- PV). EERA-PV is a network connecting a large maa, R.; Altosaar, M. (2018). Reaction pathway number of research institutions from different to CZTSe formation in CdI2. Part 2: Chemical European countries with the aim of contributing reactions and enthalpies in mixtures of CdI2– to the progress of PV in a coordinated manner, and CuSe–SnSe and CdI2–CuSe– SnSe–ZnSe. a partner of the European cooperation network in Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, kesterite materials (EUKENE). 134 (1), 433−441. SELECTED PROJECTS Kauk-Kuusik, M.; Li, X.; Pilvet, M.; Timmo, K.; Grossberg, M.; Raadik, T.; Danilson, M.; TAR16016 (TK141), Advanced materials Mikli, V.; Altosaar, M.; Krustok, J.; Raudoja, and high-technology devices for sustain- J. (2018). Study of Cu2CdGeSe4 monograin able energetics, sensorics and nanoelec- powders synthesized by molten salt method for tronics (2015−2023) photovoltaic applications. Thin Solid Films, AR17092, Center of nanomaterials re- 666, 15−19. search and technologies (NAMUR+) Timmo, K.; Kauk-Kuusik, M.; Pilvet, M.; Al- (2017−2021) tosaar, M.; Grossberg, M.; Danilson, M.; Kaup- IUT19-28, Center of nanomaterials re- mees, R.; Mikli, V.; Raudoja, J.; Varema, T. search and technologies (NAMUR+) (2018). Cu(In,Ga)Se2 monograin powders with (2014−2019) different Ga content for solar cells. Solar En- ergy, 176, 648−655. SELECTED ARTICLES Kumar, S.; Altosaar, M.; Grossberg, M.; Mikli, Leinemann, I.; Nkwusi, G. C.; Timmo, K,: Vo- V.. (2018). Effect of alkali ions (Na+, K+, Cs+) lobujeva, O.; Danilson, M.; Raudoja, J.; Kalju- on reaction mechanism of CZTS nano-particles vee, T.; Traksmaa, R.; Altosaar, M.; Meissner, synthesis. Superlattices and Microstructures, D. (2018). Reaction passway to Cu2ZnSnSe4 116, 54−63. 38 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

LABORATORY OF POLYMERS AND TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY Head of the Laboratory: Professor ANDRES KRUMME, [email protected] Members: Elvira Tarasova, Natalja Savest, Illia Krasnou, Tiia Plamus, Viktoria Vassiljeva Doctoral students: Mihkel Viirsalu, Kashif Javed, Siret Malmberg, Nele Mandre, Li Wah Wong

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: polymers, polymer technology, SELECTED ARTICLE polymeric composites, textile, electrospinning, nanofibres, conductive polymers, supercapacitors Javed, K.; Krumme, A.; Viirsalu, M.; Krasnou, I.; Plamus, T.; Vassiljeva, V.; Tarasova, E.; TalTech Laboratory of Polymers and Textile Savest, N.; Mere, A.; Mikli, V.; Danilson, M.; Technology utilises electrospinning technology for Kaljuvee, T.; Lange, S.; Yuan, Q.; Topham, P. developing thin and durable supercapacitors for D.; Chen, C.-M. (2018). A method for produc- demanding fields such as space industry. Conduc- ing conductive graphene biopolymer nanofi- tive polymers, carbon allotropes, ionic liquids or brous fabrics by exploitation of an ionic liquid their polymerisation products are used as fillers dispersant in electrospinning. Carbon, 140, for the matrix polymer in the nanofibrous com- 148−156. posites. New types of copolymers are utilised for the matrixes having good mechanical properties in addition to good conductivity and capacitance. The best types of carbon allotropes are found for improving capacitance of the nanofibers. The study will find the common denominator of these aspects in order to open the route for preparing very attractive fibrous materials for several high- technological fields by electrospinning. The applied research of the laboratory is dedicated to sustainable utilisation of plastics and thermosets. The laboratory owns the only pilot plant of plastics technology in Estonia, including machinery for the most relevant processes as compounding, extrusion and injection mould- ing. Composite materials of organic or inorganic fillers with recycled polymer matrixes are developed. Wood industry and production of energy are abundant sources for fillers such as wood dust or oil-shale ash. The applied research is strongly supporting EU directives regarding the need of recycling of municipal plastic waste instead of landfilling or incineration. New types of construction materials and pavements are provided from the waste materials. Pavement for solar energetics is also developed by embedding photovoltaic cells into thermosets. The laboratory provides testing services for Es- tonian industry and public authorities, incl. the customs board, road administration, consumer protection board, etc.

SELECTED PROJECT VA17066 Fully electrospun durable electrode and electrochemical double-layer capacitor for high frequency applications (ESA contract number 4000119258)

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LABORATORY OF WOOD TECHNOLOGY Head of the Laboratory: Professor JAAN KERS, [email protected] Members: Triinu Poltimäe, Rein Reiska, Ahto Reiska Doctoral students: Heikko Kallakas, Karmo Kiiman, Villu Kukk, Kaarel Saar, Percy Festus Alao

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: veneer, plywood, wood-polymer CLT panels is investigated in the TalTech zero- composites, wood and natural fibre composites, energy building. furnituure The Laboratory of Wood Technology investigates SELECTED PROJECT the birch veneer surface properties, quality, and RITA1/01-18-15, Maximising added bonding quality. Another main research area value and efficient use of raw materials is wood and natural fiber polymer composites, in bioeconomy and its sectors in Estonia where we investigate how birch veneer residues (1.03.2018−28.02.2021). can be used in the wood-plastic composites. We also investigate how industrial hemp can be SELECTED ARTICLE used to make building materials and insulation Kallakas, H.; Närep, M.; Närep, A.; Poltimäe, materials. One of our research topics is also Kers, J. (2018). Mechanical and physical proper- cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels which are ties of industrial hemp-based insulation materials. used for building houses. The impact of moisture Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, content and temperature on crack formation in 67 (2), 183−192.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 MECHANICAL AND (as of Dec. 31, 2018) INDUSTRIAL Academic Incl. 9 professors staff ENGINEERING 56 28 researchers Doctoral Defended doctoral students dissertations Director: Associated Professor 40 12 KRISTO KARJUST, Scientific publications [email protected] 111

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 13 RESEARCH GROUPS: ACOUSTIC RESEARCH. Head: Professor JÜRI LAVRENTJEV, [email protected] ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY. Head: Professor PRASHANTH KONDA GOKULDOSS, [email protected] AUTONOMOUS SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES. Head: Senior Research Scientist RAIVO SELL, [email protected] CERAMIC-BASED COMPOSITES. Head: Professor JAKOB KÜBARSEPP, [email protected] DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF ADVANCED MATERIALS, STRUCTURES AND PRODUCTS. Head: Professor MARTIN EERME, [email protected] DEVELOPMENT OF REAL-TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PREDICTION MODELS. Head: Associated Professor KRISTO KARJUST, [email protected] INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. Head: Professor IRINA HUSSAINOVA, [email protected] PRODUCT AND SERVICE SYSTEMS DESIGN. Head: Professor MARTIN PÄRN, [email protected] RECONFIGURABLE MANUFACTURING BASED ON INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS. Head: Professor JÜRI RIIVES, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT. Head: Professor DAGO ANTOV, [email protected] SMART AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPOSITES: DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. Head: Lead Research Scientist JÜRI MAJAK, [email protected] SMART INDUSTRY. Head: Professor TAUNO OTTO, [email protected] TRIBOLOGY AND RECYCLING. Head: Senior Research Scientist MAKSIM ANTONOV, [email protected]

8 9 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 8 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 9 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 1 11 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 9 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 1

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ACOUSTIC RESEARCH Head of the research group: Professor JÜRI LAVRENTJEV, [email protected] Members: Hans Rämmal, Fabio Auriemma, Heiki Tiikoja Doctoral student: Reza Moezzi, Erko Vallbaum

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: acoustics, measurement method, based energy harvesting, the scavenging of materials, energy power from existing vibro-acoustic source and its conversion to useful electrical power. The design The main objective of the investigations is to of energy harvesting devices shall be optimized develop and improve high-effective and high-tech to produce the maximum output for given ambi- acoustic materials for a wide field of applications: ent conditions. micro-perforated panels (MPP), micro-grooved elements (MGE), metal foams and acoustic meta- materials (AMM). The second task is vibration- SELECTED PROJECTS: PUT1300, “Numerical methods and algorithms for design of advanced composite and nanostructures”. F15027, “Smart manufacturing and materials technologies competence centre”. Different applied projects – determination of acoustical properties of materials and products to industry.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Auriemma, F. (2017). Acoustic performance of micro-grooved elements. Applied Acoustics, 122 (July), 128−137. Aiello, R.; Auriemma, F. (2018). Optimized vibro-acoustic design of suspended glass panels. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimiza- tion, 1−16.10.1007/s00158-018-2014-3. Lavrentjev, J.; Rämmal, H. (2017). Design and Performance of Acoustic Metamate- rial Structure for Inlet Duct Noise Attenuation. SAE Technical Papers, 1−6.

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ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY Head of the research group: Professor PRASHANTH KONDA GOKULDOSS, [email protected] Member: Lauri Kollo Postdocs: Raghu Nandan Ummethala, Neera Singh Doctoral students: Javad Karimi, Rafia Aftab

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: powder metallurgy, additive Xi, L. X.; Zhang, H.; Wang, P.; Li, H. C.; manufacturing, selective laser melting, powder Prashanth, K. G.; Lin, K. J.; Kaban, I.; Gu, D. bed fusion process, non-equilibrium processing D. (2018). Comparative investigation of microstructure, mechanical properties and strength- RESEARCH TOPICS: ening mechanisms of Al-12Si/TiB2 fabricated by selective laser melting and hot pressing. (1) Powder metallurgy of metallic materials Ceramics International, 44, 17635−17642. (including powder production via mechanical milling/alloying, powder consolidation via spark Baitimerov, R.; Lykov, L.; Zherebtsov, D.; Radi- plasma sintering, hot consolidation methods, hot onova, L.; Schultc, A.; Prashanth, K.G.; (2018). isostatic pressing, etc.) Influence of Powder Characteristics on Process- ability of AlSi12 Alloy Fabricated by Selective (2) Non-equilibrium processing of metallic Laser Melting. Materials, 11 (5), 1−14. materials (including the production of metallic glasses/amorphous materials, quasi-crystalline materials, high entropy alloys, etc.) and (3) Selective laser melting of metallic materials (including alloy design, parameter optimization, topological optimization, microstructure-property correlation, property optimization, interfacial/ wetting studies in composites and fabrication of exotic materials including immiscible alloys, amorphous materials, quasi-crystalline materials, high entropy alloys, single crystals, functionally graded materials, etc.)

SELECTED PROJECT: MOBERC15, “Alloy design for Additive Manufacturing” (2018−2020) SELECTED ARTICLES: Maity, T.; Prashanth, K.G.; Balci, Ö.; Kim, J.T.; Schöberl, T.; Wang, Z.; Eckert, J. (2018). Influence of severe straining and strain rate on the evolution of dislocation structures during micro-/nanoindentation in high entropy lamel- lar eutectics. Int. J. of Plasticity, 109, 121−136.

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AUTONOMOUS SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist RAIVO SELL, [email protected] Members: Eero Väljaots, Andres Petritšenko, Anton Rassõlkin, Juhan-Peep Ernits, Mairo Leier, Henri Sink, Oleg Sosnovski Doctoral students: Ehsan Malayjerdi, Heiko Pikner

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: self-driving vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones The research group is working on the development and research on complex autonomous systems, including localization, navigation, mission planning, sensorics, artificial intelligence, electro-mechanics, control, simulation and machine vision. The topics are applied to a full range of autonomous systems, in particular to self-driving vehicles, mobile robots and drones.

SELECTED PROJECTS: LEP19009, “Measurement methodology for Automatic Transmission Gearboxes”. LEP18082EM, “Applied research on system of sensors and software algorithms for safety and driver assistance on remotely operated ground vehicles for off-road applications”. SS419, “Self-driving car”. VERT16050, “Innovative Open Education on IoT: improving higher education for European digital global competitiveness”.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Rassõlkin, A.; Sell, R.; Leier, M. (2018). 59th International Scientific Conference on Pow- Development case study of the first Estonian er and Electrical Engineering of Riga Techni- self-driving car, ISEAUTO. Electrical, Control cal University (RTUCON). IEEE. and Communication Engineering, 14 (1), 81−88. Rassõlkin, A.; Gevorkov, L.; Vaimann, T.; Kal Rassõlkin, A.; Vaimann, T.; Kallaste, A.; Sell, laste, A.; Sell, R. (2018). Calculation of the R. (2018). Propulsion Motor Drive Topology Se- Traction Effort of ISEAUTO Self-Driving Vehi- lection for Further Development of ISEAUTO cle. In: 25th International Workshop on Electric Self-Driving Car. In: Proceeding of 2018 IEEE Drives: Optimization in Control of Electric Drives IWED2018. IEEE.

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CERAMIC-BASED COMPOSITES Head of the research group: Professor JAKOB KÜBARSEPP, [email protected] Members: Kristjan Juhani, Mart Viljus, Fjodor Sergejev, Andres Laansoo, Rainer Traksmaa, Lembit Kommel Doctoral students: Marek Tarraste, Märt Kolnes, Mart Kolnes, Mihhail Petrov

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: cermet, cemented carbide, ce- The main goal of the research group is engineer- ramics, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, ing and characterization of Fe alloys bonded ceramic-based composite WC-based cemented carbides and W-free cermets as well as ceramic matrix composites characterized by high mechanical wear and corrosion performance in a wide range of temperatures. From a practical point of view the focus is on the development of industrially applicable fabrication technologies (including powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing) for production of prototypes and products from developed ceramic- metal composites (cermets, cemented carbides) and ceramic-ceramic composites.

LATEST RESULTS: Better understanding of the structure formation processes during hot consolidation of Fe-alloys bonded WC-, TiC-, TiN-,

Cr3C2-based ceramic-metal composites and TiCxOy-based ceramic matrix composites Advanced technology of wear and corrosion resistant Ni- and Co-free ceramic-based composites (cermets, WC-based cemented carbides and ceramics ) Elaboration of characterization methods (including fatigue, contact fatigue, wear, fracture mechanics) of ceramic-based composites.

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DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF ADVANCED MATERIALS, STRUCTURES AND PRODUCTS Head of the research group: Professor MARTIN EERME, [email protected] Members: Jüri Majak, Maarjus Kirs, Tarmo Velsker, Toivo Tähemaa, Kaimo Sonk Doctoral student: Erko Õunapuu

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: product development, mechanics, mechanical engineering The main objective of the research is to develop innovative product design methods and tools to deliver a new product rapidly, to produce customer-driven designs, which can be produced quickly and cheaply. SELECTED PROJECTS: TAR16012, “Zero energy and resource efficient smart buildings and districts”. F15027, “Smart manufacturing and materials technologies competence centre”. PUT1300, “Numerical methods and algorithms for design of advanced composite and nanostructures”.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Väer, K.; Anton, J.; Klauson, A.; Eerme, M.; Õunapuu, E.; Tšukrejev, P. (2017). Material Characterization for Laminated Glass Compos- ite Panel. Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, 81 (1), 11−17. Majak, J.; Pohlak, M.; Karjust, K.; Eerme, M.; Kur- nitski, J.; Shvartsman, B. S. (2018). New higher order Haar wavelet method: Application to FGM structures. Composite Structures, 201, 72−78.

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DEVELOPMENT OF REAL-TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PREDICTION MODELS Head of the research group: Associated Professor KRISTO KARJUST, [email protected] Members: Raivo Sell, Allan Aari, Riho Uusjärv, Aigar Hermaste, Tõnis Raamets Doctoral students: Marko Paavel, Sergei Kaganski, Rivo Lemmik, Pavel Tsukrejev, Kaarel Kruuser, Heiko Pikner

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: manufacturing execution system (mes), production monitoring, production optimisation, real time information, wireless sensor network, predictive mainenance The main objective of the research is to study and develop a Production Monitoring System (PMS) with predictive functionality that operates in near real time, focusing on SMEs. The main activities of the research are: (a) development of the PMS concept; (b) system prototyping; (c) development of model predictive control. The advanced Production Monitoring and Predic- tion System detects, measures and monitors the variables, events and situations which affect the performance and reliability of manufacturing systems and processes. Efficient, real-time feed of information for production control and monitoring includes data acquisition about the state of equipment, production orders, flow of materials, quality of products, process data and other necessary data which are used for making proper and optimised decisions regarding manufacturing planning, improved use of available resources, planning of equipment maintenance, etc.

SELECTED PROJECTS: F15027, “Smart manufacturing and materials technologies competence centre”. AR16077, “Smart Industry Centre”. Kirs, M.; Karjust, K.; Aziz, I.; Õunapuu, E.; VIR16048, “Smart Logistics and Freight Tungel, E. (2018). Free vibration analysis of a Villages Initiative”. functionally graded material beam: evaluation LEP18014, “Production processes analysis of the Haar wavelet method. Proceedings of the and optimization in Enefit Solutions AS” Estonian Academy of Sciences, 67 (1), 1−9. Kaganski, S.; Majak, J.; Karjust, K. (2018). SELECTED ARTICLES: Fuzzy AHP as a tool for prioritization of key Eiskop, T.; Snatkin, A.; Karjust, K.; Tungel, E. performance indicators. In: Procedia CIRP (2018). Production monitoring system design (1227−1232).1st CIRP Conference on Manufac- and implementation. Proceedings of the Esto- turing Systems (CIRP CMS 2018). Stockholm, nian Academy of Sciences, 67 (1), 10−16. Sweden, 16.05–18.05.

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INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS Head of the research group: Professor IRINA HUSSAINOVA, [email protected] Members: Maksim Antonov, Roman Ivanov Postdocs: Sofiya Aydinyan, Rocío Rojas Hernandez Doctoral students: Tatevik Minasyan, Le Liu, Nikhil Kumar Kamboj, Ali Saffar Shamshirgar, Dmitri Gomon, Navid Alinejadian

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: ceramics; composites; multifunc- Deposition of nanoparticles on mesoporous tionality; graphene; additive manufacturing substrate by wet-combustion technology (AM); selective laser sintering (SLS); powder Highly selective sensors for simultaneous metallurgy (PM); self-propagating high tempera- determination of epinephrine, acetami- ture synthesis (SHS); powders; microstructure; nophen and tryptophan; and dopamine, mechanical properties; high temperature materi- uric and ascorbic acids als; nanofibers; bio-inspired materials. Novel approach to fabricate nitrides by SLM The research of the group is broadly subdivided Spark plasma sintering of ultra-high tem- into three main interconnected and highly inter- perature materials disciplinary directions focused on: Hierarchically structured ceramics rein- hierarchically structured bio-inspired forced by hybrid nanofibers multi-functional composites including but not limited to electroconductive ceram- SELECTED PROJECTS: ics, functionally graded and anisotropic ceramic-based composites, mesoporous MOBJD254, “Development of novel core- ceramics, nanofibers, graphene added shell structured luminescent materials”. bulks, ceramic membranes; PUT1063, “Nanonet of ceramic fibers with high-temperature damage-tolerant com- targeted functionalities”. posites for tribo-applications IUT19-29, “Multi-scale structured ceramic- core-shell powders for SLS of ceramic based composites for extreme applications”. – metal composites and AM of complex- PSG220, “Additive manufacturing of super- shaped ceramic-matrix composites. strong and lightweight ceramics for next The team has several invents keeping research generation high temperature compounds”. at a high international level. The most influ- ential are: (i) a self-aligned fibrous scaffold for highly anisotropic cell cultures; (ii) a method for producing nanofibers composites by combustion techniques and products comprising thereof; (iii) fibrous ceramic networks and preparation thereof by selective laser melting; and (iv) ceramic complex structures by SLS.

LATEST OUTCOMES: A method for producing nanofibers composites by combustion techniques Composite shielding material and the process of making it A method for producing rhombohedral

FeAlO3 nanofibers A catalyst, a method of producing thereof for oxidative conversion of hydrocarbons and hydrogenation of carbon oxides Self-aligned graphene-augmented fibrous scaffolds for bio-applications Functionally graded mechanical properties, electro- and thermo-conductivity in ceramics Combustion synthesis of Si3N4, MoSi2 and TiB2 based complex structures and SLS thereof

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PRODUCT AND SERVICE SYSTEMS DESIGN GROUP Head of the research group: Professor MARTIN PÄRN, [email protected] Members: Ruth-Helene Melioranski, Janno Nõu

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: design research, design driven concepts, in order to generate understanding innovation, product and service system design, and test ideas. workspace design, healthcare design, universal The same process can be turned around with the design, inclusive design aim to develop creative strategies and guidelines The research of the group is focused on develop- for technology development for reaching tech- ing the methodology of design-driven innovation intensive new product-service system concepts. through practice-based research. Such an approach is central to guide and create meaning in applied research. In the research process, complex problem situations are explored to sketch out various The central themes of the group are workspace solutions, scenarios and visions for new envi- and educational environment, healthcare and ronment or product-service system design. In aging population. the research phase the goal is to create a clear During the Interreg BaltSe@nior project the understanding of users’ and other stakehold- group developed practices and methods tuned to ers’ interests, wishes, goals and latent needs in design for elderly. The results were presented in order to define the possibilities for new product Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair in Febru- or service proposals. The central aspect of re- ary 2019. Most outstanding work is a vision of a search is the design anthropological approach. smart fridge Smart Cold. The GIGAmapping method is used in order to create full understanding of the complexity of the situation giving overview of the vast system SELECTED PROJECT: network and its details. In the following creative VIR16037, “Innovative solutions to support phase the central role is given to Design Games, BSR enterprises in product development the tools which are developed to involve people aimed at raising comfort and safety of more fruitfully into creative development of seniors home living” (2015−2019).

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RECONFIGURABLE MANUFACTURING BASED ON INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS Head of the research group: Professor JÜRI RIIVES, [email protected] Members: Margus Müür, Martins Šarkans Doctoral students: Tavo Kangro, Kaarel Kruuser

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: robotics, smart factory, Industry The research and development activities, 4.0, manufacturing execution systems (MES) development of use-cases and practical implementation in companies are executed in tight The importance of manufacturing systems devel- cooperation between Innovative Manufacturing opment, robotization and the role of intelligent Engineering Systems Competence Centre (IM- manufacturing systems is rapidly increasing ECC) and Institute of Mechanics and Production due to the developments of Industry 4.0 with its Engineering. basic technologies: cyber physical systems (CPS), robotics, industrial internet (IoT), machine to machine connections (M2M), warehouse manage- SELECTED PROJECTS: ment systems (WMS), cloud computing, big data Logistics for Manufacturing SME-s – and data analytics, etc. L4MS (Horizon 2020, 2017–2021) The basic R&D areas are: design of robot-cell Modular Multi-functional Robot-Cell development processes for different applications Design and Implementation (EU48685 (inbound logistics, robot-welding, robot-assem- subproject PR2.2.1, 2016–2019) bly, loading-unloading, etc.), the principles of the selection of the components for robot-cell; model- Automated Stock Solutions for Robot-Cell ling the features of the system and determining Services (EU48685 subproject PR2.3, the most suitable operating rules in a workplace 2016–2018) and in an integrated production system.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT Head of the research group: Professor DAGO ANTOV, [email protected] Members: Kati Kõrbe Kaare, Hans Rämmal, Ott Koppel, Eduard Shevtshenko, Jelizaveta Janno, Anton Pashkevich Doctoral students: Kristjan Kuhi, Imre Antso, Juri Ess, Allan Nõmmik, Kaur Sarv, Raul Markus, Erko Vallbaum, Eva Branten

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: logistics, transport planning, transportation technology, supply chain management The research group focuses on the following research directions: ECO-FRIENDLY VEHICLES. Contact: Jüri Lavrentjev The research aims at reducing the environmental impact of vehicles. The main research object is vehicle-generated noise produced by both an individual vehicle and traffic flow. The design of an individual vehicle explores the possibilities for creating and deploying new and more effective noise absorbing materials. In the applied research, the focus is also on new types of liquid fuel, their technical and economic problems. MOBILITY ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC PLANNING. Contact: Dago Antov Transport, mobility and traffic related studies are aimed to find the possibilities of safe, seamless and sustainable mobility, the study of the interlink- ages between urban logistics and transport and space use. Besides the aforementioned, the keywords include sustainable mobility and sustainable transport, including public transport in the city, region, country and internationally, traffic forecasting, transport studies, mobility schemes, SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: transport network analysis and transport system Mahmood, K.; Shevtshenko, E.; Karaulova, T.; planning, road safety and surveillance. Otto, T. (2018). Risk assessment approach for a LOGISTICS. virtual enterprise of small and medium-sized Contact: Kati Kõrbe Kaare enterprises. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy The research relates to smart logistics, freight of Sciences, 67 (1), 17−27. security, transport pricing and network perform- Makarova, I.; Antov, D.; Pashkevich, A. Et al. ance measurement. (2018). ITS Safety Ensuring Through Situational SUPPLY CHAIN ENGINEERING. Management Methods. In: Intelligent Transport Contact: Eduard Shevchenko Systems – From Research and Development to The studies are related to value chain analysis, the Market Uptake INTSYS 2017 (133−143). supply chain collaboration, sustainable supply Hyvinkää, Finland: Springer Verlag. (Institute chain and demand forecasting. for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering; 222). SELECTED PROJECTS: Koppel. O., Janno, J. (2018) Managing Human VIR16048, “Smart Logistics and Freight Factors Related Risks. The Advanced Training Villages Initiative” (2016−2019). Model in Dangerous Goods Transport on Roads. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, VIR17131, “Using ferry real time infor- 2018, 8, No4, pp. 70–88. mation to optimise intermodal transport chains in the Baltic Sea Region” (2017−2020).

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SMART AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPOSITES: DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING Head of the research group: Lead Research Scientist JÜRI MAJAK, [email protected] Members: Martin Eerme, Meelis Pohlak, Ernst Tungel, Toomas Lepikult Doctoral students: Madis Mikola, Anti Haavajõe, Pavel Tsukrejev, Erko Õunapuu

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: numerical methods, optimal de- development of the design of smart sign, artificial intelligence, composite structures composites with the ability to sense and and nanostructures process information about the structural health and environmental conditions; The research of the group is focused on: development of numerical methods for analysis and design of multi-functional analysis of composite and nanostructures; laminated glass composite panels with advanced sound and vibration attenua- development and adaption of optimization tion properties and predefined stiffness/ methods and techniques for the design of strength characteristics; composite and nanostructures.

SELECTED PROJECTS: TAR16012, “Zero energy and resource efficient smart buildings and districts” (2015–2023). PUT1300, “Numerical methods and algorithms for design of advanced composite and nanostructures” (2016–2019). F15027, “Smart manufacturing and materials technologies competence centre” (2015–2022).

SELECTED ARTICLES: Majak, J.; Pohlak, M.; Karjust, K.; Eerme, M.; Kurnitski, J.; Shvartsman, B. S. (2018). New higher order Haar wavelet method: Application to FGM structures. Composite Structures, 201, 72−78. Majak, J.; Shvartsman, B.; Karjust, K.; Miko- la, M.; Haavajõe, A.; Pohlak, M. (2015). On the accuracy of the Haar wavelet discretization method. Composites Part B: Engineering, 80, 321−327. Majak, J.; Shvartsman, B.; Kirs, M.; Pohlak, M.; Herranen, H. (2015). Convergence theorem for the Haar wavelet based discretization method. Composite Structures, 126, 227−232.

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SMART INDUSTRY Head of the research group: Professor TAUNO OTTO, [email protected] Members: Kristo Karjust, Tatjana Karaulova, Martinš Sarkans, Yevhen Bondarenko, Ruxin Wang Doctoral students: Kashif Mahmood, Tavo Kangru, Rivo Lemmik

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: smart manufacturing, industry SELECTED ARTICLES: 4.0, digital twins, digital manufacturing Mahmood, K.; Shevtshenko, E.; Karaulova, T.; The research of the group is focused on develop- Otto, T. (2018). Risk assessment approach for ment of the concept of smart manufacturing and a virtual enterprise of small and medium-sized digital twins (DT). enterprises. Proceedings of the Estonian Acad- emy of Sciences, 67 (1), 17−27. LATEST RESULTS Mahmood, K.; Lanz, M.; Toivonen, V.; Otto, T. A solution developed in collaboration with the (2018). A Performance Evaluation Concept STIIMA-CNR research group of the Italian for Production Systems in an SME Network. Academy of Sciences made it possible to run the Procedia CIRP, 72 (The 51st CIRP Conference Yaskawa industrial robot in TalTech through on Manufacturing Systems Stockholm, 2018), virtual reality from Milan. The result is pioneer- 603−608. ing – in the future engineers and robot operators Kuts, V.; Otto, T.; Tähemaa, T.; Bukhari, K.; will not have to “go to work”, but artificial real- Pataraia, T. (2018). Adaptive industrial robots ity will literally bring “work home”, also across using machine vision. ASME 2018 Interna- national borders. tional Mechanical Engineering Congress (IM- Based on the concept of digital twins (DT), a ECE2018), Pittsburgh. digital model of real production was created to- Kangru, T.; Riives, J.; Otto, T.; Pohlak, M.; gether with the information needed for control. Mahmood, K. (2018). Intelligent Decision Mak- The model can be applied (using optimization ing Approach for Performance Evaluation of a and simulation tools) operatively to control real Robot-based Manufacturing Cell. Proceedings production management. The main aim of this of the ASME 2018 International Mechanical research is to design experiments, analyse, and Engineering Congress (IMECE2018). model the collaborative work and safety systems, thus making distributed infrastructures viable, to increase the productivity and profit for SME’s. The developed control and monitoring methods and processes were implemented in experimental setup in the Robot Operating System. The digital model of the robotic cell was developed using the Unity3D software tool. A virtual manufacturing model and its simulation results provide useful information about the operations. In ongoing research also distributed manufacturing systems – the metal 3D printing system SLM280 2.0 at TalTech and the metal 3D computer tomography system Yxlon FF35 CT at partnering Estonian University of Life Sciences- are installed and developed as DT.

SELECTED PROJECTS: VFP17063, “Strategic investments in European manufacturing to win global challenges”. AR16077, “Smart Industry Centre”, a national research roadmap project

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TRIBOLOGY AND RECYCLING Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist MAKSIM ANTONOV, [email protected] Members: Dmitri Goljandin, Priit Kulu, Vitali Podgurski, Andrei Bogatov Doctoral students: Janis Baroninš, Ramin Rahmaniahranjani, Dmitri Gomon, Yaroslav Holovenko, Maxim Yashin, Francisco Jose Casesnoves Granado, Rahul Kumar

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: tribology, wear rate reduction, abrasive wear, erosion, coefficient of friction, 2D and 3D surface topography, roughness, wear mechanism, recycling, milling, crushing, siev- ing, mechanical activation, mixing, separation, particle size analysis The research of the group is focused on (a) testing and improvement of tribomaterials and tribosystems, (b) providing of reliable recycling (including crushing and separation) technology for various industry segments (electronics, wear resistant materials, soft and extremely hard materials). The scope of research covers all material groups including metals, alloys, cermets, hardmetals, composites, plastics, rubbers, coatings. Recently, the research was extended by various materials produced by 3D printing technology. Standard and customized test methods to study wear, friction and lubrication (more than 20 methods) and recycling (more than 10 methods) are available. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: SELECTED ARTICLES: Holovenko, Y.; Antonov, M.; Kollo, L.; Hussain- ova, I. (2018). Friction studies of metal surfaces B56, “Innovative polycrystalline with various 3D printed patterns tested in dry diamond (PDC) drag bit for soft ground sliding conditions. Proceedings of the Institu- tunnel boring machines” (2016–2019). tion of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal IUT19-29, “Multi-scale structured of Engineering Tribology, 232 (1), 43−53. ceramic-based composites for extreme Jankauskas, V.; Choteborsky, R.; Antonov, M.; applications” (2014–2019). Katinas, E. (2018). Modeling of Microstructures ETAG18012, “Durable ceramic and Analysis of Abrasive Wear of Arc-Welded composites with superhard particles Hadfield Steel. Journal of Friction and Wear, for wear-resistant cutting tools” 39 (1), 78−84. (2018–2021). Lapkovskis, V.; Mironovs, V.; Goljandin, D. Several research projects on recycling of (2018). Suitability of devulcanized crumb hardmetals, electronics, biobased build- rubber for oil spills remediation. In: S. Valtere ing materials, commercial wastes, etc. (Ed.). Energy Procedia (351−357).

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TARTU COLLEGE MAIN FIGURES 2018 (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Director: Professor LEMBIT NEI, [email protected], Academic Incl. 1 professor +372 620 4802 22 staff Doctoral Defended doctoral 5 students 1 dissertation 15 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN TWO RESEARCH GROUPS: BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associate Professor AIME RUUS, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES. Head: Associate Professor ANNELY KUU, [email protected]

6 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Associate Professor AIME RUUS, [email protected] Members: Epi Tohvri, Merik Meriste, Ernst Tungel, Zenia Kotval, Nele Nutt, Helle Hallik, Sirle Salmistu, Ago Rootsi Doctoral students: Jiri Tintera, Jane Raamets, Lehar Leetsaar

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: brownfields, urban planning, history of wooden architecture, construction materials, indoor climate, building physics The research topics of the team are: (1) built environment, urban and regional planning; (2) community development, economic revitalization, reuse and restoration, urban and rural settlement assessment; (3) heritage conservation in urban planning and historical landscapes and parks; (4) revitalization of brownfield’s; (5) history of wooden architecture; (6) examination of historical buildings; (7) exploring learning environments and its architectural design; (8) construction materials, indoor climate, aspects of building physics and energy efficiency; (9) cyber-physical systems for buildings and urban and regional planning. These issues are topical in the field of urban planning and help to solve problems with the implementation of cyber-physics systems in construction, industry and other fields of life.

SELECTED PROJECTS: Tintera, J.; Kotval, Z.; Ruus, A.; Tohvri, E. VEU19008, “CA17136 – INDoor AIR POLLution (2018). Inadequacies of heritage protection NETwork” (2018−2022). regulations in an era of shrinking communities: a case study of Valga, Estonia. European SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Planning Studies, 26 (12), 2448−2469. Tohvri, E. (2018). Georges Frédéric Parrot and Tohvri, E. (2018). The new university idea of His Friendship with Two Great Men – The Enlightenment Era – “Academic Village” – French Scientist Georges Cuvier and Emperor Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia University and its Alexander I of Russia. Acta Baltica Historiae et conceptual roots with the University of Tartu. Philosophiae Scientiarum, 6 (2), 5−30. Studies on art and architecture, 4, 64−91.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES Head of the research group: Associate Professor ANNELY KUU, [email protected] Members: Mari Ivask, Lembit Nei, Tiit Lepasaar, Kai Kalda, Egge Haiba, Tiina Niine, Kärt Kanger Doctoral student: Jane Raamets

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: environmental microbiology and sewage sludge and their degradation ef- -chemistry, soil biology ficiency). The team has competence in the field of environ- Development of methodologies for as- mental chemistry, environmental microbiology, sessing the status of the environment. In in development of environmental technologies, assessing the status of the environment, soil biology. The main activities are: soil microbiological parameters (biomass, diversity, enzymatic and respiratory ac- The studies of energy and material flow, tivities) and the parameters of soil inver- LCA, efficiency in using resources. tebrates are used as bioindicators. Development and implementation of waste recycling technologies (drug residues in SELECTED PROJECTS: VEU16054, “Soil fauna – Key to Soil Organic Matter Dynamics and Modelling (KEYSOM)” (2015−2019).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Haiba, E.; Nei, L.; Herodes, K.; Ivask, M.; Lil- lenberg, M. (2018). On the degradation of metformin and carbamazepine residues in sewage sludge compost. Agronomy Research, 16 (3), 696−707. Ivask, M.; Kuu, A.; Meriste, M.; Kutti, S.; Palo, A.; Raamets, J.; Kilki, S. (2018). Springtails of flooded meadows along Matsalu Bay and the Kasari River, Estonia. Pedobiologia, 66, 1−10. Sammet, K.; Ivask, M.; Kurina, O. (2018). A synopsis of Estonian myriapod fauna (Myr- iapoda: Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Symphyla and Pauropoda). ZooKeys, 793, 63−96.

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VIRUMAA COLLEGE MAIN FIGURES 2018 (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Director: VIKTOR ANDREJEV, [email protected], Academic Incl. 3 researchers +372 336 3922 28 staff 9 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN ONE RESEARCH GROUP: FUELS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH-TESTING LABORATORY AT OIL SHALE COMPETENCE CENTER. Head: OLGA PIHL, [email protected]

1 1 1 1

ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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FUELS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH-TESTING LABORATORY AT OIL SHALE COMPETENCE CENTER Head of the laboratory: OLGA PIHL, [email protected] Members: Hella Riisalu, Oleg Golubev, Larissa Kruglenkova, Viktoria Petrova, Dmitri Suštšik, Maria Tšepelevitš, Jelena Upan Doctoral student: Mihhail Fomitšov

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: pyrolysis, hydrogenation, semi- coking, co-processing, distillation, solid and liquid fuels, waste fuels, gas analysis, standardization The main research work of Oil Shale Compe- tence Center (OSCC) is carried out at the Fuels Technology Research-Testing Laboratory which offers both direct research and analysis services in accredited areas. The laboratory’s competencies include: Thermal processing of materials containing organic substances (including waste) and the analysis of the obtained products. Particular attention is paid to the co-processing of different materials with oil shale. Determination of the content of chemical elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, phosphor, chlorine, fluorine, metals) in different materials. Determination of the component composition of gas and liquid mixtures using chromatographic methods. Determination of the distribution of the particle size in crushed or grinded materials up to the level of common sieve analysis and the fines distribution beneath (up to 10 nanometers). Determination of the fuel quality according to the standards. for determining the properties of fuels for all of Offering tailor-made solutions in coopera- these areas of research and development. tion with companies. OSCC provides services in the area of protecting There is a modern equipment park including a the intellectual property in the region. OSCC is pyrolysis reactor, a high pressure reactor, a recti- involved in promoting the standardization of oil fication column, a retort, mass spectrometer, gas shale by organizing and implementing activities chromatographs, a thermogravimetric analyzer through the corresponding technical committee device for studying the thermal processes of dif- EVS/TK 57 “The processing of Oil Shale and oil ferent materials and analyzing the equipment shale products“.

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SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

Dean: Professor GERT JERVAN MAIN FIGURES 2018 e-mail: [email protected] (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

Academic Incl. 31 professors Vice-Dean for staff Research: Professor 222 122 researchers MAARJA KRUUSMAA Defended Doctoral doctoral e-mail: [email protected] 98 students 19 dissertations 268 Scientific publications DEPARTMENTS

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Director: Associate Professor MARGUS KRUUS, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF SOFTWARE SCIENCE Director: JAAN PENJAM, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES Director: Professor KALJU MEIGAS, [email protected]

THOMAS JOHANN SEEBECK DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS Director: LAUR LEMENDIK, [email protected]

IT COLLEGE Director: Associated Professor KALLE TAMMEMÄE, [email protected]

31 40 PROFESSORS 25 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS TEACHING ASSISTANTS 36 4 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 40 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 43 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 COMPUTER SYSTEMS (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

Academic Incl. 9 professors Direktor: Associated Professor staff 31 researchers MARGUS KRUUS, 54 [email protected], Doctoral Defended doctoral +372 620 2250 25 students 5 dissertations 69 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 3 RESEARCH CENTRES: CENTRE OF DEPENDABLE COMPUTING SYSTEMS DESIGN. Head: Professor JAAN RAIK, [email protected] CENTRE FOR BIOROBOTICS. Head: Professor MAARJA KRUUSMAA, [email protected] CENTRE FOR INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS. Head: Associate Professor EDUARD PETLENKOV, [email protected]

9 12 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 6 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 2 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 18 6 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 1

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CENTRE FOR DEPENDABLE COMPUTING SYSTEMS Head of the centre: Professor JAAN RAIK, [email protected] Members: Peeter Ellervee, Gert Jervan, Raimund-Johannes Ubar, Aleksander Sudnitsõn, Thomas Hollstein, Maksim Jenihhin, Artur Jutman, Kalle Tammemäe, Igor Aleksejev, Sergei Devadze, Tara Ghasempouri, Maksim Gorev, Sergei Kostin, Mairo Leier, Dmitri Mihhailov, Uljana Reinsalu, Tarmo Robal, Anton Tšertov, Artjom Rjabov, Siavoosh Payandeh Azad, Behrad Niazmand, Kolin Paul, Vineeth Govind, Hardi Selg, Lembit Jürimägi Doctoral students: Cemil Cem Gürsoy, Karl Janson, Madis Kerner, Xinhui Lai, Priit Ruberg, Ranganathan Hariharan, Apneet Kaur, Lauri Vihman, Adeboye Stephen Oyeniran

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: systems design, cyber security, hardware security, chip networks and their applications, prevention of digital systems aging The research in the Centre for Dependable Com- puting Systems covers a wide range of topics in the areas of design, reliability, verification and testing of nanoelectronic systems (including multi-/many-core systems): Study of aging and rejuvenation in nanome- ter technologies (cooperation with TU Delft, Politecnico di Torino and PUCRS, Brazil). Hardware security in on-chip networks (cooperation: TU Munich). Dependability, test and fault management for many-core systems (cooperation: IBM, Recore Systems, Testonica Lab OÜ). Many-core based mixed criticality systems (cooperation: Politecnico di Torino). Hardware/software co-simulation of cyber- physical systems (cooperation: German Space Centre DLR). Embedded test instruments for digital systems (cooperation: Testonica Lab OÜ). Algorithms, sensors and signal processing in biomedical applications (cooperation: ning action TUTORIAL, both of which ended in Bosch Sensortec). 2018. The Centre is a partner in the national ICT centre of research excellence EXCITE. Diagnostic test generation and microproc- essor testing. In 2018 the most significant research results were related to the research on nanoelectronics Multi-aspect verification of computing technology aging and on system-level test and systems. fault management. In addition, the research The centre is the initiator of several pan-Euro- group started implementation of two new fault- pean actions. The centre coordinates the Hori- resilient chip designs. A significant achievement zon2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie ITN RESCUE was the successful completion of IMMORTAL project. It also coordinated the Horizon 2020 and TUTORIAL projects, where the centre acted RIA IMMORTAL and the Horizon 2020 Twin- as the coordinating institution.

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CENTRE FOR BIOROBOTICS Head of the centre: Professor MAARJA KRUUSMAA, [email protected] Members: Juri Gavšin, Asko Ristolainen, Gert Toming, Jeffrey Andrew Tuhtan, Andres Ernits, Marie-Pierre Denise Anne Gosselin, Jaan Rebane, Asya Ivanova Drenkova-Tuhtan, Mihkel Läänelaid Doctoral students: Juan Francisco Fuentes Perez, Roza Gkliva, Kaia Kalev, Christian Meurer, Saptarshi Nag, Mohamed Walid Remmas

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: robotics, underwater robotics, un- Some of our research activities include: derwater sensing, underwater sensor networks Development of new principles of locomo- The Centre for Biorobotics focuses on underwater tion using soft and compliant actuators technologies, more specifically on underwater Control and navigation of underwater robotics inspired by biological principles, under- robots in flow, surges and waves water sensing and underwater sensor networks. Robot sensing in underwater environments Our core competences are: Development of distributed sensor net- Underwater robotics work for measuring flow and turbulence Robot locomotion in fluid environment Characterization of complex underwater Flow sensing environments by their flow and turbulence characteristics Experimental fluid mechanics Development of underwater sensor sys- Sensor networks for environmental moni- tems for sage navigation in harbours toring Measuring flows under extreme pressure and accelerations in hydropower turbines, sub-glacial flows, dams, etc. The centre is currently coordinating the following projects: VFP15016, H2020 “LakHsMI (Sensors for Large Scale Hydrodynamic Imaging”, 2015–2019) TAR16013 (TK148), “Estonian Centre for Excellence in IT” (EXCITE, 2016–2023)” The centre is involved in the following international projects: VFP16051, H2020 FitHydro (Fish Friendly Hydropower Technologies, 2016–2020) ETAG17107, FLAG-ERA RoboCom++ (Rethinking Robot Companions of the Future, 2017–2020) VFP18044, H2020 RISE ECOBOTICS. SEA (Bioinspired Technologies for Sus- tainable Marine Ecosystem, 2019–2022) For more information please visit www.biorobotics.taltech.ee

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CENTRE FOR INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS Head of the centre: Associate Professor EDUARD PETLENKOV, [email protected] Members: Juri Belikov, Kristina Vassiljeva, Aleksei Tepljakov, Kadri Umbleja Postdoctoral student: Juan Chen Doctoral student: Ahmet Köse

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: control, modelling of dynamic Distributed control systems; systems, computational intelligence, machine Modelling and analysis of complex power learning, adaptive and self-learning systems systems with high integration of renew- The Centre consists of two laboratories: Control able energy sources; Systems Research Laboratory and Virtual and Data analysis; Augmented Reality Laboratory. Development of research software; The core competences of the Centre for Intel- ligent Systems are: Virtual and Augmented Reality applications. Modelling, control, and analysis of complex nonlinear dynamic systems; The research group focuses on development and implementation of novel efficient control tech- Computational Intelligence based algo- niques for Industry 4.0 applications based on the rithms: Artificial Neural Networks, Ge- combination of classical industrial controllers netic Algorithms, Fuzzy Logic, etc.; with computational intelligence methods and Self-learning and adaptation methods in knowledge based reasoning. control systems; Examples of research activities: Fractional-order modelling and control; Computational methods based analysis of vehicle insurance data and development of a software tool for estimation of insurance risks. Development and application of advanced modelling and control methods for District Heating Plants including practical implementation in Distributed Control Systems. Development of a toolbox modelling and analysis of Fractional Order Systems as well as design of Fractional Order controllers – FOMCON toolbox. Available at http://fomcon.net/ Hardware implementation of Fractional Order Controllers. Exploring the possibilities and advantages of inducing synesthetic experiences in Virtual Reality. Modelling of human behavioral dynamics in Virtual Reality. Homepage: http://is-centre.eu/.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 SOFTWARE SCIENCE (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 11 professors Director: JAAN PENJAM, staff 57 researchers [email protected] 96 Doctoral Defended doctoral 43 students 5 dissertations 103 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 10 RESEARCH UNITS: BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY GROUP. Head: ALEXANDER NORTA, [email protected] CENTRE FOR DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY. Head: Associate Professor RAIN OTTIS, [email protected] DATA SCIENCE GROUP. Head: Professor SADOK BEN YAHIA, [email protected] HIGH-ASSURANCE SOFTWARE LABORATORY. Head: Lead Research Scientist TARMO UUSTALU, [email protected] INFORMATION SYSTEMS GROUP. Head: Professor DIRK DRAHEIM, [email protected] LABORATORY OF SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS. Head: Professor KULDAR TAVETER, [email protected] LABORATORY OF LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY. Head: Senior Researcher TANEL ALUMÄE, [email protected] LABORATORY OF PROACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES. Head: Professor LEO MÕTUS, [email protected] MODEL-BASED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING GROUP. Head: VAHUR KOTKAS, [email protected] NONLINEAR CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP. Head: Lead Research Scientist ÜLLE KOTTA, [email protected]

11 PROFESSORS 21 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 9 TEACHING ASSISTANTS 2 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 9 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 17 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 25 2 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY GROUP Head of the research group: Associated Professor ALEXANDER HORST NORTA, [email protected] Members, doctoral students: Vipin Deval, Abhishek Dixit, Vimal Kumar Dwivedi

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: blockchain, smart contracts, proof of stake (PoS), decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) Blockchain technology and smart contracts are a key interdisciplinary, new research area that has the potential to profoundly change industry and society at large. The first prominent use case of blockchain technology is crypto-currencies as a decentralized form of payment that promises to deeply affect the currently existing central-banking systems with the introduction of triple-entry accounting ledgers. However, the spectrum of blockchain use cases has increased dramatically with the inception of so-called smart-contract systems where quasi Turing-complete programming languages are placed into the protocol layer on top of blockchain systems. That way, a new generation of distributed applications emerges that promises to de-hierarchify industry and government that allows distribution, decentrali- zation, disintermediation and deep disruption of established inefficient business and govern- Research and development of block- ment structures. Blockchain technology serves chain-secured big data management as a truth engine for peer-to-peer, sociotechnical systems. collaboration in trustless environments. That way, the BTG unit affects other interdisciplinary SELECTED ARTICLES research domains such as information systems, Norta, A. (2018). Self-aware smart contracts software development, IoT, e-healthcare, e- with legal relevance. 2018 International Joint learning, e-governance, logistics, legal research, Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN): multi-agent systems, cryptography, big-data Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 8–13 July, Proceedings. management, cyber-physical systems, and so on. Rio de Janeiro: IEEE, 1−8. GOALS Norta, A.; Hawthorne, D.; Engel, S. L. (2018). A privacy-protecting data-exchange wallet with The development of a novel smart contract ownership- and monetization capabilities. language that is legally recognized and 2018 International Joint Conference on Neural formally verifiable before enactment. Networks (IJCNN): Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 8–13 July, Proceedings. Rio de Janeiro: IEEE, The adoption of multi-agent systems to 1−8. solve the so-called oracle problem for smart- contract enactment, i.e., delivering trusted Udokwu, C.; Kormiltsyn, A.; Thangalimodzi, K.; information to enacting smart contracts. Norta, A. (2018). The state of the art for blockchain-enabled smart-contract applications in The prevention of oligopoly formation for the organization. Proceedings 2018 Ivannikov proof-of-stake consensus algorithms with Isp Ras Open Conference, Dedicated to the 70th means of mobile devices applications. Anniversary of Computer Science in Russia, The improvement of e-healthcare man- ISPRAS 2018: 22–23 November 2018, Moscow, agement processes with means of smart- Russia Federation. Los Alamitos, Calif.: IEEE, contract Dapps. 137−144.

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CENTRE FOR DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY Head of the centre: Associate Professor RAIN OTTIS, [email protected] Members: Ahto Buldas, Olaf Manuel Maennel, Hayretdin Bahsi, Mika Juha Kerttunen, Andro Kull, Birgy Lorenz, Anna-Maria Osula, Eneken Tikk, Risto Vaarandi, Adrian Nicholas Venables, Milvi Martina Piir, Matthew James Sorell, Kristi Ainen, Anu Baum, Kristine Hovhannisyan, Martha Jung, Risto Laanoja, Pavel Laptev, Kieren Nicolas Lovell Doctoral Students: Margus Ernits, Alejandro Guerra Manzanares, Toomas Lepik, Kaie Maennel, Sten Mäses, Jaan Priisalu, Tiia Sõmer, Ahto Truu

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: cyber defense; digital expertise, Zaphiris, Panayiotis; Ioannou, Andri. Cham: cryptography Springer, 492−504. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; 10925). TalTech Centre for Digital Forensics and Cyber Security works towards raising Estonian cyber Vaarandi, R.; Blumbergs, B.; Kont, M. (2018). security competence and capacity through edu- An unsupervised framework for detecting cation, research and development. The research anomalous messages from syslog log files. team includes experts from various scientific NOMS 2018 IEEE/IFIP Network Operations disciplines, including computer science, law and and Management Symposium, Cognitive Man- psychology. Such a team can take on complex agement in a Cyber World: 23–27 April 2018, cyber security issues that require an interdisci- Taipei, Taiwan. IEEE, 1−6. plinary approach. The main research directions of the Centre are: Critical information infrastructure protection Serious games in cyber security Cryptography based data integrity solutions SELECTED ARTICLES: Buldas, A.; Laanoja, R.; Truu, A. (2018). A blockchain-assisted hash-based signature scheme. Secure IT Systems: 23rd Nordic Confer- ence, NordSec 2018, Oslo, Norway, November 28–30, 2018, Proceedings. Ed. Gruschka, Nils. Cham: Springer, 138−153. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; 11252). Mäses, S.; Randmann, L.; Maennel, O.; Lorenz, B. (2018). Stenmap: framework for evaluating cybersecurity-related skills based on computer simulations. Learning and Collaboration Tech- nologies. Learning and Teaching: 5th Interna- tional Conference, LCT 2018, held as Part of HCI International 2018, Las Vegas, NV, USA, July 15–20, 2018, Proceedings, Part II. Ed.

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DATA SCIENCE GROUP Head of the research group: professor SADOK BEN YAHIA, [email protected] Members: Jaak Henno, Tarmo Veskioja, Ants Torim, Tarvo Treier, Ahti Lohk, Grete Lind, Leo Võhandu Doctoral student: Martin Rebane

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: data mining, large data, analyt- Henno, J.; Jaakkola, H.; Mäkelä, J. (2018). ics, visualization, ontology alignment, random Adjusting university education with workspace data modeling training and self-education. 2018 41st Interna- tional Convention on Information and The Data Science Group carries out research Communication Technology, Electronics and activities towards extracting value from infor- Microelectronics (MIPRO 2018): May 21–25 mation standing at the crossroads of some of 2018, Opatija, Craotia, Proceedings. Ed. Skala, priority areas, e.g. K., [et al.]. Opatija, Croatia: IEEE Xplore, Cyber security: Intrusion / outlier detection. 701−708. Digital transformation of the society; healthcare information systems (adverse events in hospitals, mining of patient trajectory). Smart-environment: Internet of Things (IoT), intelligent transportation system, smart city, smart home. The main competences of the research group are: Data Mining. Big data analytics. Data seriation /visualization. Ontology alignment/merging. Random data modelling.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Opik, R.; Kirt, T.; Liiv, I. (2018). Megatrend and intervention impact analyzer for jobs: a visualization method for labor market intelligence. Journal of Official Statistics, 34 (4), 961−979.

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HIGH-ASSURANCE SOFTWARE LABORATORY Head of the laboratory: Lead Research Scientist TARMO UUSTALU, [email protected] Members: Jüri Vain, Silvio Capobianco, Juhan-Peep Ernits, Gert Kanter, Marko Kääramees, Sven Nõmm, Hellis Tamm, Leonidas Tsiopoulos Doctoral students: Evelin Halling, Hendrik Maarand, Deepak Pal

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: functional and dependently-typed The Brzozowski and Antimirov derivatives con- programming, software verification and testing, structions were generalized from regular word formalized programming theory languages to their trace closures; the Antimirov automaton was proved to be finite if the regular The group conducts research into theories, word language subjected to trace closure has methods and tools for developing high-assurance finite uniform rank. software, specializing on both proofs (certified software) and testing. For the theory of symbolic automata, canonical minterms of a language accepted by a symbolic THE LATEST RESEARCH RESULTS: automaton were defined and shown to be useful The category of functor-functor interaction laws for defining symbolic versions of some known was shown to be a Chu space wrt the Day convo- classical automata. lution monoidal structure; functor composition An architecture for the Internet of Things (IoT) endows this category with a monoidal structure; and a Model-Based Engineering (MBE) approach monad-comonad interaction laws are monoid for design, verification, and auto-code generation objects. of control applications in process industries were proposed.

SELECTED ARTICLES: H. Maarand, T. Uustalu (2018). Certified Foata normalization for generalized traces. In Proc. of 10th NASA Formal Methods Symp., NFM 2018 (Newport News, VA, Apr. 2018), v. 10811 of Lect. Notes in Comput. Sci., Springer, pp. 299–314. L. Pinto, T. Uustalu (2018). A proof-theoretic study of bi-intuitionistic propositional sequent calculus. J. Log. Comput., v. 28, n. 1, pp. 165–202. F. Siavashi, D. Truscan, J. Vain (2018). Vulnerability assessment of web services with model-based mutation testing. Proc. of 2018 IEEE Int. Conf. on Software Quality, Reliabili- ty and Security, QRS 2018 (Lisbon, July 2018), IEEE Comp. Soc., pp. 301–312. H. Tamm, M. Veanes (2018). Theoretical aspects of symbolic automata. In Proc. of 44th Int. Conf. on Current Trends in Theory and Practice of Computer Science, SOFSEM 2018 (Krems an der Donau, Jan./Feb. 2018), v. 10706 of Lect. Notes in Comput. Sci., Springer, pp. 428–441.

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INFORMATION SYSTEMS GROUP Head of the research group: Professor DIRK DRAHEIM, [email protected] Members: Jaak Tepandi, Erki Eessaar, Innar Liiv, Ingrid Pappel, Gunnar Piho, Liisa Jõgiste, Viljam Puusep, Enn Õunapuu, Kristiina Hiie, Anastasiia Dudko Doctoral students: Shweta Suran, Vishwajeet Pattanaik, Valentyna Tsap, Silvi Lips, Rozha Ahmed

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: information systems, e-government, e-governance, e-health, data science, system architecture, system design, databases, large-scale systems The LSS group conducts research in large- and ultra-large-scale IT systems. The group investigates the architecture, design, realization and management of IT system landscapes, high-volume data-intensive systems, high- volume workflow-intensive systems, massively resource-intensive systems, highly distributed systems. The group is engaged in education with Associated Professor Ingrid Pappel as head of the international study programme “E-governance Technologies and Services”. Together with our partners from industry, academia and the public sector we strive for excellent solutions for non-standard, mission- critical IT system problems.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Kose, A.; Tepljakov, A.; Astapov, S.; Draheim, D.; Petlenkov, E.; Vassiljeva, K. (2018). Towards a synesthesia laboratory: real-time localization and visualization of a sound source for virtual reality applications. Journal of Communications Software and Systems, 14 (1), 112−120 Pappel, I.; Pappel, I.; Tepandi, J.; Draheim, D. (2017). Systematic digital signing in Estonian e-government processes: influencing factors, technologies, change management. In: Hameur- lain, A.; et al. (Ed.). Transactions on Large- Scale Data- and Knowledge-Centered Systems Draheim D. (2017). Generalized Jeffrey Condi- XXXVI (31−51). Berlin: Springer. (Lecture tionalization: A Frequentist Semantics of Par- Notes in Computer Science; 10720) tial Conditionalization. Berlin: Springer.

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LABORATORY OF SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS Head of the laboratory: Professor KULDAR TAVETER, [email protected] Members: Deniss Kumlander, Kalev Rannat, Ermo Täks, Hannes Keernik, Jekaterina Tšukrejeva, Kristina Murtazin, Mart Roost, Regina Sirendi, Tõnis Kelder, Jüri Helekivi Doctoral student: Inna Švartsman

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: analysis of socio-technical system requirements, prototyping of socio-technical systems, proactive public services, socio-technical systems for situational awareness in broad national defense The research group carries out interdisciplinary research work at the intersection of software engineering, agent technologies, information systems, social sciences, and psychology. In particular, we apply the methodology called agent-oriented modeling (AOM) to the modeling, simulation, and prototyping of complex sociotechnical systems, such as systems for e-governance, smart cities and smart communities, crisis management and resilience, information fusion, as well as to the simulation of real-world social phenomena. In 2018 the most significant research results were: (1) further development of the principles of an agile software engineering for socio-technical systems by combining goal models of AOM with user stories; (2) development and evaluation of a web-based tool for creating and validating graphical models of socio-technical systems; (3) development of the principles for design proactive public services based on life events; (4) defining decision- making processes for situational awareness.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Symposium on Agents, Multi-Agent Systems and Robotics 2018 (ISAMSR 2018): Putrajaya, Mahunnah, M.; Taveter, K.; Matulevičius, R. Malaysia, 27 August 2018. IEEE, 1−6. (2018). An Empirical Evaluation of the Re- Sirendi, R.; Mendoza, A.; Barrier, M.; Taveter, quirements Engineering Tool for Socio-Techni- K.; Sterling, L. (2018). A conceptual framework cal Systems. Proceedings 2018 7th Workshop on for effective appropriation of proactive public Empirical Requirements Engineering, EmpiRE e-services. Proceedings of the 18th European 2018: 21 August 2018, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Conference on Digital Government, ECDG Los Alamitos, Calif.: IEEE, 8−15. 2018: University of Santiago de Compostela, Mahunnah, M.; Taveter, K.; Wai Shiang, C.; Spain,25–26 October 2018. Ed. Bouzas-Loren- Yee Wai, S. (2018). Empirical Evaluation of zo, Ramon; Cernadas Ramos, Andres. Reading, Guidelines for Prototyping Sociotechnical UK: Academic Conferences and Publishing In- Systems in JADE Framework. International ternational Limited, 213−221.

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LABORATORY OF LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY Head of the laboratory: Senior Researcher TANEL ALUMÄE, [email protected] Members: Einar Meister, Lya Meister, Rainer Metsvahi Doctoral student: Assah Ullah

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: speech technology, natural language processing, phonetics The Language Technology Laboratory focuses on the following topics: Speech Recognition Speaker identification Identifying spoken language and accent Speech blocks Phonetics (Estonian language prosody and vocal system, L2 speech) Various sub-topics of natural language processing One of the important activities is the creation of speech technology applications targeted at society as a whole. This includes applications of end-user speech recognition as well as the key integration components that are easy to integrate. Although the focus is on speech recognition in Estonian, most of the software created in the laboratory is not specific to Estonian. The laboratory is a solid open source free software supporter. SELECTED ARTICLES: Karu, M.; Alumäe, T. (2018). Weakly super- vised training of speaker identification models. Odyssey 2018 The Speaker and Language Recognition Workshop : 26–29 June 2018, Les Sables d’Olonne, France, Proceedings. Inter- Asadullah; Alumäe, T. (2018). Data augmenta- national Speech Communication Association, tion and teacher-student training for LF-MMI 24−30. based robust speech recognition. Text, Speech, Paats, A.; Alumäe, T.; Meister, E.; Fridolin, I. and Dialogue : 21st International Conference, (2018). Retrospective analysis of clinical per- TSD 2018, Brno, Czech Republic, September formance of an Estonian speech recognition 11-14, 2018, Proceedings. Ed. Sojka, P.; Horák, system for radiology: effects of different acous- A.; Kopeček, I.; Pala, K.. Cham: Springer, tic and language models. Journal of Digital 403−410. (Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelli- Imaging, 31 (5), 615−621. gence; 11107).

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LABORATORY OF PROACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES Head of the laboratory: Professor LEO MÕTUS, [email protected] Members: Taivo Kangilaski, Andri Riid, Raul Savimaa, Andres Udal, Tõnu Näks, Mart Murdvee, Madis Uusjärv, Konstantin Blizor, Raido Pahtma, Sergei Astapov, Mati Somp, Erki Suurjaak Doctoral students: Johannes Ehala, Jaanus Kaugerand

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: cyber-physical-systems, sponta- (3) methods for processing and interpretation of neous sensor networks, fog calculation, supra- situational information for (proactive) decision national comprehensive situational awareness making. The long-term goal of the laboratory is the ability to detect and partially control the The laboratory focuses on the theoretical and emergent behaviour in pervasive computing practical study of networked systems built from systems. stationary and/or mobile software-intensive (proactive) components. Typical components The laboratory participates in creating a na- are pervasive computing systems. The research tionwide comprehensive situational awareness is partitioned into three threads: (1) modeling capability for defense applications. and verification of situation-aware interaction- centered computation; (2) methods and tech- SELECTED PROJECTS: nologies for acquiring situational information; LEP18079 (RITA1/01-50-01; 02; 03) “MANTICUS APOLLO” (2018−2020) LEP17070, “Smart Environment Networking Technologies” (SmENeTe) (2017–2019) LEP18032, “A Methodology for computerised detection of pavement cracks and other road defects” (1.04.2018−30.09.2018) SELECTED ARTICLES: Kaugerand, Jaanus; Ehala, Johannes; Mõtus, Leo; Preden, Jürgo-Sören (2018). Time-selective data fusion for in-network processing in ad hoc wireless sensor networks. International Jour- nal of Distributed Sensor Networks, 14 (11), 1−17. Ehala, J.; Kaugerand, J.; Pahtma, R.; Astapov, S.; Riid, A.; Tomson, T.; Preden, J.-S.; Mõtus, L. (2017). Situation awareness via Internet of things and in-network data processing. Inter- national Journal of Distributed Sensor Net- works, 13 (1), 1−21. Riid, A.; Preden, J.-S. (2017). Design of fuzzy rule-based classifiers through granulation and consolidation. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing Research, 7 (2), 137−147.

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MODEL-BASED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING GROUP Head of the research group: Development Officer VAHUR KOTKAS, [email protected] Members: Tanel Tammet, Hele-Mai Haav, Mait Harf, Irina Astrova, Riina Maigre, Ago Luberg, Martin Verrev, Margarita Spitšakova, Jaan Penjam, Kristiina Kindel Doctoral Student: Priit Järv

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: model-based software engineering, logic-based software systems, DSL metamodel ontologies, hydraulic system modeling and simulation The research of the group is aiming at the creation of development tools that enable modeling, developing and simulating complex systems, mining, managing and discussing knowledge, and logic-based software synthesis. The research is concentrated on the following fields: model-based software engineering; ontology-driven software development; DSL metamodel ontologies, structural program synthesis – a proof search based program synthesis paradigm; knowledge gathering, managing, and using logical tools on large knowledge bases; visual specification languages; etc. During a number of decades several software tools that facilitate program synthesis features have been developed by the group: PRIZ – for mainframes IBM 370, ES; ExpertPRIZ – a PRIZ version for PC with a built-in expert system engine; c-Priz – a PRIZ version for PC implemented in C; the first tool in the line that facilitated a graphical user interface; Logical-based discussion methods used in large NUT – an X11 based tool for engineering knowledge bases have been developed. modeling running on Sun Solaris and Approaches based on modeling and intelligent Linux (support discontinued); simulation for the design of pneumo-hydraulic CoCoViLa – the current Java-based tool for systems for liquids are continuously developed. model based visual program composition. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 2017: WhiteDB – http://whitedb.org/ Grossschmidt, G.; Harf, M. (2018). Model- GKC – discussion tool on large knowledge based simulation of hydraulic hoses in an intel- bases – https://github.com/tammet/gkc ligent environment. International Journal of Fluid Power, 19 (1), 27−41. MAIN RESULTS: Järv, P.; Tammet, T.; Tall, M. (2018). The most significant research results were Hierarchical regions of interest. In: Bilof, R. related to the research on the development of (Ed.). 2018 IEEE 19th International Conference ontology technology and on model-based software on Mobile Data Management – MDM 2018: 26– deployment. 28 June 2018, Aalborg University, Denmark, Proceedings (86−95). Institute of Electrical and The novelty of our approach comparing to other Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ontology-driven software development methodologies lies in using formal domain ontologies Haav, H.-M.; Ojamaa, A. Semi-automated as a basis for automated generation of concept integration of domain ontologies to DSL meta- specification templates of a DSL meta-model models (2017). International Journal of Intel- that are consistent with the given domain on- ligent Information and Database Systems, 10, tology. 1/2, 94–116.

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NONLINEAR CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP Head of the research group: Lead Research Scientist ÜLLE KOTTA, [email protected] Members: Arvo Kaldmäe, Vadim Kaparin, Juri Belikov Postdoctoral researcher: Ashutosh Simha

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: non-linear control systems, alge- main idea is to construct sequences of subspaces braic methods, autonomous underwater robots (or submodules) of differential 1-forms that provide a lot of information about the structural The group is a leading Estonian research unit in properties of the system. automatic control, focusing on nonlinear control systems, including also hybrid and time-delay This approach allows control systems to be exam- systems. The group has made a significant ined from a combined perspective, i.e., that the contribution to the development of constructive systems of different classes (continuous / discrete, algebraic methods and the associated symbolic smooth / non-smooth, etc.) can be characterized software package NLControl, which supports by the same methods, theorems, and algorithms. research, teaching and applications. Although the group is developing predomi- A universal algebraic methodology has been nantly application-independent general meth- developed that simplifies the study of very differ- ods, the applicability of which depends rather ent problems for nonlinear control systems. The on the dynamic properties of mathematical models, we have recently focused on some carefully selected applications, some of which are determined by the common themes of the Estonian Center for Excellence in Science (EXCITE). Namely, the group is engaged in the management of autonomous underwater robots and ion-driven electro-polymeric actuators. The group has made significant contributions in developing algebraic methods for continuous- and discrete-time nonlinear control systems as well as for hybrid and time-delay systems.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Y. Kawano, Ü. Kotta, C. H. Moog. (2016). Any dynamical system is fully accessible through one single actuator and related problems. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control, 26 (8), pp. 1748−1754. A. Kaldmäe, Ü. Kotta. (2018). Realization of time-delay systems. Automatica, 90, pp. 317−320.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 6 professors Director: Professor KALJU MEIGAS, staff 13 researchers [email protected], 23 +372 620 2204 Doctoral Defended doctoral 13 students 2 dissertations 41 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 5 RESEARCH GROUPS: BRAIN BIOELECTRICAL SIGNALS. Head of the research group: Professor MAIE BACHMANN, [email protected] eHEALTH APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES. Head of the research group: Professor PEETER ROSS, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP ON DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS. Head of the research group: Professor MARGUS VIIGIMAA, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF e-NMR. Head of the research group: Lead Researh Scientist AGO SAMOSON, [email protected] SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (SensorTechBME). Head of the research group: Professor IVO FRIDOLIN, [email protected]

2 1 6 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 2 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 9 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 2 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 1

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BRAIN BIOELECTRICAL SIGNALS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor MAIE BACHMANN, [email protected] Members: Hiie Hinrikus, Jaanus Lass Doctoral Students: Laura Päeske, Toomas Põld

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: signal processing, electroencepha- lography, brain disorders The research group is experienced in the interdisciplinary area of information technology and brain physiology. The studies are aimed to detect and interpret the features in the brain electro- encephalography (EEG) signal characteristic for mental disorder, occupational and/or environmental stressors comprising the advanced methods of signal analysis and the knowledge about brain neuronal activity. An original Spec- tral Asymmetry Index (SASI) has been developed and proved as a promising method in various applications. The research group participates in the national centre of research excellence EXCITE and in the COST BM1309 EMF-MED. RECENT RESULTS: Single-channel EEG analysis, employing the combination of linear and nonlinear measures, can provide discrimination of depression at the level of multichannel EEG analysis. SELECTED ARTICLES There is no single superior EEG measure Bachmann, M.; Päeske, L.; Kalev, K.; Aarma, K.; for detection of depression. Lehtmets, A.; Ööpik, P.; Lass, J.; Hinrikus, H. (2018). Methods for classifying depression in Higher SASI values for the subgroup of single channel EEG using linear and nonlinear leaders compared to non-leaders could indi- signal analysis. Computer Methods and cate higher psychological stress of leaders. Programs in Biomedicine, vol. 155, The effect of modulated low-level micro- pp. 11–17. wave radiation on brain bioelectrical oscil- Päeske, L.; Bachmann, M.; Põld, T.; de Oliveira, lations is caused by parametric excitation S. P. M.; Lass, J.; Raik, J.; Hinrikus, H. and not limited to the modulation frequen- (2018). Surrogate Data Method Requires End- cies within the EEG spectrum. Matched Segmentation of Electroencephalo- The after-effect of modulated low-level graphic Signals to Estimate Non-linearity. microwave radiation is detectable in brain Front Physiol, 9 (1350). bioelectric activity. Bachmann, M.; Päeske, L.; Ioannides, A. A; The surrogate data method requires Lass, J.; Hinrikus, H. (2018). After-effect in- end-matched segmentation of electroen- duced by microwave radiation in human elec- cephalographic signals to estimate non- troencephalographic signal: a feasibility study. linearity. Int J Radiat Biol, 94 (10), 896−901.

78 SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES eHEALTH APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor PEETER ROSS, [email protected] Members: Madis Tiik, Priit Kruus, Tanel Ross, Doris Kaljuste, Kerli Metsla, Mall Maasik, Maarja Kuslapuu Doctoral Students: Kelli Podošvilev, Janek Metsallik

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: digital health, eHealth, change sion support systems, user behavior concerning management in health care web-based health and medical data access, and The core competencies of the research group are components and factors for digitizing healthcare. the development of IT solutions related to digi- The group has cooperation with Kyoto University talization of health care (e-health) and research and Keio University from Japan, with several of the interoperability factors necessary for their Finnish R&D institutions, with the University implementation. The factors to be studied in- of Applied Sciences in Flensburg and many oth- clude strategies, standards, IT architecture, data ers. Two of the Centre’s employees are World statuses and databases used for large (national Bank consultants in the field of eHealth. There or regional) e-health systems. In 2018, more is also close co-operation with Estonian start-ups specific activities of the study group were related in the field of e-health, as well as with leading to the development and research of IT solutions hospitals – East Tallinn Central Hospital, North related to personal medicine, including clinical Estonia Medical Center, and Health Insurance decision support, to evaluate the entire life cycle Fund, TEHIK, Genome Center and several IT of personal medicine from personal data collec- companies. tion to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Main research activities of the eMed Lab in 2018: SELECTED PROJECTS: conducting research in the areas of clinical deci- VIR17121, BaltCityPrevention – Baltic Cities tackle lifestyle related diseases – Development of an innovative model for prevention interventions targeting public health authorities in the Baltic Sea Region (2017–2020) LEP18020 (RITA1/01-42-07), “Clinical pilot projects of personalised medicine in the precise prevention of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases” (2018−2020) LMIN18098, “Joint Action supporting the eHealth Network” (2018−2020) V18008, “Development and piloting of Health and Welfare analytics education program” (2017−2018)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Essén, A.; Scandurra, I.; Gerrits, R.; Hum- phrey, G.; Johansen, M.A.; Kiergegaard, P.; Koskinen, J.; Liaw, S.-T.; Odeh, S.; Ross, P.; Ancker, J.S. (2018). Patient access to electronic health records: Differences across ten countries. Health Policy and Technology 7(1), 44–56.

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RESEARCH GROUP ON DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS Head of the research group: Professor MARGUS VIIGIMAA, [email protected] Members: Ruth Sepper, Kalju Meigas, Katrin Gross-Paju, Kristjan Pilt Doctoral Students: Ardo Allik, Galina Zemtsovskaja, Anneli Talvik

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: hypertension, atherosclerosis, Professor Viigimaa is actively involved in the technologies, diagnosis, treatment work of several associations: head of the Eu- The effect of aldehyde modification on antioxi- ropean Hypertension Excellence Centre, lead dant enzyme activity in diabetic patients has investigator in the European Atherosclerosis been studied in co-operation with Russian Car- Society Familial Hypercholesterolemia Studies diology Centre in Moscow. In diabetic patients Collaboration, Chairman of the European Society with decompensated carbohydrate metabolism, of Hypertension working group “Hypertension glucose-lowering therapy significantly increased and sexual dysfunction”. Cu, Zn-SOD activity, the effect being especially pronounced after administration of metformin. In the joint research project with the North Estonia Medical Centre “Novel technologies in the diagnostics and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia”, the research of the group is focused on non-invasive diagnostics of atherosclerosis and studies of novel treatment methods in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. In our studies the equation-derived aortic length showed better accuracy than the aortic length estimated by approximation to jugulum- symphysis distance when compared with actual aortic length. In the RITA1/01-42-02 “Clinical pilot projects of personalised medicine in the precise prevention of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases (1.01.2018−31.12.2020)” members of the group are studying personalised medicine in cardiovascular primary prevention.

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED RESEARCH RESULTS: The group is one of the five centres in the international study BEAUTY (Better control of BP in hypertensive patients monitored Using the HOTMANsYstem). The patients with uncontrolled hypertension were monitored. Non- invasive hemodynamic monitoring associated with a drug selection algorithm induced bigger reductions in home blood pressure compared with conventional drug selection in uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Moreover, the number of adverse events was significantly lower in IHM than in controls. We organised VII Baltic Athero- sclerosis Congress in 2018 in Tallinn.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF e-NMR Head of the research group: Lead Researh Scientist AGO SAMOSON, [email protected] Members: Raiker Witter, Tiina Titma, Kalju Vanatalu, Andres Oss Doctoral Students: Steffi Witter, Irshad Mohammad, Molaiyan Palanivel

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: micromechanics, radioengineer- dynamics of it, given sufficient resolution and ing, technical ceramics, CAD, Alzheimer, NMR, sensitivity. MAS, metabolomics The group develops NMR sensors – probeheads, NMR is a remarkably universal analytical notably to use the most sensitive nuclei-hydro- method since essential spin interactions can gens, in locally viscous and solid environment. be reliably calculated. The spectra allow in The most critical feature is rapid sample spin- principle a 3D reproduction of the entire spin ning. We were the first to reach – rates beyond system and associated atoms/molecules, even a 120 kHz, getting presently over 150 kHz which facilitates a practical inverse detection in solid state NMR. The immediate sensitivity increase is two orders of magnitude. The technology is applied in contemporary priority areas: biomedical research and development of F-ion batteries as a safer and more potent alternative for Li-based energy storage. The related key competences comprise CAD/CAM design, RF circuit modelling, technical ceramics processing and micro- machining. In 2018 the group worked on development of NMR technologies and inhibition of fibril formation, related to Alzheimer disease.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Sternberg, U.; Witter, R.; Kuprov, I.; Lamley, J. M.; Oss, A.; Lewandowski, J. R.; Samoson, A. (2018). 1H linewidth dependence on MAS speed in solid-state NMR – Comparison of experiment and simulation. Journal of Magnetic Reso- nance, 291, 32−39. Lin, Y.-L.; Cheng, Y.-S.; Ho, C.-I; Guo, Z.-H.; Huang, S.-J.; Org, M.-L. Oss, A.; Samoson, A.; Chan, J.C.C. (2018). Preparation of fibril nuclei of beta-amyloid peptides in reverse mi- celles. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemi- cal Communications, 54 (74), 10459−10462.

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SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (SensorTechBME) RESEARCH GROUP Head of the research group: Professor IVO FRIDOLIN, [email protected] Members: Jürgen Arund, Jana Holmar, Mairo Leier, Merike Luman, Kristjan Pilt, Risto Tanner, Nils Fredrik Arne Uhlin, Moonika Viigimäe, Deniss Karai. Doctoral Students: Ardo Allik, Sigrid Kalle, Kai Lauri, Andrus Paats

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: sensors, algorithms, sensor fusion, For speech-to-text usage in healthcare biofluid optics, uremic toxins, dialysis, on-line and industry. monitoring, spectrophotometry, spectrofluorim- Professor Fridolin is a member of the inter- etry, signal processing, smart workwear, physi- national European Uremic Toxin Work Group cal activity monitoring, energy consumption, (EUTox WG). fatigue monitoring, automatic speech recognition, speech-to-text applications. MAIN RESULTS The main research field of the SensorTechBME team is to develop flexible and novel sensor tech- A novel on-line multicomponent miniatur- nologies and algorithms in biomedical engineer- ized optical sensor for monitoring removal ing applications: of uremic toxins in the spent dialysate during hemodialysis was designed and To estimate dialysis adequacy and quality is currently validated in a clinical study. securing end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients’ care quality. The research is explor- A new method was developed for assessing spectrophotometrical and spectrofluori- ment of a concentration of a free pentosi- metrical characteristics-signatures of the dine in spent dialysate. biofluids and performing various signal processing and analysis on those signals. ONGOING PROJECTS: To develop beyond the state-of-the-art appli- IUT19-2, “Biooptical and bioelectri- cations incorporated into a smart wearable cal signals in Biomedical Engineering” multi-sensor fusion system for generating (2014−2019) valuable data about the workers’ location, locomotion, physical activity, energy con- TAR16013 (TK148) “Estonian Centre of sumption and physiological status; Excellence in ICT Research” (EXCITE, 2016−2023) F18024 “Further development and piloting of smart suit Ragnarok2.0 using Protex AS and AS Tallinna Sadam as test-fields” (1.07.2018−31.12.2018 767572 “On-line Dialysis Sensor Phase2 (OLDIAS2)” (2017−2019)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Sigrid, K.; Tanner, R.; Luman, M.; Fridolin, I.; (2018). Free Pentosidine Assessment Based on Fluorescence Measurements in Spent Dialysate. Blood purification 1–9. Paats, A.; Alumäe, T.; Meister, E.; Fridolin, I. (2018). Retrospective analysis of clinical performance of an Estonian speech recognition system radiology: effects of different acoustic and language models. Journal of Digital Imag- ing, J Digit Imaging (2018) 31: 615.

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THOMAS JOHANN MAIN FIGURES 2018 SEEBECK DEPARTMENT (as of Dec. 31, 2018) OF ELECTRONICS Academic Incl. 5 professors 34 staff 21 researchers Director: LAUR LEMENDIK, Doctoral Defended doctoral [email protected], 17 students 7 dissertations +372 620 2151 58 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 3 RESEARCH LABORATORIES: RESEARCH GROUP OF COGNITIVE ELECTRONICS AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION. Head: Professor MUHAMMAD MAHTAB ALAM, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY. Head: Professor OLEV MÄRTENS, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS. Head: Professor TOOMAS RANG, [email protected]

5 5 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 2 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 8 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 6 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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RESEARCH GROUP OF COGNITIVE ELECTRONICS AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION Head of the research group: Professor MUHAMMAD MAHTAB ALAM, [email protected] Members: Yannick Le Moullec, Toomas Ruuben, Alar Kuusik, Maksim Butsenko, Hassan Malik, Navuday Sharma Postdoctoral Researcher: Bagheri Hamidreza Doctoral students: Faisal Ahmed, Ahti Ainomäe, Egon Astra, Rida Khan, Sikandar Muhammad Zulqarnain Khan, Ove Kreison, Ali Masood, Collins Burton Mwakwata, Sander Ulp

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: been carried out and as a result Telia has improved the quality of their network. Wireless communication: radio resource and interference management, low-power Successful launch of NATO SPS “Public communication technologies for healthcare; Safety Communication in the Context of Terrorist Attacks” project: establishing of Cognitive electronics: transient and ap- network of contacts, involvement of PhD proximate computing, energy harvesting- students and postdoc researchers, etc. driven low power IoT platforms. Successful international cooperation with The members of the research group develop other universities: Politechnico Di Milano methods and techniques for resource-constrained (DEIB Department), Italy; University of computing and wireless communication. Key Glasgow (Communication Systems De- research areas: 5G, NB-IOT, radio resource and partment), UK; Oulu University (Center interference management, green IoT, device-to- for Wireless Communication), Finland; device communication, wearable wireless body National Taipei University of Technology area networks. (Electronics), Taiwan; National Univer- The research group has accomplished the follow- sity of Science and Technology (SEECS), ing results in 2018: Pakistan; Successful implementation of the project In 2018, the research activities were conducted EU Horizon 2020 ERA-Chair “Cognitive in the framework of the following projects: Electronics COEL”. VNT18039, “NATO-Science for Peace In cooperation with Telia Eesti AS, the and Security project Public Safety NB-IoT test network was implemented on Communication in the Context of Tallinn University of Technology campus, Terrorist Attacks” (2018–2021); coverage measurement campaigns have VFP15051, H2020 ERA-Chair project “Cognitive Electronics – COEL” (2015–2019). SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Malik, H.; Pervaiz, H.; Alam, M. M.; Le Moullec, Y.; Kuusik, A.; Imran, M. A. (2018). Radio Resource Management Scheme in NB-IoT Systems. IEEE Access, 8, 15051−15064. Alam, M.M.; Malik, H.; Islam Khan, M.; Pardy, T.; Kuusik, A.; Le Moullec, Y. (2018). A Survey on the Roles of Communication Tech- nologies in IoT-based Personalized Healthcare Applications. IEEE Access, 6, 36611-36631. Malik, H.; Alam, M. M.; Le Moullec, Y.; Ni, Q. (2018). Interference-Aware Radio Resource Allocation for 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication. 2018 IEEE GLOBECOM, Abu Dhabi, 09/12/2018. IEEE: IEEE, 1−6.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY Head of the research group: Professor OLEV MÄRTENS, [email protected] Members: Paul Annus, Julia Berdnikova, Kairi Kivirand, Andrei Krivošei, Raul Land, Mart Min, Jaan Ojarand, Marek Rist, Eero Haldre Doctoral students: Robin Benjamin Ehrminger, Anindya Gupta, Triin Kask, Hip Kõiv, Margus Metshein, Ksenija Pesti, Eiko Priidel

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: impedance spectroscopy, imped- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: ance tomography, eddy current, real-time, measurement, instrumentation Kõiv, H.; Rist, M.; Min, M. (2018). Development of bioimpedance sensing device for wearable The group performs R&D of electrical impedance monitoring of the aortic blood pressure curve. spectroscopy measurement solutions. This covers tm – Technisches Messen, 85 (5), 366–377. the developing and investigation of related instrumentation, signals and signal processing for sev- Ojarand, J.; Min, M. (2018). On the selection eral applications (including test and diagnostics of excitation signals for the fast spectroscopy of e.g. in bio-, healthcare, medical and microfluidics electrical bioimpedance. Journal of Electrical areas, for metal, electronics and other industries). Bioimpedance, 9 (1), 133−141. The research group has accomplished the follow- Gupta, A.; Saar, T.; Märtens, O.; Le Moullec, Y. ing results in 2018: Automatic Detection of Multisize Pulmonary the research team of M. Min (head of the Nodules in CT Images: Large-Scale Validation team), O. Märtens, P. Annus, R. Land and of the False-Positive Reduction Step. Medical J. Ojarand was submitted as a candidate Physics, 45 (3), 1135−1149. for the Estonian National Research Award for an outstanding scientific discovery for their work “Shifting the paradigm in electrical impedance measurement and the development of original technology and instrumentation on that bases for medical and technical diagnostics”; IEEE IMS award for development of the Master level course called “Impedance Spectroscopy” (O.Märtens, et al); An agreement signed on publication of a monography “Bioimpedance and Spectros- copy” (P.Annus, M.Min), Elsevier 2020; Based on the results of the research, the following impedance-measurement related patents were issued to the research group: a. Estonian Patent EE05813 (O.Märtens, et al); Method and device for frequency response measurement. Owner: Tallinn University of Technology. b. USA patent US10156600B2 (O.Märtens et al). Method and device for impedance analyzer with binary excitation. Owner: Tallinn University of Technology.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS Head of the research group: Professor TOOMAS RANG, [email protected]. Members: Ants Koel, Oleg Korolkov, Tamas Pardy, Natalja Sleptšuk, Jana Toompuu, Galina Rang Postdoctoral Researcher: Massimo Leonardo Filograno Doctoral students: Rauno Jõemaa, Udayan Sunil Patankar, Kaiser Pärnamets, Mehadi Hasan Ziko

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: wide bandgap materials’ based semiconductor devices, SiC, surface characterization and interfaces, heterojunctions, graphene, lab-on-chip solutions, metallization technologies, diffusion welding, solid state electronics, numerical experiments The research group focuses on investigations of SiC based structures. In 2018, modules of vertical architecture based on SiC diodes using diffusion-welding technologies were completed. Upgrade of the prototype of a voltage doubler using the self-capacitance of SiC diodes was searched. Together with Ioffe institute from St. Petersburg the graphene film behavior on SiC surface topography (multiscale surfaces) for molecular sensorics was completed and simulation of sensors based on graphene was started. Numerical experiments for investigation of the heterostructures characteristics, properties and the influence of defects were carried out. solution for the 200 MHz, programmable The research group has accomplished the follow- gain power combiner with pre-modulation ing scientific results in 2018: for enhanced linearity using 35 nm CMOS technology was developed and verified. Through the numerical experiments the increase of the charge carriers scattering phe- The research group has accomplished the follow- nomena due to the SiC surface defects was ing development results in 2018: shown, which subsequently decreases the A prototype for energy management on forward current and increases the reverse microchips; breakdown voltage of the heterojunctions; A Lab-on-Chip prototype for detection of The JBS device structure, which is the pathogens; symbiosis of pn- and Schottky junctions, A pre-production platform of wireless com- causes faster increase of the total junc- munication microchips; tions’ capacitance, which leads to stronger influence of output voltage on input volt- The specific hardware solutions for Euro- ages due to additionally accumulated pean Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden charge, which must be taken into account were designed, verified and delivered. in applications of high voltage SiC stacks; Based on the results of numerical experi- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: ments the dependence of density of states Pardy, T.; Rang, T.; Tulp, I. (2018). Thermal in graphene surfaces in the presence of Analysis of a Disposable, Instrument-Free DNA phenol and methanol molecules was shown Amplification Lab-on-a-Chip Platform. which leads to the changes in surface Sensors, 18(6), 1812. conductivity that can be used in graphene Rashid, M.H.; Koel, A.; Rang, T. (2018). sensors applications; Simulations of heterostructures based on 3C-4H Using the comprehensive thermal analy- and 6H-4H silicon carbide polytypes. Materials sis methodology the verification of assay Science Forum, 924 MSF, 302−305. compliance to LoC NAAT devices was dem- Korolkov, Oleg; Land, Raul, Toompuu, Jana; onstrated for the heating solution with op- Sleptšuk, Natalja; Rang, Toomas (2018). timal power efficiency in LoC applications; SiC JBS Diode Symmetrical Voltage Doubler The new concept of linear modulation Represented as the Diffusion-Welded Stack. application was proofed and the circuitry Materials Science Forum, 924, 862−865. 86 87 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE Dean: Professor TÕNIS KANGER MAIN FIGURES 2018 e-mail: [email protected] (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

Academic Incl. 25 professors Vice-Dean for staff Research: Associate Professor 222 148 researchers URMAS ARUMÄE Defended Doctoral doctoral e-mail: [email protected] 126 students 9 dissertations 266 Scientific publications DEPARTMENTS

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Director: Professor IVAR JÄRVING, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF CYBERNETICS Director: Professor ANDRUS SALUPERE, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY Director: Senior Research Scientist ATKO HEINSALU, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE SYSTEMS Director: Professor JÜRI ELKEN, [email protected]

25 41 PROFESSORS 23 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 4 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 40 22 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 5 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 62

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 CHEMISTRY AND (as of Dec. 31, 2018) BIOTECHNOLOGY Academic Incl. 12 professors 114 staff 80 researchers Director: Professor IVAR JÄRVING, Doctoral Defended doctoral [email protected], 85 students 6 dissertations +372 620 4388 106 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 21 RESEARCH GROUPS: ADVANCING ANALYTICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY METHODS FOR REGULATORY DECISIONS. Head: Senior Research Scientist MERIKE VAHER, [email protected] ANGIOGENESIS RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associated Professor ANDRES VALKNA, [email protected] APOPTOSIS OF NEURONS. Head: Associated Professor URMAS ARUMÄE, [email protected] BIOMEDICINE. Head: Researcher PIRJO SPUUL, [email protected] COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY. Head: Professor TOOMAS TAMM, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Head: Professor TOOMAS PAALME, [email protected] GENETIC AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS. Head: Senior Research Scientist KADRI JÄRVE, [email protected] IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF LEUKOCYTE ACTIVATION. Head: Associated Professor SIRJE RÜÜTEL-BOUDINOT, [email protected] INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PLANT VIRUSES AND THEIR HOSTS. Head: Senior Research Scientist ALLAN OLSPERT, [email protected] LIPID BIOCHEMISTRY RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor NIGULAS SAMEL, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF METALLOPROTEOMICS. Head: Professor PEEP PALUMAA, [email protected] MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY. Head: Professor TÕNIS TIMMUSK, [email protected] MOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Head: Senior Research Scientist PAVEL STARKOV, [email protected]

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OXIDATION RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor MARGUS LOPP, [email protected] PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS. Head: Professor ERKKI TRUVE, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP FOR THE STUDY OF LIGNIN BIODEGRADATION. Head: Senior Research Scientist TIIT LUKK, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF CATALYSIS. Head: Professor TÕNIS KANGER, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY. Head: Associated Professor AGNE VELTHUT-MEIKAS, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP OF GREEN CHEMISTRY. Head: Professor NICHOLAS GATHERGOOD, [email protected] SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associated Professor RIINA AAV, [email protected] SYSTEMS BIOLOGY OF BACTERIA. Head: Professor RAIVO VILU, [email protected]

12 PROFESSORS 23 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 14 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 2 6 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 22 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 2 RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 33

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ADVANCING ANALYTICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY METHODS FOR REGULATORY DECISIONS Head of the Research Group: Senior Research Scientist MERIKE VAHER, [email protected] Members: Mihkel Kaljurand, Maria Kuhtinskaja, Maria Kulp, Mihkel Koel, Jekaterina Mazina, Tiina Aid, Kristiina Leiman Postdoctoral student: Martin Ruzicka Doctoral student: Heidi Lees, Piret Saar-Reismaa, Piia Jõul, Jelena Jurjeva, Jana Pavlenkova TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: banned chemicals, drugs of abuse, bioactive components, biomass, miniaturization The members of the group have competence in development of analytical methods and procedures and use of these in analysis of different compounds and mixtures in complicated matrices. The group has good specialists in separation methods: gas and liquid chromatography and especially in capillary electrophoresis where they use a wide variety of detectors: electrical, optical and mass spectrometrical. The group has also competence and means for supercritical extraction for a wide range of extraction parameters. The group has provided recognised results on development of porous materials – aerogels and these have been taken into use as adsorbents in analytical separation and catalysts in electrochemistry and water purification. The aim of the present research was development and tion of a portable capillary electrophoresis application of a variety of analytical methodologies instrument. The CE system was coupled (primarily capillary electrophoresis) for analysis of to deep UV fluorescence detector providing different classes of compounds (banned chemicals, 230–255 nm exitation wavelength range for drugs, polyphenols, fermentable sugars) in complex the determination of the abuse of illegal drugs matrixes such as environmental samples, body fluids, in oral fluid in situ. This portable CE-FD biomass and herbal extracts. The results obtained instrument was employed for determination will be used to develop an expert system using of natively fluorescensing drugs, such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). cocaine, cocaethylene, seven amphetamines, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. RESULTS IN 2018 1. The SPE method using a carbon aerogel- Based on this portable CE-FD apparatus, several based sorbent was developed and evaluated electrophoretic methodologies were developed and for the simultaneous extraction of sulfur successfully utilized for the determination of illegal mustard degradation products from environ- abuse of drugs during “Weekend” 2016–2018 Music mental water samples. Festivals. 2. The degradation of commercial cellulose, the SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: isomerization of glucose to fructose, and the conversion of glucose to 5-HMF in ionic liquid Saar-Reismaa, P.; Erme, E.; Vaher, M.; Kulp, M.; using metal catalysts as well as tungsten and Kaljurand, M.; Mazina-Šinkar, J. (2018). In situ molybdenum oxide-based polyoxometalates Determination of Illegal Drugs in Oral Fluid by were investigated. In the case of polyoxometa- Portable Capillary Electrophoresis with Deep UV lates the main decomposition products were Excited Fluorescence Detection. Analytical Chem- carbohydrates such as glucose and mannose. istry, 90 (10), 6253−6258. The ability of the polyxometalates to convert Jõul, P.; Vaher, M.; Kuhtinskaja, M. (2018). glucose to 5-HMF remained low. Evaluation of carbon aerogel-based solid-phase 3. An important direction in current research extraction sorbent for the analysis of sulfur mus- was analysis of bioactive components in tard degradation products in environmental water medicinal plants with different instrumental samples. Chemosphere, 198, 460−468. methods and assessment of their antioxi- Söderström, M.; Östin, A.; Qvarnström, J.; Mag- dativity. The main attention was focused on nusson, R.; Rattfelt-Nyholm J.; Vaher, M.; Jõul, investigation of extraction conditions and iden- P.; Lees, H.; Kaljurand, M.; Szubska, M.; Van- tification of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, ninen, P.; Bełdowski, J. (2018). Chemical Analysis iridoids, etc.) in medicinal plants (Dipsacus of Dumped Chemical Warfare Agents During the fullonum and Galium verum) which have MODUM Project. In: Towards the Monitoring of activity against Borrelia burgdorferi. Dumped Munitions Threat (MODUM). NATO 4. The most important part of the research was Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environ- connected to the development and evalua- mental Security. (71−103). Springer. 92 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

ANGIOGENESIS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the Research Group: Associated Professor ANDRES VALKNA, [email protected] Members: Taavi Päll, Anne Pink Doctoral student: Marianna Školnaja

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: angiogenesis, oncogenesis, growth than wild type mice. This strongly supports our factors, CD44, VEGF previous results and suggests that CD44 and/or its soluble forms could function as physiological Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels angiogenesis inhibitors. Systemic delivery of from pre-existing vessels, is a normal physiologi- CD44-3MUT most probably mimics the effect of cal process that is closely linked with cell pro- endogenous sCD44. liferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. It is a fundamental step in transition of benign tumors to malignant. We have recently discovered that soluble extra- cellular domain of CD44, a cell surface protein functioning as a receptor for hyaluronan, is capable of inhibiting vascular endothelial cell proliferation. This effect ultimately realizes in inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. The aim of the research is to further investigate the molecular mechanism of CD44-mediated angiogenesis inhibition and angiogenesis wider. We will exploit it using traditional methods in cell- and molecular biology but also using functional genomics and transcriptomics. Our work is important to understand the fundamental aspects of angiogenesis. Realization of the research will widen the basic understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis and could lead to a development of new anti-angiogenic drugs.

IMPORTANT RESULTS: It was recently demonstrated that CD44 KO mice display significantly higher blood vessel growth in response to angiogenesis stimulation in vivo

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APOPTOSIS OF NEURONS Head of the Research Group: Associate Professor URMAS ARUMÄE, [email protected] Member: Jaan Palgi Doctoral student: Valentina Božok

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: apoptosis, neurotrophic factors, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The neurons mechanism of action of these factors is, however, poorly understood. We described earlier a CXXC Our group studies the mechanisms of apoptosis motif of MANF that is functionally critical for and survival, as well as the control of these proc- its anti-apoptotic activity, as mutation of this esses by neurotrophic factors, on the neurons, motif inactivates MANF protein functionally. but also other cells. Our main research topic, in We have also shown that the CXXC tetrapeptide collaboration with the Institute of Biotechnology, has anti-apoptotic activity of its own. Currently University of Helsinki, is the mechanism of ac- we are focusing on the role of CXXC motif in the tion of neurotrophic factors MANF and CDNF. development of Drosophila, using the fly lines These factors have neurorestorative activity where this motif is mutated. in the animal models of Parkinson’s disease, as they repair the neurological damages and Another research topic concerns the neonatal restore the lost motility in the experimental ani- sympathetic neurons that are in the developmen- mals, being thus currently the best candidates tal stage of programmed cell death and require a neurotrophic factor NGF to survive. From our earlier microarray study we have selected several genes of interest whose expression changes during the development of these neurons. Now we are focusing on the role of these genes in the apoptotic program as well as its repression by neurotrophic factors in the neurons. To that end, we are able to culture several types of primary neurons (sympathetic, sensory, cortical, hip- pocampal etc.), but also the cell lines. On these cells we perform apoptotic and survival assays, inducing apoptosis and blocking it by several ways, and estimating the amount of survived / dead cells. We are able to manipulate the primary neurons experimentally, overexpressing or silencing the genes of interest via lentiviral vec- tors. We can study the cultures using a variety of microscopic, biochemical as well as molecular biological techniques.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Božok, V.; Palgi, J.; Yu, L.; Arumäe, U. (2018). Antioxidative CXXC Peptide Motif From Mes- encephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Antagonizes Programmed Cell Death. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

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BIOMEDICINE Head of the Research Group: Researcher PIRJO SPUUL, [email protected] Members: Lagle Kasak, Kertu Kadastik Doctoral student: Olga Smirnova

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: Helicobacter pylori, invadosomes, liver damage, actin cytoskeleton The main research topic of the team is Helicobacter pylori (HP)-induced liver damages. HP is a gram- negative bacterium that colonizes the human gastric epithelium in about half of the world´s population. HP infection is usually acquired during early child- hood and the immune system is not able to clear the bacteria. In Estonia, around 80% of the people are infected. HP has been classified as class-I carcinogen by the World Health Organization as approximately 1% of infected individuals develop gastric adeno- carcinoma. Several studies have associated HP infection with the progression of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, coinfection with hepatitis C virus seems to enhance the sever- ity of liver pathology. However, the mechanisms by which HP causes liver damage and promotes carcinogenesis remain largely unknown. Pathogens have developed a wide repertoire of strategies to exploit host cell functions for their own benefit, leading to the development of severe diseases, including cancer. HP induces the formation of peculiar cellular structures named invadosomes in infected hepatocytes. The goal of our research is to explore the role of invadosomes induced by HP infection in liver damage. Our preliminary results show that different strains, with distinct pathogenic outcomes, induce invadosomes with distinctive features. The specific aim is to identify the virulence factors that govern invadosomes specificities, then to correlate these findings with the subversion of the host cell functions. SELECTED PROJECTS: The results are expected to increase our under- PUT1130, “Role of Helicobacter pylori-induced standing of the mechanisms behind bacteria- invadosomes in liver damages” induced carcinogenesis. Revealing the cellular functions targeted by HP and correlating these SELECTED ARTICLES: findings with the induction of differential invado- Georgess, D.; Spuul, P.; Le Clainche, C.; somes should help to get new insights into liver Le Nihouannen, D.; et al (2018). diseases. The research explores a novel aspect of Anti-osteoclastic effects of C-glucosidic ellagi- HP infection as it has a particular focus on ma- tannins mediated by actin perturbation; trix damages and associated alterations of HP- Eur J Cell Biol 97(8):533–545. infected hepatocyte micro-environment caused by the newly discovered invadosomes. Targeting Kasak, L.; Näks, M.; Eek, P.; Piirsoo, A.; the host signal transduction pathways and key et al (2018). Characterization of protein kinase players in carcinogenesis is the first step for the ULK3 regulation by phosphorylation and development of novel drugs with reduced risks inhibition by small molecule SU6668. for emergence of drug resistance. Biochemistry 57(37): 5456−5465.

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COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY Head of the Research Group: Professor TOOMAS TAMM, [email protected] Members: Andre Lomaka, Kaie Laan Doctoral student: Aleksandra Zahharova

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: computational chemistry, density functional theory, force fields, machine learning, cucurbiturils Research in the computational chemistry group is focused on the study of reaction mechanisms and weak (host-guest) interactions using modern electronic structure methods (ab initio, DFT). We have competence in modelling of both organic and organometallic reaction complexes as well as weakly bound systems. We use quantum- chemistry software such as Gaussian, Turbomole and Orca. Besides small in-house computational facilities we have access to the ETAIS research computing infrastructure, a part of which is located on TalTech campus. In collaboration with the supramolecular chemistry group, the research group investigates compounds known as hemicucurbiturils, primarily the cyclochexyl variety of these. In recent years we have computationally studied binding modes of neutral and ionic guests, formation of the host around a guest template, and the mechanisms of the relevant synthesis reactions. In collaboration with KTH of Sweden, the struc- for chemical industry is an area of potentially ture and functioning of iridium-based catalysts wide applicability. In our studies, the collabora- for carbon dioxide reduction were studied. Ways tion involved study of reaction mechanisms and to make use of carbon dioxide as a raw material proposals for alternative models.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Head of the Research Group: Professor TOOMAS PAALME, [email protected] Members: Kaarel Adamberg, Signe Adamberg, Katrin Laos, Anna Traksmaa, Kristel Vene, Loreida Timberg, Ildar Nisamedtinov, Inga Sarand, Tagli Pitsi, Tiina Lõugas Doctoral students: Rain Kuldjärv, Tiina Klesment, Aleksei Kaleda, Kristi Kõrge, Julia Rosend, Anastassia Taivosalo, Evelin Kivima, Madis Jaagura

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: food, nutrition, food microbes, tion internal standards, incl. isotope labeling, food technology, food physics, fermentation, food are applied. Changes in food microstructure are analysis measured by light- and polarization microscopy, fluidity by viscometer and mechanical properties The objectives of the research are: (1) to promote the with texture analyzer. Food systems are analyzed healthy eating of the population through research, by using statistical and modelling methods. development, education and to increase the availability of tastier-healthier foods and beverages; (2) to analyze the food processing chain starting from raw MAIN RESEARCH ITEMS food and ending with digestion in human GIT; (3) Impact of human nutrition on gut micro- to maintain the core research methods and experts biota, metabolism and health. in the field to solve the issues raised by processors. The vitamin coenzyme synthesis and bio- For research and development a wide set of availability in food chain. comprehensive experimental methods of food research is used. Sensory methods, incl. SPME-GC/ Food sensory and instrumental analysis. MS-olfactometry, are used for quantitative flavor Peptides as a source of amino acids in analysis and category appraisal. Biological (incl. fermentation. DNA) methods are used in the studies of microbial consortia in food, industry, human GIT and other Microbial consortia in food. food systems. Novel cultivation methods (incl. Food quality and structure. change-stat) are used for culture characterization and optimization of microbial production. Modern methods of instrumental analysis, incl. SELECTED ARTICLES: HPLC, GC, UPLC-MS(/MS), are used for food and Adamberg, K; Kolk, K; Jaagura, M; Vilu, R; process characterization. To improve quantifica- Adamberg, S (2018). The composition and metabolism of faecal microbiota is specifically modulated by different dietary polysaccharides and mucin: an isothermal microcalorimetry study. Beneficial Microbes, 1−14. Adamberg, K., Adamberg, S. (2018). Selection of fast and slow growing bacteria from fecal microbiota using continuous culture with changing dilution rate. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 29 (1), #1549922. Paalme, T.; Vilbaste, A.; Kevvai, K.; Nisamedtinov, I.; Hälvin-Tanilas, K. (2017). Assessment of bioavailable B vitamin content in food using in vitro digestibility assay and LC-MS SIDA. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 1–10. Laaksonen, Oskar; Kuldjarv, R.; Paalme, T.; Virkki, M , Yang, BR (2017) Impact of apple cultivar, ripening stage, fermentation type and yeast strain on phenolic composition of apple ciders. FOOD CHEMISTRY Volume: 233 Pages: 29–37. Kaleda, A.; Tsanev, R.; Klesment, T.; Vilu, R.; Laos, K. (2018) Ice cream structure modification by ice-binding proteins. Food Chemistry, 246, 164–171.

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GENETIC AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS Head of the Research Group: Senior Researcher KADRI JÄRVE, [email protected] Members: Hilma Peusha, Galina Sokolova Doctoral students: Irena Jakobson, Karmen Tõnismann

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: crop species, disease resistance, SELECTED PROJECTS: resistance genes RP9010, “State programme of plant We study the genetic and molecular aspects of breeding for the years 2009–2019” plant-microbe interactions. We concentrate on (Cereal prebreeding and implementation crop (potato, wheat) resistance to fungal diseases. of methods of biotechnology) Phytopathological and genetical methods including DNA analysis are used. By applying methods SELECTED PUBLICATIONS of classical forward genetics, a resistant to pow- Janáková, E.; Jakobson, I.; Peusha Hilma, dery mildew wheat genotype has been derived. A. M.; Škopová, M.; Šimková, H.; Šafář, J.; Resistance in this genotype has been transferred Vrána, J.; Doležel, J.; Järve, K.; Valárik, M. from a wild relative of cultured wheat. (2019). Divergence between bread wheat and In 2019, the novel genotype will be tested in state Triticum militinae in the powdery mildew re- trials for new crop varieties. sistance QPm.tut-4A locus and its implications for cloning of the resistance gene. Theoretical We are participating in the state programme for and Applied Genetics 132(4), 1061-0172 (First ’Conservation of genetic resources for food and Online: 07 December 2018). agriculture’ by generating, collecting and analyzing (SSR markers + phenotyping) collections of wheat and potato.

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IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF LEUKOCYTE ACTIVATION Head of the Research Group: Associated Professor SIRJE RÜÜTEL BOUDINOT, [email protected] Member: Viiu Paalme, Doctoral students: Marina Teras, Airi Rump

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: immuneregulation, leukocyte As a new surface marker of human eosi- activation, RGS16, P2X4 nophils, P2X4 is a useful target to get insight into their biology The group focuses on the biology of leukocyte activation and its regulation. It is of paramount importance for health, both at the steady state SELECTED PROJECTS: and during the immune response. Dysfunctions of PUT685, “Impact of regulators of G protein these critical mechanisms are key factors of auto- signaling 16 in autoimmune pathologies of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, and the Central Nervous System, focusing on also strongly affect the defense against pathogens. Multiple Sclerosis” (2015–2018) We have selected two families of regulators of which the immune regulatory functions remain poorly SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: understood, the RGS (Regulator of G protein Signal- ling; main target RGS16) and the P2X (Purinergic Teras, M.; Viisileht, E.; Pahtma-Hall, M.; receptors, main target P2X4). Using a combination Rump, A.; Paalme, V.; Pata, P.; Pata, I.; Lan- of in vitro and in vivo models, we perform gain and gevin, C.; Boudinot, S. R. (2018). Porcine circo- loss of function experiments to characterize the virus type 2 ORF3 protein induces apoptosis in regulatory mechanisms mediated by these genes. melanoma cells. BMC Cancer, 18, ARTN 1237 We also follow comparative approaches to under- Suurväli, J.; Boudinot, P.; Kanelloupoulos, J.; stand the importance of these genes in the context Rüütel Boudinot, S. (2017) P2X4: a fast and of the evolution of the immune system. sensitive purinergic receptor. Biomed. J. We plan to characterize the mechanisms by which 40:245–256. RGS16 affects the course of Experimental Autoim- mune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) – a model of multiple sclerosis and pathways involved in RGS16- mediated regulation. We aim at understanding the role of P2X4 in the ATP-mediated activation of eosinophils and genetic diversity of P2X4 in collaboration with the Estonian Genome Project. MAIN RESULTS: RGS16 is involved in the type I IFN response to viral infections RGS16 mediates the production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines in monocytes RGS16 is part of a conserved synteny group enriched in antiviral genes There is the primordial proto MHC region in Placozoans Disruption of RGS16 confers an acute sensitivity to LPS and exacerbates EAE In RGS16KO mice the expression of RGS16 by recipient mice inhibits the development of grafted melanoma in vivo (collaboration with PERH) P2X4 is expressed by several leukocyte cell subsets but the highest level in eosinophils

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INTERACTION BETWEEN PLANT VIRUSES AND THEIR HOSTS Head of the Research Group: Senior Research Scientist ALLAN OLSPERT, [email protected] Member: Kairi Kärblane

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: plant viruses, transcriptional slip- slippage. This will also increase our knowledge page, host-pathogen interactions about RNA decay mechanisms in plant cells in general, and the potential viral modulators of The research group is engaged in investigating these pathways. the determinants of interaction and dynamics between plant viruses and their hosts. The re- The research may have an impact beyond search is focused on positive-strand RNA virus agriculture and plant science, as a number of family Potyviridae. These viruses utilize the medically important human pathogens such as mechanism of transcriptional slippage for gene measles, mumps, and Ebola virus also utilize expression. Transcriptional slippage produces transcriptional slippage. Therefore, in depth “edited” RNAs with an additional nucleotide at a understanding of viral polymerase slippage, specific location in RNA and with different coding polymerase error rates, frequencies and desti- capacity. These transcripts are also potentially nations of modified genomes may improve our subjects of alternative RNA decay pathways and understanding of and ability to fight against are excluded from replication by viral polymer- viral diseases in general. ase. There may also be differences in the rates of translation and packaging in comparison to SELECTED PROJECTS: unaltered RNAs. In addition, we aim to further characterize the details of potyvirus replication PUT 1499, “Differential routes of RNA and to elucidate if host RNA surveillance path- sub-populations in virus infections” ways have a significant role in maintaining the (2017–2020) desired level of gene expression resulting from

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LIPID BIOCHEMISTRY RESEARCH GROUP Head of the Research Group: Professor NIGULAS SAMEL, [email protected] Members: Aivar Lõokene, Ly Villo, Ivar Järving, Gennadi Kobzar, Helike Lõhelaid Doctoral students: Priit Eek, Mart Reimund, Tarvi Teder, Kaspar Põldemaa, Robert Risti, Kaia Kukk

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: structural biology, biomolecular ing enzymes, and metabolic cascades have been interactomics, fatty acid metabolism, cyclooxy- targeted for drug development. The main goals of genase, lipoxygenase, allenoxide synthase, the research team are: elucidation of fundamen- hydroperoxide lyase, oxylipins, coral stress re- tal structural, catalytic and regulatory aspects sponse, lipoprotein lipase, endothelial lipolysis, of enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of lipid angiopoietin-like protein, pancreatic lipase mediators, and study of regulatory mechanisms of lipoprotein metabolism and endothelial lipolysis. Lipids and lipoproteins have shown to play many dynamic roles in regulating a wide array of cellular Methods and competences: lipidomics, LC-MS, activities including metabolic and gene regula- structural biology (X-ray crystallography, SAXS, tion, energy production, and signalling pathways. mutational analysis, chemical crosslinking), bio- Lipid and lipoprotein producing and metaboliz- molecular interactomics (fluorimetry, ITC, SPR). Research is supported by IUT19-9 “Structural and regulatory aspects of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism“.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS IN RECENT YEARS: Solving the tertiary and quaternary structures of 11R-lipoxygenase along with elucidating the mechanisms of Ca2+-induced regulation (Eek et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2012; Eek et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 2015; Eek et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 2017). Discovery of hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) in animals. This catalase-related hemoprotein catalyses reactions typical to a plant P-450 cytochrome (Teder et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2015.; Teder et al., PLoS ONE, 2017). Confirmation of involvement of oxylipins in coral stress response (Lõhelaid et al., PLoS ONE, 2014; Lõhelaid et al., Coral Reefs, 2015). Elaboration of highly sensitive calorimetric method for quantitative determination of lipoprotein lipase activity and its interactions with regulatory proteins directly in human plasma. (Reimund et al. J. Biol. Chem., 2015; Reimund et al., J. Lipid Res., 2017).

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RESEARCH GROUP OF METALLOPROTEOMICS Head of the Research Group: Professor PEEP PALUMAA, [email protected] Members: Vello Tõugu, Tiina Kirsipuu, Olga Bragina, Julia Smirnova, Andra Noormägi Doctoral students: Merlin Friedemann, Jekaterina Kristal, Kristel Metsla, Ekaterina Kabin, Katarina Laks

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: biometals, zinc, copper, Alzhe- chelating therapeutic strategies for Wilsons imer’s disease, Wilson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The research group of metalloproteomics is The most important achievements of the re- focused on the following topics: (1) structural search group during last years: and functional studies of metalloproteins par- elaboration of new cellular model sys- ticipating in homeostasis of biometals: zinc, tems for toxicity studies of amyloidogenic copper and iron; (2) the role of biometals: zinc, peptides, involved in the pathogenesis of copper and iron on fibrillization and cellular Alzheimer’s disease; toxicity of amyloigogenic peptides linked with Alzheimer’s disease; (3) design of new metal- determination of copper-binding proper- chelating ligands and elaboration of metal- ties of metal-chelating drugs of Wilson’s disease; elucidation of the mechanisms of redox regulation of zinc finger proteins. Professor Palumaa is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Krishtal, J.; Bragina, O.; Metsla, K.; Palumaa, P.; Tõugu, V. (2017). In situ fibrillizing Amyloid-beta 1-42 Induce Neurite Degeneration and Apoptosis of Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells. PLOS ONE. 12(10):e0186636. Smirnova, J.; Kabin, E.; Järving, I.; Bragina, O.; Tõugu, V.; Plitz, T.; Palumaa, P. (2018). Copper(I)- binding properties of de-coppering drugs for the treatment of Wilson disease. α-Lipoic acid as a potential anti-copper agent. Scientific Reports, 8 (1, 1463), 1−9. Smirnova, J.; Kabin, E.; Tougu, V.; Palumaa, P. (2018). Redox properties of Cys(2)His(2) and Cys(4) zinc fingers determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Febs Open Bio, 8 (6), 923−931.

102 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP Head of the Research Group: Professor TÕNIS TIMMUSK, [email protected] Members: Kaia Palm, Mari Sepp, Andres Veske, Mari Palgi, Kaur Jaanson, Richard Tamme, Epp Väli, Kaisa Roots, Hanna Vihma, Indrek Koppel, Kristi Luberg Doctoral students: Kaja Nurm, Kati Taal, Jürgen Tuvikene, Laura Tamberg, Helle Sadam, Alex Sirp, Eli-Eelika Esvald, Mariliis Jaago, Annela Avarlaid

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: neurotrophins, BDNF, bHLH transcription factors, TCF4/E2-2, neuronal activity- regulated transcription, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, schizophrenia, neurodegenerative disorders Our studies focus on the molecular mechanisms of gene expression, including transcription, mRNA and protein subcellular localization, translation, posttranslational modifications, and signaling, in the nervous system health and disease. The main emphasis of the research is on neurotrophins, their receptors and activity-regulated gene expression. We study specifically (1) Molecular mechanisms controlling neural activity-regulated transcription and translation of the neurotrophin BDNF; (2) Tran- scriptional deregulation in Huntington’s disease; (3) TrkB signaling, and its cross talk with Notch, Hedgehog and Plexin pathways; (4) The basic helix- loop-helix transcription factor TCF4 functions in the nervous system of mammals and Drosophila and its deregulation in Pitt- Hopkins syndrome and schizophrenia; (5) Synaptic functions of the dendritically localized Neuralized1 as an ubiquitination ligase and transcriptional regulator. The studies were continued on regulation and functioning of genes associated with nervous system diseases and neuronal plasticity. Sadam, H.; Pihlak, A.; Kivil, A.; Pihelgas, S.; Jaago, M.; Adler, P.; Vilo, J.; Vapalahti, O.; SELECTED PROJECTS Neuman, T.; Lindholm, D.; Partinen, M.; IUT19-18, “Regulation of gene expression Vaheri, A.; Palm, K. (2018). and signaling in nervous system health Prostaglandin D2 Receptor DP1 Antibodies and disease”. Predict Vaccine-induced and Spontaneous Narcolepsy Type 1: Large-scale Study of TAR16018, “Centre of Excellence Antibody Profiling. EBioMedicine, for Genomics and Translational 29, 47−59. Medicine”. Karis, K.; Eskla, K.; Kaare, M.; Taht, K.; SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Tuusov, J.; Visnapuu, T.; Innos, J.; Jayaram, M.; Timmusk, T.; Weickert, C. S.; Vali, M.; Koppel, I.; Jaanson, K.; Klasche, A.; Tuvikene, J.; Vasar, E.; Philips, M.-A. (2018). Tiirik, T.; Pärn, A.; Timmusk, T. (2018). Altered Expression Profile of IgLON Family Dopamine cross-reacts with adrenoreceptors in of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules in the cortical astrocytes to induce BDNF expression, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex of Schizophrenic CREB signaling and morphological transfor- Patients. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, mation. Glia, 66, 206−216. 11, ARTN 8.

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MOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Head of the Research Group: Senior Research Scientist PAVEL STARKOV, [email protected] Members/doctoral students: Rohit Bhadoria, Kefeng Ping, Mahboob Alam

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: chemical probes, cellular uptake, electrocatalysts, renewable energy Our group uses knowledge in organic chemistry to molecularly design and test so-termed networked molecules. These are a subset of multifunctional small-molecular-weight compounds that address the notions of chemical as well as biological networks. In particular, we employ ‘networked molecules’ to 1. rationally build up well-organized molecular networks and successfully use them as electrocatalyst materials for various applications, incl. renewable energy and ‘ligandless’ catalysis; 2. disrupt and/or rewire biological networks with a goal of inducing new intracellular interactions and observing synergistic effects. SELECTED ARTICLES: 3. Such entities in their simplest form are Bhadoria, R.; Ping, K.; Lohk, C.; Järving, I.; heterobivalent constructs, however, we Starkov, P. (2019). Probing cellular outcomes are looking to install additional moieties using heterobivalent constructs. ChemRxiv. that would help extend their multifold DOI:10.26434/chemrxiv.7613213.v1 performance. Kasak, L.; Näks, M.; Eek, P.; Piirsoo, A.; SELECTED PROJECT: Bhadoria, R.; Starkov, P.; Saarma, M.; Kas- vandik, S.; Piirsoo, M. (2018). Characterization PU290, “A Chemical Approach of protein kinase ULK3 regulation by phospho- to Protein–Protein Interactions” rylation and inhibition by small molecule (1.01.2016−31.12.2019) SU6668. Biochemistry 2018, 57, 5456–5465.

104 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

OXIDATION RESEARCH GROUP Head of the Research Group: Professor MARGUS LOPP, [email protected] Members: Dzmitry Kananovich, Marina Kudrjašova, Anne Paju, Andrus Metsala, Allan Niidu, Kristin Erkman, Gert Preegel, Aleksander-Mati Müürisepp, Kerti Ausmees, Tiina Aid, Galina Varlamova Doctoral students: Gabor Zoltan Elek, Marek Kõllo, Kristiina Lips, Eleana Lopušanskaja, Anni Larin

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: asymmetric chemical analysis and catalysis, bioactive and nature compounds synthesis The main research objects of the group are asymmetric catalytic oxidation reactions. Both, organocatalytic and metal-catalyzed reactions are studied. Also, use of different asymmetric chemistry methods in the synthesis of natural and other bioactive compounds is studied. Biomass conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been widely investigated as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based feedstock, since it can be efficiently converted to fuel, plastic, polyester, and other industrial chemicals. The degradation of commercial cellulose, the isomerization of glucose to fructose, and the conversion of glucose to HMF using metal catalysts as well as tungsten and molybdenum oxide-based polyoxometalates were investigated in 2018. A method for the synthesis of cyclic 3-aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds with different ring sizes by using a Suzuki cross- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS coupling reaction between 3-halo-1,2-dicarbonyl Aid, T.; Koel, M.; Lopp, M.; Vaher, M. (2018). compounds and arylboronic acids was developed. Metal-Catalyzed Degradation of Cellulose in The 3-halo-1,2-dicarbonyl substrates are easily Ionic Liquid Media. Inorganics, 78 (6), 1−11. available from 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds. The method is versatile, affording good to high yields Lopušanskaja, E.; Paju, A.; Järving, I.; Lopp, M. of the target compounds. (2018). Synthesis of Cyclic 3-Aryl-Substituted 1,2-Dicarbonyl Compounds via Suzuki A method was developed together with Green Cross-Coupling Reactions. Synthesis, 50 (9), Chemistry Group for the aerobic cascade oxi- 1883−1890. dation of cyclopentane-1,2-diones using metal porphyrins as catalysts, yielding hydroxydi- Maljutenko, K.; Borovkov, V.; Kananovich, D.; acids, ketoacid and diketoacids which are the Järving, I.; Lopp, M. (2018). Aerobic cascade intermediates of important biologically active oxidation of substituted cyclopentane- compounds. This method is operationally simple 1,2-diones using metalloporphyrin catalysts. and can be employed under ambient conditions. Tetrahedron, 74 (6), 661−664.

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PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS Head of the Research Group: Professor ERKKI TRUVE, [email protected] Members: Cecilia Sarmiento, Merike Sõmera, Ljudmilla Timofejeva, Lenne Nigul, Signe Nõu Postdoctoral student: Liina Jakobson Doctoral students: Eve-Ly Ojangu, Jelena Mõttus (Gerassimenko)

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: agricultural crop diseases, bioeconomy in Estonia, plant viruses, RNA silencing suppressors, myosins We study genetic, molecular and cellular aspects of plant-microbe interactions. We identify and characterize, using next-generation sequencing techniques, viruses infecting cereal crops in Estonia. In our molecular and cell biology research we concentrate on one RNA virus genus – sobemoviruses, but study also antiviral RNA silencing mechanism and the roles of the cytoskeleton. Using next-generation sequencing techniques, the research on biodiversity of plankton in the Baltic Sea has been initiated in collaboration with the Marine Systems Institute. We participate in the study on the current state and future perspectives of Estonian bioeconomy. We use predominantly different cereals as well as model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and various tobaccos as experimental (host) plant species in the lab. We study the following aspects of plant-pathogen interactions: (1) Viruses SELECTED PUBLICATIONS infecting cereals in Estonia and in neighbor- Ojangu, E.-L.; Ilau, B.; Tanner, K.; Talts, K.; ing countries; (2) Characterization of different Ihoma, E.; Dolja, V. V.; Paves, H.; Truve, E. species of the Sobemovirus genus, their genome (2018). Class XI myosins contribute to auxin organizations, functions of genes, mechanisms response and senescence-induced cell death in of propagation, transport and spread; (3) Viral Arabidopsis. Front. Plant Sci. 9: 1570. and endogenous suppressors of RNA silencing as the major players to control the infections in van der Linde, K.; Timofejeva, L.; Egger, R.L.; plants; (4) The role of myosins in Arabidopsis Ilau, B.; Hammond, R.; Teng, C.; Meyers, B.C.; development and plant-pathogen interactions; Doehlemann, G.; Walbot, V. (2018). (5) The identification of plankton species in the Pathogen Trojan horse delivers bioactive host Gulf of Finland. protein to alter maize anther cell behavior in situ. Plant Cell 30:528–542. Professor Truve is a member of the Sobemo- virus Study Group of the International Com- van der Linde, K.; Egger, R. L.; Timofejeva, L.; mittee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) and the Walbot, V. (2018). Application of the pathogen agricultural technologies working group of the Trojan horse approach in maize (Zea mays). European Plant Science Organization (EPSO). Plant Signal. Behav. 13: e1547575.

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THE GROUP FOR THE STUDY OF LIGNIN BIODEGRADATION Head of the Research Group: Senior Research Scientist TIIT LUKK, [email protected] Members: Kairit Zovo, Epp Väli, Melissa Ingela Bramanis, Merli Jõemaa

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: X-ray crystallography, structural ditionally, the research aims to analyze lignins biology, biomass valorization, enzymology, ra- from various tree species that naturally grow in tional design of biocatalysts, biocatalysis Estonian forests and analyze their biodegrad- ability with soil bacterial enzymes. One of the major directions of the research group focuses on the structural biology and rational In 2018, six laccase mutants from S. coelicolor design of enzymes utilizing point mutations. were crystallized and analyzed at the ALBA Site-directed mutagenesis in the near vicinity synchrotron light source in Spain. Those mutants of the catalytic metal sites of those enzymes will were also characterized kinetically and first ex- allow the enzymes to be tuned to higher redox periments with laccases were carried out to deter- potentials, altered pH activity ranges, enhanced mine their organosolv lignin degradation activity. temperature stability as well as the ability to During 2018, the laboratory was set up with bind to alternative transition metal ions. Ad- instrumentation required to carry out experiments related to lignin degradation biochemistry: two chromatographers, a spectrophotometer, crystallization incubators as well as numerous additional items related to analytical chromatography were acquired. The major research themes of the research group will benefit industries related to renewable energy, paper pulp bleaching, bioremediation processes as well as lignin valorization. In 2017, collaboration with AS Estonian Cell was started to study the feasibility of using actinomycete enzymes in enhancing the efficiency of aspen wood paper pulp bleaching and reducing the energy consumption of mechanical pulping processes via enzymatic routes. During 2018, collaboration with AS Estonian Cell was started to find alternative uses to aspen bark to valorize that wood component using bioorganic chemistry methods. SELECTED PROJECTS MOBTT60, “The role of actinomycete metalloproteins in lignin depolymeriza- tion and soil chemistry”

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RESEARCH GROUP OF CATALYSIS Head of the Research Group: Professor TÕNIS KANGER, [email protected] Members: Kadri Kriis, Maksim Ošeka Doctoral students: Mikk Kaasik, Mariliis Kimm, Kärt Reitel, Dmitri Trubitsõn

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: asymmetric synthesis, organoca- talysis, catalysis, cascade reactions The main research object of the group is asymmetric organic synthesis. The research includes a total synthesis of bioactive compounds and specific investigations of cascade and catalytic reactions. Studies of asymmetric organocatalytic reactions are of importance. Aminocatalysis based on covalently bound compounds as well as hydrogen- bond catalysis based on noncovalent interactions are the main topics. Several reactions under the study are cascade reactions providing several new chemical bonds in one step. It increases atom- efficiency, decreases the number of steps needed and makes the whole process environmentally more benign (the number of work-up steps and amount of solvent is diminished). In the case of metal catalysis widely spread and non-toxic calcium salts are used as a metal source. The synthesis is supported by spectroscopic and crys- tallographic experiments, chromatography and quantum chemical calculations. The investigation of halogen bond catalysis was started recently as a new topic. Halogen bond is a noncovalent interaction between a halogen atom (mainly iodine) and acceptor with lone pair. In some aspects a halogen bond resembles a hydrogen bond. Experience obtained in hydrogen bond catalysis is applied in the design of novel halogen bond catalysts and in their reactions. The characteristic feature of the research is the metric Wittig [2,3]-Rearrangement. J. Org. application of the principles of sustainable and Chem. 2017, 82, 2889−2897. green chemistry in asymmetric synthesis. Kaasik, M.; Kaabel, S.; Kriis, K.; Järving, I.; Aav, R.; Rissanen, K.; Kanger, T. (2017). SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: Synthesis and Characterisation of Chiral Trubitsõn, D.; Žari, S.; Kaabel, S.; Kudrjashova, Triazole-Based Halogen-Bond Donors: Halo- M.; Kriis, K.; Järving, I.; Pehk, T.; Kanger, T. gen Bonds in the Solid State and in Solution. (2018). Asymmetric Organocatalytic Cascade Chem. Eur. J., 23, 7337−7344. Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuranyl Spirooxindoles. Ošeka, M.; Kimm, M.; Kaabel, S.; Järving, I.; Synthesis, 50 (02), 314−322. Rissanen, K.; Kanger, T. (2016). Asymmetric Ošeka, M.; Kimm, M.; Järving, I.; Lippur, K.; Organocatalytic Wittig [2,3]-Rearrangement of Kanger, T. Two Catalytic Methods of an Asym- Oxindoles. Org. Lett., 1.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY Head of the Research Group: Associated Professor AGNE VELTHUT-MEIKAS, [email protected] Members, doctoral students: Ilmatar Rooda, Kristine Roos

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: reproductive biology, ovarian fol- ment is affected by pituitary hormones, steroid licle, infertility hormones produced in the ovary as well as signaling molecules trafficking between the oocyte Infertility is a world-wide problem affecting ap- and its surrounding somatic cells. By identifying proximately 15% of couples in the reproductive the molecular pathways in the granulosa cells age. There are several treatment options for both important for oocyte maturation, it is possible to male and female fertility, the most widely used use these cells in diagnostics and to substantially being in vitro fertilization (IVF) enabling infer- improve the outcome of IVF procedures. tile couples to produce their genetic offspring. Unfortunately, the success rate of IVF procedure In our group, classical laboratory methods as is low – on average, only every third procedure well as high throughput methods for gene ex- ends with a childbirth. pression analysis (next generation sequencing, microarrays, mass spectrometry) are carried out. The reproductive biology research group inves- In addition, we have expertise in bioinformatic tigates the molecular mechanisms that ensure analysis, biostatistics and modelling of signaling human fertility or cause infertility. We mostly cascades. focus on female infertility, especially on biological processes in the ovary that warrant the suc- We collaborate closely with the Competence cessful maturation of an oocyte. Oocyte develop- Center for Health Technologies and with all the infertility clinics in Estonia.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Teder. H.; Koel, M.; Paluoja, P.; Jatsenko, T.; Rekker, K.; Laisk-Podar, T.; Kukuškina, V.; Velthut-Meikas, A.; et al (2018). TAC-seq: targeted DNA and RNA sequencing for precise biomarker molecule counting. NPJ Genom Med. 3, ARTN 34. Rekker, K.; Altmäe, S.; Suhorutshenko, M.; Peters, M.; Martinez-Blanch, JF.; Codoñer, FM.; Vilella, F.; Simón, C.; Salumets, A.; Velthut-Meikas, A. (2018). A Two-Cohort RNA-seq Study Reveals Changes in Endometrial and Blood miRNome in Fertile and Infertile Women. Genes 9(12). Suhorutshenko, M.; Kukushkina, V.; Velthut- Meikas, A.; Altmäe, S.; Peters, M. et al. (2018) Endometrial receptivity revisited: endometrial transcriptome adjusted for tissue cellular heterogeneity. Hum Reprod. 33(11), 2074–2086.

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RESEARCH GROUP OF GREEN CHEMISTRY Head of Research Group: Professor NICHOLAS GATHERGOOD, [email protected] Members: Victor Borovkov, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Illia Kapitanov, Yevgen Karpichev, Omar Parve, Pille Pata, Dzmitry Kananovich, Mohammad Hasan Postdoctoral students: Yuri Ermolovich, Surya Mudavasseril Sudheer, Zeba Usmani, Rohit Kumar Gore Doctoral students: Grete Raba, Estelle Silm, Dewi Kurnianingsih Arum, Eva Doyle, Natasha McStay

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: ionic liquids, benign-by-design, catalysis, receptor studies, surfactants, biodegradation, sustainability The main objectives of the group are to facilitate structural changes in order to foster excellent research in the area of green chemistry for sustainable development by establishing an ERA Chair position at the Department of Chemistry, and to bring this entire topic under one strategic lead. Today, the group is one of the leading centres of teaching and chemical research in Estonia. The research group follows a ‘benign by design’ philosophy. This includes using biorenewable starting materials, developing cleaner and green- er alternative synthetic procedures and studying new catalytic methodologies. In addition toxicity, ecotoxicity and biodegradation assessment of the novel compounds prepared enables priority of preferred more environmentally friendly chemicals. The classes of our group’s target molecules range from ionic liquids, surfactants, macrocycles, cyclopropanes, γ-hydroxy-carboxylic acids, opiates and supramolecular compounds. Host- guest interactions are an important aspect of our research. Sensor applications, drug delivery and chiral recognition are all areas of interest. (6) Host-guest chemistry underpinning chiral- THE MAIN RESEARCH DIRECTIONS ity sensors and small molecule recognition. IN 2018: (7) High throughput screening of opiate receptor signalling based on a Luciferase (1) Investigations to identify low toxicity and reporter assay in development. mineralisable transformation products (8) Catalysis projects directed by principles of formed during aminoacid and dipeptide green chemistry and sustainability. based ionic liquid biodegradation (Closed Bottle Test) studies was performed. Synthesis of authentic samples to assist SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: transformation product identification and Reid, J. E.S.J.; Prydderch, H.; Spulak, M.; toxicity assessment was undertaken. Shimizu, S.; Walker, A. J.; Gathergood, N. (2018). Green profiling of aprotic versus protic (2) Establishing a method for stereoselective ionic liquids: Synthesis and microbial toxicity synthesis of acylated gamma-hydroxy of analogous structures. Sustainable Chemistry carboxylic acids and biopolymer synthesis. and Pharmacy, 7, 17−26. (3) Development of cleaner synthetic methods to prepare ionic liquids and surfactant Invention: Synthesis and Polymerization of compounds was achieved using green Isosorbide-based Monomethacrylates; chemistry metrics. Owners: Tallinn University of Technology , University of Tartu, National Institute of (4) Characterisation and applications of sur- Chemical Physics and Biophysics; factants in green chemistry projects. Authors: Patric Jannasch, Livia Matt, Lauri (5) Synthesis of opiate derivatives for study Vares, Jaan Parve, Omar Parve, Nicholas in host guest applications and catalysis, Gathergood, Tõnis Pehk; Priority number: DNA binding studies and as analgesics. GB1807794.1; Priority date: 14.05.2018 110 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY GROUP Head of the Research Group: Professor RIINA AAV, [email protected] Members: Lukaš Ustrnul, Omar Parve, Maria Fomitšenko Doctoral students: Elena Prigorchenko, Sandra Kaabel, Anna Peterson, Kamini Antindrakumar Mishra

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: supramolecular chemistry, macrocycles, receptors, host-guest complexes, molecular containers, chirality, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, spectroscopy, UV-vis, FS, CD, VCD, NMR The supramolecular chemistry research group is interested in the study of chiral urea-based and aromatic molecular containers. More specifically we are studying their synthesis, molecular and supramolecular structure and their interactions. Supramolecular chemistry unites approaches of analytical, organic and physical chemistry to study mater in a broader way. Molecular containers are able to form host-guest complexes with other molecules and in a special case of inclusion complexes, a small molecule is fully encapsulated by the macrocycle. These complexes are held together by non-covalent interactions. We are mainly interested in macrocycles that belong to the cucurbituril family, the hemicucurbiturils and calixarene derivatives. These type of macrocycles have been applied in material science for example in molecular Velcro, hydrogels and -capsules as well as in biomedical applications for selective drug-delivery. The first enantiomeri- cally pure members of the cucurbituril family were prepared by our group. We explore the potential of new molecular containers in material Kaabel, S.; Aav, R. (2018). Templating Effects science for sensing. in the Dynamic Chemistry of Cucurbiturils and Hemicucurbiturils. Israel Journal of Chemis- SELECTED PROJECTS: try, 58 (3–4), 296−313. PUT692, “Development of new molecular Kaabel, S.; Adamson, J.; Topic, F.; Kiesilä, A.; containers” (1.01.2015−31.12.2018) Kalenius, E.; Öeren, M.; Reimund, M. Prigorchenko, E.; Lõokene, A.; Reich, H. J.; Rissanen, K.; Aav, R. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: (2017). Chiral hemicucurbit[8]uril as an anion receptor: selectivity to size, shape and charge Adamson, J.; Nazarski, R. B.; Jarvet, J.; distribution. Chemical Science, 8, 2184. Pehk, T.; Aav, R. (2018). Shortfall of B3LYP in Reproducing NMR JCH Couplings in Some Isomeric Epoxy Structures with Strong Stereo- electronic Effects: A Benchmark Study on DFT Functionals. ChemPhysChem, 19, 631–642.

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SYSTEMS BIOLOGY OF BACTERIA Head of the Research Group: Professor RAIVO VILU, [email protected] Members: Aivar Lõokene, Ly Villo, Olga Gavrilova, Taivo Lints, Reimo Priidik Doctoral students: Henri Ingelman, Kätrin Karu, Georg Arju, Dmitri Pismennõi

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: bacteria, systems biology, metabolic SELECTED PUBLICATIONS modeling, software development, omics methods Taivosalo, A.; Kriščiunaite, T.; Seiman, A.; The main directions of research in the lab are as Part, N.; Stulova, I.; Vilu, R. (2018). follows: research in systems biology of bacteria, Comprehensive analysis of proteolysis during modelling of bacterial metabolism and software 8 months of ripening of high-cooked development, development of omics methods, Old Saare cheese. Journal of Dairy Science, applied research in nutrition studies and food 101, 944−967. technologies, environmental investigations. Kaleda, A.; Tsanev, R.; Klesment, T.; Vilu, R.; Laos, K. (2018). Ice cream structure SELECTED PROJECTS modification by ice-binding proteins. IUT19-27A, “Systems biology of food Food Chemistry, 246, 164−171. technologies and science”

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 CYBERNETICS (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 6 professors Director: Professor ANDRUS SALUPERE, staff 24 researchers [email protected], 49 +372 620 4152 18 Doctoral students 64 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 8 RESEARCH GROUPS: GROUP AND SEMIGROUP THEORY. Head: Senior Lecturer ALAR LEIBAK, [email protected] INVERSE PROBLEMS AND STOCHASTIC METHODS. Head: Professor JAAN JANNO, [email protected] MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS. Head: Senior Research Scientist GERT TAMBERG, [email protected] NONLINEAR WAVE DYNAMICS. Head: Professor ANDRUS SALUPERE, [email protected] RHEOLOGY OF COMPOSITES. Head: Senior Research Scientist HEIKO HERRMANN, [email protected] SYSTEMS BIOLOGY. Head: Senior Research Scientist MARKO VENDELIN, [email protected] THEORETICAL PHYSICS. Head: Professor JAAN KALDA, [email protected] WAVE ENGINEERING. Head: Professor TARMO SOOMERE, [email protected]

6 6 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 7 TEACHING ASSISTANTS 11 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 1 LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 11 6 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 1

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GROUP AND SEMIGROUP THEORY RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Senior Lecturer ALAR LEIBAK, [email protected] Members: Peeter Puusemp, Piret Puusemp

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: group theory, endomorphism semigroups, applications of algebra The research is focused on the study of the connections between groups and their endomorphism semigroups, and the applications of group theory. The aim is to describe some well-known classes of finite groups by their endomorphism semigroups and to decide whether a group is determined by its endomorphism semigroup in the class of all groups or not. We started to describe all small groups that are determined by their endomorphism semigroups. Further, if a group G is not determined by its endomorphism semigroup, then to provide the complete list of nonisomorphic groups having the endomorhism semigroup isomorphic to that of G. As the computational group theory and the software GAP (http://www.gap-system.org) are becoming more popular among people working in applied algebra, we started to develop algorithms what are able to decide automatically whether or not a given finite group is determined by its endomorphism semigroup.

MAIN RESULTS: We proved that among all groups of order up to 47 (there are 198 such groups) all arbitrary finite cyclic group. As a result, but five groups are determined by their it was proved that the secret keys are not endomorphism semigroup. uniformly distributed. Furthermore, we The distribution of the multi-party Dif- demonstrated how to improve the generat- fie-Hellman common secret keys were ing of users’ secret keys so that the com- studied where the platform group was an mon secret keys are uniformly distributed.

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INVERSE PROBLEMS AND STOCHASTIC METHODS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Professor JAAN JANNO, [email protected] Members: Lassi Päivärinta, Margus Pihlak, Kari Kasemets Doctoral students: Nataliia Kinash, Sadia Sadique

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: inverse problems, fractional dif- Stochastic methods in inverse prob- fusion and wave motion, Bayesian methods, lems. Inverse problems for fractional nonparametric statistics Brownian motion (FBM) and Bayesian inverse problems are considered. The The research is focused on analysis of inverse particular problems are: the reconstruc- problems as well as on development of stochastic tion of the Hurst parameter of FBM and methods for inverse problems and other applica- construction of prior distributions with tions. The main directions of research are: stable processes for Bayesian inverse Inverse problems for equations con- problems that preserve edges in order to taining fractional derivatives. Inverse better detect anomalies. Applications are problems for linear and nonlinear frac- manifold starting from medical imaging tional differential equations are studied. and atmospheric remote sensing and end- The unknowns to be determined are coef- ing with mathematics of finance. ficients, source terms and kernels of gen- Elaboration of nonparametric statis- eralized fractional time derivatives. Such tical methods. The theory of nonpara- problems occur in modelling of diffusion metric statistical methods is developed and mechanical processes in porous, frac- and these methods are applied in environ- tal and biological media. The research is mental and building engineering. focused both on theoretical aspects (existence, uniqueness and stability of solutions) and elaboration of numerical methods. RECENT RESULTS: Proof of simultaneous identifiability of an order of derivative and a source term in a fractional diffusion equation (FDE) from final measurements.J. Janno, N. Kinash Inverse problems 34 (2018), 025007. Elaboration of numerical methods based on conformal maps for electrical impedance tomography. L. Päivärinta et al, Inverse problems and Imaging 12 (2018), 401–432.

MAIN GRANTS: VEU685, ERC advanced grant, “Inverse problems (Project INVPROB)”, until 2016. PUT568 “Inverse problems for parabolic differential equations with fractional derivatives” (2015–2018). PUT1093 “Stochastic methods in inverse problems with special focus on fractional diffusion” (2016–2019).

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MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Senior Research Scientist GERT TAMBERG, [email protected] Doctoral student: Olga Orlova

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: sampling operators, approximation theory, signal processing Main directions of research are as follows: Studying the generalized Shannon sampling operators that mean the representa- tions of functions in terms of series, where the expansion coefficients are its samples and expansion functions are translates of certain kernel function. In the case of Kantorovich-type sampling operators we take, instead of point estimates, some local averages as Fejer-type singular integrals. Studying applications of the generalized sampling operators in Signal Processing, especially in imaging applications, where the generalized sampling operators are a natural tool for image resampling. We also study applications in HDR imaging. We study the applications of sampling operators in time series analysis and linear prediction. We applied image-resampling algo- MAIN RESULTS: rithms, based on sampling operators in super resolution algorithms. We clarified approximation properties of sampling operators with not neces- We applied sampling operators in time sary even kernel, especially for sampling series analysis and linear prediction, operators with strongly asymmetric ker- especially for energy prediction. A hard- nels. ware realization was proposed.

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NONLINEAR WAVE DYNAMICS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Professor ANDRUS SALUPERE, [email protected] Members: Arkadi Berezovski, Tanel Peets, Kert Tamm, Dmitri Kartofelev, Martin Lints, Jüri Engelbrecht Doctoral student: Mart Ratas

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: continuum mechanics, theory of motion in microstructured solids take into internal variables, nondestructive testing of account nonlinear, dispersive and tem- materials, nonlinear waves, solitons, numerical perature effects and possible multiscale experiments of a microstructure. The activities of the research group are focused Solitons and solitary waves. Boussin- on wave propagation in complex media and cor- esq-type (two-wave) models and KdV-type responding applications. On the one hand this (one-wave) models, which describe waves includes direct problems where the goal is to in microstructured solids and mechanical analyse how waves of different types propagate waves in biomembranes, are applied. Con- and interact in materials, the properties of ditions for formation of solitonic solutions which are known. On the other hand, the aim is are determined. to solve inverse problems, in order to determine Discrete spectral analysis. Fourier the properties of materials, existence of defects, spectrum related spectral characteristics residual stresses, etc. by making use of quanti- are applied in order to examine time-space ties measured from physical experiments. behaviour of complex wave-structures. MAIN RESEARCH DIRECTIONS Nondestructive testing of materials. Nonhomogeneous materials (incl. lami- Theory of continua and internal vari- nated materials) are under consideration. ables. The internal structure of materials Methods for determining of mechanical is described using internal fields. The cor- properties of materials and for detection of responding mathematical models of wave defects in laminated objects are developed.

SOME RECENT RESULTS An original signal processing method called delayed Time Reversal-Nonlinear Elastic Wave Spectroscopy (delayed TR- NEWS) has been developed. The method could be used to amplify a signal in certain regions of the material under Non Destruc- tive Testing. These concepts are shown to work well in numerical simulations and physical experiments. A coupled model has been derived for describing the propagation of mechanical wave that accompanies the nerve pulse during its propagation along the nerve axon. Numerical experiments demonstrate that soliton-like waves can be formed from arbitrary inputs. In acoustics of musical instruments a theoretical model has been developed for describing the interaction between the string and the obstacle. The model has been tested experimentally for string instruments.

SELECTED PROJECTS PUT434, “Wave energy redistribution in solids with microstructure” (2014–2017). IUT 33-24, “Wave propagation in complex media and applications” (2015–2020).

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RHEOLOGY OF COMPOSITES RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Senior Research Scientist HEIKO HERRMANN, [email protected] Members: Andres Braunbrück Doctoral student: Oksana Goidyk

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: mechanics of materials, continuum mechanics, fiber concrete, fiber orientations, computational rheology, image analysis, 3D visualization The competences of the group have a broad range, from constitutive theory over numerical computer simulations and image analysis to virtual reality visualization of scientific data. The main research topic is concerned with the mechanical properties of composites containing short fibres. The core application is steel fibre reinforced concrete, a construction material, the use of which is gaining momentum in the building industry. The mechanical properties largely depend on the orientation of short fibres, which in turn are influenced by the production process of the structural parts made of fibre concrete. In particular the flow of the fresh concrete mass, which is mixed with the fibres, determines the fibre orientations. Analysis of fibre orientations in experiment samples is done by x-ray computed tomography, fibre orientations are then extracted from the tomography. The group has developed its own software for this purpose. The production process of concrete parts, in particu- ity), which is conducted on the self-developed lar the casting, is simulated using computational “Kyb3” system. The main task of the system is fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled to an orientation the visualization of the computed tomography of equation. Further, simulations of bending tests fibre concrete and CFD simulations. It is used and split tests are performed with particle based to visually inspect measurement and simulation discrete element simulations. On the theoretical results. side, the group has developed constitutive models for the influence of the fibre orientations distribution on the mechanical and thermal properties SELECTED PROJECTS: of fibre concrete. PUT1146, “Rheology of short fibre rein- Connected to this is the research on stereoscopic forced cementitious composites and influ- semi-immersive 3D visualization (virtual real- ence on fracture behaviour” (2016–2019)

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SYSTEMS BIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Senior Research Scientist MARKO VENDELIN, [email protected] Members: Rikke Birkedal Nielsen; Mari Kalda-Kroon, Niina Karro, Martin Laasmaa Doctoral student: Jelena Branovets

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: heart; biophysics; bioenergetics; pathways. The novelty of our method lies in the electrophysiology; biomechanics; intracellular mathematical analysis of measured transsarco- diffusion; fluorescence microscopy; fluorescence lemmal Ca2+ currents and their impact on the cor- correlation spectroscopy responding Ca2+ transient during gradual inhibition of the currents in action potential clamp. The The Laboratory of Systems Biology was founded developed method resolves the major problem on in 2007 with the help of the funding from Well- how to separate highly interconnected fluxes in come Trust granted to PI. We use interdiscipli- AP clamp and allows studying of Ca2+ fluxes in nary approaches to tackle questions in cardiac cardiomyocytes under conditions close to in vivo. physiology. For that, we have formed a team of researchers with backgrounds in biophysics, We have been active in the development of new biology, and applied mathematics/physics. As a techniques and distribute them as open-source result, we are able to approach scientific ques- tools: deconvolution software for confocal imag- tions on different scales, from organ to molecular ing, symbolic flux analysis for genome-scale level, using combinations of different experimen- metabolic networks, and real-time sarcomere tal and theoretical techniques by focusing on length estimation techniques. This development quantitative analysis of the data. work has raised interest in companies with an outreach of incorporating our algorithms and We studied diffusion in cardiomyocytes by track- software into their products. ing the movement of fluorescent molecules using extended raster image correlation spectroscopy. Our results suggest that diffusion barriers are ESSENTIAL PROJECTS: arranged in a 3D lattice with relatively small open- IUT33-7, “Relationships between micro- ings. Based on the analysis of autofluorescence re- structure, energy transfer, and perform- sponse, we demonstrated that mitochondrial outer ance in heart”. membrane and cytosolic diffusion barriers reduce the movement of molecules to a similar extent. We European Union Framework Programme study effects of creatine deficiency to establish the Horizon 2020 COST Action CA15203: role of creatine kinase shuttle in the heart. Mitochondrial mapping: Evolution – Age – Gender – Lifestyle – Environment. We are studying excitation-contraction coupling of the heart by focusing on interaction between European Union Framework Programme the processes. Mechanical contraction is initiated Horizon 2020 COST Action CA16225: Re- through entry of calcium ions into the cell. We alising the therapeutic potential of novel developed a method to quantify the Ca2+ influx cardioprotective therapies.

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THEORETICAL PHYSICS RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Professor JAAN KALDA, [email protected] Members of the group: Mikhail Klopov, Tanel Mullari, Vladislav-Veniamin Pustõnski, Pavel Suurvarik Doctoral students: Siim Ainsaar, Mihkel Heidelberg, Stephanie Rendon De La Torre, Eero Uustalu, Marek Vilipuu

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: turbulence, photovoltaic materials, econphysics, complex systems, tools for physics education The rapidly developing solar cell technology has brought to the forefront the problem about the properties of inexpensive and efficient photovoltaic materials. One of our research topics is calculation of the basic physical parameters of new photovoltaic materials (hybrid-perovskite and CZTS) using quantum chemical and density functional theory methods. For material technology applications, it is important to understand the localized oscillations in solids and the physical mechanisms of LLM (Linear Localized Modes); we have determined the conditions of excitation of ILM (Intrinsic Localized Modes) in various three-dimensional crystals and compared theory with an experiment. Orbital modelling and planning for satellites. Within nanosatellite project ”CubeSat“, we have developed a solar energy balance model, and predicted the positions of its communication windows. Theoretical analysis and modelling of turbulent mixing. Our research tools include Fokker-Planck equations for La- grange stretching statistics, statistical Lagrange dynamics invariants, stochastic Swedbank – these appear to be multifractal matrix products, statistical topography of networks, see Eur. Phys. J. B (2017) 90: 234 passive fields, stochastic baker’s map for (Altmetrix score 5). reducing dimensionality of the problems. In collaboration with the Wave Dynamics Development physics study materials. Laboratory, we have modelled litter patch- It has mainly focused on methods for solv- iness in marine environment as a result ing creative problems, and popularizing of coupling between the water flow and physics education. The materials available wind drag. In cooperation with University at https://www.ioc.ee/~kalda/ipho/ have of Marseille, we have studied mixing in a won great international recognition, with an porous environment, see Phys. Rev. Fluid average download of about 1,000 files per (2017) 2, 104502 (Altmetrix score 9). day. TFU initiated the European Physics Ol- ympiad. 150 participants from 32 countries Econophysics research. We have studied are expected to attend the 3rd Olympiad in scale-free properties of economic networks June 2019 in Riga; see also European Jour- based on the database of wire transfers of nal of Physics, 39, 064002 (2018).

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WAVE ENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUP Head of the group: Professor TARMO SOOMERE, [email protected] Members: Nadezhda Kudryavtseva; Nicole Camille Delpeche-Ellman, Kevin Ellis Parnell, Katri Pindsoo, Andrus Räämet, Bert Viikmäe, Andrea Giudici Doctoral students: Maris Eelsalu, Rain Männikus, Fatemeh Najafzadeh

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: wave dynamics, coastal engineer- The team focuses on complex and nonlinear phe- ing, wave climatology, coastal management, nomena in wave dynamics and coastal engineering, remote sensing and the applications of mathematical methods in wave studies. The scope of the research involves long The laboratory (wavelab.ioc.ee) was formed on wave theory and applications (with emphasize on 01.01.2009 to promote and provide a structure fast-ferry waves, shallow-water solitons, set-up and for research in water waves and coastal engineer- run-up phenomena, tsunami research, etc.), surface ing in the Department of Mechanics and Applied wave modelling, wave climate studies, and wave- Mathematics of the Institute of Cybernetics. driven phenomena in coastal engineering, with application to integrated coastal zone management. Rapidly emerging foci are the use of Lagrangian transport of substances in marine environment, adequate description of wave and water level extremes, and preventive methods for mitigation of marine-induced hazards, and the use of various remote sensing methods for studies of both fundamental questions (e.g. filtering techniques of various signals) and applied problems such as spatio-temporal variations in the properties of waves in small inland seas. The performed research has established several unexpected properties of internal wave fields in semi-enclosed seas such as the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk and made it possible to quantify changes in the main properties of surface waves in the Baltic Sea. Studies of the impact of ship wakes in the Venice Lagoon (Zaggia et al. 2017 PLoS ONE) caused massive reaction in Venice.

ESSENTIAL PROJECTS: IUT33-3, “Wave dynamics for coastal engineering and management” (2015–2020). ETAG16014, ERA.Net RUS Plus, “The impact of EXtreme events of future climates on the marine ecOSYSTEM in the Baltic and Barents Sea” (EXOSYSTEM) (2016–2018). MOBTT72, “Coastal processes and coastal management in a changing climate” (2018−2022).

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 GEOLOGY (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 4 professors Director: Senior Research Scientist staff 20 researchers ATKO HEINSALU, 31 [email protected] Doctoral Defended doctoral 11 students 2 dissertations 73 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 5 RESEARCH DIVISIONS: DIVISION OF BEDROCK GEOLOGY. Head: Professor OLLE HINTS, [email protected] DIVISION OF ISOTOPE GEOLOGY. Head: Senior Researcher REIN VAIKMÄE, [email protected] DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND APPLIED GEOLOGY. Head: Researcher RUTT HINTS, [email protected] DIVISION OF MINING. Head: Professor MICHAEL WILLIAM HITCH, [email protected] DIVISION OF QUATERNARY GEOLOGY. Head: Professor SIIM VESKI, [email protected]

3 4 PROFESSORS 2 5 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 1 TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS 4 SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 12

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DIVISION OF BEDROCK GEOLOGY Head: Professor OLLE HINTS, [email protected] Members: Peep Männik, Jaak Nõlvak, Aivo Lepland, Dimitri Kaljo, Linda Hints Postdoctoral researcher: Yan Liang Doctoral students: Ursula Toom, Liina Antonovitš, Garmen Bauert, Heikki Bauert

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES

KEYWORDS: Paleozoic geology, paleontology, paleoenvironment, isotopes Bedrock geology, including palaeontology and stratigraphy, have been among the key research areas of the Department of Geology since the 1950s. The main research topics of the group are related to deciphering Earth’s history through the latest Proterozoic and early Palaeozoic times, ca 400–600 million years ago. During this period the planet underwent major transitions in climate systems and environments, related to changing oxygen levels and perturbations in carbon cycle rarely seen on Earth since then. This interval moreover embraced the key events in biological evolution and biodiversification, such as the Cambrian explosion and Ordovician radiation, but witnessed also one of the largest mass extinc- tions in the history of life. The group is interested in better understanding the interactions between geo- and biosphere processes, in particular, ad- The group is responsible for running the mass dressing the following: spectrometry lab for stable isotope geochemistry, the SEM for imaging and express geochemistry as palaeobiodiversity dynamics and its rela- well as the paleontology lab for extracting micro- tionships with climate and environmental fossils. The group makes also excessive use of the changes; geological and palaeontological collections depos- palaebiology and evolution of various groups ited at the department. These are the largest in of organisms during early Palaeozoic; Estonia and curated at a high international level. global palaebiogeographic patterns and the role of the Baltic faunal province; SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: paleoclimate perturbations using mul- Hints, O.; Antonovitš, L.; Bauert, G.; Nestor, V.; tiple proxy indicators (such as conodont Nõlvak, J.; Tammekänd, M. (2018). CHITDB: apatite); a database for documenting and analysing diversification of Ordovician–Silurian chiti- changes in carbon, oxygen and sulfur nozoans in the Baltic region. Lethaia 51(2), stable isotope composition, reflecting of 218–227. atmosphere and hydrosphere in deep time. Liang, Y.; Hints, O.; Luan, X.; Tang, P.; The group holds leading palaeontological com- Nõlvak, J.; Zhan, R. (2018). Lower and Middle petence in Estonia, and for some fossil groups, Ordovician chitinozoans from Honghuayuan, leading expertise worldwide (notably for cono- South China: Biodiversity patterns and response donts, chitinozoans and scolecodonts). The main to environmental changes. Palaeogeography, applications are related to the high-resolution Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 500, 95–105. biostratigraphy of Early Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks. Most higher-impact studies are neverthe- Toom, U.; Vinn, O.; Hints, O. 2018. Ordovician less based on material from the Baltoscandian and Silurian ichnofossils from carbonate facies bedrocks, renowned by little alteration and excel- in Estonia: a collection-based review. Palaeow- lent preservation primary Palaeozoic signatures. orld. Published online: 17. July 2018.

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DIVISION OF ISOTOPE GEOLOGY Head: Senior Researcher REIN VAIKMÄE, [email protected] Members: Tõnu Martma, Alla Šogenova, Valle Raidla, Kazbulat Šogenov, Enn Kaup, Jüri Ivask Doctoral student: Joonas Pärn

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: stable isotopes, groundwater, paleoclimatology, CO2 capture and storage The Division of Isotope Geology was formed in the early 1970s with the aim of using isotopic and geochemical indicators in polar ice-cores for the study of global climatic variability and environmental changes back in time. Over the years, the division’s main research areas have been expanded to hydrogeology, arctic paleoclimatology and environmental change, high-resolution stable isotope Paleozoic chemostratigraphy as well as CO2 capture and storage. Currently the studies of the research group are focused on: groundwater flow conditions, global paleoclimate signals and anthropogenic influence in the Baltic Artesian Basin: a synthesis of numerical hydrogeological models and hydrogeochemical data; polar paleoclimate change; CO2 geological storage and numerical modelling of storage sites. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: MAIN RESULTS IN 2018: Pärn, J.; Affolter, S.; Ivask, J.; Johnson, S.; It was established that groundwater in the O-Cm Kirsimäe, K.; Leuenberger, M.; Martma, T.; aquifer system is weakly connected to the modern Raidla, V.; Schloemer, S.; Sepp, H.; Vaikmäe, hydrologic cycle and that the aquifer system con- R.; Walraevens, K. (2018). Redox zonation and tains paleogroundwater that probably originates organic matter oxidation in palaeogroundwater from a period that encompasses both the Last of glacial origin from the Baltic Artesian Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the pre-LGM period. Basin. Chemical Geology 488, 149–161. Such wide distribution of glacial paleogroundwater Sterckx, A.; Lemieux, J.-M.; Vaikmäe, R. in the northern Baltic Artesian Basin is unique in (2018). Assessment of paleo-recharge under the Europe. The wide spread of glacial derived ground- Fennoscandian Ice Sheet and its impact on water in Estonia has important implications for regional groundwater flow in the northern groundwater management and their sustainable Baltic Artesian Basin using a numerical model. use should be protected with appropriate legisla- Hydrogeology Journal 26, 2793–2810. tion to avoid overexploitation. Drivers and barriers for implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation Zdanowicz, C.; Karlsson, P.; Bekholmen, I.; and Storage (CCUS) technology in the Baltic Sea Roach, P.; Poulain, A.; Yumvihoze, E.; Region was clarified. The onshore CCUS scenario Martma, T.; Ryjkov, A.; Dastoor, A. (2018). was proposed for CO2 emissions produced and Snowmelt, glacial and atmospheric sources of captured by the largest CO2 emitters in Estonia. mercury to a subarctic mountain lake catchment, Such a scenario will support Estonia in reaching Yukon, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica its strategic climate targets. Acta 238, 374–393.

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DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND APPLIED GEOLOGY Head: Researcher RUTT HINTS, [email protected] Members: Alvar Soesoo, Tarmo Kiipli, Heidi Elisabet Soosalu, Toivo Kallaste, Kristjan Urtson, Sigrid Hade Doctoral students: Siim Pajusaar, Tõnu Tomberg

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: mineral resources, geotechnical The active collaboration partners of the work engineering, databases group come from numerous organizations from Estonia and abroad, incl. the Geological Survey The research group mainly deals with subjects of Estonia, the University of Tartu, the Estonian concerning future mineral resources of Estonia, University of Life Sciences, the Geological Sur- targeting issues related to genesis and physical- vey of Finland and the University of Lorrain. chemical characteristics of the potential deposits, but as well with geotechnical problems related to mining and military applications. Moreover, a MAIN ONGOING PROJECTS: number of projects dealing with environmental studies of metallogenesis in graptolite ar- geology, enrichment technologies of mineral raw gillite from Sillamäe region and in Jõhvi materials, as well as with development of data sys- magnetite-quartzite deposit, primary solu- tems for digital sharing of geological information, tion for tunnelling in the sedimentary rock have been carried out during the last few years. section of Tallinn-Helsingi tunnel; The core competences of the work group are creation and implementation of the educa- related to geology of organic rich mineral re- tional ore exploration database; sources (black shales, oil shales, peat) as well as sedimentary calcareous rocks. In the field of assurance of quality of laboratory and in- the geotechnical engineering studies on blasting situ spectroscopic analysis; development of technique and vibration have been the primary new in-house standards and participating focus of the work group. in the proficiency testing programme of the International Association of Geoanalysts. New research activities were launched as part of EU-funded strategic R&D initiative targeting enrichment of shelly phosphorite resources, Or- dovician black shales and exploration of potential ore deposits of Estonian crystalline basement. As part of the project funded by EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) Raw Materials initiative (H2020) the work group is developing a web-based educational information system for sharing core logging data. The system is designed to provide a common access point to complex analytical datasets of mineral exploration collected with traditional and novel core logging techniques by different research institutions across Europe. The work group manages modern analytical facilities including ICP-MS, XRF and XRD labs, allowing complex set of geochemical, minera- logical and petrological studies to be carried out. Other research capabilities include fieldwork instruments for in situ studies of geochemical properties of rocks, complemented by GIS-based data management.

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DIVISION OF MINING Head: Professor MICHAEL HITCH, [email protected] Members: Mall Orru, Erik Väli, Helena Gailan, Veiko Karu, Tõnis Kattel, Sander Kanter Doctoral students: Karin Robam, Andrus Paat, Nthati Monei

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: mining engineering; circular program to make science education and economy; virtual and augmented reality careers in RM attractive for youngsters. A form of active learning will be proposed to The Division of Mining has a long history, its schools by RM Ambassadors by involving activities began in 1938. In autumn 2016 as students in experiments with RM-related a result of the structural reform, the Institute hands-on educational kits, in excursions of Mining joined the Department of Geology. in industries, and in science dissemina- Nowadays the academic staff of the division carry tion activities. out research and deliver lectures in accordance with the occupational qualifications system of ADMADP develops the doctoral training in mining engineering (permissions given by the the existing Advanced Materials Doctoral Estonian Qualifications Authority), developing Programme (ADMA-DP) to fulfil the qual- the necessary skill set for mining engineers. In ity criteria of the EIT-labelling in doctoral 2018 TalTech elected Michael Hitch to Mining training. Engineering tenured professor position. The division’s competences are: (1) geotechnol- ogy and mining engineering; (2) economical evaluation in mineral exploration; (3) mineral processing (design of separation technologies); (4) sustainable use of mineral resources; (5) environmental protection; (6) circular economy in minerals usage. The Department of Geology is responsible for representing TalTech in EIT Raw Materials initiative (Horizon 2020). This network is the largest and strongest consortium in the raw materials sector worldwide, where TalTech is one of the core members. Some significant innovation projects in EIT Raw Materials include: Visual3D. One tool to trigger a higher degree of investment in exploration and to secure ultimately the domestic supply of both main commodities and critical raw materials is to enhance the understanding of the Earth’s crust below the surface. [email protected] is a Wider Society Learn- ing project, focused on an innovative

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DIVISION OF QUATERNARY GEOLOGY Head: Professor SIIM VESKI, [email protected] Members: Tiiu Alliksaar, Atko Heinsalu, Anatoli Molodkov, Anneli Poska, Triin Reitalu, Jüri Vassiljev, Leeli Amon-Veskimeister Doctoral students: Ansis Blaus, Mariliis Eensalu, Merlin Liiv, Vladimir Karpin

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: postglacial climate change, human impact, paleodiversity The main research aim of the Quaternary group is reconstruction of past ecosystems, vegetation history, climate and environmental change, both natural and manmade, at high temporal resolution during the last 15,000 years through multidisciplinary and multiproxy studies of natural archives such as lake, bog and marine sediments. The Quaternary is known for rapid climate change, glacial advances and retreats, constant drift of biota between glacial and warm refugia, sea level fall and rise with each period of freezing and thawing. It is also known as the period of the rise of mankind and its progressively increasing impact upon the environment. The group focuses on better understanding the interactions between Quaternary geo- and biosphere processes, in particular, addressing the following: Paleoclimate variation using multi-proxy analyses (such as pollen and chironomid based inference models); Paleobiodiversity (terrestrial and aquatic), functional and phylogenetic diversity dynamics and relationships with climate and environmental changes; Past human impact upon landscapes, waterbodies, vegetation structure and landcover; Postglacial retreat of the ice sheet; Shoreline displacement of the Baltic Sea. The group holds a leading position in Quaternary and palaeoecological studies in the Baltic realm. The main strengths of the group’s work are related to the high-resolution paleo-datasets of the geographically and climatically constrained area. Liiv, M.; Alliksaar, T.; Freiberg, R.; Heinsalu, The group hosts several labs of biostratigraphy, A.; Ott, I.; Tõnno, I.; Vassiljev, J.; Veski, S. dating, geochemistry, granulometry, and takes (2018). Drastic changes in lake ecosystem use of the mass spectrometry lab for stable iso- development as a consequence of flax retting: tope geochemistry. a multiproxy palaeolimnological study of Lake Kooraste Linajärv, Estonia. Vegetation History SELECTED PUBLICATIONS and Archaeobotany 27, 437–451. Poska, A.; Väli, V., Tomson; P., Vassiljev, J.; Stivrins, N.; Soininen, J.; Tõnno, I.; Freiberg, Kihno, K.; Alliksaar, T.; Villoslada, M.; Saarse, R.; Veski, S.; Kisand, V. (2018). Towards L.; Sepp, K. (2018). Reading past landscapes: understanding the abundance of non-pollen combining modern and historical records, palynomorphs: A comparison of fossil algae, maps, pollen-based vegetation reconstructions, algal pigments and sedaDNA from temperate and the socioeconomic background. Landscape lake sediments. Review of Palaeobotany and Ecology 33, 529–546. Palynology 249, 9–15.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 MARINE SYSTEMS (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 3 professors Director: Professor JÜRI ELKEN, staff 24 researchers [email protected] 28 Doctoral Defended doctoral 12 students 1 dissertations 25 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 2 RESEARCH GROUPS: RESEARCH GROUP ON DYNAMICS OF GRADIENT SYSTEMS. Head: Professor URMAS LIPS, [email protected] RESEARCH GROUP ON MODELLING AND REMOTE SENSING OF MARINE DYNAMICS. Head: Professor URMAS RAUDSEPP, [email protected]

3 1 PROFESSORS 9 2 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS LEAD RESEARCH SCIENTISTS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS 2 EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 11

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RESEARCH GROUP ON DYNAMICS OF GRADIENT SYSTEMS Head of the research group: Professor URMAS LIPS, [email protected] Members: Jaan Laanemets, Inga Lips, Ants Erm, Taavi Liblik, Madis-Jaak Lilover, Germo Väli, Kai Künnis-Beres, Peeter Laas, Sirje Sildever, Villu Kikas, Natalja Buhhalko, Fred Buschmann, Liis Kikas, Kati Lind, Kristel Kilk, Mari-Liis Kasemets, Kai Salm, Oliver Samlas, Irina Suhhova Doctoral students: Nelli Rünk, Stella-Theresa Stoicescu, Natalja Kolesova, Polina Turov, Silvie Lainela

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: stratification, sub-mesoscale and SELECTED ARTICLES: biogeochemical processes Liblik, T.; Naumann, M.; Alenius, P.; Hansson, M.; The research is focused on multiscale physical proc- Lips, U.; Nausch, G.; Tuomi, L.; Wesslander, K.; esses that significantly control the biogeochemical Laanemets, J.; Viktorsson, L. (2018). cycles of substances and control the transport and Propagation of impact of the recent Major mixing in the stratified Baltic Sea, including the Baltic Inflows from the Eastern Gotland Basin hypoxic layer and redoxcline. The main focus is on to the Gulf of Finland. Frontiers in Marine sub-mesoscale processes, their local and large-scale Science, 5 (222), 1−23. impact on water and matter exchange between the sub-basins, coastal and open sea and water layers, Meyer, D.; Lips, U.; Prien, R. D.; Naumann, M.; as well as on spring bloom dynamics, mixotrophic Liblik, T.; Schuffenhauer, I.; Schulz-Bull, D. E. organisms and seasonal cycle of carbon fluxes. (2018). Quantification of dissolved oxygen Marine ecology studies focus on pelagic and benthic dynamics in a semi-enclosed sea – a comparison primary producers, benthic invertebrates, their of observational platforms. Continental Shelf dynamics and role, and the impact of micro-litter Research, 169, 34−45. and hazardous substances on marine biota. Meier, H. E. M.; Väli, G.; Naumann, M.; Eilola, K.; Frauen, C. (2018). Recently Accelerated Oxygen METHODS Consumption Rates Amplify Deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea. Journal of Geophysical The main method is field studies using the Research: Oceans, 123 (5), 3227–3240. research vessel Salme and autonomous instruments based on new technologies, including a unique bottom-mounted profiling station and an underwater glider. Numerical modeling is used for process-oriented studies. For the water sample analyses flow-cytometry, spectroscopy, microscopy, and metagenomics are used.

APPLICATIONS Results feed into the development of marine environmental monitoring and assessment methods, including micro-litter monitoring, assessment of human pressures, advising the Ministry of the Environment on marine strategy development, participating in international co-operation on the protection of marine environmental and Estonian maritime spatial planning.

SELECTED PROJECTS: IUT19-6; VFP17126 (H2020); VFP19006 (H2020); VFP16053

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RESEARCH GROUP ON MODELLING AND REMOTE SENSING OF MARINE DYNAMICS Head of the research group: Professor URMAS RAUDSEPP, [email protected] Members: Victor Alari, Irina Didenkulova, Jüri Elken, Tarmo Kõuts, Priidik Lagemaa, Liis Sipelgas, Rivo Uiboupin, Aarne Männik, Natalia Fateeva, Siim Pärt, Kaimo Vahter, Svetlana Verjovkina, Henri Rästas, Sigrid Aas Doctoral students: Ilja Maljutenko, Ahmed Alkarory Ahmed Abdalazeez, Age Arikas, Sander Rikka, Laura Siitam, Mariliis Kõuts, Mihhail Zujev

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: marine forecast models, remote In the fields of process studies and applied research sensing, operational oceanography the group has experience in big data processing and data interpretation for climate research as well as Objectives of the research group: (1) to carry out in the field of statistical analysis of the properties scientific research on oceanographic process stud- of marine environment and establishing dynamic ies for finding cause and effect relations; (2) to links between different ecosystem components. develop novel operational methods for monitoring and analyzing the changes in marine environment, including development of forecast models METHODS and remote sensing algorithms; (3) to develop and Numerical modelling: Operational marine implement numerical weather and climate models forecast models are running on supercomputers (on supercomputers) for studying the atmosphere- (Copernicus marine service); atmospheric and ma- ocean interaction mechanisms; (4) to conduct rine models are applied for weather/climate/process theoretical research with an aim to advance the studies as well as for developing and implementing understanding of non-linear wave dynamics. re-analysis databases. The research group has long-term experience Remote sensing: optical, infra-red and radar in developing methods and applications in op- satellite images, drone observations and coastal erational oceanography, which have resulted radar data to monitor, describe and assess the state in freely available information/services on sea of the marine environment. level, ice conditions and other marine physics Operational measurements: world-class sci- parameters to state institutions and the public. entific equipment to calibrate and validate satel- The study group contributes significantly to the lite images and numerical models; elaboration of international Copernicus programme. on-line ICT-solutions and development of novel scientific appliances. SELECTED PROJECTS: IUT19-6; VA18004; VFP16016 (H2020); PUT1378 SELECTED ARTICLES: Kotta, J.; Herkül, K.; Jaagus, J.; Kaasik, A.; Raudsepp, U.; Alari, V.; Arula, T.; Haberman, J.; Järvet, A.; Kangur, K.; Kont, A.; Kull, A.; Laanemets, J.; Maljutenko, I.; Männik, A.; Nõges, P.; Nõges, T.; Ojaveer, H.; Peterson, A.; Reihan, A.; Tõnisson, H. (2018). Linking atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic environments: Regime shifts in the Estonian climate over the past 50 years. PLoS ONE, 13 (12), 1−20. Didenkulova, I.; Pelinovsky, E.; Rodin, A. (2018). Long wave run-up on plane and “non-reflecting” slopes. Fluid Dynamics, 53 (3), 402−408. Rikka, S.; Pleskachevsky, A.; Jacobsen, S.; Alari, V.; Uiboupin, R. (2018). Meteo-Marine Parameters from Sentinel-1 SAR Imagery: Towards Near Real-Time Services for the Baltic Sea. Remote Sensing, 10 (5), 1−17.

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131 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE

Dean: Professor ENN LISTRA MAIN FIGURES 2018 e-mail: [email protected] (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

Academic Incl. 26 professors Vice-Dean for staff Research: Professor 157 33 researchers TIINA RANDMA-LIIV Defended Doctoral doctoral e-mail: [email protected] 90 students 11 dissertations 263 Scientific publications DEPARTMENTS

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Director: MARI AVARMAA, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE Director: Professor KADRI MÄNNASOO, [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF LAW Director: Professor TANEL KERIKMÄE, [email protected]

RAGNAR NURKSE DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND GOVERNANCE Director: Professor ERKKI KARO, [email protected]

20 26

10 PROFESSORS 3 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 23 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 75

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 BUSINESS (as of Dec. 31, 2018) ADMINISTRATION Academic Incl. 6 professors 60 staff 7 researchers Director: MARI AVARMAA, Defended Doctoral doctoral [email protected] 27 students 7 dissertations 57 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 8 RESEARCH GROUPS: ACCOUNTING RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor ISTEMI DEMIRAG, [email protected] ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor URVE VENESAAR, [email protected] ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor ÜLLAS EHRLICH, [email protected] MARKETING RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associate Professor ANU LEPPIMAN, [email protected] ORGANISATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associated Professor MIKE FRANZ WAHL, [email protected] SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Professor GUNNAR PRAUSE, [email protected] URBAN AND RESIDENTIAL STUDIES GROUP. Head: Professor KATRIN PAADAM, [email protected] WORKING ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP. Head: Associated Professor KARIN REINHOLD, [email protected]

3 3 6 1 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 14 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 33

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ACCOUNTING RESEARCH GROUP Head: Professor ISTEMI DEMIRAG, [email protected] Members: Jaan Alver, Lehte Alver, Natalja Gurvitš, Tarmo Kadak, Paavo Siimann, Monika Nikitina-Kalamäe, Kaidi Kallaste Doctoral students: Xiaosong Zheng, Vaiva Kiaupaite-Grušniene, Mihkel Tammaru, Maria Vassiljev Incl. 26 professors 33 researchersTOPICS AND COMPETENCES Defended doctoralKEYWORDS: accountability, governance, per- counting, public-private partnerships, corporate 11 dissertationsformance social responsibility and governance to further strengthen the group’s interdisciplinary research The accounting group is active in a number of focus and teaching interests. related research fields, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods and focusing on significant current issues such as perform- SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: ance evaluations and performance management, Subačiene, R., Alver, L., Bruna, I., Hladika, financial reporting and accounting history, M., Mokošova, D., Molin, J. (2018). Evaluation corporate social responsibility, and integrated of accounting regulation evolution in selected reporting. The research is interdisciplinary, countries. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability and where appropriate the group is developing Issues. Volume 6, Issue 1, pp. 139–175. critical research methods to explore research themes such as governance, accounting regula- Gurvitš, N.; Strouhal, J.; Saia, A.; Sidorova, I. tions, accountability, ethics, transparency, and (2018). Financial Variables Influencing the corruption. Performance of Refined Crude Oil Products at North-West European Cargo Markets. Journal The group has also active and growing links of International Studies, 11 (2). with professional accounting institutions both in Estonia and worldwide. Professor Istemi Nestra, C.; Gurvits, N. (2018). Demirag joined the group from Keele Univer- Main motivators of social audit: case of sity, the United Kingdom, in January 2019 with Estonia. European Integration Studies, critical research interests in public sector ac- 12,139−147.10.5755/j01.eis.0.12.20849.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH GROUP Head: Professor URVE VENESAAR, [email protected] Members: Rünno Lumiste, Juhan Teder, Sirje Ustav Doctoral students: Marianne Kallaste, Merle Küttim, Merli Reidolf, Airi Noppel, Kadi Pedas

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship competence, concepts of teaching and learning, self-assessment, knowledge transfer, institutional and demographic factors, rural entrepreneurship, innovation, business ecosystem Research on the development of entrepreneurship education and the concept of entrepreneurial university focuses on the creation of a novel teaching and learning concept with the aim of increasing the employability of graduates in the labour market. An important topic is the development of the methodology for embedding entrepreneurship competencies (e.g. self-management and metacompetencies, thinking skills and social skills) into the study programmes of business and non-business specialities. The results of the study on the impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ career choices are used for the development of entrepreneurship study programmes. The results of self- assessment and the survey of impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ entrepreneurship competencies are used for implementing changes related to the organisation of studies, teaching and learning process and assessment criteria. The development of the self-assessment tool for the university as an organisation enables finding out the opinion of university staff about the activities and their connection for the development of the entrepreneurial university. The research about the problems and threats in starting a company offers opportunities for avoiding them, which is an SELECTED ARTICLES: actual topic among students who have an intention to start their own business. Toding, M.; Venesaar, U. (2018). Discovering and developing conceptual understanding of The research on the role of institutional and geo- teaching and learning in entrepreneurship graphical factors in university-industry knowledge lecturers. Education + Training, 60 (7/8), transfer in different sectors brings forth the pos- 696−718.10.1108/ET-07-2017-0101. sibilities, how to cope with institutional differences in the process of searching International partners Ustav, S. & Venesaar, U. (2018). Bridging or engaging in different forms of cooperation with Metacompetencies and Entrepreneurship Edu- them and develop the absorptive capacity. In turn, cation. Education+Training, Vol.60, Issue 7/8, this is affecting the commercialisation of research pp. 674–695. Doi: 10.1108/ET-08-2017-0117. results aside with contractual cooperation and R&D activities. The research on rural entrepre- Venesaar, U., Täks, M., Arro, G., Malleus, E., neurship brings forth the possibilities for using Loogma, K., Mädamürk, K., Titov, E. & local resources (physical, human, immaterial, Toding, M. (2018). Ettevõtluspädevuse mudel social/community, and financial resources) as the ettevõtlusõppe arendamise alusena. (Model of inputs for innovation activities. In the research entrepreneurship competence as a basis for the on the entrepreneurship ecosystem, the impact of development of entrepreneurship education). ecosystem activities on the productivity of Estonian Estonian Journal of Education, 6(2), 2018, companies is assessed. 118–155.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH GROUP Head: Professor ÜLLAS EHRLICH, [email protected] Members: Olga Gavrilova, Sirje Soop Doctoral students: Tea Nõmmann, Tiina Kaart, Kalev Kallemets, Erkki Pärna, Inga Vau, Margot Roodi

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: environmental economics, ecologi- pollution damage of the oil shale industry as the cal economics, green economy, internalisation sector with the highest environmental impact in of externalities, nature tourism, organisational Estonia. The internalisation of externalities to the learning cost of the final product (electricity and shale oil) enables an objective assessment of the economic The aim of the research has been to provide a feasibility of various oil shale energy exit scenar- comprehensive approach to the relations between ios and their impact on local and global welfare. the environment and economy, which includes the identification and analysis of sustainable use Research in the area of non-market nature re- scenarios that are consistent with the principles sources has focused on quantifying the economic of green economy, considering natural resources potential of the non-market values of Estonian with market value (oil shale, forest) as well as non- nature and evaluating it as an input to the market resources (ecosystem services, protected economic system. This requires identifying the species, psycho-social values of nature). Both export potential through nature tourism of the types of resources have an important role to play diverse natural environment, which is in rela- in the well-being of individuals and the mainte- tively good condition and a deficit resource in nance of global life support services. An important a European context. In order to develop nature research direction is the financial quantification of tourism, one needs to know the tourist preferences for different types of ecosystem and the willingness to pay for ecosystem services. In quantifying and evaluating ecosystem services, co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and Statistical Office is taking place. Research has continued on the organization’s studies, focusing on the organizational learning of higher education institutions, identifying the factors affecting it, and measuring the extent of their impact.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Reimann, M.; Ehrlich, Ü.; Tõnisson, H. (2018). Recreational Preferences of Estonian Coastal Landscapes and Willingness-to-Pay in Comparison – A Good Tool for Creating National Beach Management Strategy. In: Botero, C., Cervantes, O. Finkl, C. (_EditorsAbbr). Beach Management Tools – Concepts, Methodologies and Case Studies. Coastal Research Library (895−912). Spring- er.10.1007/978-3-319-58304-4_46. Voolaid, K., Ehrlich, Ü. (2018). Business schools’ organizational learning rate dependence on the management system: Example of Estonia. Proceedings of the Inter- national Conference on Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning, ICICKM, 339−345.

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MARKETING RESEARCH GROUP Head: Associate Professor ANU LEPPIMAN, [email protected] Members: Oliver Parts, Iivi Riivits-Arkonsuo, Linda Hollebeek, Jana Kukk, Rein Riisalu, Kristel Kaljund Doctoral students: Reeda Tuula, Esa Posio

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: experience marketing, consumer retical and empirical international and national behaviour, service design, social exclusion economic analysis. Various methodological approaches are applied and integrated, i.e. The main research interest of the research empirical studies about using the experience group lies in studying: (1) consumer behav- pyramid to study product and service design iour with the help of the experience pyramid together with the researchers of the University model, (2) experience service design, identify- of Lapland. The project includes research in ing educational experiences. The project-based the following fields: experience marketing and Experience Marketing Studies rest upon theo- place branding, marketing in social media, integrating consumers in the experience design and increased effectiveness and visibility of the off-the-job organizational skills training by creating a holistic customer experience. Associate Professor Anu Leppiman is the first internationally certified expert in this area in Estonia.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Kukk, J.; Leppiman, A. (2018). The significance of value-in-experience in the age of digitalisation. In: Miettinen, S.; Sarantou, M. (Ed.). Man- aging Complexity and Creating Innovation through Design. Routledge Ojasoo, M.; Roostalu, L.; Leppiman, A.; Riivits Arkonsuo, I. (2018). The challenges of a stake- holder dialogue: the case of inexhaustible energy for exhaustible consumption. In: Dey, A. K.; Lehtimäki, H. (Ed.). Evolving Business Models in Ecosystem of Disruptive Technologies and Social Media (89−96). Bloomsbury. Leppiman, A.; Riivits-Arkonsuo, I.; Kukk, J. (2018). Experience marketing from a teaching and learning perspective. Journal of Marketing Trends, 5 (2), 113−121.

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ORGANISATION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUP Head: Associate Professor MIKE FRANZ WAHL, [email protected] Members: Mait Rungi, Merle Ojasoo, Maris Zernand-Vilson, Liina Randmann, Tiiu Kamdron, Velli Parts, Merle Ojasoo; Divya Shukla; Pavel Prokushenkov Doctoral students: Valeria Kiisk, Olga Tšernikova, Supriya Banerjee, Naghmeh Nikbakhsh

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: action research, corporate gov- managers are the people who are primarily ernance, digital value creation, mixed methods, tasked with strategic management and govern- procedural analysis, proficiency, strategic man- ance. Successful ownership requires not only agement, values owners’ resources and will but also capabilities and skills. We still met the business objectives in Research topics: (1) Managerial perspectives of creating a suitable environment and managing innovation and research & development (R&D) processes through procedures. in companies including organizational learning, and profiling micro and macro level characteristics at individual, company and industry SELECTED ARTICLES: level; (2) Ownership strategies for digital age Solarte-Vasquez, M. C.; Rungi, M. (2018). organisations. Perceptions on collaboration affecting the via- bility of the Smart Contracting approach. Jour- As regards the aspects fostering innovation, nal of Management and Change, 1/2, 34−55. the psychological, genetic and neuroscientific factors of founders, managers, and specialists Banerjee, S.; Wahl, M. F.; Panigrahi, J. K. are profiled (incl. search of a managerial gene). (2018). Technology, innovation and knowledge At company level, research is concentrated on transfer: A value chain perspective. Interna- start-ups and best practices of organizational tional Journal of Mechanical Engineering and learning. As regards industry, the focus is on ICT Technology (IJMET), 9 (1), 1145−1161. (information and communication technology), biotech, and MNCs (multinational corporations). Mäses, Sten; Randmann, Liina; Maennel, Olaf; Lorenz, Birgy (2018). Stenmap: framework for In the digital age, corporate governance and evaluating cybersecurity-related skills based strategic management have become central is- on computer simulations. Learning and Col- sues for organisational performance. The main laboration Technologies. Learning and Teach- aim is to improve organisational performance, ing: 5th International Conference, LCT 2018, trough better quality of general management, held as Part of HCI International 2018, Las and making use of the opportunities of digitaliza- Vegas, NV, USA, July 15–20, 2018, Proceed- tion. Corporate governance is the thought about ings, Part II. _EditorsAbbr Zaphiris, Pa- owners’ will implementation. The overarching nayiotis; Ioannou, Andri. Cham: Springer, goal of strategic management is creating and 492−504. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; capturing value for stakeholders. Owners and 10925).10.1007/978-3-319-91152-6_38.

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SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP Head: Professor GUNNAR PRAUSE, [email protected] Members: Tarvo Niine, Jelena Hartšenko, Eunice Omolola Olaniyi PostDoc: Yassine Bakkar Doctoral students: Sina Atari, Tarmo Tuisk, Ricardo Raats; Julio Cuc

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: sustainable business development, smart supply chain management, innovation Business development deals with tasks and processes aiming at preparing and supporting the implementation of growth opportunities within the constraints of a firm’s strategic momentum (Burgelman, 1983; Sørensen, 2012). Thus, business development is focused on preparing and evaluating a continuous stream of potential innovations that have strategic fit and the involved business developer is concerned with the analytical preparation of potential growth opportunities for the board of directors as well as with the support and monitoring of the implementation. In all phases, the business developer collaborates and integrates the knowledge and feedback from the organization’s specialist functions in order to safeguard the capability of the organization to implement the growth opportunity successfully. In Estonia, where there are almost no large companies, a large part of the existing SMEs require business model innovations due to quickly changing markets or the emergence of new technologies. The research group investigates potential growth SELECTED ARTICLES: opportunities within and between organizations by using interdisciplinary approaches from busi- Olaniyi, E.O.; Atari, S.; Prause, G. (2018). ness, engineering, IT, design and social sciences Maritime energy contracting for clean ship- in the context of the EU2020 agenda for smart, ping. Transport and Telecommunication, 19 sustainable and inclusive growth that leads to (1), 31−44.10.2478/ttj-2018-0004. sustainable business development. Consequent- Hoffmann, T.; Prause, G. (2018). On the ly, the research group of sustainable business Regulatory Framework for Last-Mile Deliv- development deals with business model innova- ery Robots. Machines, 6(3) (33).10.3390/ma- tions and growth opportunities in the areas of chines6030033. digitalization, smart production and Industry 4.0, corporate venturing and entrepreneurship, Beifert, A.; Gerlitz, L.; Prause, G. (2018). big data, strategic alliances and networks as well Industry 4.0 – For Sustainable Development as sustainable cross-company value chains. The of Lean Manufacturing Companies in the research work usually takes place in the frame- Shipbuilding Sector. Springer Lecture Notes work of European projects and in the context of in Networks and Systems; 36, 563−573, DOI: university – business cooperation. .10.1007/978-3-319-74454-4_54.

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URBAN AND RESIDENTIAL STUDIES GROUP Head: Professor KATRIN PAADAM, [email protected] Members: Liis Ojamäe, Aleksandr Michelson, Jaanika Loorberg Doctoral students: Kristel Siilak, Viktorija Prilenska, Kristel Edelman

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: urban public space, residential ONGOING PROJECT: space, image, identity, housing consumption and residential markets, urban and housing policies, ’Social construction of residential identi- interdisciplinarity ties upon experiences of spatial practices. A case study in a newly renovated social The research group applies an integrated ap- residence Cité d’Artistes in Paris’ (2018– proach in the analysis of processes observed in 2019), COST Action TD1408: Interdisci- urban residential and public spaces in their in- plinarity in research programming and terplay of material and social spatial dimensions, funding cycles (2015–2019), European also in studies conducted in the interdisciplinary Energy Poverty: Agenda Co-Creation and perspective (architectural, civil engineering, Knowledge Innovation (2017–2021). planning, business and economic studies). In order to understand the nature and change of SELECTED ARTICLE: contemporary urban realities, the research aims at conceptualising the dual relationships forming Gromark, S., Ilmonen M., Paadam, K., Støa E. between spatial processes and social processes as (Eds.). Ways of Residing in Transformation. well as individual capacities and structural con- Interdisciplinary Perspectives. (2017, London: ditions (policies, markets, material structures). Routledge). With the urban dynamic at the core, the analysis focuses on interconnectivities between spatial practices, meaning structures, urban and housing policies, businesses and city’s branding strategies. The analysis of new (innovative) practices of communication and negotiation between institutional and professional actors, civic organisations and citizens, orientates towards elucidating the effect of participation culture on shaping the city’s sustainability potential. This knowledge enables assessing demands for urban spatial strategy, the effect of urban policies on quality of life, prospects for resilient urban practices, the city’s competitive advantage in terms of the residing and investment environments and a tourist destination. The members of the research group are active in international cooperation, are invited experts in research and practice-based projects on urban and residential issues (e.g. Chalmers, UT, Tallinn Municipality, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, Estonian Centre of Architecture).

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WORKING ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH GROUP Head: Associate Professor KARIN REINHOLD, [email protected] Members: Marina Järvis, Sigrid Kalle, Virve Siirak, Piia Tint Doctoral students: Tarmo Koppel, Karin Kuimet, Jaana Sepp, Georgi Hrenov, Inese Vilcane, Olga Tsenter

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: safety management systems, it was possible to shape a similar successful sys- safety culture, digital occupational health, tem in the development of digitalization of the workplace risk assessment, enhancement of occupational health and safety system. working environment, ergonomic solutions The focus areas of the research group are: The goal of the activities of the research group safety management systems, enhancement of is proper work design to reduce the physical, safety culture in enterprises, risk assessment chemical, biological and psychosocial risks at and measurements of occupational hazards workplaces, with the aim of securing workers’ (measurements of chemical agents, evalua- well-being, health, motivation and business tion of the electromagnetic fields exposure at performance. The ”duty of care“ is a care for workplace and in leisure time), prevention of employees carried out by employers. musculoskeletal disorders, assessment costs of occupational accidents, the modern forms of Based on TalTech’s Strategic Plan 2020 and the work environment (telework, aging workforce) TalTech Digital Concept, a new strategic direc- and possible health risks. tion was introduced in 2017: e-Health and Safety. Considering the success of e-Health in Estonia, The accredited ergonomics laboratory belong- ing to the research group is related to the research activities and provides services mostly for the Estonian public and private sector.

SELECTED ARTICLES: Sepp, J.; Reinhold, K.; Järvis, M.; Tint, P. (2018). Human Factors and Ergonomics in Safety Management in Healthcare: Building New Relationships. Agronomy Research. Hrenov, G.; Reinhold, K.; Tint, M.; Tint, P. (2018). The role of employers, safety engineers and safety reps in the improvement of safety level at enterprises. In: Haugen et al. (_Editors- Abbr). Safety and Reliability – Safe Societies in a Changing World (2879−2887). European Safety and Reliability Conference, 17–21 June Trondheim, Norway. London: Taylor & Fran- cis. Carlberg, M.; Koppel, T.; Ahonen, M.; Hardell, L. (2018). Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electro- magnetic Fields and the Association with Men- ingioma. BioMed Research International.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 ECONOMICS AND (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

FINANCE Academic Incl. 1 professors 30 staff 5 researchers Direktor: Professor KADRI MÄNNASOO, Doctoral Defended doctoral [email protected] 21 students 2 dissertations 37 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 4 RESEARCH GROUPS: COMPANIES’ PRODUCTIVITY, INVESTMENTS AND EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS. Head of the research group: Professor KADRI MÄNNASOO, [email protected] ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE: INTEGRATION, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY. Head of the research group: Professor KARSTEN MICHAEL STÆHR, [email protected] FINANCE AND THE REAL ECONOMY: FINANCIAL BEHAVIOUR, MARKETS, AND COMPETITIVENESS. Head of the research group: Associate Professor LAIVI LAIDROO, [email protected] KNOWLEDGE INTENSITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT. Head of the research group: Professor AARO HAZAK, [email protected]

5 5 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 5 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

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COMPANIES’ PRODUCTIVITY, INVESTMENTS AND EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS Head of the research group: Professor KADRI MÄNNASOO, [email protected] Members: Aaro Hazak, Juan Carlos Cuestas, Heili Hein, Helery Tasane Doctoral students: Raul Ruubel, Katriin Ranniku

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: productivity, investments, eco- aims at new evidence on digital innovation and nomic growth and convergence, innovation, digital empowerment and on their effect on produc- research and development tivity growth and economic welfare. The research employs advanced econometric techniques and The line of research pursues a micro-level compara- contributes to policy making while providing evi- tive empirical research on companies’ productivity, dence based quantitative estimations on the impact innovative investments and competitiveness for of macro- and business-environmental factors and explaining the long-term growth outlook in small, companies’ decisions and incentives on productiv- open and export-oriented economies. The aim is to ity, innovation and export competitiveness. investigate the drivers and obstacles of companies’ productivity enhancing investments into adoption of new technologies and production processes, SELECTED PROJECTS: training of employees, R&D and innovation. LEP18013, “Research report on invest- One line of investigation seeks for a better un- ments’ impact on productivity?” derstanding on regional convergence issues while VFP16057 (H2020), “Institutions for integrating the spatial aspects and institutional Knowledge Intensive Development: factors into the research framework. The research Economic and Regulatory Aspects in South-East Asian Transition Economies” (2017–2020)

SELECTED ARTICLES: Männasoo, K.; Hein, H.; Ruubel, R. (2018). The contributions of human capital, R&D spending and convergence to total factor productivity growth. Regional Studies, 1–14. Männasoo, K.; Maripuu, P.; Hazak, A. (2018). Investments, Credit, and Corporate Financial Distress: Evidence from Central and Eastern Europe. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 54(3), 677–689. Ferraro, S. (2018). Is information and communication technology satisfying educational needs at school?. Computers & Education, 122, 194–204. Ferraro, S.; Dutt, P. K.; Kerikmäe, T. (2017). Using patent development, education policy and research and development expenditure policy to increase technological competitiveness of small European Union Member States. Croatian International Relations Review, 23(78), 97–126.

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ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE: INTEGRATION, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY Head of the research group: Professor KARSTEN MICHAEL STÆHR, [email protected] Members: Juan Carlos Cuestas, Tairi Rõõm, Merike Kukk, Simona Ferraro Doctoral students: Kersti Harkmann, Krista Kollo, Nicolas Reigl, Signe Rosenberg, Orsolya Soosaar

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: consumption and saving, household behaviour, economic development, external imbalances, economic policy The research group studies topical and policy- relevant issues in macroeconomics, international finance, public economics and household economics. The research provides a deeper understanding of the factors that drive the behaviour of households and firms and help explain the performance of the overall economy. The research includes key areas in empirical macroeconomics such as saving behaviour, housing prices, mon- etary policy, current account dynamics, sectoral linkages, convergence processes and fiscal policy. Within household economics the focus is on financial exposure, consumption behaviour and gender wealth gaps. The research group also studies issues in public economics, in particular tax systems, aging, pension systems and the informal economy. Within labour economics recent research topics include education economics, minimum wages and productivity analyses.

ONGOING PROJECT: VE18010, ”Intra-household money management” (2017–2019) Cuestas, J. C.; Gil-Alana, L. A. (2018). SELECTED ARTICLES: Oil price shocks and unemployment in Central and Eastern Europe. Economic Systems, 42(1), Cuestas, J. C.; Huang, Y. S.; Tang, B. (2018). 164–173. Does internationalisation increase exchange rate exposure? – Evidence from Chinese finan- Staehr, K. (2018). Capital flows and growth cial firms. International Review of Financial dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe. Post- Analysis, 56, 253–263. communist Economies, 30(1), 1–18. Ferraro, S.; Meriküll, J.; Staehr, K. (2018). Ferraro, S., Põder, K. (2018). School-Level Minimum wages and the wage distribution Policies and the Efficiency and Equity Trade- in Estonia. Applied Economics, 50(49), off in Education. Journal of Policy Modeling, 5253–5268. 40(5), 1022−1037.

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FINANCE AND THE REAL ECONOMY: FINANCIAL BEHAVIOUR, MARKETS, AND COMPETITIVENESS Head of the research group: Associate Professor LAIVI LAIDROO, [email protected] Members: Karin Jõeveer, Kalle Ahi, Mari Avarmaa, Enn Listra, Kristjan Liivamägi Doctoral students: Mari-Liis Kukk, Pavlo Illiashenko, Kaido Kepp, Triinu Tapver, Tarvo Vaarmets

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: FinTech, financial intermediation, digital economy, financial economics, behavioural finance The research group seeks to contribute to the international academic literature that deals with contemporary topics in financial economics. Special attention is paid to the emerging topics related to digitalisation in finance (e.g., crowd- funding, ICOs, cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, robo-advisory) as well as to the business models and ecosystems of FinTechs. The research is also linked to the fields of industrial organisation and economic development, innovation, technological change and growth. Traditional and behavioural finance theories are utilised to investigate topics related to corporate finance, household finance, financial markets, and banking with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the financial behaviour of individuals, firms and financial intermediaries, and the linkages between them (mainly in the European context). Interdisciplinary approach is used to address questions related to business, legal and technological aspects of digitalisation in SELECTED ARTICLES: finance and its economic impact for determining Laidroo, L.; Joost, J. (2018). the factors needed for improving the competitive- Earnings Announcement Lags and Market ness and performance of the national economies Responses – Does the Tone of the News and the through the employment of suitable regulative Market Sentiment Matter? Emerging Markets measures. Finance and Trade, 54(8), 1886–1907. SELECTED PROJECTS: Liivamägi, K.; Vaarmets, T.; Talpsepp, T. (2018). Investor Education and IPO Participa- BHV1, “Digital Development in Finance” tion. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, (2018–2020) 55(3), 545–561. VFP16057, “Institutions for Knowledge Laidroo, L.; Männasoo, K. (2017). Intensive Development: Economic and Do credit commitments compromise credit Regulatory Aspects in South-East Asian quality? Research in International Business Transition Economies” (2017–2020) and Finance, 41, 303–317.

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KNOWLEDGE INTENSITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT Head of the research group: Professor AARO HAZAK, [email protected] Members: Kadri Männasoo, Marit Rebane, Kirsti Rumma, Ako Sauga Doctoral students: Raul Ruubel, Heili Hein, Helery Tasane, Marko Virkebau

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: economic development, institu- SELECTED PROJECTS: tions and comparative economic systems, economic welfare and knowledge-based economy VFP16057 (H2020), “Institutions for Knowledge Intensive Development: The research group seeks to investigate various Economic and Regulatory Aspects in micro and macro level forces and incentives, South-East Asian Transition Economies” which could speed up the convergence of emerg- (2017–2020) ing economies with frontier knowledge based economies and lead to sustained socio-economic RITA1/02-20-04, “Climate change miti- development. The group addresses the obstacles gation with CCS and CCU technologies” in developing knowledge absorptive capacities (2019−2021) and overcoming the prevailing regional disparities. The expected results will cast light to SELECTED ARTICLES: the possibly latent or underestimated reasons Hazak, A., Männasoo, K., & Virkebau, M. for slowing down productivity and prosperity (2017). Effects of work arrangements on crea- growth and for inefficiencies in human capital tive R&D work outcomes. Eastern European use in European (emerging) economies. In par- Economics, 55(6), 500–521. ticular, human capital endowment, stimuli for capital allocation into intellectual investments, Ruubel, R., & Hazak, A. (2018). R&D activities and work regulation/practices Disparities in Knowledge Employees’ Actual are in focus of empirical measurement and Contractual and Desired Working Schedules. inference. Knowledge Management, 18(1), 17–30.

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DEPARTMENT OF MAIN FIGURES 2018 LAW (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Academic Incl. 3 professors Director: Professor TANEL KERIKMÄE, staff 4 researchers [email protected] 22 8 Doctoral students 79 Scientific publications

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 2 RESEARCH GROUPS: LEGAL POLICY AND NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK OF EU DIGITAL MARKET AND TECHNOLOGIES AND IT´S APPLICATION IN PARTNER COUNTRIES. Head of the research group: Professor TANEL KERIKMÄE, [email protected] INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SECURITY, LAW AND TECHNOLOGY. Head of the research group: Associate Professor HOLGER MÖLDER [email protected]

2 3 1 PROFESSORS 1 3 ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 12

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LEGAL POLICY AND NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK OF EU DIGITAL MARKET AND TECHNOLOGIES AND IT’S APPLICATION IN PARTNER COUNTRIES Head of the research group: Professor TANEL KERIKMÄE, [email protected] Members: Katrin-Nyman Metcalf, Ondrej Hamulak, Thomas Hoffmann, Tatjana Evas-Peeters, Abel Polese, Archil Chochia, Lehte Roots, David Ramiro Troitino, Agnes Kaspar, Pawan Dutt, Mari Minn, Evelin Pärn-Lee, Sandra Särav Doctoral students: Olga Shumilo, Alexander Antonov, Kärt Salumaa, Melita Sogomonjan, Maria Claudia Solarte

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: law and technology; EU legal Kerikmäe, T.; Hoffmann, T.; Chochia, A. policy; Digital Single market (2018). Legal Technology for Law Firms: Deter- mining Roadmaps for Innovation. Croatian In- The research topics are related to law and tech- ternational Relations Review, 24 (81), 91−112. nology and transfer of knowledge of legal skills. Dutt, P.; Ferraro, S.; Chochia, A.; Muljar, R. Law and eTechnologies: e-residency, (2018). Using Patent Development, Education cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, 3D print- Policy and Research and Development ing, software agents, digital evidence, arti- Expenditure Policy to Understand Differences ficial intelligence legal policies and modern Between Countries – The Case of Estonia and technologies. Privacy law. Cyber security. Finland. Baltic Journal of European Studies, Ethics of law and technology. General Data 8 (1), 123−153. Protection Regulation (GDPR), human rights in European digital era. Rights and Ferraro, S.; Dutt, K, P.; Kerikmäe, T. (2017). duties of digital e-trading. Using Patent Development, Education Policy and Research and Development Expenditure ICT law: freedom of expression, e-govern- Policy to Increase Technological Competitive- ance, regular legal analysis of media and ness of Small European Union Member States. communications legislations. Croatian International Relations Review, 23 EU and Private International law: fo- (78), 97−126. cusing on the topics related to the Digital Single Market); cross-border private law issues, Law of Obligations/Consumer law, Insolvency Law and IP Law. SELECTED PROJECTS: PUT1628, “The assessment of Estonian national e-government services system in the context of EU’s legal framework of Digital Single Market” (2017–2018). VFP16057, „Institutions for Knowledge Intensive Development: Economic and Regulatory Aspects in South-East Asian Transition Economies” (2017–2020). VFP18013, “SHADOW: An exploration of the nature of informal economies and shadow practices in the former USSR region” (2018−2022).

SELECTED ARTICLES: Valuch, J.; Hamulak, O. (2018). Abuse of Cyber Space within the Crisis in Ukraine. The Law- yer Quarterly, 8 (2), 94−107.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SECURITY, LAW AND TECHNOLOGY Head of the Research Group: Associate Professor HOLGER MÖLDER [email protected] Members: Vlad Vernygora, Agnes Kasper, Evhen Tsybulenko, Joe Burton, Ramon Loik, Abel Polese, David Ramiro Troitino, Antonius Notermans Doctoral students: Javad Keypour, Alexander Antonov

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: new security challenges, cyber SELECTED PROJECTS: security, information warfare, economic security, hybrid security threats, impact of technology to COST ACTION 15101: Comparative international relations Analysis of Conspiracy Theories (2016–2020). The research topics are related to international relations, security and technology. VA19011, “Youth Opinion and Opportu- nities for EU Public Diplomacy: Youth International relations: International Narratives and Perceptions of the EU conflicts (Post-Soviet space, Middle East). and EU-Ukraine Relations in Ukraine Political and societal reforms of the Euro- and the three Baltic States“ (2018−2020). pean Union; future of NATO; international relations in post-truth environment; East- VEU19001, “The Emergence of New Asia and Pacific region. States in Eastern Europe in 1918 – Lessons for Entire Europe“ (2018−2020) International security: Information warfare and strategic communication; SELECTED ARTICLES: cyber threats and counter-activities; culture of fear; strategic narratives; hybrid Mölder, H.; Sazonov, V. (2018). threats; energy security. Information Warfare as the Hobbesian concept of Modern Times – Principles, Techniques and Technology: Information security and Tools of Russian Information Operations in digital influence operations; internet and Donbass. Journal of Slavic Military Studies, international relations; political and legal 31 (3), 308−328. aspects of artificial intellect. Chaban, N.; Bacon, P.; Burton, J.; Vernygora, V. (2018). Introduction. NATO Global Perceptions – Views from the Asia-Pacific Region. Asian Se- curity, 14 (1), 1−7. Yoon, S.-W.; Jamiyandagva, A.; Vernygora, V.; Burton, J.; Luguusharav, B.; Dorjraa, M. (2018). Views on NATO from Mongolia and the Republic of Korea: Hedging Strategy, and Perfunctory Partnership’? Asian Security, 14 (1), 51−65. 10.1080/14799855.2017.1361733. Bacon, P, Burton, J. (2018). NATO-Japan Relations: Projecting Strategic Narratives of “Natural Partnership” and Cooperative Security. Asian Security, 14 (1), 38−50. Polese, A; Hanau-Santini, R. (2018). Limited Statehood and its Security Implications on the Fragmentation Political Order in the Middle East and North Africa. Small Wars & Insur- gencies, 29 (3), 279−330.

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RAGNAR NURKSE MAIN FIGURES 2018 DEPARTMENT OF (as of Dec. 31, 2018)

INNOVATION AND Academic Incl. 12 professors staff GOVERNANCE 33 17 researchers Doctoral Defended doctoral students dissertations Director: ERKKI KARO, 34 3 [email protected], Scientific publications +372 620 2661 91

THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS RESEARCH WITHIN 7 RESEARCH GROUPS: e-GOVERNANCE. Head of the research group: Professor ROBERT KRIMMER, [email protected] GOVERNANCE. Head of the research group: Professor WOLFGANG DRECHSLER, [email protected] FISCAL GOVERNANCE. Head of the research group: Professor RINGA RAUDLA, [email protected] PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Head of the research group: Professor AHTI-VEIKKO PIETARINEN, [email protected] PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY. Head of the research group: Professor TIINA RANDMA-LIIV, [email protected] PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION. Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist VEIKO LEMBER, [email protected] TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION POLICY. Head of the research group: Professor RAINER KATTEL, [email protected]

10 PROFESSORS ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS 12 LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 1 6 1 3

151 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE e-GOVERNANCE Head of the research group: Professor ROBERT KRIMMER, [email protected] Member: Tarmo Kalvet Postdoctoral researcher: David Dueans Cid Doctoral students: Maarja Toots, Iulia Kivonosova, Keegan McBride, Morten M. Nielsen, Gregor Wenda

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: e-governance, e-democracy, Dig- reality the ideal of the European Single Digital ital Single Market Market. The e-Governance group focuses on the social The group members have been active in study- science analysis of the most important developing and advising different countries (Estonia, ments in e-Governance, both for Estonia and Switzerland, Australia, South Korea, Japan etc.) globally: the development of user- and citizen- on how to build up user-centric e-Governance centric e-governments, the transparency and systems. cost-effectiveness of e-voting systems, the use of new modern identity management technolo- SELECTED PROJECTS: gies in the public sector, the use of open data in government. VFP17064 “The Once Only Principle (TOOP) Project”, (2017–2019). The group coordinates the largest e-government and public sector innovation project in the EU VFP16004 “Fostering Innovation and and H2020, The Once Only Principle, TOOP Creativity in Europe through Public (www.toop.eu), which develops technical archi- Administration Modernization towards tectures and management systems to facilitate Supplying and Exploiting Linked Open automated exchange of data between different Statistical Data” (2016–2019) government institutions of EU member states PUT773 “Public sector innovation: The and thereby to increase the effectiveness and case of modern identity management agility of EU’s governments and bring closer to technologies” (2015–2018).

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GOVERNANCE Head of the research group: Professor WOLFGANG DRECHSLER, [email protected] Members: Vasilis Kostakis, Anu Masso Doctoral students: Alexandros Pantazis, Alexandros Pazaitis, Christina Priavolou, Shobhit Shakya

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: governance, P2P technologies, The group is also leading two large research digital technologies grants – the Institutional Research Grant “Chal- lenges to State Modernization in the 21st Cen- The Governance group deals with basic academic tury Europe” funded by the Estonian Research research focusing on the analysis of governance Council (2014-2019) and in 2018, Prof. Kostakis theories and paradigms in the context of modern was also awarded the ERC Starting Grant “Cos- socio-technical changes, led especially by the ICT molocalism”. diffusion. Special focus has been on the following topics: a) analysis of global paradigms of governance and comparison of Western and non- Western/Asian paradigms and traditions,, b) the impact of technological changes on governance, including the emergence of the concept of smart city and the impact of P2P technologies on production and consumption traditions and governance models. In these fields, the group is internationally recognized as a path-leading think tank. This is best exemplified by the fact that in 2017, both Prof. Drechsler and Dr. Kostakis were invited to become Affiliates of Harvard University – Prof. Drechsler at the David Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies and Dr. Kostakis at the Berk- man Klein Centre for Internet and Society. In addition, the whole group is actively contributing (research, outreach activities) to the globally path-breaking work of the P2P Lab and P2P Foundation. This focus provides the foundation for the department’s research in many other research groups from e-governance to innovation studies.

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FISCAL GOVERNANCE Head of the research group: Professor RINGA RAUDLA, [email protected] Member: Aleksandrs Cepilovs Doctoral students: Olga Mikheeva, Kati Keel

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: fiscal governance, public sector financial management, budgeting The group studies the developments of fiscal governance in Europe with specific focus on the spread of new budgeting principles (participa- tory budgeting), the impact of fiscal crisis, the evolution of institutional and discursive context. The unique specialization of the group has been to study the impact of fiscal and financial policy bureaucracies (its structure, principles of policy coordination and learning, etc.) on fiscal and financial policies in the Baltic Sea area and EU as a whole. This is a relatively novel theoretical as well as empirical focus since the countries of the region are financially and politically highly interlinked but have also asymmetrical economic relations and politico-administrative differences. The group is relatively young (Prof. Raudla was elected full professor only in 2014), but it has already gained global recognition for its research work, e.g. Prof. Raudla was elected to the edito- rial board of Governance (the leading journal on governance and institutional analysis) and initiated a Permanent Working Group on Fis- cal Governance and Administration at IASA (governance and public administration research society with the widest reach globally). Prof. Raudla was also elected the founding member of the Estonian Youth Academy of Science and she also won the 2018 National Research Price in Social Sciences.

SELECTED PROJECTS PUT1142 “Developments in the Fiscal Governance of European Countries: Im- pacts of the Crisis and Future Prospects” (1.01.2016−31.12.2019)

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PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Head of the research group: Professor AHTI-VEIKKO PIETARINEN, [email protected] Members: Daniele Chiffi, Amirouche Moktefi Doctoral students: Jelena Issajeva (Družinina), Marika Proover

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: philosophy of science and technology, abduction, pragmatism The research of group has focused on the project “Abduction in the age of fundamental uncertainty” financed by the Estonian Research Council as well as continuing research and publication activities in the core areas of competences (Peirce and pragmatism, philosophy of S&T in general). The group has also attracted foreign researchers that have further expanded the research foci of the group (i.e. philosophical research of clinical medicine and RCTs). Through these developments, the group has become more integrated with the general orientation of Ragnar Nurkse Department and TalTech in general, i.e. abduction is the main analytical approach in the context of fundamental uncertainty character- izing innovation and technological development, tackling societal challenges and wicked issues. The group has also lead humanities to become the research field with the highest impact – in terms of publications and citations – in TalTech. Bellucci, F.; Chiffi, D.; Pietarinen, A.-V. (2018). SELECTED PROJECTS Assertive Graphs. Journal of applied non- classical logics, 1−20 Chiffi, D.; Zanotti, R. PUT1305, “Abduction in the Age of Fun- (2018). Fear of Knowledge: Clinical Hypotheses damental Uncertainty” (2016–2018). in Diagnostic and Prognostic Reasoning. Jour- nal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 23 (5), SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 928−934. Ma, M.; Pietarinen, A.-V. (2018). Chiffi, D.; Pietariren A.-V. (2018). Gamma graph calculi for modal logics. Abductive Inference within a Pragmatic Synthese, 195 (8), 3621−3650. Framework. Synthese, 1−17

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PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY Head of the research group: Professor TIINA RANDMA-LIIV, [email protected] Members: Külli Sarapuu, Riin Savi Doctoral students: Cerlin Pesti, Kadi Maria Vooglaid, Mariliis Trei, Agne Vabamäe

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES

KEYWORDS: public sector management, coor- has been awarded (for 2017–2020) an Estonian dination, participation, collaboration Research Council Grant to study novel coordination instruments (task forces, iLabs, etc.) of the In recent years, the main focus of the research core of government. group was on the impact of the financial and fiscal crisis on public administrations and public The group is also actively consulting Estonian management practices in Estonia and across government institutions (Office of the Prime Europe. For this stream of work, the head of the Minister, the Ministry of Finance, etc.) on their research group, Prof. Tiina Randma Liiv, won strategic reform and development plans. This the 2016 Estonian National Research Award in takes place through different formats: formal Social Sciences. consulting contracts, supervision of the employees of the organizations studying in the MA The group is also participating in the new inter- and PhD programs of the Nurkse Department, national Horizon 2020 financed research project participation in task forces and other bodies of TROPICO (http://tropico-project.eu) on how these institutions. new technologies and social innovation affect cooperation and collaboration practices in Eu- In 2018, Prof. Randma-Liiv was elected to the ropean public sectors. In addition, Dr. Sarapuu Estonian Academy of Sciences.

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PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION Head of the research group: Senior Research Scientist VEIKO LEMBER, [email protected] Members: Rainer Kattel, Piret Tõnurist, Ralf-Martin Soe Doctoral students: Laidi Surva, Kleiri Vest

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: digital transformation, public sector innovation, digital technologies The Public Sector Innovation research group focuses on the development of the globally emerging theories of public sector innovation, with rather unique focus on technology driven innovations (i.e. emergence of machine to machine coordination in the public policy processes) and analysis of the technological capacities of the public sector. In addition, the group has also produced break- through contributions to more mainstream PSI topics, i.e. the role of co-production, public procure- ment processes, iLabs and state owned enterprises as instruments of innovation in the public sector. The PSI group collaborates actively with Esto- nian policy makers through Social and Public Sector Innovation Taskforce at the Office of the Prime Minister of Estonia and collaborative innovation projects with especially the City of Tallinn (e.g. the Sohjoa Baltic Project piloting self-driving buses as part of the public transport system in Tallinn). Internationally, the group collaborates with the OECD OPSI and the European Commis- sion (through different PSI expert groups) and coordinates several public sector innovation focused permanent study groups at EGPA (Public VIR17124, “SOHJOA-Baltic Sea Region Administration, Technology and Innovation; transition to eco-friendly autonomous Behavioral Public Administration). last mile public transportation” (2017–2020) SELECTED PROJECTS IUT19-13, “Challenges to state moderni- PUT773, “Public sector innovation: zation in 21st century Europe: Theoreti- The case of modern identity management cal developments and future scenarios” technologies” (2015–2018). (2014–2019)

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TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION POLICY Head of the research group: Professor RAINER KATTEL, [email protected] Members: Erik Reinert, Jan Allan Kregel, Carlota Perez, Erkki Karo, Margit Kirs, Egert Juuse Doctoral students: Olga Mikheeva, Rauno Mäekivi, Jaanus Müür

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: innovation, innovation policy, The policy-oriented work of the group covers the technology governance following topics: The group is the leading centre for science, Mission-oriented innovation policies, technology and innovation systems and policies Smart specialization, in Estonia. Tackling societal challenges through in- The basic research of the group centres on the novation, following topics: Management STI policies and instru- Techno-economic paradigms and the role ments, of the state, Evaluations of innovation polices and Future innovation systems and policies, governance systems, Public sector innovation systems, The impact of Global Value Chains on Innovation bureaucracies and manage- national innovation systems and policies. ment of innovation policies

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159 ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY

ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY

Director: ROOMET LEIGER e-mail: [email protected] MAIN FIGURES 2018 (as of Dec. 31, 2018) Director for Development: DAN HEERING Academic Scientific 62 staff 13 publications e-mail: [email protected]

EMERA CONDUCTS RESEARCH MAINLY WITHIN ONE RESEARCH GROUP NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND HYDRODYNAMICS. Head: Professor MIHKEL KÕRGESAAR, [email protected]

3 4

ASSOCIATED PROFESSORS TEACHING ASSISTANTS LECTURERS / INSTRUCTORS EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS 46

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ESTONIAN MARITIME ACADEMY (EMERA) Head: Director ROOMET LEIGER, [email protected]

Our mission is to be a renowned educator of mari- Maritime Safety and Security – to time specialists, contribute to R&D activities and improve the natural and socio-economic offer services for the maritime sector. Our vision environment it is important to support the is to become a maritime competence centre, be a achievement of efficiency and sustainabil- reliable partner in R&D projects and contribute ity. These fields include the human factor to the work of international organisations. in shipping, ships’ workflow, bridgework and resource management, navigational Our focus areas in Estonian Maritime Academy systems, the development of methods for are connected with our study programs: the prevention of marine pollution and response equipment, waterways safety Naval architecture and hydrodynam- management. To support this focus area ics – the growing market of small crafts a high tech maritime Simulator Centre anticipates the use of novel technologies to that features compatible bridge, maritime make them more environmentally friendly communication, engine room, refrigeration and consume less fuel. The Small Craft training, marine pollution control and Competence Centre, which main compe- other simulators is used. tences include CFD analysis of ships and small crafts, hull form design, hull resistance estimations, model testing of small crafts, is contributing to building a recognized small craft cluster in Estonia and supporting research. EMERA conducts research mainly under the naval architecture and hydrodynamics research group. Digitalisation and autonomous shipping – vast developments in the IT-sector have raised the need for the digitalisation of the shipping sector. E-navigation through electronic charts, e-documents in the form of shipping bills and e-ports with real-time information are the development trends in EMERA. Research in the fields of autonomous shipping (Modelling of autonomous vessels’ navigation rules with Timed Petri nets and formal verification of collision avoidance situations with compositional model checking) and maritime cyber security is being conducted. To support the developments and the field a tenure of Marine Technology was created. Maritime Transport – the specialists in EMERA have up-to-date knowledge and practical experience that combined allow us to provide research based services for the maritime sector in order to make maritime transportation more efficient. To support the developments in the field a tenure of Maritime Transport has been created.

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NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND HYDRODYNAMICS Head: Professor MIHKEL KÕRGESAAR, [email protected] Members: Kalev Kadak, Kalju Saar, Tarmo Sahk, Henrik Johan Sten Andreasson Doctoral students: Mikloš Lakatoš, Teguh Putranto

TOPICS AND COMPETENCES KEYWORDS: hydrodynamics, fluid structure activities started at the beginning of 2016 with interaction, ship safety the investigation of spray rail deflection in small crafts, which enables reduced operational The research is focused on the behavior of small resistance in water at higher speeds. At the end crafts, ships and marine structures in normal of 2017, a joint grant together with researchers and extreme environments. The driving motiva- from the Department of Civil Engineering and tion is to enable better, safer, and more energy Architecture was secured to investigate fluid efficient future ship concepts that serve the structure interaction in ships. societal and industrial needs. The second basic research topic focuses on the Under the umbrella of this general theme, the load response and failure mechanisms of focus lies on two core topics: materials and welded structures under dif- The first basic research topic focuses on hy- ferent types of loadings. This basic research is drodynamics and fluid-structure interac- supported by experiments and numerical assess- tion behavior of small crafts. The goal is ments. Numerical simulations are used to get to increase energy efficiency and behavior of insight into theoretical modelling and prevailing small crafts in different operational conditions. assumptions, while experiments provide the sup- This research is supported by the experimental porting validation data. The application cases testing in our towing tank where we deepen are the accidental limit states of ship structures. our understanding regarding ship behaviour This involves internal and external mechanical in different conditions. We are also currently behavior assessment of ship collision and ground- investigating and looking for different options ing accidents, residual strength evaluation of how to represent the experimental findings in damaged ship and fluid structure interaction the simulation environment. The main research during and after an accidental event.

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TALTECH RESEARCH 2018 Copyright: Tallinn University of Technology Editors: Kiira Parre and Kersti Vähi Design and Layout: Anu Teder Next edition 2020 Tallinn 2019 ISSN 2228-0804 164