Magnus Ehrnrooth prize to Daniel Langerreiter

Dr. Daniel Langerreiter was awarded the Magnus Ehrnrooth prize for the best doctoral dissertations in chemistry accepted at a Finnish university last year.

The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters has awarded eight prominent researchers prizes for their significant scientific achievements. In addition, three exceptional upper secondary school teachers received prizes. The prizes were presented at the Society's Annual Celebration on 29 April 2025. The Grand Prize – the 2025 Professor E.J. Nyström’s Prize (50 000 €) – was awarded to Professor Leif B. Andersson (Uppsala University) for his outstanding contribution to genome biology of domestic animals and natural animal populations. The total prize sum amounted to 146 000 €.

Three Magnus Ehrnrooth prizes are awarded annually for the best doctoral dissertations accepted at a Finnish university in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Each prize is to the amount of 5 000 €. This time, the chemistry award was received by Daniel Langerreiter. Dr. Langerreiter successfully defended his thesis titled "Synthesis of Cellulose-Based Self-Sterilizing Materials via Solid-State Reactions" at Aalto University in October 2024. His supervisor was Professor Mauri Kostiainen.

Dr. Langerreiter's dissertation fhe work involved the preparation of new photosensitive cellulose derivatives and the development of new synthesis methods for both the derivatisation of cellulose crystals and the preparation of photoactive compounds. The doctoral thesis is based on three high-quality publications. The first dealt with the antimicrobial activity of photoactive compounds in cellulose nanofiber matrices. The active compounds were either mixed into the matrix or covalently bound to it. In the second work, cellulose nanocrystals were derivatized using chemomechanical methods, which all but obviated the need for solvents. The chemical reactions on crystal surfaces occurred remarkably quickly. In the third study, the phthalocyanine derivative used in the first study was re-examined. As the previous synthesis of the compound was complex with poor yields, Langereiter's work helped develop an efficient solid-state synthesis. In this synthesis, the number of solvents could be reduced by a factor of 100. Langereiter's work made extensive use of various synthesis and structural analysis methodologies, resulting in several synthesis and material innovations.

The preliminary examiners of the dissertation and the opponent found it to be of an exceptionally high standard. The Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering has also awarded Dr. Langerreiter's work.

Dr. Langerreiter’s thesis can be accessed online at: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-64-2033-2.

FinnCERES congratulates Dr. Daniel Langerreiter on his remarkable achievements!