The Importance of Metrology for Northern Europe: FTMC Welcomes Dr Martti Heinonen, Vice President of Finland’s Prestigious VTT Institute

FTMC is strengthening opportunities for collaboration with international partners. The Center recently welcomed Dr Martti Heinonen, Vice President of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Director of VTT MIKES, Finland’s National Metrology Institute.

VTT is one of Europe’s leading innovation centres, developing advanced technologies in collaboration with academia and industry. Its researchers work in a wide range of strategically important fields, from biotechnology and green energy to electronics and defence solutions.

During the meeting in Vilnius, Dr Heinonen first introduced opportunities for closer cooperation within the European Metrology Network (EMN) Smart North (Smart Specialisation in Northern Europe), which operates under the EURAMET programme. This measurement science and technology network brings together institutions from the Nordic countries, including FTMC and the Lithuanian Energy Institute. Led by the visiting Finnish expert, EMN Smart North aims to strengthen joint research, measurement infrastructure and technological innovation across the region.

The visit also included discussions on potential cooperation with VTT. A round-table meeting was held with FTMC management and researchers, featuring presentations on research topics developed at FTMC. To conclude the visit, the VTT representative toured several of the Center’s physics and chemistry laboratories.

(Dr Martti Heinonen and Dr Jurga Juodkazytė from the FTMC Department of  Chemical Engineering and Technology. Photo: Gabrielius Mackevičius / FTMC)

“The key message I wanted to share with the FTMC community is that cooperation between institutions and countries is essential if we want to achieve truly significant results and international success. It is the foundation of meaningful progress.

At present, there is considerable global interest in quantum research and technologies, making this one of the most promising areas for future collaboration. Optical technologies are also becoming increasingly important and offer numerous opportunities for joint projects.

I also believe that greater attention should be given to defence-related research and innovation. Given today’s challenges and priorities, this is an area that could be highly beneficial for both countries and is certainly worth exploring further,” said Dr Heinonen.

(From left: Dr Milda Tamošiūnaitė-Survilienė, Head of the Time and Frequency Standart Laboratory at FTMC National Metrology Institute (NMI); Dr Evaldas Naujalis, Head of the NMI Laboratory for Reference Materials and Measurements; Dr Martti Heinonen, Vice President of VTT; Linas Galkauskas, Head of the NMI; Dr Kristina Plauškaitė-Šukienė, NMI Activities Coordinator; Dr Paulius Gečys, Head of the Laser Microfabrication Laboratory at FTMC Department of Laser Technologies; and Dr Paulius Ragulis, Head of the Microwave Laboratory at FTMC Department of Physical Technologies. Photo: Gabrielius Mackevičius / FTMC)

According to Dr Kristina Plauškaitė-Šukienė, Coordinator of the activities of FTMC National Metrology Institute and FTMC representative within the EMN Smart North network, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity not only to learn more about the network’s possibilities but also to showcase what FTMC can offer as a partner.

“Among other topics, we discussed the key strategic areas identified by this Nordic metrology network. These include quantum technologies and PNT technologies, which are related to precise positioning, navigation and timing.

These fields are particularly relevant today, for example in addressing drone navigation challenges and countering the jamming or spoofing of satellite signals. They are dual-use technologies with applications in security and defence as well as in a broader range of technological developments,” says Dr Plauškaitė-Šukienė.

Source: FTMC