29.11.2010

MY CAMPER JARKKO ETULA FOUND A CONGENIAL MENTOR IN PROFESSOR GRÄTZEL

What does an international science camp give a young person who is interested in science and mathematics? “A lot,” says Jarkko Etula from Kuopio, Finland. The 19-year-old Jarkko participated in the first Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) in June 2010. In addition to making new friends and obtaining great experiences, he found a mentor there.

Jarkko enjoyed the entire camp week, but the discussion meeting of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize Laureates and the MY Campers was the experience with the biggest impact. At the end of the meeting, Jarkko courageously went and discussed his own research project with the Grand Prize Winner Michael Grätzel. They exchanged contact details and continued the discussion later by email.

Jarkko had the opportunity to meet Grätzel again in September 2010 when he came to Mikkeli to give a speech at the Millennium Materials Seminar. They continued their active discussion in a car from Mikkeli to the MY Forum youth event in Heureka where Grätzel was going to give a presentation after the seminar. The professor was so impressed by Jarkko’s talent that he promised to guide him in his science career.

Jarkko, why did you apply for MY Camp?

“I heard about the camp from Antti Savinainen, my physics teacher at the Lyseo upper secondary school in Kuopio. He also works as a docent at the University of Jyväskylä. He has encouraged me to study things on my own, instead of just taking received information for granted without proving it.

Before applying for the camp, I had already started my own research concerning the use of different Finnish berries in the dye-sensitised solar cells developed by Grätzel. I thought that the camp would give me good opportunities for learning more about universities, the research they conduct, new technology, and for networking.”

Have you always been interested in science? What inspires you in science?

“Right from the upper level of comprehensive school, I have been very interested in physics, chemistry and math. Now that I have studied said subjects at the IB upper secondary school, I have noticed how the boundary between physics and chemistry are blurred, and the two subjects become a single unit: chemistry is a necessary way of reducing and simplifying a naturally occurring physical phenomenon into a more digestible format which is easier to analyse. Math is used for describing everything that takes place in nature. That is why math is the most important tool for analysing physical phenomena.

I have always wanted to know why something happens, and I am inspired by what we do not yet know is unknown. Or, to quote Henry David Thoreau: “To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.”

Have you had extra-curricular science activities?

“In summer 2010, I spent time at the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä, carrying out measurements on the features of organic dye-sensitisers in a Grätzel cell. Of course, I also attended MY Camp, and the Millennium Materials seminar in Mikkeli in September.”

Where did you get the idea for your research project dealing with Grätzel cells?

“I had read a scientific article by Greg Smestad, discussing the use of Grätzel cells for educational purposes at universities. Out of curiosity, I wanted to find out how suitable berries would be to serve as dye-sensitisers in Grätzel cells. I was aware that Finnish berries contain a lot of anthocyanins. Anna-Leena Latvala at the University of Jyväskylä, a former IB student at the Lyseo School in Kuopio, helped get me in touch with the Nanoscience Center.”

You have had the opportunity to discuss with Professor Grätzel many times both in person and by email. What kind of feedback and advice has he given you?

“The discussions were relaxed and rich in nuances; we did not always stick to the topic we started. The discussions focused on the organic dye-sensitisers used by myself and their interaction with the semi-conductor used in a Grätzel cell. One of the most problematic themes in particular was discussing the positive and negative effects of the solvents used and the impurities and acids appearing in the dye-sensitiser.

The discussions gave me valuable information and clarifications to problems where I had not found answers to in relevant literature. The information I received was of a critical importance with respect to my study results and the reliability of the error analysis.”

How was Grätzel as a person? Did he correspond to what you thought of him?

“Professor Grätzel was very relaxed and he has his feet firmly on the ground. Right from the start of the journey [from Mikkeli to Heureka], I noticed how easy it is to discuss with him about the topic that I am so interested in, although the phenomena related to the Grätzel cell are very ambiguous when analysing them. I was very surprised by Professor Grätzel’s colourful personality and the fact that time passed so quickly. It seemed that the car ride took only a few minutes.”

What did you find the best and the most useful at MY Camp?

“The best thing about the camp was the opportunity to network with Finnish and foreign experts and students. The camp also made it possible for me to meet with Professor Michael Grätzel. For this, I would like to thank Ilkka Pollari, Director of Kemira’s research centre in Espoo [and a member of the steering group of MY Camp]. He already pointed out the meeting opportunity during the camp. MY Camp gave me the contacts and opportunities which have taken me many leaps closer to my dream, which is to get to study a theme which I find the most interesting.”

What kind of studies are you planning? What will you be when you grow up?

“When I carried out research at the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä in the summer, I noticed how interesting and creative it is to study something of which so little is known. At the moment, I see the job of a researcher as the most appealing future career. My study plans are built around my intention to combine studies in chemistry, physics and math at a university. However, my main objective right now is to open up as many doors as possible to different universities so that I can easily find my favourite when making the decision.”

What would you like to say to other young people applying for MY Camp 2011 and those organising it?

“Although being a Finn usually means that you are introverted, I find it important that you see your environment as an opportunity to have an influence and be influenced. You should yourself be active in networking. On the first days of the camp, especially foreigners will surely be fatigued by travelling and they are not yet familiar with Finland, which means that Finns should actively become acquainted with the international campers. Also, the camp week feels shorter than you would think.

I would like to thank those arranging the camp for their activeness and interest in making the week an optimal experience. Special thanks should go to the great team leaders who also became good friends of mine during the camp.”

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The main organisers of MY Camp are Technology Academy Finland and the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA. The application period for the 2011 camp will take place until 15 December 2010. Eligible applicants include young people born in 1992–1995, regardless of nationality and gender.

Find out more: www.millenniumyouthcamp.fi