Maarit Karppinen (b. 1959) is a Finnish chemistry researcher and an internationally renowned expert in materials chemistry. Karppinen is Professor of Inorganic Materials Chemistry at Aalto University and has been awarded the title of Aalto Distinguished Professor.

She is particularly known for her pioneering research into the development of new materials for next-generation energy technology and nanotechnology. Her research focuses, for example, on thin-film materials, atomic and molecular layer deposition, inorganic-organic hybrid materials, and energy-efficient solutions that can be used in applications such as batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, superconductors and microelectronics.

Karppinen’s research work combines the design, fabrication, characterisation and assessment of functional properties of materials in an exceptionally versatile way. Her research has had a significant international impact. The research groups led by Karppinen have played a key role in the development of new hybrid materials and coating technologies, as well as in the establishment of international collaboration networks in materials research. Karppinen has led her own research group for more than 25 years in Finland and Japan and has supervised 45 doctoral theses and 32 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to become professors.

She has received two Advanced Grants and two Proof of Concept grants from the European Research Council (ERC). In addition, she has led numerous research projects and national research infrastructures with funding from the Research Council of Finland, the European Union and Business Finland.

Karppinen is a member of the ERC Scientific Council. She is also a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, a member of the European Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.