University of Oulu receives first Rise to Challenge funding for the TomoHQ project
Oulun yliopisto, Kontinkankaan kampus 2022
Business Finland has awarded about €30 million in funding to six Rise to Challenge projects. One of the funded projects is TomoHQ, in which the University of Oulu is involved together with the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, LUT University, the University of Eastern Finland, and Aalto University. TomoHQ is the first project at the University of Oulu to receive Rise to Challenge funding.
In the work package led by the University of Oulu, researchers collaborate with colleagues from the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland to develop ways to improve tomography – slice-based imaging technology used in hospitals for medical imaging. The aim is to produce highly precise images by utilizing inverse mathematics, artificial intelligence, and novel imaging methods. This would enable the use of more versatile, higher-quality, more cost-effective, or less tissue-damaging imaging techniques compared to current X‑ray imaging, such as magnetic resonance or phase-contrast imaging, for example in hospital environments.
The new technologies could enable images that are up to 10,000 times more precise than those currently available. In addition to medicine, these methods could be applied in materials research, as well as in monitoring greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions – areas explored in other sub-projects within TomoHQ.
Matti Hanni, Adjunct Professor and the principal investigator responsible for the sub-project led by the University of Oulu, is very pleased with the funding decision:
“Rise to Challenge funding is important, as at this moment we need to commercialize innovative methods emerging from universities and hospitals in order to strengthen Finland’s export potential in medical technology. While receiving the funding felt rewarding for both myself and the entire team, it also has broader significance in the research, implementation, and commercialization of tomographic methods. The funding is a recognition not only of the very long-term research carried out at the University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital in the field of tomographic imaging, but also of the entire Finnish tomography community. It is encouraging to continue advancing this work with the support of this funding.”
Hanni primarily works as an Associate Chief Physicist in medical imaging at Oulu University Hospital. In addition, Adjunct Professors Andreas Hauptmann and Timo Liimatainen, as well as Professor Miika Nieminen, are involved in the project from the University of Oulu.
Warm congratulations to the entire TomoHQ team!
The annual Rise to Challenge call funds bold research initiatives from research organizations that build expertise in future growth areas. The 2026 call is open until November 3. Read more here.
Source: For more information about the funding decisions, see Business Finland’s official release.
