Centre for Atmospheric Research
Research group information
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Research group leader
- Professor, Director
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Research group description
We work to understand the importance of aerosols for various processes at the heart of atmospheric chemistry and global climate. We integrate a wide range of levels of complexity, from molecular characterization and interactions, to single aerosol particles and global responses to aerosol driven processes.
Climate Change
Earth’s climate is changing rapidly these years. This change is overwhelmingly caused by human activities. With fossil fuel combustion, livestock and agriculture, we increase the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, leading to global warming.
Atmospheric Particles
Our atmosphere also contains numerous tiny (nanometer to micrometer-sized) particles suspended in the air. These aerosol particles have many different sources, both natural, for example, volcanoes, deserts, oceans and forests, and manmade, including traffic, industry, cooking, and many more. Aerosol particles are everywhere in the air that we breathe. There is no air, which is particle-free. Even in the cleanest, most remote areas of the Arctic, there may still be some 100 particles in every cubic centimeter of air. And in polluted megacities, or in the middle of a forest fire, this number may be millions.
Health Effects
These tiny aerosol particles are globally responsible for much of the health effects and mortality related to air pollution.
Surface Tension Colloquium
The Surface Tension Colloquium offers an international platform for researchers to exchange ideas and insights on surface tension phenomena. Held virtually, presentations span 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a 15 to 20-minute Q&A session via Zoom. Following the colloquium, the virtual space remains open for informal discussions and networking opportunities. We welcome scientists at all career stages to share their work, fostering inclusivity and diversity in research topics and methodologies. Whether you're a professor, senior scientist, postdoc, or student, presentations on laboratory experiments, field studies, and modeling research are encouraged.
Interested in presenting? Drop us an email to reserve your spot!
Upcoming Events
Surface Tension Colloquium, November 2026. Invited Speaker
ATMOS Seminars
Lively discussions over coffee and cake on atmosphere, aerosol, and surface science. We host esteemed guest speakers in our related fields of science from around the globe.
Lively discussions over coffee and cake on atmosphere, aerosol, and surface science. We host esteemed guest speakers in our related fields of science from around the globe.
Our main focus is on aerosol effects on Earth’s atmosphere and their relevance for climate change. We work together with researchers from other fields to use our knowledge and methods in new and exciting ways.
- Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere (AIDA) Chamber at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Berlin Electron Storage Ring Society for Synchrotron Radiation (BESSY II) Light Source
- The Centre for Molecular Water Science (CMWS)
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) A Research Centre of the Helmholtz Association
- Diamond Light Source, UK
- EC-Earth- A European community Earth System Model
- The European Synchrotron and Free Electron Laser user organisation (ESUO)
- The Finnish Association for Aerosol Research (FAAR)
- Finnish Synchrotron Radiation Users' Organisation (FSRUO)
- LINXS Environment and Climate (ECL) Theme
- The League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources (LEAPS)
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund, Sweden
- The Nordic Society for Aerosol Research (NOSA)
- Soleil Synchrotron Facility, France
- UVSOR III Synchrotron Facility, Japan