Research

Overview

The goal of our research is to gain a fundamental understanding of atmospheric chemical and physical processes that govern the dynamics and distribution of gases and particles (aerosols) from urban regions to the global atmosphere. We are motivated especially by the desire to understand the role of atmospheric aerosols in global climate and air quality.

Accurate representation of aerosol physical and chemical properties and of the processes that influence those properties in global climate models is essential for understanding modification of the global energy balance through absorption and scattering of radiation, modification of cloud reflectance and persistence, and modification of precipitation. Aerosol properties that must be accurately represented by models to quantify these effects include mass concentration, particle size and size-dependent composition, optical properties, solubility, and ability to serve as cloud condensation nuclei.

Research Areas

Research in atmospheric science rests equally on a foundation of laboratory experiments, field measurements, and theoretical modeling. Each of these areas is pursued in our group:

• Formation of Secondary Organic Aerosols: We have a unique laboratory chamber facility, consisting of two 28 m3 fully instrumented transparent reactors, in which we simulate atmospheric chemistry and aerosol formation.
• Field campaigns: Professor Seinfeld is Principal Investigator for the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS), a research center at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California which operates research aircraft for atmospheric science. The principal aircraft for atmospheric studies is the Twin Otter, which our group has employed for a number of atmospheric experiments, with special emphasis on aerosol-cloud relationships. .
  
• Global modeling of air quality and climate: We have had a major effort in global and regional modeling of air quality and climate, for which we have collaborated with the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg, Germany, and Harvard University.

Research Programs

Joint Research Programs:

• CACTUS (www.cactus.caltech.edu/presentations/)
• ITR
• GCAP (www-as.harvard.edu/chemistry/trop/gcap/)

National Programs:

• DOE ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE PROGRAM
• EPA STAR