Multiphase Analytics

Dr. Frank Drewnick, Laboratory Manager

In our lab we develop, characterize and use modern aerosol measurement equipment to investigate the urban aerosol as well as emissions from anthropogenic sources. The major mission is to understand the composition, spatial distribution, and atmospheric aging of urban aerosols as well as the processes during their generation and transport, and to be able to get reliable information on their local impact.

One focus of our work is on-line aerosol mass spectrometry. In the lab the Aerodyne Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (ToF-AMS) is used, typically in combination with other on-line instruments for physical characterization of particles. We participated in the development of the ToF-AMS together with other research groups, and mainly were involved in the characterization of this instrument to allow a reliable application in field and laboratory environments.

In our lab, the mobile aerosol research laboratory MoLa was developed and constructed for flexible mobile and stationary analysis of the atmospheric aerosol. We use this platform regularly in the field and continuously improve it in parallel. MoLa provides a completely independent platform for efficient measurements of physical and chemical aerosol properties, of trace gases, and of various meteorological variables. We mainly use it for the investigation of urban aerosols and for probing of anthropogenic sources like sea-going ships, waste incineration plants, steelworks, wood combustion facilities, construction sites, and many others.