CAREER: Understanding Multiphase Atmospheric Aerosol Particle Thermodynamics using Models, Mimics, and Microfluidics

This effort will improve the ability to model aerosol properties in the atmosphere. It combines thermodynamic modeling and experimental studies to better understand water uptake by particles and the interactions of gases, solid and liquid aerosols, and water in the Earth's atmosphere. Project results will benefit climate and air quality models and improve our ability to predict ambient concentrations of particulate matter.

The specific project outcomes expected are: (1) a parameterized predictive model for equilibrium internal structure of atmospheric aerosol particles (internally mixed, nodule, or core-shell) in complex multicomponent systems across the entire range of particle liquid water content or gas phase relative humidity; and (2) a novel microfluidic platform for mimicking and investigating aqueous-organic and aqueous-vapor interfaces which will yield valuable data for improving the parameterizations used in predictive models.