We specialize in developing and using instruments that obtain data in real-time. Most of our instruments analyze aerosols, but we also have some gas-phase instuments. We have a mobile lab developed with CARB funding and generators so we can mobilize to any region of California as needed. We make measurements all over the state as well as the world (Mexico City, Asia, India).
Our ATOFMS instruments determine the chemical composition of individual particles as well as the size and optical properties:
- Clifford - chemical ionization mass spectrometer--uses chemical reactions to selectively analyze components in aerosol particles
- Shirley - laser based aircraft ATOFMS--uses a high powered laser to analyze the size and chemistry of individual particles; a lighter and more compact ATOFMS
- Laverne - nozzle inlet ATOFMS--portable instrument for measuring the size and chemical mixing state of particles 0.1-3 microns
- Jake - ultrafine ATOFMS--portable instrument for measuring the size and chemistry of ultrafine particles down to 50 nm
- Elwood - nozzle inlet ATOFMS--similar to Laverne
- Beast - our original lab-based instrument which was built first and fills an entire room!
Our newest addition is the ability to measure aerosol optical properties as a function of mixing state.
Other analytical instrumentation:
- Ion Chromatograph (IC) with a particle-into-liquid-sampler (PILS) capability
- Aethalometer: black carbon mass and particulate light absorption at 7 wavelengths
- Nephelometer: particulate light scattering at one wavelength
- Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM): mass concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5)
Instrumentation for physical studies of aerosols and aerosol proxies:
- Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with environmental cell
- Polarization Modulated Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectrometer (PM-IRRAS)
- Langmuir-Blodgett Trough
Our group has recently been involved with the development of a new marine aerosol generation systems for studies of complex environmental samples.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCSD also has access to the central Molecular Mass Spectrometry Facility.
We also have several commercial aerosol sizing instruments:
- Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS; >0.5 microns)
- Condensation Particle Counter (CPC; total particle counts)
- Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC; UF particle counts)
- Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA; size select and measure particles from 10-600 nm)
We also have several commercial gas-phase instruments including:
- NOx analyzer
- Ozone analyzer
- SO2 analyzer
- CO analyzer
