Collaborative Research: Effects of Aerosol Phase, Morphology, and Mixing State on Droplet Formation

本项目旨在研究影响大气中云凝结核（CCN）形成的因素。诸如颗粒大小和组成等因素会影响颗粒吸收水分并成为云滴的能力。这项研究将提高对气溶胶和云之间相互作用的理解，这是气候系统中最不确定的方面。这项合作的重点是量化在亚饱和和过饱和条件下，相、形态和混合状态对CCN活化和液滴形成的贡献。该项目有以下目标：(1)比较不同相态粒子的吸湿性测量结果与传统的吸湿性预测结果；(2)确定颗粒形态（特别是相分离系统的变化）对颗粒吸水的作用；(3)确定不同双组分相体系的颗粒混合状态对吸湿性的影响；(4)开发模型和软件来解释混合相态和形态CCN激活曲线。这项合作包括了一群不同的早期职业科学家，并将支持研究生和本科生的参与。

This project is investigating factors that affect the formation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the atmosphere. Factors such as particle size and composition can influence the ability of a particle to uptake water and become a cloud droplet. This research will improve understanding of the interactions between aerosols and clouds, that are the most uncertain aspect of the climate system.This collaborative effort focuses on quantifying the contribution of phase, morphology, and mixing state to CCN activation and droplet formation at subsaturated and supersaturated conditions. The project has the following objectives: (1) Compare hygroscopicity measurements with traditional hygroscopicity predictions for particles with different phase states; (2) Define the role of particle morphology (specifically changes in phase-separating systems) for particle water-uptake; (3) Determine the effect of particle mixing state of varying two-component phase systems for hygroscopicity; and (4) Develop models and software to interpret mixed phase state and morphology CCN activation curves. The collaboration includes a diverse group of early career scientists and will support the participation of both graduate and undergraduate students.