BRIGE: Development of a Novel Organic-Water Thermodynamic Measurement and Modeling Technique for Health and Climate Applications

1032388 Asa-Awuku PI建议开发一种新颖的变革性测量和建模技术，以研究有机成分吸收大气中水分的能力。该项目的结果将对空气质量、气候和健康产生重大影响。因此，研究结果将纳入与NSF CBET计划优先事项相关的长期研究计划。该项目的成功将带来独特的跨领域研究和教育机会，以扩大所有公民对工程相关研究的参与。智力优势有机成分和水的相互作用还没有得到很好的理解。因此，水在有机表面上的吸收还有待充分表征。因此，非理想性往往是参数化的，但使用这种方法的模型无法重现在实验室和现场的观察。PI建议探索有机成分的物理化学性质，并直接将其与高分辨率粒子质谱碎片进行比较。研究生和本科工程专业的学生将研究非理想有机混合物的热力学和界面现象。学生将测量挥发性，表面活性剂和溶解度特性。这些测量将用于理解和开发新的有机吸湿性模型。在今后的工作中，模型和实验方法将应用于大气气溶胶研究。PI和她的学生将在加州大学滨江伯恩斯工程学院环境研究与技术中心（CE-CERT）的最先进的空气污染实验室进行这项研究。该设施将为研究团队提供与全球空气污染研究界互动的机会-来自学术机构，政府机构和工业的科学家和工程师。随着研究结果的发展，这些相互作用提供了一种传播研究的机制，以便更快地将其纳入空气质量和气候建模。更广泛的影响作为美国少数几个研究密集型西班牙裔服务机构（HSI）之一的非裔美国女工程师，PI将成为一个榜样和导师，以不同的学生群体。由于空气质量和公共卫生的环境影响是洛杉矶以东滨江地区的重要公共问题，UCR的经验是，该领域的研究吸引了传统上代表性不足的社区的年轻人。PI将向未来的学生展示他们如何对社区和全球的生活质量产生影响。她将鼓励学生成为独立的调查与监督，情景和非正式的指导技术。PI将指导研究生进行创新研究，并在区域和国家会议上传播研究结果。本科夏季研究机会将在她的实验室提供;研究生将有机会监督本科生。PI将监督和发展工程本科研究人员为今天的劳动力。PI还将继续与当地高中学生和她所在领域代表性不足的学生建立研究指导关系。最后，通过当地的研讨会和参与社区计划和区域科学博览会，PI希望激励K-12学生追求科学和工程事业。

1032388Asa-AwukuThe PI proposes to develop a novel and transformative measurement and modeling technique to investigate the ability of organic components to take up water in the atmosphere. The results of the project will have significant implications in air quality, climate, and health. As such, the results will be incorporated into a long-term research plan relevant to the priorities of the NSF CBET program. The success of this project will result in unique cross-cutting research and educational opportunities to broaden the participation of all citizens in engineering related research.Intellectual MeritThe interactions of organic components and water are not well understood. Hence the uptake of water on organic surfaces has yet to be fully characterized. As a result, non-idealities are often parameterized, but models using this approach fail to reproduce observations in the laboratory and in the field. The PI proposes to explore the physicochemical properties of organic components and directly compare them with high-resolution particle mass spectral fragments. Graduate and undergraduate engineering students will study the thermodynamic and interfacial phenomena of non-ideal organic mixtures. Students will measure volatility, surfactant, and solubility properties. These measurements will be used to understand and develop a new organic hygroscopicity model. In future work, the model and experimental methodologies will be applied to atmospheric aerosol studies. The PI and her students will conduct this research in a state-of-the-art air pollution laboratory at the UC Riverside Bourns College of Engineering- Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). This facility will provide opportunities for the research team to interact with worldwide air pollution research community - scientists and engineers from academic institutions, government agencies, and industry. As the results are developed, these interactions provide a mechanism for disseminating the research for faster incorporation into air quality and climate modeling.Broader ImpactsAs an African-American female engineer at one of America's few research-intensive Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), the PI will act as a role model and mentor to a diverse group of students. Because air quality and the environmental implications of public health are important public issues in the Riverside area, east of Los Angeles, UCR's experience has been that research in this field attracts young people from traditionally underrepresented communities. The PI will show prospective students how they can have an impact on the quality of life in their communities and globally. She will encourage students to become independent investigators with supervisory, situational and informal mentoring techniques. The PI will guide graduate students to conduct innovative research and disseminate findings at regional and national conferences. Undergraduate summer research opportunities will be available in her laboratory; graduate students will have the opportunity to supervise undergraduates. The PI will supervise and develop engineering undergraduate researchers for today's workforce. The PI will also continue her research-mentoring relationships with local high school students and underrepresented students in her field. Lastly, through local seminars and involvement in community programs and regional science fairs, the PI hopes to inspire K-12 students to pursue careers in science and engineering.