Ault Laboratory

External Funding (left) Internal Funding (above)

Our research focuses on improving our understanding of the impacts atmospheric aerosols and engineered nanoparticles on climate and health effects at a fundamental molecular level and connecting to observations from the ambient environment. By integrating field measurements, laboratory measurements on field samples, and laboratory measurements on proxies, this integrated approach is allowing us to tackle important atmospheric processes:

Ault Lab Summer 2025:

Back (from left to right): Rebecca Parham, Randi Libin-Straub, Evan Dalton, Ali Alotbi, Carlie Poworoznek

Front (from left to right): Katie Kolozsvari, Mia Kaufmann, Grace Young, Abby Ayala, Kayleigh Reilly, Cara Waters

Not Pictured: Holly Lawson, Andrew Ault

Aerosol acidity: Developing new methods for measuring acidity in individual particles and determining impacts on heterogeneous and multiphase chemistry for particles ranging from secondary organic aerosol (SOA) to sea spray aerosol (SSA) and more
Aerosol phase state (liquid, viscous, or glassy particles) and liquid-liquid phase separations in the laboratory, chamber studies and field.
Lake spray aerosol (LSA) and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs): aerosols emitted from freshwater lakes are a recently identified source of aerosols. The Ault Laboratory is focused on understanding how these particles impact health during cHABs and climate by acting as cloud condensation nuclei or ice nuclei.
Aerosol sources in urban mega-cities and aging downwind of urban areas in locations including New York City and downwind in Connecticut, Delhi, India, Mexico City
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in rural regions including northern Michigan and Alabama.
The impact of remote and long range transported aerosols on remote locations (Australia, Rockies, Caribbean, etc.)
Impact of engineered nanoparticles on human health

To determine their physicochemical properties, continuing chemical evolution in the atmosphere, and their subsequent deposition/inhalation at the earth's surface on global to neighborhood scales, we use a wide of array of analytical/physical measurement techniques, including:

Raman Microspectroscopy - detailed analysis of vibrational spectra at the single particle level for atmospherically relevant sizes, providing functional group information and morphological information at ambient pressure
Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) Spectroscopy (w/Raman) - infrared spectra collected by changes in the elastic scattering of a visible laser that enables analysis of particles down to < 1 micron in spatial resolution. Simultaneous Raman spectra are also collected from the inelastic scattering (Stokes), providing complementary vibrational information.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Nano Thermal Analysis (NanoTA) - Imaging (height, phase, amplitude) using traditional scanning probe microscopy methods, as well melting temperature for individual particles down to < 100 nm through using a resistively heated AFM tip.
AFM with Infrared Spectroscopy (AFM-PTIR) - ambient temperature and pressure imaging and photothermal vibrational spectra.
Scanning Electron Microscopy/Transmission Electron Microscopy - particle imaging, along with elemental information from energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and chemical speciation from electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)
Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy for analysis of trace gas species (ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water vapor).
Optical Trapping and Raman Scattering - trapping of individual airborne particles using a continuous wave laser with imaging and collection of Raman (Stokes) spectra.
Atmospheric and liquid particle size distributions from a range of aerosol and particle instrumentation.
Liquid Chromatography with High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry - We use multiple methods for bulk analysis of samples with mass spectrometry, including hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for highly oxygenated species with high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HILIC-HR-QTOFMS) and reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for analysis of toxins and peptides from cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs).

This interdisciplinary research involves collaborating with researchers in many fields, including atmospheric science, industrial hygiene, civil and environmental engineering, epidemiology, and oceanography. The broad aim of our group is to provide chemical information that can be used to reduce aerosol uncertainties by improving representation in climate models and increasing understanding of the chemistry behind negative health effects.

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