EAGER: Exploring Aerosol Indirect Effects in a Laboratory Cloud Chamber

Michigan Technological University, Houghton MI

Investigators

Abstract

Aerosol-cloud interactions are a primary uncertainty in our understanding of earth's weather and climate. This project addresses the question of how cloud microphysical properties respond to and alter aerosol properties. Intellectual Merit: The work will be carried out in the Pi Chamber, a laboratory cloud chamber capable of sustaining steady-state cloud conditions for long time periods (hours to days). The Pi Chamber has recently been developed with support from the NSF Major Research Instrumentation program, and this will be the first focused scientific research project utilizing the facility. The ability to study transient cloud responses to sudden changes in aerosol properties was noted during the initial characterization of the chamber, and therefore this work is exploratory in nature. It is potentially transformative because of the unique ability to isolate aerosol indirect effects by maintaining constant thermodynamic cloud forcing conditions throughout the study. Broader Impacts: The project provides a special opportunity for students and visiting middle/high-school teachers to gain experience with a large experimental facility.