News

Jul 15

Image of brown smoke clouds mixing with white clouds against a bright blue sky with the sun visible

Smarter predictions for smokey skies Opens in new window

Researchers in the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies investigate the inconsistent predictions about the radiative effect of biomass burning aerosols, the tiny smoke particles released when forests and agricultural fields burn.

May 27

Nightime sky with pollution rising from smokestacks at an industrial site

An Unexpected Spike in Nighttime Pollution Opens in new window

Chemical reactions previously thought to require sunlight are flourishing in the dark—and stinking up the night air.

May 08

To study air, clouds, and climate, good data goes a long way Opens in new window

Albert Presto, director of the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, used support from the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation’s hardware and software tool upgrade program to acquire a new sulfur dioxide monitor, which enables CAPS researchers to conduct critical field work and gather insightful data.

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Media mentions


Sierra Club

Adams discusses the deadly impact of heat and data centers

CEE/EPP’s Peter Adams spoke with Sierra Club about the effects that data center generators could have on surrounding communities, sharing his findings that if data centers get their power from diesel generators instead of the grid, they could cause around 500 additional premature deaths per year in the US.

Heatmap

Jen, Presto quoted on the “worst” kinds of wildfire smoke

ChemE’s Coty Jen and MechE’s Albert Presto were quoted in a Heatmap article discussing whether smoke from forest fires was less toxic than smoke from fires that burned houses and buildings. They shared what causes fire emissions to be toxic and how particles within smoke change in the atmosphere.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gordon explains how climate change is increasing rainfall

ChemE’s Hamish Gordon was quoted in a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on how climate change is increasing rainfall in the Pittsburgh region.

Chemical Engineering

Improving predictions on smoke in the sky

As wildfires and controlled land management fires release smoke into the air, researchers from the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies are investigating how to improve models for more consistent predictions on the heating and cooling effects of smoke on the atmosphere. ChemE’s Hamish Gordon was on board some of the flights to help evaluate the real-time data.

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