Atmospheric Aerosol Research (IMK-AAF)
Welcome to the department "Atmospheric Aerosol Research" of the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Our research focuses on the role of aerosols in the climate system, the hydrological cycle, and the environment.
The IMK-AAF
- operates the internationally renowned AIDA aerosol and cloud simulation chamber
- runs laboratories for aerosol and cloud research
- participates in ground-based and aircraft field campaigns around the world
The head of the division, Thomas Leisner, is professor at the Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Heidelberg
In June and July 2023, we measure the number, size, composition and ice nucleation capacity of aerosol particles on the Feldberg (1493 m asl.). Within the framework of the Swabian MOSES campaign, we investigate in particular the role of aerosols in extreme weather events.
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In July and August 2023, our cloud chamber PINE (Portable Ice Nucleation Experiment) is measuring ice nucleating particles (INPs) at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch, next to the INP-instrument HINC-auto (automated Horizontal Ice Nucleation Chamber) operated by ETH Zürich. This is a first campaign to validate INP instruments used within the ACTRIS Cloud In Situ network.
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Under the motto safe.clean.use, the KIT Climate and Environment Center organizes the Knowledge Week Environment & Resources from July 03 - 08, 2023, in the Triangle, Karlsruhe, and highlights topics on soil, water, subsurface, and air.
On the "Family & Friends Day", a cloud can be generated with the model of the Atmospheric Simulation Chamber AIDA and thus the role of aerosols and fine dust on cloud formation and climate can be explored.
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Recently, the AIDA Atmospheric Simulation Chamber celebrated its 25th year of operation. For the anniversary, we produced a virtual tour of the AIDA laboratory in collaboration with the KIT Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (ZML).
Explore the worldwide unique AIDA Atmospheric Simulation Chamber virtually, take a look inside the chamber and learn more about different measuring instruments and methods in the daily work of our scientists during your tour.
The European Commission has awarded the ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure) research infrastructure its ERIC status.
The IMK-AAF is leading the topical center "Cloud in-situ" for the direct measurement of cloud processes, together with colleagues from the Leibniz-Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Leipzig and the Sonnblick Observatory (Geopshere Austria), Vienna.
We are joining the long-term project of Naruki Hiranuma (WTAMU) at the italian Gruvebadet Atmospheric Observatory with our PINE chamber to investigate the ice-nucleating particle (INP) population in the high Arctic. The high Arctic is the fastest changing environment on Earth due to Arctic amplification. Sea ice melting and permafrost thawing affect the aerosol population and in turn the climate and the weather.
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