The Radiation Effects team, led by Dr. Thomas Müller, investigates how atmospheric aerosols influence the Earth’s radiation balance and thereby affect climate, air quality, and cloud processes. The focus is primarily on the role of light-absorbing particles such as black carbon and their interactions with clouds and radiation.
A key focus of the team’s work is the measurement and characterization of radiatively active aerosols as well as the standardization of corresponding measurement methods. In addition, the team studies how changing emission patterns, for example due to the decline of fossil fuels and increasing biomass burning, affect aerosol properties and their climatic impact. The research methods include numerical modeling of the radiative properties of specific aerosols as well as laboratory and field measurements.
STANBC is developing uniform measurement standards for black carbon in order to reduce uncertainties in data collection. An international comparative study tested the accuracy of various instruments.
CleanCloud focuses on the question of how natural aerosol processes and their interaction with clouds will develop in the post-fossil age.
LSC BioSmoke focuses on research into feedback between forest fires, aerosol chemistry and climate. The aim is to better understand the effects of smoke emissions on cloud formation, radiation and precipitation.