Welcome to the Pratt Lab blog! Dr. Kerri Pratt is an assistant professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Sciences and faculty associate of the Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan. We study the chemical interactions of atmospheric trace gases, particles, clouds, and snow, with a focus on the Polar Regions and wintertime environments. Our interdisciplinary research has relevance to climate change, air quality, and human health. As an analytical chemistry lab, we primarily apply novel mass spectrometry techniques to our field research. We invite you to follow our adventures in (and outside!) the lab!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

ATOFMS from Clarkson University!

While at the Atmospheric Chemistry Gordon Research Conference in July, Prof. Kerri Pratt and Prof. Andy Ault had a fantastic discussion with Prof. Philip Hopke at Clarkson University that led to our recent trip to Potsdam, NY!  Prof. Hopke is the Bayard D. Clarkson Distinguished Professor and the director of the Clarkson University Center for Air Resources Engineering & Science and Institute for a Sustainable Environment.
 
Prof. Hopke is graciously loaning us his aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) for the real-time measurement of the size and chemistry of individual atmospheric particles.  During the trip, Prof. Pratt and Prof. Ault also met with many fantastic engineering faculty whose research focuses on atmospheric particles relating to human health and air quality, and gave seminars in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Beautiful fall colors in Potsdam, NY from the view of our rental box truck.
Prof. Phil Hopke, Prof. Andy Ault, & Prof. Kerri Pratt with the ATOFMS at Clarkson University.
Getting ready to drive back to Michigan - Prof. Kerri Pratt with the ATOFMS in the box truck.
Chemistry graduate student Nate May posing with the ATOFMS at the University of Michigan.  Nate's rotation project will focus on getting the instrument running in tip-top shape!
Thank you very much Prof. Phil Hopke!  We are incredibly grateful for your generosity!

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