May 2021 Optical and morphological properties of soot particles generated by the miniCAST 5201 BC generator Michaela Ess and colleagues at project partners METAS and PSI have produced a new paper Optical and morphological properties of soot particles generated by the miniCAST 5201 BC generator. A copy of the paper can be found here and at the Aerosol Science and Technology site. The paper is also available from our Documents page. November 2020 Successful final project meeting and stakeholder meeting for Black Carbon http://www.empirblackcarbon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/11/16ENV02-Black-Carbon-stakeholder-teleconference.mp4 A successful final project meeting and stakeholder meeting for the Black Carbon project was held earlier today. Project Co-Ordinator Paul Quincey (NPL) took the stakeholders through an introduction to the project, and this was followed by presentations on WP1 by Thomas Müller (TROPOS); WP2 by Jorge Saturno (PTB) and WP3 by Kostas Eleftheriadis (NCSR Demokritos) with much discussion on the work with the stakeholders after the presentations. You can watch the meeting in full above. The PowerPoint presentation provided at the meeting is available to download here, and also from our Documents and Publications page. The Black Carbon Project Team (photo taken at the M27 meeting October 2019) March 2020 Lab work for the partners under WP3 Above are photos of work being performed under Task 3.3 of WP3. Illustrated above is the Black Carbon mini-CAST generation system setup, the mixing chamber, and the absorption/scattering/black carbon instruments deployed for parallel measurements at the ERL NCSR Demokritos lab. The aim of this task is to test the practicality of proposed calibration methods in the field, and also to assess the stability and reproducibility of calibrated systems at a wide range of ambient concentrations, typically up to 50 Mm-1. This will investigate the way different field conditions may affect instrument accuracy and the associated uncertainty. Targeted field trials will be implemented in at least two very different atmospheric environments using the commonly used techniques for BC measurements in Europe. January 2020 Publishable Summary for 16ENV02 Black Carbon Metrology for light absorption by atmospheric aerosols The Third Publishable Summary is now available here and over on our Documents and Publications page. January 2020 A Notable Paper for Black Carbon Congratulations to Michaela N. Ess and Konstantina Vasilatou of project partner METAS. Their paper, Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm has been selected by the Editorial Advisory Board of Aerosol Science and Technology as a Notable Paper of 2019. The paper originally appeared in Aerosol Science and Technology ,Volume 53, No. 1, January 2019. January 2020 Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) Konstantina Vasilatou and Michaela Ess of project partner METAS have produced an article on the new miniCAST generator. Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) is available for download at METinfo, the trade journal of METAS. The article (in Deutsch) also fully acknowledges the EMPIR funding of the Black Carbon project. September 2019 Black Carbon EAC 2019 Krzysztof Ciupek of project partner NPL recently presented a poster on their work at a poster session at the European Aerosol Conference 2019 (https://eac2019.se/), held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The poster Recent Developments in the UK Black Carbon Network – Long Term Changes in BC/EC ratios is available here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. The EAC2019 presented an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. July 2019 Black Carbon at Métrologie des Suies Workshop Konstantina Vasilatou, of project partner METAS recently provided an oral presentation at the “Métrologie des suies” (Metrology of soot particles) workshop which took place at the institute INSTN in Saclay, Paris. Konstantina’s presentation, Generation and characterisation of model soot aerosols for instrument calibration and health effect studies was put together with Michaela Ess (METAS), Alejandro Keller (FHNW), Michele Bertò (Paul Scherrer Institut) and Martin Gysel-Beer (Paul Scherrer Institut). The INSTN, Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires (National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology) is a public higher education institution administered by the CEA (French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission) under the joint authority of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of the Economy, Industry and the Digital Sector and the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs. June 2019 Black Carbon at the ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles 2019 Project partners METAS and PTB recently provided posters to the 23rd ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles which took place from June 17th – 20th, 2019 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland.Jorge Saturno of project partner PTB provided Comparison of different soot generators: Towards a standard reference material for aerosol absorption . And Michaela Ess of METAS provided Optical and morphological characterization of “miniCAST 5201 BC”-soot. Both are available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. April 2019 Black Carbon at the ICCPA 2019 Project partners PTB and TROPOS recently provided poster presentations at the 12th International Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere (ICCPA) 2019, which took place from the 3 – 6 April 2019 in Vienna, Austria. Jorge Saturno of PTB provided A potential reference standard for black carbon absorption measurements: Investigations on the optical properties and morphology of propane-driven soot aerosol – the poster is available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. Baseerat Romshoo of TROPOS provided Optical Properties of Black Carbon Aggregates: Parallel Experimental and Numerical Study – this poster is also available to download here and from our Documents and Publications page. The first ‘Carbon Conference’ was held in Berkeley in 1978. Later, this series was continued with alternating conferences in U.S. and Austria. The 40-year history of the ‘Carbon Conferences’ illustrates the growing interest and knowledge about carbonaceous particulate matter in the atmosphere. At the recent ICCPA, topics for discussion include analytical techniques and methods, source characterization and source apportionment, aerosol concentrations, trends and transport – measurements and models, secondary organic aerosol formation, optical properties of carbonaceous aerosols, radiative forcing and climate and carbonaceous CCN and INPs. March 2019 Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols A new paper from the Black Carbon Project has been produced for the European Aerosol Conference (EAC) this coming August. Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols by Rob Modini, Nicolas Bukowiecki, Martin Irwin, Prodromos Fetfatzis, Kostas Eleftheriadis, Bas Henzing, Marcel Moerman and Martin Gysel-Beer is now available over on our Documents and publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. EAC2019 presents an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. February 2019 Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique Martin Irwin and Martin Beer Gysel of project partner PSI (Paul Scherrer Institut) presented an abstract derived from the project to the 2018 Cambridge Particle Meeting, held at the Cambridge University Engineering Department last June. The talk was well received at a meeting that since its inception in 1988, has grown to attract researchers in a wide range of aerosol and particle disciplines from around the world. Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique by Martin Irwin, Joel C. Corbin, Fengshan Liu, Rob Modini and Martin Gysel can be found here, and also over on our Documents and Publications page. January 2019 A successful M18 Project Meeting for Black Carbon The Black Carbon project team in Braunschweig, Germany A successful M18 Black Carbon Project meeting took place in Braunschweig, Germany on the 5-6 December 2018. The meeting was hosted by project partner PTB. The partners came together to look at the work that had been completed between April – December on the project and also to look ahead at the work required towards M27 (September 2019). November 2018 Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm A new paper from the Black Carbon project has been published in the Aerosol Science and Technology journal. Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm by M. N. Ess, and K. Vasilatou of project partner METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) is available to download from Aerosol Science and Technology and also from our Documents and Publications page. September 2018 Black Carbon at the International Aerosol Conference Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 10th International Aerosol Conference, September 2-7, 2018 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Two posters were presented. The first poster; Laboratory-generated coated soot aerosols with tunable physical, chemical and optical properties using a CAST generator and a portable Micro Smog Chamber by M. N. Ess, A. Keller, A. Kimak, H. Burtscher and K. Vasilatou was put together by partners from METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) and FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz). The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options was put together by METAS. The IAC is held once every four years by an aerosol association on behalf of the International Aerosol Research Assembly (IARA), and rotates between Asia, Europe and America. The IAC attracts attendees from all over the world, sharing the latest in aerosol science and technology research. June 2018 Black Carbon at the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles, June 18th – 21st, 2018 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Two posters were presented. The first poster Metrology for light absorption by atmospheric aerosols: The EMPIR Black Carbon project by Eija Asmi, Joel C. Corbin, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, François Gaie-Levrel, Martin Gysel, Thomas Müller, Andreas Nowak, Konstantina Vasilatou, Ernest Weingartner and Paul Quincey provided a description of the aims and content of the project. The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options by M. N. Ess and K. Vasilatou was awarded with a poster prize. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. December 2017 Black Carbon at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference Paul Quincey of project partner NPL, recently presented on the project at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference at the Royal Society of Chemistry. 2017 has seen issues relating to poor air quality which continues to remain high on the public and political agendas. While there is general consensus on the benefits of reducing ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter, there are many open questions about the priorities for maximum health benefits, the changing sources of these pollutants, and the best ways to reduce exposure to the public. All these questions need to be addressed using reliable evidence.Building on the success of this long-running annual event, and continuing the direct link with the work of Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), the conference presented an update on a range of relevant topics. As in previous conferences, the presenters included internationally recognised experts, providing a broad and up-to-date survey of the measurement, regulatory and scientific issues affecting air quality. Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) Konstantina Vasilatou and Michaela Ess of project partner METAS have produced an article on the new miniCAST generator. Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) is available for download at METinfo, the trade journal of METAS. The article (Deutsch) also fully acknowledges the EMPIR funding of the Black Carbon project. October 2019 Black Carbon EAC 2019 Krzysztof Ciupek of project partner NPL recently presented a poster on their work at a poster session at the European Aerosol Conference 2019 (https://eac2019.se/), held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The poster Recent Developments in the UK Black Carbon Network – Long Term Changes in BC/EC ratios is available here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. The EAC2019 presented an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. July 2019 Black Carbon at Métrologie des Suies Workshop Konstantina Vasilatou, of project partner METAS recently provided an oral presentation at the “Métrologie des suies” (Metrology of soot particles) workshop which took place at the institute INSTN in Saclay, Paris. Konstantina’s presentation, Generation and characterisation of model soot aerosols for instrument calibration and health effect studies was put together with Michaela Ess (METAS), Alejandro Keller (FHNW), Michele Bertò (Paul Scherrer Institut) and Martin Gysel-Beer (Paul Scherrer Institut). The INSTN, Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires (National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology) is a public higher education institution administered by the CEA (French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission) under the joint authority of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of the Economy, Industry and the Digital Sector and the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs. June 2019 Black Carbon at the ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles 2019 Project partners METAS and PTB recently provided posters to the 23rd ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles which took place from June 17th – 20th, 2019 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland.Jorge Saturno of project partner PTB provided Comparison of different soot generators: Towards a standard reference material for aerosol absorption . And Michaela Ess of METAS provided Optical and morphological characterization of “miniCAST 5201 BC”-soot. Both are available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. April 2019 Black Carbon at the ICCPA 2019 Project partners PTB and TROPOS recently provided poster presentations at the 12th International Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere (ICCPA) 2019, which took place from the 3 – 6 April 2019 in Vienna, Austria. Jorge Saturno of PTB provided A potential reference standard for black carbon absorption measurements: Investigations on the optical properties and morphology of propane-driven soot aerosol – the poster is available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. Baseerat Romshoo of TROPOS provided Optical Properties of Black Carbon Aggregates: Parallel Experimental and Numerical Study – this poster is also available to download here and from our Documents and Publications page. The first ‘Carbon Conference’ was held in Berkeley in 1978. Later, this series was continued with alternating conferences in U.S. and Austria. The 40-year history of the ‘Carbon Conferences’ illustrates the growing interest and knowledge about carbonaceous particulate matter in the atmosphere. At the recent ICCPA, topics for discussion include analytical techniques and methods, source characterization and source apportionment, aerosol concentrations, trends and transport – measurements and models, secondary organic aerosol formation, optical properties of carbonaceous aerosols, radiative forcing and climate and carbonaceous CCN and INPs. March 2019 Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols A new paper from the Black Carbon Project has been produced for the European Aerosol Conference (EAC) this coming August. Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols by Rob Modini, Nicolas Bukowiecki, Martin Irwin, Prodromos Fetfatzis, Kostas Eleftheriadis, Bas Henzing, Marcel Moerman and Martin Gysel-Beer is now available over on our Documents and publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. EAC2019 presents an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. February 2019 Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique Martin Irwin and Martin Beer Gysel of project partner PSI (Paul Scherrer Institut) presented an abstract derived from the project to the 2018 Cambridge Particle Meeting, held at the Cambridge University Engineering Department last June. The talk was well received at a meeting that since its inception in 1988, has grown to attract researchers in a wide range of aerosol and particle disciplines from around the world. Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique by Martin Irwin, Joel C. Corbin, Fengshan Liu, Rob Modini and Martin Gysel can be found here, and also over on our Documents and Publications page. January 2019 A successful M18 Project Meeting for Black Carbon The Black Carbon project team in Braunschweig, Germany A successful M18 Black Carbon Project meeting took place in Braunschweig, Germany on the 5-6 December 2018. The meeting was hosted by project partner PTB. The partners came together to look at the work that had been completed between April – December on the project and also to look ahead at the work required towards M27 (September 2019). November 2018 Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm A new paper from the Black Carbon project has been published in the Aerosol Science and Technology journal. Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm by M. N. Ess, and K. Vasilatou of project partner METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) is available to download from Aerosol Science and Technology and also from our Documents and Publications page. September 2018 Black Carbon at the International Aerosol Conference Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 10th International Aerosol Conference, September 2-7, 2018 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Two posters were presented. The first poster; Laboratory-generated coated soot aerosols with tunable physical, chemical and optical properties using a CAST generator and a portable Micro Smog Chamber by M. N. Ess, A. Keller, A. Kimak, H. Burtscher and K. Vasilatou was put together by partners from METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) and FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz). The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options was put together by METAS. The IAC is held once every four years by an aerosol association on behalf of the International Aerosol Research Assembly (IARA), and rotates between Asia, Europe and America. The IAC attracts attendees from all over the world, sharing the latest in aerosol science and technology research. June 2018 Black Carbon at the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles, June 18th – 21st, 2018 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Two posters were presented. The first poster Metrology for light absorption by atmospheric aerosols: The EMPIR Black Carbon project by Eija Asmi, Joel C. Corbin, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, François Gaie-Levrel, Martin Gysel, Thomas Müller, Andreas Nowak, Konstantina Vasilatou, Ernest Weingartner and Paul Quincey provided a description of the aims and content of the project. The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options by M. N. Ess and K. Vasilatou was awarded with a poster prize. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. December 2017 Black Carbon at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference Paul Quincey of project partner NPL, recently presented on the project at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference at the Royal Society of Chemistry. 2017 has seen issues relating to poor air quality which continues to remain high on the public and political agendas. While there is general consensus on the benefits of reducing ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter, there are many open questions about the priorities for maximum health benefits, the changing sources of these pollutants, and the best ways to reduce exposure to the public. All these questions need to be addressed using reliable evidence.Building on the success of this long-running annual event, and continuing the direct link with the work of Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), the conference presented an update on a range of relevant topics. As in previous conferences, the presenters included internationally recognised experts, providing a broad and up-to-date survey of the measurement, regulatory and scientific issues affecting air quality. Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) Konstantina Vasilatou and Michaela Ess of project partner METAS have produced an article on the new miniCAST generator. Die künstliche Erzeugung von Russpartikeln (The Artificial Production of Soot Particles) is available for download at METinfo, the trade journal of METAS. The article (Deutsch) also fully acknowledges the EMPIR funding of the Black Carbon project. September 2019 Black Carbon EAC 2019 Krzysztof Ciupek of project partner NPL recently presented a poster on their work at a poster session at the European Aerosol Conference 2019 (https://eac2019.se/), held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The poster Recent Developments in the UK Black Carbon Network – Long Term Changes in BC/EC ratios is available here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. The EAC2019 presented an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. July 2019 Black Carbon at Métrologie des Suies Workshop Konstantina Vasilatou, of project partner METAS recently provided an oral presentation at the “Métrologie des suies” (Metrology of soot particles) workshop which took place at the institute INSTN in Saclay, Paris. Konstantina’s presentation, Generation and characterisation of model soot aerosols for instrument calibration and health effect studies was put together with Michaela Ess (METAS), Alejandro Keller (FHNW), Michele Bertò (Paul Scherrer Institut) and Martin Gysel-Beer (Paul Scherrer Institut). The INSTN, Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires (National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology) is a public higher education institution administered by the CEA (French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission) under the joint authority of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of the Economy, Industry and the Digital Sector and the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs. June 2019 Black Carbon at the ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles 2019 Project partners METAS and PTB recently provided posters to the 23rd ETH-Conference on Combustion Generated Nanoparticles which took place from June 17th – 20th, 2019 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland.Jorge Saturno of project partner PTB provided Comparison of different soot generators: Towards a standard reference material for aerosol absorption . And Michaela Ess of METAS provided Optical and morphological characterization of “miniCAST 5201 BC”-soot. Both are available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. April 2019 Black Carbon at the ICCPA 2019 Project partners PTB and TROPOS recently provided poster presentations at the 12th International Conference on Carbonaceous Particles in the Atmosphere (ICCPA) 2019, which took place from the 3 – 6 April 2019 in Vienna, Austria. Jorge Saturno of PTB provided A potential reference standard for black carbon absorption measurements: Investigations on the optical properties and morphology of propane-driven soot aerosol – the poster is available to download here and also from our Documents and Publications page. Baseerat Romshoo of TROPOS provided Optical Properties of Black Carbon Aggregates: Parallel Experimental and Numerical Study – this poster is also available to download here and from our Documents and Publications page. The first ‘Carbon Conference’ was held in Berkeley in 1978. Later, this series was continued with alternating conferences in U.S. and Austria. The 40-year history of the ‘Carbon Conferences’ illustrates the growing interest and knowledge about carbonaceous particulate matter in the atmosphere. At the recent ICCPA, topics for discussion include analytical techniques and methods, source characterization and source apportionment, aerosol concentrations, trends and transport – measurements and models, secondary organic aerosol formation, optical properties of carbonaceous aerosols, radiative forcing and climate and carbonaceous CCN and INPs. March 2019 Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols A new paper from the Black Carbon Project has been produced for the European Aerosol Conference (EAC) this coming August. Detailed performance assessment of the CAPS single scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-based instrument for measuring light absorption by aerosols by Rob Modini, Nicolas Bukowiecki, Martin Irwin, Prodromos Fetfatzis, Kostas Eleftheriadis, Bas Henzing, Marcel Moerman and Martin Gysel-Beer is now available over on our Documents and publications page. The EAC conferences offer an exciting discussion forum for scientists from around the world working with basic aerosol research, development of aerosol techniques or applying one of its several techniques in a rich variety of scientific topics. The topics include nanotechnology, combustion aerosols, chemistry and physics of aerosols, medicine (inhalation, exposure and health), instrumentation, as well as indoor and ambient aerosols. EAC2019 presents an opportunity to learn more about the latest in theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of aerosol science. February 2019 Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique Martin Irwin and Martin Beer Gysel of project partner PSI (Paul Scherrer Institut) presented an abstract derived from the project to the 2018 Cambridge Particle Meeting, held at the Cambridge University Engineering Department last June. The talk was well received at a meeting that since its inception in 1988, has grown to attract researchers in a wide range of aerosol and particle disciplines from around the world. Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties of in situ aerosol absorption measurements with the extinction-minus-scattering technique by Martin Irwin, Joel C. Corbin, Fengshan Liu, Rob Modini and Martin Gysel can be found here, and also over on our Documents and Publications page. January 2019 A successful M18 Project Meeting for Black Carbon The Black Carbon project team in Braunschweig, Germany A successful M18 Black Carbon Project meeting took place in Braunschweig, Germany on the 5-6 December 2018. The meeting was hosted by project partner PTB. The partners came together to look at the work that had been completed between April – December on the project and also to look ahead at the work required towards M27 (September 2019). November 2018 Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm A new paper from the Black Carbon project has been published in the Aerosol Science and Technology journal. Characterization of a new miniCAST with diffusion flame and premixed flame options: Generation of particles with high EC content in the size range 30 nm to 200 nm by M. N. Ess, and K. Vasilatou of project partner METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) is available to download from Aerosol Science and Technology and also from our Documents and Publications page. September 2018 Black Carbon at the International Aerosol Conference Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 10th International Aerosol Conference, September 2-7, 2018 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Two posters were presented. The first poster; Laboratory-generated coated soot aerosols with tunable physical, chemical and optical properties using a CAST generator and a portable Micro Smog Chamber by M. N. Ess, A. Keller, A. Kimak, H. Burtscher and K. Vasilatou was put together by partners from METAS (Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS) and FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz). The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options was put together by METAS. The IAC is held once every four years by an aerosol association on behalf of the International Aerosol Research Assembly (IARA), and rotates between Asia, Europe and America. The IAC attracts attendees from all over the world, sharing the latest in aerosol science and technology research. June 2018 Black Carbon at the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles Members of the project consortium were in attendance for the 22nd ETH Conference on combustion generated nanoparticles, June 18th – 21st, 2018 at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Two posters were presented. The first poster Metrology for light absorption by atmospheric aerosols: The EMPIR Black Carbon project by Eija Asmi, Joel C. Corbin, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, François Gaie-Levrel, Martin Gysel, Thomas Müller, Andreas Nowak, Konstantina Vasilatou, Ernest Weingartner and Paul Quincey provided a description of the aims and content of the project. The second poster; Characterization of a New MiniCAST Generator (Model 5201 Type BC) Offering Both Diffusion and Premixed Flame Options by M. N. Ess and K. Vasilatou was awarded with a poster prize. The ETH Conference on Combustion-Generated Nanoparticles serves as an interdisciplinary platform for expert discussions on all aspects of nanoparticles, freshly emitted from various sources, aged in ambient air, technical mitigation aspects, impact of particles on health, environment and climate and particle legislation. The conference brings together representatives from research, industry and legislation. December 2017 Black Carbon at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference Paul Quincey of project partner NPL, recently presented on the project at the Monitoring Ambient Air 2017 conference at the Royal Society of Chemistry. 2017 has seen issues relating to poor air quality which continues to remain high on the public and political agendas. While there is general consensus on the benefits of reducing ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter, there are many open questions about the priorities for maximum health benefits, the changing sources of these pollutants, and the best ways to reduce exposure to the public. All these questions need to be addressed using reliable evidence.Building on the success of this long-running annual event, and continuing the direct link with the work of Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), the conference presented an update on a range of relevant topics. As in previous conferences, the presenters included internationally recognised experts, providing a broad and up-to-date survey of the measurement, regulatory and scientific issues affecting air quality.
