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Passig Lab

Aerosol/Laser-Mass Spectrometry

Aerosol/Laser-MS research activities include single-particle mass spectrometry of ambient aerosols, laser ionization of complex gas mixtures and particles, and ultrafast laser ablation and ionization in mass spectrometry.
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About our Research

Aerosols play an important role in the Earth's climate and cause a significant burden of disease and environmental impact. The physical and chemical complexity of aerosols and their constant changes (e.g., solar radiation, aging) make it difficult to assess their impact.  Our research focuses on novel real-time techniques for physical and chemical characterization of ambient aerosols.

Specific Topics

Molecular Composition of Individual Atmospheric Particles

The detection and exploration of toxic organic trace compounds on individual atmospheric particles are pioneered by our research on novel laser ionization technologies in aerosol mass spectrometry. With this technology, we identify hidden health threats from long-range transported fine particles.

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Fluorene scientific molecular model, 3D rendering

Transition Metals in the Atmosphere

Transition metals in airborne particles – we developed a technology to detect the modulators of aerosol oxidation capacity, to disclose the fluxes of micronutrients to the oceans and to identify the fingerprints of transport emissions with unprecedented sensitivity.

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Three dimensional glowing steel spheres, gray background. Abstract molecules design of metals. Scientific background for banner or flyer

Interface-Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization of Molecules on Nanoparticles

In this project of CRC 1477 ‘LIMATI’, we explore novel routes for the efficient and non-destructive laser desorption of health- and climate relevant molecules from the surface of aerosol samples and from individual (nano-)particles for their detection using mass spectrometry.

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Viruses and Molecules

Monitoring of Ship Plumes

Air pollution from ships is a severe health thread for millions of people. We are developing new technologies for the monitoring and surveillance of ship emissions in densely populated coastal regions and on the open sea.

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Smoke exhaust gas emissions from cargo lagre ship ,Marine diesel enginse exhaust gas from combustion.

Real-Time Detection of Toxic Dusts

The HazarDust project aims to develop rapid and reliable detection of synthetic opioids, narcotics and their pre- and preprecursors, as well as other low volatile hazardous substances during baggage/ship security inspections.

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Officer and detection dog checking suspicious backpack at airport

Single-particle mass spectrometry of aerosols

Particles below 200 nm in size, which can be transported deep into human lungs, e.g. pollen, are detected by the aerosol-time-of-flight (ATOF) method, which allows individual particles to be classified and assigned to specific sources.

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Time of flight mass spectrometer in closeup shot with blue light

Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on individual particles

In this project, the individual distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of single particles in aerosols and their assignment to specific pollutant sources is made possible.

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Fluorene scientific molecular model, 3D rendering

Strong field ionization of complex gaseous mixtures

The fs laser laboratory uses advanced strong-field ionization techniques for the analysis of trace gases in environmental and health-related issues.

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Movement of microparticles by beams of laser in dark lab

Femtosecond laser ablation and ionization of particles

In this project, femtosecond laser and matrix-assisted laser desorption/-ionization (MALDI) are used to open new perspectives for future environmental monitoring techniques.

Explore Project
bright green laser light going inside complicate scientific system with cooling hoses inside

Publications

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2015 Scientific Article in PLoS ONE
PLoS ONE 10:e0126536 (2015)

Oeder, S. ; Kanashova, T. ; Sippula, O. ; Sapcariu, S.C. ; Streibel, T. ; Arteaga-Salas, J.M. ; Passig, J. ; Dilger, M. ; Paur, H.R. ; Schläger, C. ; Mülhopt, S. ; Diabaté, S. ; Weiss, C. ; Stengel, B. ; Rabe, R. ; Harndorf, H. ; Torvela, T. ; Jokiniemi, J.K. ; Hirvonen, M.R. ; Schmidt-Weber, C.B. ; Traidl-Hoffmann, C. ; BéruBé, K.A. ; Wlodarczyk, A.J. ; Prytherch, Z. ; Michalke, B. ; Krebs, T. ; Prévôt, A.S. ; Kelbg, M. ; Tiggesbäumker, J. ; Karg, E.W. ; Jakobi, G. ; Scholtes, S. ; Schnelle-Kreis, J. ; Lintelmann, J. ; Matuschek, G. ; Sklorz, M. ; Klingbeil, S. ; Orasche, J. ; Richthammer, P. ; Müller, L. ; Elsasser, M. ; Reda, A. ; Gröger, T.M. ; Wefers, B. ; Schwemer, T. ; Czech, H. ; Rüger, C.P. ; Abbaszade, G. ; Radischat, C. ; Hiller, K. ; Buters, J.T.M. ; Dittmar, G. ; Zimmermann, R.

Particulate matter from both heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel shipping emissions show strong biological effects on human lung cells at realistic and comparable in vitro exposure conditions.
2015 Scientific Article in Analytical Methods
Anal. Methods 7, 3608-3617 (2015)

Kleeblatt, J. ; Stengel, B. ; Radischat, C. ; Passig, J. ; Streibel, T. ; Sippula, O. ; Rabe, R. ; Harndorf, H. ; Zimmermann, R.

Needle trap sampling thermal-desorption resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for analysis of marine diesel engine exhaust.