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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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