New particle formation (NPF) forms around half of atmospheric aerosol particles that act as cloud condensation nuclei. To this date, aerosol particle formation studies have concentrated in the identification of precursors and concentrations of anions and negatively charged neutral molecules and clusters. However, without stabilizing compounds such as ammonia or amines, the initial clusters are not formed at all. This study aims toward conceptual fulfillment of new particle formation from aerosol precursors and clusters by observations of the under-investigated composition of cations, molecules and clusters. In this project, I aim toward major improvement in the accuracy and reliability of atmospheric base measurements, and solving the puzzling, almost a million-fold, discrepancy in reported ambient base concentrations that depends on the method used to measure the concentration.

2020

2021