CLOUD Experiment at CERN discovers new mechanism for atmospheric particle formation with global implications

29.06.2026

The team led by Paul Winkler from the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Research Group at the Faculty of Physics is a partner in the CLOUD experiment and focuses primarily on studying aerosol particle growth in the initial stage immediately following particle formation through nucleation. | New paper in "Nature".

To this end, the so-called DMA train is being installed on the CLOUD chamber, which is specifically designed to quantitatively study aerosol dynamics in the relevant size range of approximately 1 to 10 nanometers. The results —together with data from other detectors—provide direct insight into the molecular components that control the growth of ultra-small nanoparticles. The results were published in Nature.

CERN Press Release: https://home.cern/cloud-experiment-resolves-puzzle-new-aerosol-particles-upper-troposphere/
Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Website: https://aerosols.univie.ac.at

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