Welcome to the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Aerosol Research! We are one of the leading research institutes in the field of atmospheric aerosol processes in Germany.
Our team is dedicated to researching the microphysical, chemical and optical properties of aerosols. Through our work, we gain valuable insights into the role of aerosols in the atmosphere and their influence on cloud formation, climate and air quality, thus making a significant contribution to the further development of weather and climate models.
A particular research interest at the institute is the role of aerosols in the formation of ice particles.
For our research, we conduct comprehensive basic research in laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment. We also use large atmospheric simulation chambers to investigate complex atmospheric processes under controlled conditions. In addition, we conduct field experiments to analyze local situations and their specific influences in detail.
AIDA cloud microphysics aerosol ice formation SOA air quality ACTRIS aging composition & morphology radiative effect climate INP ice nucleation COSIMA single droplet VOCs ESEM ice crystals LiDAR atmosphere nano science climate engineering
For almost 30 years, the KIT cloud chamber AIDA (Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere) was used for research on atmospheric aerosol and cloud processes. The research facility currently undergoes a complete renovation and will be replaced by the new atmospheric simulation chamber AIDAc2, where ‘”c2” stands for “cold and clean”. A major milestone of this project was reached on 29 September 2025, when the cloud chamber with a diameter of 4 m and a height of 7.5 m was moved from its place in the facility to the street in front of the building for its segmentation and proper disposal.
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PINEair is a new version of the Portable Ice Nucleation Experiment PINE for aircraft-based measurements of ice-nucleating particles (INPs). For the first time, the instrument measures INPs onboard the German research aircraft HALO during the HALO-SOUTH mission, which targets aerosol-cloud interaction in the Southern Ocean region between New Zealand and Antarctica.
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An international consortium of scientists studies the atmospheric exchange processes, dynamics, and chemistry in the alpine region from southern Germany to northern Italy in the TEAMx project. From June to July of 2025, we will contribute dedicated measurements of trace gases, aerosol particles, and ice nucleating particles to better understand their concentrations, composition, sources, and impact on air quality, clouds, and the formation of strong convection.
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The article Secondary ice production – no evidence of efficient rime-splintering mechanism coauthored by the scientists from Cloud Microphysics Group at IMKAAF and Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS, Leipzig), was selected as one of the three runners-up for the 2024 ACP Paul Crutzen Publication Award from more than 1300 articles submitted in 2024.
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The atmosphere in the Netherlands is containing relatively high levels of reactive nitrogen compounds. Theses can alter the cloud condensation nuclei properties of aerosol particles and hence cloud properties. Therefore, we measured in April 2025 ammonia, volatile organic compounds and aerosol particle composition at two differently polluted locations in the Netherlands and also via a helicopter platform in the international CAINA project.
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Under the motto "Atmospheric Physics: From Weather to Storms", girls from the 5th to 8th grade were able to gain interesting insights into the diverse work of atmospheric researchers at KIT on Girl's Day on April 3, 2025. The workshop was jointly organized and supervised by members of IMKAAF and IMKTRO.
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