Air Quality
Our team advances air quality science and technology through lab and field studies and by developing and applying models to understand fundamental processes and practical applications. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, we support energy technologies, inform consumer choices, and enable secure buildings.
Air Quality Science & Technology
We conduct research on cutting-edge technologies to assess air quality and develop effective control strategies. We develop novel air sensors and design sensor networks to study exposure in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments.
Evaluating Control Technologies on Heavy-Duty Trucks
- Heavy-duty trucks play a vital role in freight transportation, and technologies like diesel particle filters and selective catalytic reduction have great potential to improve air quality.
- Berkeley Lab researchers measured gaseous and particulate pollutants to assess the impacts of control technologies, documenting significant reduction in black carbon and nitrogen oxide.
Novel Black Carbon Sensor for Air Quality Monitoring Networks
- Berkeley Lab researchers designed the Aerosol Black Carbon Detector (ABCD) to measure this important component of particulate matter at scale, enabling long-term, remote operation with data communication and a rechargeable battery.
- This first-of-its-kind sensor enables data gathering at high spatial resolution that was not possible with traditional technology, with advanced data processing methodology applied to improve stability in handling temperature fluctuations.
Atmospheric Modeling & Impact Assessment
- Characterization of source-receptor relationships by capturing meteorology and chemistry interactions aims to determine the most effective control strategies for specific geographic regions.
- Linking energy system simulation tools with atmospheric models for end to end analysis of intervention impacts on the chemical environment and health outcomes.
Airflow and Air Quality in Buildings
Our researchers focus on understanding the complex interactions between indoor airflow, contaminant transport, and energy use in buildings. By applying building science and engineering principles, we aim to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and develop effective emergency response strategies.
- We run models and conduct experiments to analyze and predict airflow and pollutant transport in buildings, with applications including choosing optimal sampling location to detect sudden releases of pollutants, utilizing sensor data to infer source strength and location, and recommending shelter-in-place strategies.
- We develop tools to advance the modeling of airflows in whole-building energy simulation tools, such as EnergyPlus, enabling more accurate prediction of energy use associated with heating, cooling, and ventilation.
For more information, please visit indoor.lbl.gov.