News | Center for Aerosol Science and Engineering (CASE) at WashU

The decrease in PM2.5 concentrations over the North China Plain are most closely reproduced by a combination of a reduction in transportation emissions and meteorology (R) while natural variability dominated elsewhere (L). (Courtesy: NASA Earth Observatory)

Pandemic air quality affected by weather, not just lockdowns

Research shows meteorology plays an outsized role over the short-term.

06.23.2021

NASA funds Martin, Chakrabarty, for atmospheric data research

The two each received a portion of the $19.5 million earmarked for analysis, modeling.

06.23.2021

The map above shows that almost no country is untouched by the combustion of coal; only the small Pacific Island of Tokelau had zero coal-combustion related deaths in 2017. That same year, coal combustion was attributable to about 540,000 deaths worldwide. (Image: Global Burden of Disease-Major Air Pollution Sources)

New research finds 1M deaths in 2017 attributable to fossil fuel combustion

Comprehensive evaluation of source sector, fuel contributions to the PM2.5 disease burden analyzed across over 200 countries.

06.14.2021

Graduate students Esther Monroe (left) and Nishit Shetty carry out droplet experiments using a custom-built environmental rotating chamber. A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing devices to detect the virus that causes COVID-19 in the air.

Washington University researchers to design detectors of airborne SARS-CoV-2

Alzheimer’s researchers, aerosol engineer team up to develop rapid screening tools.

04.16.2021

Modeling the pandemic

WashU researchers use data to model better outcomes.

04.09.2021

New results from an atmospheric study over the eastern North Atlantic reveal that tiny aerosol particles which seed clouds can form out of next-to-nothingness over the open ocean. This image was taken on the aircraft carrying 55 different atmospheric instrument systems which took measurements over the Azores and surrounding ocean. (Courtesy photo)

Aerosol particles naturally form over the open sea

New findings about tiny aerosols will greatly improve climate models.

01.22.2021

Three McKelvey Engineering faculty named among ‘highly cited researchers’ worldwide

Randall Martin, Rohit Pappu and Lan Yang are recognized for their work by the Institute for Scientific Information.

11.19.2020

According to new research from the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, pollution may bear part of the blame for the rapid proliferation in the United States of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the spread of COVID-19.(Courtesy image)

Pollution and pandemics: A dangerous mix

Research from the lab of Rajan Chakrabarty has found a close relationship between certain pollutants and the spread of COVID-19 through the United States.

11.12.2020

WashU Expert: Forget plexiglass, debaters just need 4.5 feet, smart airflow

Four and a half feet — as long as debaters are at least this far apart, with airflow directed back at them, the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is minimal to none, say researchers at Washington University in St. Louis.

10.07.2020

Martin receives Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award from American Geophysical Union

Randall Martin has been awarded the Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award from the American Geophysical Union, recognizing his excellence in research and leadership in the atmospheric and climate sciences.

09.30.2020

The proposed network of networks will collect real-time pollution data in cities worldwide. (Credit: iStock photo)

Martin, Biswas to help establish global air pollution network

Randall Martin and Pratim Biswas join a multi-institutional effort to measure air pollution worldwide.

08.31.2020

Chakrabarty to improve measurement tools for aerosol light absorption

Rajan Chakrabarty's new grant from the Department of Energy study will include field tests in Texas as part of the larger TRACER field campaign.

08.19.2020