CLOUD-TRAIN

CLOUD Initial Training Network (CLOUD TRAIN)

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The aim of “CLOUD-TRAIN” is to establish a multi-site network of Early Stage Researchers (here predominantly PhD students) and Experienced Researchers at 10 partner institutions across Europe. The role of aerosol nucleation for atmospheric CCN levels, clouds and climate is investigated. The influence of various vapours and ions for aerosol nucleation, growth and cloud processes is studied to significantly improve our understanding of natural and anthropogenic climate forcing as well as feedback mechanisms. The major focus of the network will be three sets of common experiments on ternary nucleation (ion-induced and neutral) and ion-aerosol-cloud interaction carried out at CERN to which all trainees contribute. These experiments are conducted at the newly established unique aerosol chamber “CLOUD” that is exposed to a CERN ionizing particle beam where the effects of cosmic rays on aerosol and clouds can be efficiently simulated. At the CLOUD chamber nucleation experiments are performed at an unprecedented level of precision and completeness using highly innovative instrumentation. A comprehensive high quality training programme is set up for the fellows. Additional to the experiments at CERN, they are brought together for network training events such as annual summer schools and workshops for integral data analysis. Courses by world leading experts are taught spanning from general aerosol chemistry and physics to specialized sessions. The summer schools and workshops are specifically tailored to the needs of the trainees and are scheduled in addition to the national PhD programmes of their hosting institutions. Comprehensive transferable skills training is included (e.g. scientific writing, presenting talks, interaction with the media, entrepreneurship, IPR, management). Five network partners are from the private sector (2 full, 3 assoc.). Secondments are planned for each fellow to broaden the experience and to include exposure to another sector.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU funding has provided an opportunity for young researchers to spend time studying cloud formation at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Cloud formation is a vital part of the global weather system, and is heavily influenced by aerosols and other airborne substances. Understanding how these substances affect cloud nucleation, formation and growth is vital to improved understanding of weather systems.

The http://www.cloud-train.eu (CLOUD-TRAIN) (CLOUD Initial Training Network) project is aiming to further our understanding of aerosol-cloud interactions. CLOUD-TRAIN is also providing training for young researchers from 10 European research institutions.

CLOUD-TRAIN consists of three experiments at CERN, in its new Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber facility. The CLOUD chamber can simulate the effects of cosmic rays on aerosols and clouds.

Over three experimental periods, researchers conducted hundreds of experiments using the CLOUD chamber. These experiments simulated cloud formation and growth under various environmental conditions.

The first experimental period focused on conditions in boreal forests while the second looked at how sulphur dioxide and organic chemicals affect ice clouds. The last set of experiments is looking at ice formation and the effects of ions on cloud formation processes.

In addition to research carried out at the CLOUD facility, all researchers involved in the project received specialised training through summer schools and data workshops. CLOUD-TRAIN researchers have already published several papers in prestigious academic journals.

They will embark on another set of experiments in the CLOUD chamber during 2015 and 2016. The research conducted during the CLOUD-TRAIN project will contribute to global climate models by reducing uncertainty around cloud cover.