Nielsen Group - Copenhagen Centrum for Atmospheric Research

The Nielsen Group studies how molecules degrade in the atmosphere and assesses the environmental impacts of their degradation, mainly through experiments in the photoreactor laboratory.

Research focus

Atmospheric gas-phase degradation of new and old molecules

The group investigates how molecules are degraded in the atmosphere, with particular interest in the degradation of new molecules and their environmental impact.

The research considers effects related to climate and ozone depletion as well as the formation of potentially harmful degradation products.

Applications include refrigeration, heat transfer, solvents, foam blowing, anaesthetics and biofuels.

The work is mainly experimental and carried out in the photoreactor laboratory.

Group leader

Research activities

Our group investigates a range of questions in atmospheric research, including why perfluorinated acids are found in polar regions and how chemicals can be made more climate-friendly.

These include:

  • understanding why perfluorinated acids are found in polar regions
  • developing more climate-friendly chemicals
  • purification of indoor air
  • mitigation of pollution from production processes

Laboratory experiments, field measurements and modelling support investigations of chemical and physical processes.

Photochemical air purification for industrial pollution control is based on a new process that the group has patented.

In collaboration with INFUSER A/S, CCAR has established AIRlab UCPH as a semi-autonomous research entity.

The group’s research is mainly experimental and carried out in the photoreactor laboratory.

The photoreactor is equipped with:

  • FTIR spectroscopy
  • a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS)
  • a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)

Projects

Projects can cover different aspects of atmospheric science and, in some cases, oil and gas chemistry.

Depending on the topic, supervision may also involve researchers from the group’s international network.

Collaborations

The group collaborates with industrial partners including:

  • Ford Motor Company, USA and Germany
  • DuPont
  • Honeywell
  • 3M

Contact

Ole John Nielsen
Professor
  • Job responsibility
    Group leader