This project focuses on investigating the critical role of atmospheric aerosols in shaping Earth’s energy budget, particularly their direct impact through sunlight scattering and absorption, as well as their indirect influence as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Addressing these factors is crucial, as aerosol-induced effects constitute major uncertainties in climate forcing. The overarching scientific goal is to develop, evaluate, and apply measurement-trained models for the precise calculation of Aerosol Liquid Water Content (ALWC) and CCN spectra specifically at the background Southeast U.S. APP site. This initiative aims to address the current gaps in understanding aerosol impacts on climate and to establish a foundation for extending these models to other regions. By enhancing our comprehension of aerosol-cloud interactions in this region, our research has the potential to contribute significantly to climate science. The long-term objective is to expand these measurement-trained models to encompass broader geographical contexts, ultimately advancing our ability to predict and mitigate the impacts of aerosols on Earth’s climate.
Collaborative Research: RUI: Applying Measurements, Models, and Machine Learning to Improve Parameterization of Aerosol Water Uptake and Cloud Condensation Nuclei in the Background Southeastern U.S
Facility | Multi-institutional | Research Working Group | Student Research
May 1, 2023
– April 30, 2026
Project Details
Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)
(External Funding)
Administrative Unit
Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE)
Research Theme
More Projects and Programs
Environmental Protection Agency via East Carolina University
This project is dedicated to transforming manufacturing practices to be more eco-friendly, with a specific emphasis on communities facing environmental justice challenges. Industries in North Carolina, such as food and…
NSF via University of Wyoming
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) via the Savanna Institute
This project is all about helping farmers make smart decisions about what crops to grow and understanding the impact of climate on farming by: This project is all about making…