Objective The formation of ice particles in the Earth s atmosphere strongly affects the properties of clouds and their impact on climate. However, our basic understanding of ice nucleation and crystallisation is still in its infancy. Despite the importance of ice formation in determining the properties of clouds, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was unable to assess the impact of atmospheric ice formation in their most recent report, because our basic knowledge is insufficient. In this proposal plans are described to establish a laboratory dedicated to improving our fundamental understanding of ice nucleation and crystallisation. It is proposed to develop a series of laboratory experiments designed to quantify atmospherically relevant processes at a fundamental level. In work package 1 the role of glassy solids and ultra-viscous liquids in cloud formation will be investigated; in work package 2 the rate at which various mineral dusts nucleate ice in the immersion mode will be quantified; the phase of ice that deposits onto frozen solution droplets or heterogeneous ice nuclei will be determined in work package 3; and in work package 4 the laboratory data from work packages 1-3 will be used to constrain ice nucleation in numerical clouds models in order to assess radiative forcings. The instrumentation and modelling experience gained in this five year project will provide a lasting legacy and open doors to new research areas in the future. As an international hub of atmospheric and climate science, the University of Leeds is a unique and ideal institute in which to bridge the gap between fundamental studies and the cloud/climate modelling community. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Keywords Cloud Nucleation Phase and change crystallisation ice kinetics microphysics of Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE10 - ERC Starting Grant - Earth system science Call for proposal ERC-2009-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS EU contribution € 1 664 190,00 Address WOODHOUSE LANE LS2 9JT Leeds United Kingdom See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Benjamin Murray (Dr.) Administrative Contact Benjamin Williams (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 664 190,00 Address WOODHOUSE LANE LS2 9JT Leeds See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Benjamin Murray (Dr.) Administrative Contact Benjamin Williams (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
