Objective In our ground-breaking paper published in Nature we showed, that the atmospheric Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) particles formed in boreal forest can be amorphous solid in their physical phase. Our result has already re-directed the SOA related research. In the several follow-up studies, it has been shown that SOA particles generated in the laboratory chamber from different pre-cursors and in various conditions are amorphous solid.My ultimate task is to quantify the atmospheric implications of the phase state of SOA particles. Solid phase of the particles implies surface-confined chemistry and kinetic vapour uptake limitations because mass transport (diffusion) of reactants within the aerosol particle bulk becomes the rate limiting step. The diffusivity of the molecules in particle bulk depends on the viscosity of the SOA material. Hence, it would be a scientific break-through, if the kinetic limitations or the viscosity of the SOA particles could be estimated since these factors are a key to quantify the atmospheric implications of amorphous solid phase of the particles.To achieve the final goal of the research, measurement method development is needed as currently there is no method to quantify the viscosity of the SOA particles, or to study the kinetic limitations and surface-confined chemistry caused by the solid phase of nanometer sized SOA particles. The methodology that will be developed in the proposed study, aims ambitiously to quantify the essential factors affecting the atmospheric processes of the SOA particles. The developed methodology will be use in extensive measurement campaigns performed both in SOA chambers and in atmospheric measurement sites in Europe and in US maximising the global significance of the results gained in this study.The project enables two scientific breakthroughs: 1) the new methodology applicable in the field of nanoparticle research and 2) the quantified atmospheric implications of the amorphous solid phase of particles. Fields of science engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials 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-2013-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO EU contribution € 1 499 612,00 Address Yliopistonranta 8 70211 Kuopio Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi Pohjois-Savo Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Anne-Mari Kariniva (Mrs.) Principal investigator Annele Kirsi Katriina Virtanen (Dr.) 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 ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO Finland EU contribution € 1 499 612,00 Address Yliopistonranta 8 70211 Kuopio See on map Region Manner-Suomi Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi Pohjois-Savo Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Anne-Mari Kariniva (Mrs.) Principal investigator Annele Kirsi Katriina Virtanen (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data