10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Teaching Practical Aerosol Science in the UK
PAUL WILLIAMS, James Allan, Torsten Tritscher, University of Manchester and NCAS
Abstract Number: 705 Working Group: Aerosol Education
Abstract Recently in the UK, we have developed a three day course on aerosol science as a partnership between the University of Manchester, The UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and TSI Europe. While other well-established courses already exist concerning fundamental theory, this course is focused more on application and practical experience for the benefit of scientists coming into aerosol science for the first time, either as part of work or postgraduate study. So far, this course has been run twice with great success and a third course is planned for 2018. The format is a combination of lectures and practical laboratory sessions. The lectures feature guest speakers covering topics such as aerosol properties and mechanics, size definitions and the theoretical basis of various instruments, with a view to providing the foundations of the mathematical techniques and practical skills that an aerosol instrumentation operator would likely use day-to-day. It also covers various applications for aerosol instrumentation, e.g. within industry. Here we will discuss the material covered and the teaching methods utilized. The practical sessions utilized a pool of equipment belonging to the University of Manchester, NCAS and TSI and provided hands-on experience for the operation and maintenance of various instruments (such as DMAs, OPCs, CPCs and aerosol samplers) and also exercises such as characterising losses down different tubing types and dimensions. The course has proved popular with a mix of different attendees, ranging from PhD students and postdocs, technical staff within the academic sector and those from industry.