My research interests include instrumentation, atmospheric field measurements and a combined measurement-modelling approach on atmospheric chemistry processes that lead to the production of secondary pollutants such as aerosol particles and ozone.
My experimental work primarily focuses on using small and ultralow power sensors based on various principles such as electrochemistry, non-dispersive infrared absorption, photoionisation and light scattering, to provide online in situ measurements of trace pollution gases such as NO, NO2, CO, O3, SO2 , CO2, TVOCs and particulates matters with diameters below 2.5 mm and 10 mm (commonly known as PM2.5 and PM10), to provide detailed mapping of these pollutants at high spatiotemporal resolution. It is then possible, when necessary meteorological data are also simultaneously measured, to perform detailed source attribution, emission inventory and personal exposure studies. On this front, I currently work with Chinese researchers very closely on various monitoring projects trying to provide insights on emission sources and ambient air quality at numerous different sites (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shandong and Shaanxi provinces for example) in China.
I also work on the development of ultrasensitive cavity enhanced absorption technique to measure key atmospheric intermediates down to part per trillion (ppt) or sub-ppt level, in particular those involved in the atmospheric nitrogen cycle such as NO3/N2O5, HONO, NO and NO2, in the polluted boundary layer.
My current research mainly sits on using small sensor platforms to serve various monitoring purposes under a broad range of ambient conditions. These include but are not limited to:
The Manchester schools monitoring project (working with Professor Barbara Maher also at the Lancaster Environment Centre);
The Shenzhen street canyon study (working with the Cambridge Environment Research Consultants under the funding by UK Innovate Fund);
The vertical measurements on the Shanghai Centre (the tallest building in China rising up to 632 m);
The Air Pollution and Human Health – Beijing (APHH) project, on measurements and analysis of chemical processes involving HONO, NO3 and glyoxal.
I current teach three undergraduate modules in the Lancaster University College at Beijing Jiaotong University, Weihai Campus, which include:
• Data Visualisation and Analysis;
• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate;
• Global Change and the Earth System.