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Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories
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Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories

Enabling experimental and theoretical studies relating to the science of local and global air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.

The Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) are the first of their kind in the UK.

WACL operates as a collaborative venture between the University of York and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), co-locating around 70 researchers from ten academic groups and the NCAS.

Supported by a private donor and an award from the Wolfson Foundation, the laboratories are also home to independent research fellows, engineering and software experts, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and final year undergraduate research projects.

January 2024 a solar energy system has been installed at WACL to power the atmospheric chemistry laboratories, University of York.

 

Contact us

Jenny Hudson-Bell

WACL Research Administrator

The Wolfson labs bring together an incredible mix of science, engineering and computing skills which helps us develop  evidence and insight to deliver cleaner air, lower emissions and reduced environmental impacts. Our work spans from inside the home to the stratosphere, working closely with NERC and the Government to provide the UK with world-leading expertise and facilities.

Professor Lucy Carpenter FRS, the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories

Established in 2013
With support from the Wolfson Foundation, the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of York
Essential collaborations
We're partners with UK Research and Innovation, and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science

Research and innovation focus areas

The Atmospheric Chemistry group study gas and aerosol phase processes in the atmosphere using experimental and modelling approaches. Our main interests are in technology development for atmospheric science; high quality, ultra sensitive atmospheric measurements; fundamental physico-chemical research; land and ocean exchange with the atmosphere; development of highly detailed chemical mechanisms and global modelling of the atmosphere.

Research is conducted in the laboratories and also out in the field, on the ground, on ships and in the air. The group run the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory for long-term measurements and also takes part in shorter field campaigns and has visited locations such as Tasmania, Borneo and Antarctica.

Air pollution

Biogeochemical cycles

Indoor air pollution

Ozone depleting substances

Partnerships

WACL scientists sit on the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) providing expert independent advice on levels, sources and characteristics of air pollutants in the UK.

Our research informs the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Environment Programme's (WMO/UNEP) Scientific Assessments on Ozone Depletion.

Read more about our impact

Case studies

Projects

Services and facilities

We support clients including BP, TOTAL, Unilever, Givaudan, Du Pont, and DSTL. Our collaborations can range from pay-per-sample through to multi-year research projects.

The laboratories house a suite of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation designed for measuring the trace composition of the atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/hNMZ_fjx_SI

Postgraduate opportunities

Job opportunities

Public engagement

News and media

Influencing policy
We play a pivotal role in driving the green agenda.
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Social media
See our latest updates on Bluesky.
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Our people
We’re a team of academics, researchers and technicians.
Meet the team
PhD students
Meet our current NERC doctoral training partnership students.
Meet our students

Contact us

Jenny Hudson-Bell

WACL Research Administrator