| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R36664/01 |
| Title: |
A new method for the atmospheric detection of OH and HO2 |
| Principal Investigator: |
Heard, Professor DE |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2002 |
Ends: |
30 June 2004 |
Value (£): |
59,533
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Analytical Science |
Gas & Solution Phase Reactions |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Environment |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The hydroxyl (OH) radical controls the oxidising capacity of the atmosphere, and its measurement is central to testing our understanding of atmospheri chemistry. However, because OH is so reactive it has ultra-low concentrations (= 1 part in 10' of air), and is extremely challenging to detect. Current methods require very expensive and sophisticated instrumentation. The present proposal is designed to investigate a new spectroscopic method that appears to offer similar sensitivity, selectivity and time resolution, but is potentially much simpler and cheaper to implement.We have shown recently that the reaction NaH + OH ---> Na~ + H20 leads to the efficient production of Na(32Pj), which then fluoresces at 589 nm. Based on this discovery we propose a new detector for atmospheric OH, where a flow of NaH is added into a stream of ambient air and the resulting 589 nm emission provides a spectroscopic marker. The HOz radical, another important species, would be measured by conversion to OH following the addition of NO. The aim of this project is to explore the feasibility of using this new detection scheme. Underpinning laboratory measurements will be carried out at the University of East Anglia, followed by trials of a prototype detector at the University of Leeds, where there is an existing OH/H02 laser based instrument.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |