Formation of new particles in the atmosphere and how they interact with the environment

During his PhD studies, Yosef Knattrup researched how new particles form in the atmosphere, a process that has great significance for cloud formation and climate. Yosef Knattrup has used a computational workflow, based on quantum chemical methods, which makes it possible to study how molecules such as sulfuric acid and bases cluster together and grow into small particles.

The research results obtained contribute to the understanding of how these particles form and grow, what role organic compounds play in the process, and how efficiently the particles take up new molecules.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 25. September 2026 at: 14:00
Place: AUD-VI (1510-213), Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Freshly Nucleated Particles and their Interactions with the Environment
Contact information: Yosef Knattrup, e-mail: yosef@chem.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Eirini Goudeli, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia
Professor Kurt V. Mikkelsen, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Professor Tobias Weidner (chair), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Associate Professor Jonas Elm, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C