Photo: Avinash Kumar
In his doctoral dissertation, MSc Shawon Barua discovered fast autoxidation routes that form atmospheric low-volatility condensable materials originating from carbonyl compounds – common constituents of natural and polluted atmospheres. The research was carried out via a joint experimental-theoretical approach. The formed condensable materials play a critical role in the formation and growth of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) that is known to have effects on human health and climate. He used chemical ionization mass spectrometry as the key detection technique for the laboratory-produced low-volatility condensable products in the gas phase. The technique proved highly efficient in detecting not only carbonyl-derived products but also atmospheric sulfur compounds, both of which significantly influence SOA formation.
The doctoral dissertation of MSc Shawon Barua in the field of Atmospheric Chemistry titled Rapid Formation of Secondary Aerosol Precursors from Carbonyl Autoxidation: The Dual Role of Nitric Oxide will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University on Friday 9 October 2026.
The Opponent will be Senior Scientist Dr. Sören Zorn from Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH in Germany. The Custos will be Professor Matti Rissanen from the Physics Unit, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University.