Chemical Kinetics & Reaction Mechanisms

Work areas of the Berkemeier Group — Multiphase chemical processes in the aerosol lifecycle. Adapted from Berkemeier et al., International Aerosol Modeling Algorithms Conference, Davis, 2019.

Multiphase chemical processes in the aerosol lifecycle. Adapted from Berkemeier et al., International Aerosol Modeling Algorithms Conference, Davis, 2019.

Many chemical processes in the atmosphere, in technical applications, and in the human body occur at and across interfaces and thus constitute multiphase chemical systems. Developing a detailed description of the multiphase reaction kinetics of these systems is vital for understanding the rates at which particles evolve, compounds degrade and oxidants are formed or consumed.

The Berkemeier Group aims at resolving the remaining uncertainties found in complex reaction mechanisms of Atmospheric and Physiological Chemistry, as well as Chemical Technology. For this purpose, we perform laboratory experiments and use elaborate computer models and algorithms that can factor in a large amount of laboratory data.

Key Topics

- Kinetic modelling and laboratory studies of redox chemistry in Physiological Chemistry & Biology

- Kinetic modelling of gas-surface interactions
(Heterogeneous Chemistry) on atmospheric and technologically-relevant aerosols.

- Development of kinetic models, modelling frameworks
and optimization algorithms

Methods

- Kinetic multi-layer models

- Kinetic experiments in the laboratory: EPR spectroscopy, chamber and flow reactor studies

- Global optimization methods, sensitivity studies & Machine Learning

Group Members

Thomas Berkemeier (Group Lead)
Anna Backes
Ivan Eremets
Lucia Iezzi
Hyun Gu Kang
Matteo Krüger
Jan Leitner
Ashmi Mishra
Fabian Polscheit
Maja Radecka
Zhiqiang Zhang
Nina Kropf (Technical Support)