Articles | Volume 19, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5243-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5243-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 12 Aug 2026
| 12 Aug 2026
Evaluation of DMSO as working fluid in condensation particle counters
Sarah Kirchhoff
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Troposphere (ICE-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Research, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Troposphere (ICE-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Oliver F. Bischof
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Troposphere (ICE-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
TSI GmbH, Particle Instruments, Aachen, Germany
Gerhard Steiner
GRIMM Aerosol Technik Ainring GmbH, Ainring, Germany
Christian Kunath
GRIMM Aerosol Technik Ainring GmbH, Ainring, Germany
Lothar Keck
GRIMM Aerosol Technik Ainring GmbH, Ainring, Germany
Victoria M. Fruhmann
Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Helmut Krasa
Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
now at: AVL DiTEST GmbH, Graz, Austria
Alexander Bergmann
Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Andreas Petzold
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Troposphere (ICE-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Research, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
Ulrich Bundke
Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Troposphere (ICE-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
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Patrick Weber, Oliver F. Bischof, Benedikt Fischer, Marcel Berg, Susanne Hering, Steven Spielman, Gregory Lewis, Andreas Petzold, and Ulrich Bundke
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Patrick Weber, Oliver F. Bischof, Benedikt Fischer, Marcel Berg, Jannik Schmitt, Gerhard Steiner, Lothar Keck, Andreas Petzold, and Ulrich Bundke
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The aerosol number concentration is essential information for aerosol science. A condensation particle counter (CPC) can robustly provide this information. Butanol is often used as a working fluid in a CPC. We could show that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) behaves equivalently to butanol in terms of the instrument`s counting efficiency, cut-off diameter and concentration linearity. We tested this on different aerosols, including sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate and fresh combustion soot.
Yun Li, Christoph Mahnke, Susanne Rohs, Ulrich Bundke, Nicole Spelten, Georgios Dekoutsidis, Silke Groß, Christiane Voigt, Ulrich Schumann, Andreas Petzold, and Martina Krämer
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The radiative effect of aviation-induced cirrus is closely related to ambient conditions and its microphysical properties. Our study investigated the occurrence of contrail and natural cirrus measured above central Europe in spring 2014. It finds that contrail cirrus appears frequently in the pressure range 200 to 245 hPa and occurs more often in slightly ice-subsaturated environments than expected. Avoiding slightly ice-subsaturated regions by aviation might help mitigate contrail cirrus.
Markus Leiminger, Lukas Fischer, Sophia Brilke, Julian Resch, Paul Martin Winkler, Armin Hansel, and Gerhard Steiner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3705–3720, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3705-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3705-2022, 2022
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We developed an axial ion mobility classifier coupled to an atmospheric-pressure interface time-of-flight (APi-TOF) mass spectrometer to measure size-segregated atmospheric ions. We characterize the performance of the novel instrument with bipolar-electrospray-generated ion mobility standards and compare the results with CFD simulations and a simplified numerical particle-tracking model. Ultimately, we report first mass–mobility measurements of atmospheric ions in Innsbruck, Austria.
Patrick Weber, Andreas Petzold, Oliver F. Bischof, Benedikt Fischer, Marcel Berg, Andrew Freedman, Timothy B. Onasch, and Ulrich Bundke
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3279–3296, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3279-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3279-2022, 2022
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In our laboratory closure study, we measured the full set of aerosol optical properties for different light-absorbing aerosols using a set of instruments.
Our key finding is that the extensive and intensive aerosol optical properties obtained agree with data from reference instruments, except the absorption Ångström exponent of externally mixed aerosols. The reported uncertainty in the single-scattering albedo fulfils the defined goals for Global Climate Observing System applications of 10 %.
Ajit Ahlawat, Kay Weinhold, Jesus Marval, Paolo Tronville, Ari Leskinen, Mika Komppula, Holger Gerwig, Lars Gerling, Stephan Weber, Rikke Bramming Jørgensen, Thomas Nørregaard Jensen, Marouane Merizak, Ulrich Vogt, Carla Ribalta, Mar Viana, Andre Schmitz, Maria Chiesa, Giacomo Gerosa, Lothar Keck, Markus Pesch, Gerhard Steiner, Thomas Krinke, Torsten Tritscher, Wolfram Birmili, and Alfred Wiedensohler
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-155, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-155, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
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Measurements of ultrafine particles must be done with quality-assured instruments. The performance of portable instruments such as NanoScan SMPS, and GRIMM Mini WRAS spectrometer measuring the particle number size distribution in the range from 10 to 200 nm were investigated. The influence of different aerosol types and maintenance activities on these instruments were explored. The results show that these portable instruments are suitable for mobile UFP measurements for source identification.
Martin J. Osborne, Johannes de Leeuw, Claire Witham, Anja Schmidt, Frances Beckett, Nina Kristiansen, Joelle Buxmann, Cameron Saint, Ellsworth J. Welton, Javier Fochesatto, Ana R. Gomes, Ulrich Bundke, Andreas Petzold, Franco Marenco, and Jim Haywood
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2975–2997, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2975-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2975-2022, 2022
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Using the Met Office NAME dispersion model, supported by satellite- and ground-based remote-sensing observations, we describe the dispersion of aerosols from the 2019 Raikoke eruption and the concurrent wildfires in Alberta Canada. We show how the synergy of dispersion modelling and multiple observation sources allowed observers in the London VAAC to arrive at a more complete picture of the aerosol loading at altitudes commonly used by aviation.
Hannah Clark, Yasmine Bennouna, Maria Tsivlidou, Pawel Wolff, Bastien Sauvage, Brice Barret, Eric Le Flochmoën, Romain Blot, Damien Boulanger, Jean-Marc Cousin, Philippe Nédélec, Andreas Petzold, and Valérie Thouret
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16237–16256, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16237-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16237-2021, 2021
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We examined 27 years of IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System) profiles at Frankfurt to see if there were unusual features during the spring of 2020 related to COVID-19 lockdowns in Europe. Increased ozone near the surface was partly linked to the reduction in emissions. Carbon monoxide decreased near the surface, but the impact of the lockdowns was offset by polluted air masses from elsewhere. There were small reductions in ozone and carbon monoxide in the free troposphere.
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Short summary
We evaluated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a safe, non-flammable working fluid for condensation particle counters, comparing it with butanol under varied pressures, temperatures, and aerosols. Laboratory, field, and simulation results show reliable particle activation, comparable counting efficiency, reduced fluid use, and stable long-term operation. Mixtures with water extend usability, supporting safe monitoring in remote or harsh environments.
We evaluated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a safe, non-flammable working fluid for condensation...
