IONICON is proud to contribute to the AEROSOLS project, a 36-month research initiative launched in January 2024 and funded by the European Union and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). 

This collaborative effort, involving research institutions, companies, and government agencies, focuses on addressing the environmental and health impacts of transport emissions. The project’s progress was recently showcased at the TaP 2025 Conference and a dedicated workshop hosted by IFP Energies nouvelles. These events served as a vital platform to align AEROSOLS with similar EU-funded initiatives. While AEROSOLS focuses specifically on road traffic emissions, this exchange allowed for valuable synergy with projects investigating heavy-duty transport, shipping, and aviation – ensuring that IONICON’s real-time measurement solutions are at the forefront of a comprehensive strategy to monitor and reduce global transport pollutants.

The unique features of the AEROSOLS project 

The AEROSOLS project stands out due to the many parallel measurements it conducts, which can detect a wide variety of different emissions. Using a single instrument only provides a limited view of the overall picture. Thanks to the large number of instruments deployed, AEROSOLS paints a comprehensive picture of the emissions. Measurements can even be carried out under Real Driving Emission (RDE) conditions. By using a compact and mobile PTR-TOF 3000 QB Mobile (a two-part special edition from IONICON), VOCs can be monitored while the vehicle is being driven.

Even more high-resolution data with FUSION PTR-TOF 10 and ILOx

IONICON contributes not only with a small and robust instrument – one that can be 'easily' packed into a car – but also with a highly sensitive FUSION PTR-TOF 10 boasting a mass resolution up to > m/Δm 10,000. Also in use is the new IONICON Laminar-flow Oxidation Reactor (ILOx). This instrument is tailor-made for versatile and fully automated photochemical oxidation experiments within minutes. The ILOx is the ideal choice for studying rapid aging of ambient air, oxidation of individual secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors, or the analysis of complex mixtures.
With the ILOx, the exhaust gases are channeled in, IPN (a chemical substance) is added, and the whole mixture is irradiated with UV light. This allows for the measurement of processes in a few minutes that would otherwise take a few days to occur in the atmosphere. The exhaust gases interact with the atmosphere and sunlight, which leads to further issues.
By doing this, we are contributing to obtaining a detailed insight into emissions research that was previously not possible.

During the AEROSOLS Workshop, the two measurement campaigns were also presented, with the winter campaign currently underway. We wish our colleagues on-site continued success and many interesting new findings.

Learn more about:
Real-time PTR-MS vehicle exhaust analysis
Custom-built Analytical Instruments