Exjobb och Projektarbeten

 

Below are suggestions for thesis work. There might also be possibilities for thesis work in connection to our ongoing projects: http://fy.chalmers.se/envi_phys/projects.pdf

 

 

Exjobb (10-20 weeks)

1) Studies on aerosol particles. In order to measure properties of inorganic aerosol particles and their interactions with organic compounds an existing experimental set-up will be modified. The main properties to be investigated using the system is the aerosol growth in humidified air and its influence on addition of organic substances and photooxidation. This is a part of the project “The impact of atmopheric oxidation processes on Physical and Chemical Properties of Aerosol Particles”, supported by The Swedish Research Council.

(Contact person: Mattias Hallquist,  hallq@fy.chalmers.se)

 

2) Evaluate measurement data from GÖTE-2001, a measurement campaign that took place at Surte 7/5-20/5 2001. The aim is to identify and quantify sources of fine particles with special focus on the sources related to traffic.

(Contact person: Mattias Hallquist, hallq@fy.chalmers.se)

 

3) Investigations of air quality in Lycksele. Within the Swedish National Energy Administration supported project “ULTRA” personnel from environmental physics will measure particle concentrations and properties in Lyksele during Jan/Feb –2002.  Associated to this project there are several possibilities for thesis subjects. E.g:

a)      Participating in the measurement campaign (including preparation and set-up of equipment)

b)      Sample and data analysis following the measurements.

c)      Statistical treatment of the data.

(Contact person: Mattias Hallquist, hallq@fy.chalmers.se)

 

 

4) Developing “impactor” techniques. Using an impactor aerosol particles are collected for analysis. Depending on the background and interest of the thesis worker the impactor  technique can be studied from different aspects. E.g:

a)      Using an batelle impactor to collect sub-micron particles. How well are ultra fine particles collected? Using airflow calculation, SEM or X-ray analysis for determination of sampling efficiency.

b)      Selective impactor technique. Using an online instrument to control the collection of particles. This work will involve programming of external control units and setting up communication between analysing instrumentations as well as applying this technique to outdoor measurement.

c)      Chemical and trace element analysis of particles collected using analytical instrumentation such as: EDXRF, TXRF, GF-AAS, HPLC or FTIR

(Contact person: Mattias Hallquist, hallq@fy.chalmers.se)

 

 

5) Investigation of trace element accumulation in organic tissue (dried animal samples from Vietnam) due to environmental pollution. Comparison of tissues from relatively unpolluted, i.e. agricultural surroundings, with the same kind of tissues from an area exposed to pollution from coal combustion. The emphasis of this thesis work is optional and can be chosen by the thesis worker, e.g.:

  1. analytical: Advanced analytical techniques for trace element analysis, e.g. TXRF (total reflection x-ray spectrometry) and GF-AAS (grafite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy). Comparison and method development
  2. biological: which kind of tissue/animal is most suitable for tracing element accumulation and why? Differences between mussels, fish, crab and toad as well as muscle and lever tissue.
  3. Environmental: possible correlation between air pollution (PM2.5 in air) and trace element accumulation in organic tissue, comparison between polluted/unpolluted site.

(Contact person: Annemarie Wagner, wagner@fy.chalmers.se)

 

 

 

Projektarbeten (up to 10 weeks)

(Contact person: Mattias Hallquist, hallq@fy.chalmers.se)

 

The above projects can be divided in smaller units and become suitable for “projektarbeten”.