Regular biography
Michael Cotterell is an Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on laser-based spectroscopy of aerosol particles to investigate their optical, physical, and chemical properties. His work includes the development of spectroscopic techniques such as Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) and Photo-Acoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) for measuring aerosol light extinction and absorption coefficients. He applies these methods to study single levitated aerosol particles and aerosol ensembles, with applications in atmospheric science and climate research. Cotterell collaborates with the Met Office on projects involving aerosol instrumentation for atmospheric observations. He is also involved in studying photobleaching kinetics, reaction acceleration in microdroplets, and light absorption dynamics in volatile aerosol particles.
Scholar-generated biography
Michael I Cotterell is a researcher in Physical & Analytical Chemistry with a focus on Atmospheric Chemistry, Aerosols, and Laser Spectroscopy. His work explores the physical and optical properties of aerosols, including their hygroscopic behavior, refractive index, and interactions with radiation. He has conducted extensive research on biomass burning aerosols, their transformation, and their impact on climate through campaigns like CLARIFY-2017. His studies also involve advanced measurement techniques such as cavity ring-down spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectroscopy to improve the accuracy of aerosol optical properties. Cotterell's research addresses key challenges in aerosol science, including absorption closure, calibration of instruments, and the role of aerosols in atmospheric processes.