Volatiles and Aerosol Laboratory

Scientists at the Volatiles and Aerosol Laboratory at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (VALOR) are advancing understanding of airborne particles and vapors that shape the atmosphere and influence air quality. This research supports national priorities in environmental monitoring, agriculture, public health, and security.

The facility houses state-of-the-art instrumentation, including commercial systems and custom-built tools, that allow for real-time, high-precision analysis of vapors and aerosols. A key research focus is the behavior of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released from both natural and human-made sources. Using specialized mass spectrometry techniques, researchers study how these compounds interact, transform, and affect atmospheric chemistry, providing essential insights into plant interactions, defense mechanisms, and the broader environmental processes that influence Earth’s systems.

Scientists at the VALOR facility also lead or support several field measurement projects across the United States, encompassing various biomes such as forests, wetlands and urban-rural transition zones. These research sites include: 

• The Missouri Ozark AmeriFlux site (MOFLUX) in Missouri
• The Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) project in Minnesota
• The Biogeochemical Cycling Along the Urban Interface (Urban KVL) in Tennessee

Advanced instrumentation, including particle sizers and air quality monitors, are deployed at these sites. These efforts help explain how atmospheric components vary under different environmental and seasonal conditions and provide valuable data for agriculture, energy production, and urban planning.

Researchers are advancing aerosol science and technology innovation by developing tools for aerosol collection and real-time measurements that support source identification and deepen understanding of atmospheric processes. This work includes using aerosol environmental chambers and reactors to study how changing atmospheric conditions affect the physical and chemical properties of aerosols. Part of this research helps scientists understand how aerosols absorb water or trigger ice formation, which provides insights into cloud formation properties, including atmospheric fate and transport processes. The research spans both anthropogenic emissions, such as soot, and natural occurring emissions, including inorganic aerosols relevant to nuclear forensics and national security applications.

One specialized area of research involves assessing the breakdown of next-generation refrigerants that can generate toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As new chemical refrigerants enter the market, ORNL scientists are supporting environmental and health assessments by developing direct measurement tools to study potential byproducts, including short- and long-chain fluorinated compounds. This work supports efforts to maintain indoor comfort as well as the preservation of food and pharmaceuticals.

Supporting these diverse research activities is a robust infrastructure for high-precision generation, delivery, and calibration of volatiles and particles — critical for both research accuracy and real-world application.