Our department has a strong focus in air quality engineering, a rarity among mechanical engineering programs.  

The University of Colorado Boulder is uniquely situated in one of the world’s greatest ecosystems for atmospheric research. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are located within 30 minutes of CU Boulder.

Research and coursework in Air Quality encompass a broad range of topics impacting human health and the environment, including fundamental studies, technology development and policy implications.

Area Strengths

Michael Hannigan, Daven Henze, Hope Michelsen, Shelly Miller, Greg Rieker, Marina Vance

  • Biomass emissions testing
  • Aerosol monitoring and characterization
  • Development of air quality measurement technology
  • Satellite remote sensing and data assimilation
  • Research ranging from laboratory-scale chamber studies to indoor and outdoor field monitoring

Michael Hannigan, Daven Henze, Hope Michelsen, Shelly Miller, Greg Rieker, Marina Vance

  • Indoor microbiome characterization and control including infectious disease transmission
  • Urban air quality field studies including residential and commercial buildings and outdoor air
  • Inverse modeling and adjoint sensitivity analysis
  • Wildfire impact on air quality and climate

Michael Hannigan, Daven Henze, Hope Michelsen, Jana Milford, Shelly Miller, Greg Rieker

  • Design and assessment of air pollution control technology and applications
  • Integrated assessment modeling of environmental policy, energy systems, and associated environmental impacts via the atmosphere