Ernest Weingartner

Prof. Dr. Ernest Weingartner is a Full Professor at the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, where he serves as Deputy Head of the Institute for Sensors and Electronics and leads the Aerosol Technology Group. He holds a joint appointment at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Sciences. With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from ETH Zurich (1996), his career includes leadership roles at Paul Scherrer Institute and pioneering work in aerosol instrumentation.

His research focuses on:

• Aerosol particle measurement techniques
• Carbonaceous aerosols and black carbon characterization
• Photothermal interferometry for trace detection
• Atmospheric ice nucleation processes
• Development of field-deployable sensors for volcanic ash and pollutants

Recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on:

• Innovative aerosol absorption measurement systems
• Airborne pathogen transmission modeling
• Interdisciplinary approaches to environmental health challenges
• Novel photonic sensor development

He leads several instrumentation projects including DUWAS (volcanic ash detection) and DustEar (acoustic particle detection), and has developed breakthrough technologies like the Ice Selective Inlet and WHOPS hygroscopicity measurement system.

As principal investigator, he mentors bachelor/master students and leads a research team focused on atmospheric sensor development. The group maintains active collaborations with international institutions including ETH Zurich and Paul Scherrer Institute.