معرفی
Kyle M Backstrand serves as Professor in the Department of Biology, Biochemistry, and Neuroscience at Viterbo University's School of Natural Science, Mathematics, and Engineering. Based in RCE 225 with contact number 608-796-3474, he maintains an active research program in atmospheric science.
Education:
- PhD, University of Utah
- BS, North Dakota State University
Research Interests:
Dr. Backstrand specializes in interactions between trace atmospheric gases (NO2, NO, HNO3, HONO, OH, O3) and model soot aerosol surfaces. His work investigates how soot's surface properties evolve during atmospheric aging (6-10 days), transitioning from hydrophobic to hydrophilic states through oxygenated functional groups. Using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 2-naphthalenethiol as model surfaces, his research simulates soot at various aging stages to study cloud condensation nuclei activation and heterogeneous reaction mechanisms.
Advising and Grants:
He leads a research group employing ultra-high vacuum techniques including temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). While specific student names and grant awards aren't documented in available materials, his laboratory focuses on measuring reaction intermediates, products, and adsorbate properties like heats of adsorption.
Laboratory and Team:
His experimental work occurs in specialized UHV environments where model soot surfaces with controlled hydrophilicity are exposed to atmospheric trace gases. The team systematically varies functional group coverage to simulate aerosol aging processes and quantify chemical reactivity changes.
