Aerosols have a profound influence on air quality, human health, clouds and climate, but new particle formation in the atmosphere has remained a scientific conundrum. Large fractions of airborne fine particulate matter consist of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by gas-to-particle conversion of organic precursor molecules in the atmosphere. The growth rates of these atmospheric nanoparticles, however, have remained enigmatic: They are often smaller and less dependent on condensable vapor concentration than expected.

Aerosols have a profound influence on air quality, human health, clouds and climate, but new particle formation in the atmosphere has remained a scientific conundrum. Large fractions of airborne fine particulate matter consist of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by gas-to-particle conversion of organic precursor molecules in the atmosphere. The growth rates of these atmospheric nanoparticles, however, have remained enigmatic: They are often smaller and less dependent on condensable vapor concentration than expected.

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