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From Berkeley to the South Pole. Pioneering aerosol science since 1978.

History of science & technology

Scientific interest in black carbon and carbonaceous aerosols has generated a vast body of literature. From atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling to health impact assessments and source apportionment, these publications have deepened our understanding of the role these particles play in both local and global environments.

Below is a retrospective on aerosol science, based on data from Aerosol Magee Scientific instruments, for evidence-based policies and technological innovations.
2022
Ivančič
A groundbreaking method, using cost-effective CASS, is introduced for carbonaceous aerosol apportionment with high time resolution into six components: Black Carbon from traffic and biomass burning, light absorbing and non-absorbing primary and secondary organic aerosols.
2020
Rigler
Introduction of a revolutionary Total Carbon Analyzer TCA08 that offers fast, low-maintenance, and highly sensitive carbon measurements in aerosols, making it a reliable tool for continuous monitoring of organic and Black Carbon in particulate matter.
2020
Gregorič
A novel approach combining Black Carbon and radon measurements reveals distinct pollution sources, offering a powerful tool for tracking emissions and assessing pollution control effectiveness over time.
2018
Ferrero
A new method to measure heat from light-absorbing aerosols revealed that Black Carbon is the main driver of atmospheric warming, highlighting the complex role of aerosols in climate change.
2017
Titos
Despite the focus on fossil fuel emissions, this southern European study powerfully demonstrates that biomass burning exerts a substantial influence on suburban air pollution. This calls for a more comprehensive approach to improving air quality.
2015
Ježek
Using two advanced methods, researchers found that cars emit a typical level of pollution with occasional high-emission spikes, suggesting a new way to understand vehicle pollution based on real-world patterns rather than speed or engine behavior.
2015
Drinovec
Presentation of DualSpot, a ground-breaking algorithm for real-time loading effect compensation based on a two-parallel spot measurement of optical absorption. Aethalometers are the only Black Carbon instruments featuring DualSpot technology.
2011
Invernizzi
The study demonstrates that Black Carbon is a more reliable metric for evaluating the effectiveness of traffic-related air pollution measures against traditional PM mass measurements.
2010
Ulevicius
Unusually high air pollution levels in Lithuania during spring 2008 and 2009 were traced to wildfires in neighboring regions, showing how smoke from distant fires can travel long distances and severely impact local air quality—an important finding that highlights the need to understand and monitor cross-border pollution in aerosol science.
2004
Ten Brink
Different methods for measuring carbon in air pollution show strong agreement despite some variation, confirming their reliability for tracking carbon aerosols - key to understanding and managing fine particulate matter pollution.
1999
Allen
This Pennsylvania study established a strong link between Aethalometer-measured Black Carbon and lab-analyzed elemental carbon, revealing distinct daily and weekly pollution patterns tied to local combustion sources and highlighting the Aethalometer's utility in real-time air quality monitoring.
1992
Bizjak
An intriguing study highlights how human activity can significantly impact our environment. During the brief conflict in Slovenia in 1991, known as the 'Ten-Day War,' traffic in the streets of Ljubljana dropped sharply. This sudden reduction led to a noticeable improvement in air quality, demonstrating the immediate environmental effects of decreased urban activity.
1990
Hansen
Surprisingly, this study - real-time snapshot of vehicle exhaust reveals that a small fraction of cars – just 20% – emit out the majority (65%) of Black Carbon pollution, highlighting the urgent need to identify and address these super-emitters to clean up our air.
1988
Hansen
This pioneering 1988 South Pole study, by continuously quantifying even trace levels of Black Carbon far from source regions, compellingly demonstrated the pervasive global reach of aerosol pollution through long-range atmospheric transport, establishing a baseline for future climate and air quality research in pristine environments.
1984
Gundel
This pivotal 1984 paper laid the foundation for a rapid and non-destructive optical method to quantify Black Carbon in aerosols by demonstrating a consistent and universal relationship between light attenuation and Black Carbon mass, enabling simpler and more widespread assessment of this crucial climate-relevant pollutant.
1984
Hansen
This seminal 1984 paper introduced the Aethalometer, a groundbreaking instrument offering real-time measurement of Black Carbon with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution, thereby revolutionizing our ability to track and understand the dynamics and distribution of combustion-related air pollution.
1982
Hansen
This study introduced a groundbreaking method that uses a filter-based approach to continuously monitor how much light aerosol particles absorb, providing critical data for understanding their impact on air quality and climate. The technique is now widely used due to its sensitivity, simplicity, and robustness in tracking light-absorbing particles like black carbon in the atmosphere.
1978
Rosen, Hansen
Early work showed that the absorbing material in aerosols exhibits Raman spectra characteristic of graphitic or black carbon structures, closely matching those of diesel exhaust, automobile emissions, and activated carbon. This study provided clear molecular-level evidence that graphitic soot is the primary absorber in urban particulate matter, advancing understanding of aerosol composition and its environmental impact.
10,000+
Aethalometer-powered scientific publications and counting
Global trust, proven impact
Our instruments are installed across all 7 continents, enabling precise black carbon measurements in the most remote and extreme environments on Earth. With thousands of units deployed, the Aethalometer has become an essential tool in aerosol research worldwide, cited in over 10,000 scientific publications to date.

Aethalometer journey

The Aethalometer revolutionized the measurement of black carbon in the atmosphere. Over the past 40 years, it has become the gold standard for real-time, high-sensitivity monitoring of carbonaceous aerosols, supporting thousands of scientific studies worldwide. Its long and impactful history reflects a deep commitment to advancing air quality research, climate science, and public health.
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1977
Optical attenuation method developed
Work in the 1970s at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory established the quantitative relationship between the optical attenuation of a deposit of particles on a fibrous filter and the carbon content.
1979
Birth of the Aethalometer
The Aethalometer was first conceptualized by Anthony D. A. Hansen in Berkeley. The next years saw several prototypes in development.
1980
First field tests, first publication
The Aethalometer was utilized in an EPA visibility study at Houston in 1980, which produced the first real-time data chart of Black Carbon concentrations in ambient air.
1984
Aethalometer at remote locations
Measurements of Black Carbon started at remote locations as tracer for long-range atmospheric circulation.
1984
First airborne measurements
The instrument was first flown on board a NOAA research aircraft in the Arctic in 1984, and, coupled with previous ground-level work, it showed that the Arctic haze contains a strong component of soot.
1986
Magee Scientific Corp. founded in Berkeley
Anthony D. A. Hansen founded Magee Scientific Corporation.
1988
Black Carbon recognized for the adverse health effects
Researchers begin to explicitly identify Black Carbon as a tracer for diesel exhaust particles in the atmosphere, marking a pivotal moment in linking Black Carbon to adverse health effects associated with diesel emissions.
1996
Manufacturing starts in Slovenia
In 1995, production was transferred to Europe through OEM agreement. In 1997, the basic AE16 Aethalometer measuring Black Carbon at 880 nm was joined by models AE22 and AE31 offering optical analysis at additional wavelengths.
2000s
Recognition of Black Carbon for climate change forcing
Several studies reveal that airborne soot significantly heats the atmosphere by absorbing sunlight. In 2007 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report includes, for the first time, estimates of the direct radiative forcing of Black Carbon from fossil fuel emissions.
2007
Aerosol Co. founded in Slovenia
In 2007, the company “Aerosol” was established in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to concentrate exclusively on the science, technology, and commercialization of instrumentation for carbonaceous aerosol measurements.
2009
First-ever pocket Black Carbon meter
Aerosol and Magee Scientific developed the first-ever pocket meter for measuring personal exposure to Black Carbon. It was later commercialized by AethLabs.
2011
Popular Aethalometer AE33 released
In 2012, the Model AE33 was released after extensive development and testing in conjunction with leading research institutes in Europe. This incorporates scientific and technical advances.
2012
WHO and US EPA recognize health and climate impacts of Black Carbon
WHO's comprehensive assessment of Black Carbon health effects was published, highlighting its association with cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. Similarly, the EPA's detailed research into Black Carbon health and climate. impacts was also released in 2012.
2014
US EPA, ETV approval of Aethalometer AE33
EPA's Environmental Technology Verification, created in 1995, to help accelerate the entrance of new environmental technologies into the domestic and international marketplaces. In 2014 Aethalometer AE33 was approved by this program.
2016
Dual Spot patent
DualSpot measurement method, used exclusively in Aethalometers, was patented in 2016. This, and other patented solutions, make Aethalometers a gold standard for Black Carbon monitoring.
2020
Release of portable Aethalometer AE43
AE43 introduced to cater for specific scientific and monitoring needs, like vertical profiling, emission testing, health effects research, mobile mapping, and field measurements at remote locations.
2023
Release of the new Aethalometers AE36 and AE36s
Continuing the success story of AE33, the AE36 and AE36s incorporate new capabilities for more extensive monitoring of Black Carbon and unprecedented research.

From deserts to mountaintops

Thousands of Aethalometers deployed worldwide
Our instruments are measuring black carbon everywhere – from the Sahara Desert to the South Pole, from the streets of New York City to the mountaintops of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, and from Brazil to the heights of Tibet.
The Aethalometer is trusted to deliver data in the world’s most demanding environments.
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Our role in the development of aerosol science.

Here you can find a list of key and most important publications from the Aerosol Magee Scientific Research team.
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