Date Approved

2014

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Chemistry

Committee Member

Gavin Edwards

Committee Member

Heather Holmes

Committee Member

Andrew Ross

Abstract

The key to understanding tropospheric chemistry begins with the hydroxyl and hydroperoxy radicals. Recent research suggests that there is still considerable uncertainty in our understanding of the sources of these radicals and their role as sinks. The work detailed in this thesis describes a computational approach to modeling the hydroxyl and hydroperoxy radicals in a forest environment and attempts to shed further light on the radical budget in a typical Northern Hardwood forest. Additionally, research was conducted with United States Council for Automotive Research in collaboration with Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler to develop a global standard for vehicle indoor air quality test methodologies. An initial evaluation of materials to validate test and analysis process has been completed. In addition to establishing the identity of a material for an internal standard, a VOC specific emission algorithm to predict cabin VOC concentrations for a given set of control parameters was established.

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Chemistry Commons

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