The laboratory proves to be an ideal place in which to investigate some of the important microscale phenomena that contribute to the formation and properties of clouds and aerosols. The Department's 1400-ft² laboratory space is well equipped with pure water and air facilities, fume hoods, a clean bench, sample refrigerator, several freezers, and a high-capacity vacuum line. As needed, additional equipment is developed and used to conduct specific experiments, such as those designed to study the growth of cirrus-like ice crystals, to investigate the nucleating capabilities of aerosol particles, to measure the rates with which aerosol particles and trace gases are taken up by snow, and to explore the interactions of ambient moisture and nitric acid vapor with representative aerosol particles. The results from the laboratory experimentation find application in a variety of physical and chemical models of atmospheric clouds and aerosols.