Ryan Sullivan
Professor, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering
Courtesy Appointment, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Ryan Sullivan is a professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a faculty member in the Centre for Atmospheric Particle Studies. Sullivan has a background in atmospheric and analytical chemistry, single-particle analysis, heterogeneous kinetics, and cloud nucleation research. His research interests include the development of improved aircraft-deployable analytical instrumentation to characterize individual particles in the atmosphere in real-time. These instruments are used to investigate the physicochemical properties of atmospheric particles emitted and produced from a variety of sources, the chemical processes they experience during atmospheric transport, and how these processes modify the ability of particles to nucleate both cloud droplets and ice crystals, thus altering cloud properties and the Earth’s climate. These research endeavors involve equal parts instrument development, laboratory experiments, and field measurements.
Removing PFAS Molecules Using Ultraviolet Light
Studying Atmospheric Particles Using Aerosol Optical Tweezers
Understanding Climate Change Through Clouds
Education
2008 Ph.D., Chemistry, University of California, San Diego
2006 MS, Chemistry, University of California, San Diego
2002 BS, Chemistry, University of Toronto
Affiliations
Research Interests
- aerosol-cloud interactions
- air quality
- atmospheric particle studies
- chemistry
- energy
- environmental engineering
- environmental systems
- heterogeneous chemistry
- instruments & instrumentation
- mass spectrometry
- mechanical engineering
- micro/nanoengineering
- microfluidic systems
- optical tweezers
- phase transitions
- water treatment
Media mentions
Military Times
Sullivan comments about the unique chemical bonds found in PFAS-containing firefighting foams in the Military Times
ChemE’s Ryan Sullivan makes a comment about the unique chemical bonds found in PFAS-containing firefighting foams in Military Times.
The Washington Post
Sullivan talks to The Washington Post about the danger of air fresheners
MechE’s Ryan Sullivan talks with The Washington Post about how air fresheners can actually have serious adverse effects on consumers.
CMU Engineering
All eyes on “forever chemicals”
Ryan Sullivan has been developing new methods to measure “forever chemicals” in the atmosphere and aerosol particles to answer outstanding questions regarding the components that lead to human exposure.
CMU
Sullivan and Gordon receive DOE award
MechE’s Ryan Sullivan and Research Accelerator Hamish Gordon have received funding from the Department of Energy to continue studying how wildfire emissions could affect the climate.
Collegium Helveticum
Sullivan organized workshop on chemical exposure
MechE’s Ryan Sullivan organized a workshop titled “Everyday-Everywhere Chemicals and the Human Exposome” at the Collegium Helveticum.
the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies
Sudoc named startup to watch by Chemical & Engineering News
Sudoc, a startup co-founded by CMU’s Terrence Collins and Ryan Sullivan, has been named one of 10 startups to watch by Chemical & Engineering News. Sudoc is developing and commercializing TAML catalysts, a bioinspired environmentally friendly molecule that outperforms toxic chemicals in a wide range of applications and can be used to remove pollutants from natural and built environments.
C&EN
Sudoc named in 10 start-ups to watch
Sudoc (Sustainable Ultradilute Oxidation Catalysis) was named one of “C&EN’s 2021 10 Start-Ups to Watch.” MechE’s Ryan Sullivan is a co-founder of the company.
CMU Engineering
Making environmental science accessible to all students
New Mechanical Engineering course dives into the connections between Earth’s water, air, land, and life.
National Science Foundation
Sullivan’s research on wildfires featured
MechE/Chemistry’s Ryan Sullivan’s research on wildfires and cloud formation was featured on the National Science Foundation’s The Discovery Files radio feature.
CMU Engineering
Wildfires, clouds, and climate change
As the frequency and size of wildfires increases worldwide, research shows how the chemical aging of particles emitted by these fires can lead to more extensive cloud formation and intense storm development in the atmosphere.
Carnegie Mellon University
Engineering faculty quoted on climate policy
ChemE/EPP’s Neil Donahue, EPP’s Valerie Karplus, CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock, CEE/EPP’s Costa Samaras, MechE’s Ryan Sullivan, and the Scott Institute’s Anna Siefken were quoted on President Biden’s climate policy.
Salon
Jen and Sullivan quoted on wildfires
ChemE’s Coty Jen and MechE’s Ryan Sullivan were quoted in Salon about their experiences with wildfires in California.