What has four wheels, looks like a spaceship inside, and can measure hundreds of gases and airborne particles every second? A modified cargo van, of course!
Professors Allen Goldstein and Joshua Apte, PhD ‘13 Energy and Resources, developed a new mobile laboratory to track air pollution. In July, their team began a far-reaching field research campaign across California as part of Bay Area-based Aclima’s Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative, in partnership with California Air Resources Board (CARB) and funded by the California Climate Investments.
The research van complements Aclima’s technology platform and fleet of sensor-equipped cars to enable hyperlocal air quality and pollution measurement. The project aims to address air pollution in 64 communities facing disproportionate pollution levels.
Managed by Mike Giordano (pictured), this truly mobile lab has advanced instrumentation capable of taking a “chemical fingerprint” of emission sources as it drives. Goldstein and Apte say the data will be used to create a detailed picture of local air quality, which will be shared with CARB, community partners, and the public.
This story originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of Breakthroughs magazine. Read the full issue on our magazine page.