CAIR undertakes research into atmospheric interactions and microphysical processes affecting radiative properties and air quality and in the development of instrumentation for the detection of airborne particles.

The Centre was formed in 2006 through the amalgamation of three cognate research groups that had each been active at UH for more than two decades.

Over the past five years, research sponsorship totalling more than £4.5 million has been received from NERC, EU, DSTL, NASA, NSF, Government department such as the Met Office and Home Office, and industry.

CAIR's research programmes are supported by extensive specialist computational resources, field measurement campaigns, and more than 400 sq.m of dedicated office and laboratory facilities.