The purpose of this project was to make the first ever study of Ni and Al chemistry in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT). The project involved making a series of experimental studies of key neutral and ion-molecule reaction rates in the gas phase, in order to understand the unique characteristics of the Ni layer and the likely concentration of the AlO layer. At the same time, a instrument was used to simulate the ablation of Ni and Al from micron-sized fragments of meteorites such as Allende and Murchison.

This is a NERC Standard Grant - NE/P001815/1.