Notes from IMAU's technical department
The technical drill at IMAU is fun, demanding, and always full of surprises. Our technical unit mainly consists of six people, and our expertise is diverse and complementary. We exist somewhere at the junction of all research groups present at IMAU. And that is precisely what makes it fun!
Your IT needs are the first element that likely makes us – or more accurately said, Marcel – known at IMAU. Setting up your new laptops, data handling and access to our servers, programming measurement systems in the lab, finding the best sensors and instruments, fixing problems you did not know you had... The list goes on!
If you work with Antarctica, Greenland, or Svalbard data, then you have some technicians to thank. Mainly Paul and Giorgio, with recently a lot of help from Maurice, who yearly take care of the equipment that is stationed on ice caps over the whole world. Picture this: flying over the glaciers to find and reach the weather stations, then landing as close as possible and servicing all equipment faster than Usain Bolt used to run the tracks. Every minute counts, each helicopter trip optimized, rushing around on the glaciers trying not to trip on an ice crack while carrying masts and sensors – and it’s COLD! A healthy dose of creativity, good humour, and a pair of dry gloves are always handy to solve all sorts of unexpected problems.
When you hear loud noises coming from the end of the hallway, it is highly likely Roy. A craftsman who can build almost anything – that always eventually works! Making compressors of all sizes to sample air aboard transatlantic ships, building frames and field enclosures, or designing and 3D printed custom parts to build unique pieces of equipment. His constant headache in the last couple of years? Getting the ACSM’s (aerosol chemical speciation monitors) to work properly.
Almost one quarter of IMAU's floor space is Thomas Röckmann's lab, which is full of equipment constantly measuring samples from all over the world. This jungle of mass and laser spectrometers couldn’t be conceived without Carina. She knows every corner of the lab and the ins and outs of every measurement system. Decades of expertise make her your best friend when you are stuck and don’t know how to progress in your research.
And giving Carina a hand taking care of the lab equipment, there’s me! Additionally, whenever you don’t hear me whistling down the hallway, I'm likely gone on a field trip. Collecting ice samples from Copenhagen, sailing on a ship measuring methane leaks, giving an extra hand on a glacier, or taking our laser spectrometers out for a measurement ride in the rainforest. A bit of everything!
So, if you are ever stuck and need a hand… Come see us!
David Bonell
