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ABU DHABI, 15th August, 2022 (WAM) — A delegation of the UAE Scientific Research Programme on Rain Enhancement (UAEREP) visited Dr. Bradley Baker, the recipient of the programme’s fourth cycle, today in Boulder, Colorado, United States, to mark the start of the His innovative project “Improving the chemical and physical properties of seeding materials through electrical charges”.
Led by Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) and President of the WMO Asia Region II Regional Association, the UAEREP delegation and Dr Baker discussed an ambitious survey that will involve partnerships Working with two second cycle award winners from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the University of Reading, UK, to build on the results of previous research in the UAE.
Dr. Baker is a Principal Investigator at SPEC Incorporated and an expert in cloud physics with decades of experience in cloud physics and airborne and radar measurements of clouds. His project will combine complex numerical simulations of cumulus clouds built with measurements made using a SPEC Incorporated Learjet research aircraft with NCM’s own King Air cloud seeding aircraft. To complement this work, FMI will use hygroscopic nanomaterials previously developed at Khalifa University in the UAE to simulate the effects of cloud seeding.
Dr Al Mandous said: “Our visit gave us the opportunity to assess the progress of Dr Baker’s highly innovative research project, which will allow us to build on the groundbreaking work done by previous project winners. We believe in this project It will further our understanding of the materials that can most effectively induce precipitation from suitable clouds. NCM, through the UAE Precipitation Enhancement Scientific Research Programme, will continue to drive global research networks and take advantage of the latest international innovations in rainfall enhancement technology.”
The University of Reading has developed tiny charge generators that can be attached to King Air planters. The charge generator can condense the aerosol particles below the cloud base into a size range that can enhance the seeding effect of hygroscopic nanomaterials. FMI will run numerical simulations of the cloud using data collected when the nanomaterial seeding agent and charge generator are used and not used. SPEC Learjet will also take measurements in the cloud with and without agents and generators to generate additional data to compare with FMI simulations.
Commenting on the visit, UAAREP Director Alya Al Mazroui said: “Regular meetings with award winners allow us to provide support and bring together our joint expertise to ensure that these innovative projects will have the greatest impact in terms of new knowledge and its application. . Our visit to Dr Baker ensures that his exciting project will have the greatest impact as the UAE leads the way in building global networks and pooling knowledge gained from various research projects to ensure rain enhancement as an increasingly Technological advances in important areas.”
According to Dr. Baker, “The overall goal of the project was to determine whether the effects of nanomaterial seeding agents and charge generators could stimulate secondary ice processes (SIP) that could lead to enhanced rainfall. Previous observations suggest that SIP occurs naturally in the tropics In cumulus clouds, cloud base temperatures are typically above 20 degrees Celsius. Previous measurements have shown that millimeter-diameter water droplets rise in updrafts, then freeze and break up, creating small ice particles that “seed” the cloud. Our research will investigate nanomaterials Whether seeding agents and charge generators can stimulate coalescence processes and natural SIP that may lead to enhanced rainfall.”
Launched by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs and administered by the NCM, the UAE’s active international participation in the UAE’s Rain Enhancement Scientific Research Programme has ensured its leadership globally in the quest to address water security challenges through innovative scientific and technological research.
Driving international efforts to enhance water security by promoting scientific best practices and enhancing collaboration in rainfall research, the programme is helping to achieve the UAE’s ambitious vision of becoming a leading global knowledge economy.
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