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A delegation from the UAE’s Rain Enhancement Scientific Research Programme (UAERES) visited Dr. Bradley Baker, recipient of the programme’s fourth cycle, in Boulder, Colorado, USA, to mark the launch of his innovative new project. The title of the project is “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 UARES delegation and Dr Baker discussed an ambitious survey that will involve two Winner of the 2nd Cycle Prize from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the University of Reading, UK, building on 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.
Invention project
Dr Al Mandous said: “Our visit gives 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 carried out by previous project winners. We believe that this The project 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 scientific and technological innovations in the field of rainfall enhancement.”
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, UARES Director Alya Al Mazroui said: “Regular meetings with our laureates allow us to provide support and bring together our joint expertise to ensure that these innovative projects will benefit from new knowledge and its applications. 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 important scientific and technological progress in the field.”
Nanomaterial seeding
Dr Baker said: “The overall aim of this 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 have suggested that SIP occurs naturally in tropical cumulus clouds , the cloud base temperature is usually higher than 20 degrees Celsius.
“Previous measurements have shown that millimeter-diameter water droplets rise in updrafts, then freeze and break up, producing small ice particles that ‘seed’ clouds. Our study will investigate whether nanomaterial seeding agents and charge generators can stimulate the potential to cause rainfall Enhanced coalescence process and natural SIP.”
Launched by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs and managed by the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), the UAE’s Precipitation Enhancement Scientific Research Programme’s active international involvement has ensured its leadership in global scientific and technological research that seeks to address water security challenges through innovation.
By promoting scientific best practices and strengthening collaborations in rainfall research to advance international efforts to enhance water security, the programme is helping the UAE achieve its ambitious vision to become a leading global knowledge economy. — arab trade news agency
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