Monday 15 August 2022 – 16:51
ABU DHABI, 15th August /WAM/ The National Center for Meteorology, through the Emirates Research Program for Rain Enhancement Sciences, today officially launched the second research project within its fourth session, which is being implemented by Dr. Bradley Baker, under the title “Development of chemical and physical properties of rain-enhancing materials by electrical charging”.
This happened during the visit of His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Mandoos, director of the National Center of Meteorology and president of the Asian Meteorological Federation, in the state of Colorado in the United States with the aim of discussing the future prospects of innovative research project.
Dr. Becker is the principal investigator at SPIC and is an expert in cloud physics with decades of experience in cloud physics, airborne instrument measurements and cloud radar information.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Mandoos was briefed on the details of the ambitious research project, which will see a partnership between SPIC and two institutions that won the program’s second cycle grant, namely the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the University of Reading; With the aim of building on the results of previous studies at the level of the UAE.
The project will include implementation of advanced numerical simulation of cumulus clouds and their measurements using a SPEC “Larjet” research aircraft in coordination with the National Center of Meteorology “King Air” aircraft used in cloud seeding operations. To complement this work, the Finnish Meteorological Institute will simulate the effects of cloud seeding using nano-hygroscopic materials previously developed at Khalifa University.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Mandoos said: “Our visit provides an opportunity to evaluate the scope of the results of Dr. Baker’s innovative research project, which will serve an important goal of building on the groundbreaking work done by previous winners of the program. We are confident that this project will give us further ability to understand the most effective materials for seeding.Through such pioneering projects, we at the National Center of Meteorology will continue to work to connect scientific research networks around the world through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, and benefit from the latest international scientific and technological innovations in rain enhancement.”
The University of Reading has developed miniature electric charging generators attached to a King Air cloud seeding aircraft. Charge generators can enhance the ability of aerosol particles to condense below cloud base within a size range that enhances the effects of hygroscopic nanomaterials. The Finnish Meteorological Institute will perform numerical simulations of clouds to reveal the effect of using nanomaterials with and without electrical charge generators. Speck’s Learjet aircraft will perform cloud measurements with and without hygroscopic nanomaterials and electrical charge generators. The measurements will be compared with simulations carried out by the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Alia Al Mazrouei, Director of the Emirates Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “Regular meetings with the winners allow us to provide support and bring together our shared experience to ensure that these innovative projects have maximum impact in terms of new knowledge and its applications. The UAE is building global research networks and providing knowledge platforms based on cutting-edge research projects that contribute to scientific and technological progress for rainwater as an increasingly important field.”
According to Dr. Baker, “The overall goal of this project is to see if the effects of using hygroscopic nanomaterials and electrical charge generators are able to stimulate the secondary process of ice crystal formation that can lead to increased precipitation.” It is noteworthy that the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science is an initiative launched by the Ministry of the Office of the President and managed by the National Center of Meteorology. The program’s active international interaction has already confirmed its leading position in the global effort to meet water security challenges through innovation and scientific and technical research.
By leading international efforts to improve water security through the dissemination of best scientific practices and collaboration in rain-enhancement research, the program is helping the UAE achieve its ambitious vision of becoming a world-leading knowledge economy.
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WAM/Ahmed Al-Boutli
