Presentation Title: | Novel cloud seeding materials: the complex interplay between materials science and cloud physics |
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Full Name: | Linda Zou |
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Affiliation / Institution: | Khalifa University |
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Abstract: | Many factors affecting the precipitation in the water cycle include the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, mountain terrain, vegetation, volcanoes, and wild forest fires, among others. Among these natural factors, the generation and availability of fine particles suspended in the atmosphere such as volcanic ashes, pollens, sea salt crystals, fine dust particles, could be the most significant factor for rain formation. These natural occurring particles play the role of condensation of water vapor, ie form very fine water droplets, the beginning of rain fall. Only when both the natural fine particles and large amount of water vapor are co-existing in the air, precipitation may occur, so the rain is an unpredictable event subject to the probability. However, the novel cloud seeding materials could be designed, fabricated and released on-demand with the field operation, such action could artificially enhance the interplay between seeding agents and the cloud, increase the chance of rain formation. One of the first cycle project was using nanotechnology to develop cloud seeding materials for accelerated condensation and rain formation. The research outcomes of this first cycle project will be reviewed including hygroscopic agents of Core/shell structured material and glaciogenic agents of porous composite material. |