(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Three international researchers have won a $5 million (Dh18 million) grant for their work on rain enhancement, intended to address water security challenges.
Prof. Eric Crew from the USA, Dr Ali Abshaev of Russia and Dr Lulin Xue from China were awarded the prize by the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science on Wednesday.
Prof Crew works at the University of Colorado and his award winning research project is about the use of drones in cloud seeding. Dr Xue, a chief scientist at Hua Xin Chuang Zhi Science and Technology in Beijing, presented research on the use of advanced experimental-numerical approaches to improve scientific understanding of the rain enhancement process. Prof Abshaev from the Rain Suppression Research Centre in Nalchik, Russia, is looking at the creation of artificial updrafts in clouds.
The awardees of the Third Cycle of the programme were announced and honoured at the International Water Summit, part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). The three were chosen from more than 200 entries across 68 countries.
Seeding advancements
Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, director of the National Centre of Meteorology, said: "The UAE has gained significant international recognition as a hub for knowledge and excellence in the field of rain enhancement. By taking a global lead in advancing this important science, the UAE has again demonstrated its vision and commitment to seeking innovative solutions for those confronting the challenge of water stress."
Alya Mazroui, director of the UAE Research programme for Rain Enhancement Science, said: "Our awardees are already paving the way for the application of new science and technologies in regions facing water stress around the world. Through the UAE Research programme for Rain Enhancement Science, we will continue to drive the innovation needed to ensure quality of life in arid regions."
Prof Crew explained that his project pursues the precipitation enhancement through an autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that utilises in situ real time data to sense and target suitable clouds for seeding. "During the project's first year, my team will assimilate data from previous field campaigns to identify cloud seed ability conditions, begin integration of sensors into unmanned aircrafts, and create simulations to assess algorithms," he told Khaleej Times.
Dr Xue said his project involves a consortium of research institutes and universities from China, Hungary, UAE and USA collaborating to focus on the hygroscopic seeding impacts on rain initiation, and to quantify potential seeding impacts on UAE rainfall in relation to climate variables over a 10-year period.
Dr Abshaev's project involves stimulation of convection in cloudless conditions, by heating deploying aerosols in the atmospheric layers.
Ismail Sebugwaawo
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