It is around two decades since cloud seeding began in the UAE, and this technique to promote precipitation is now as popular as ever.
Last year, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) ran no fewer than 242 missions.
Cloud seeding is used in many other countries, among them the United States, where pioneering research was carried out in the middle of the 20th century.
Much of the work then involved injecting thousands of tiny silver iodide particles into the atmosphere, often by using a plane loaded with flares. These particles mimic the actions of ice nuclei – particles around which ice crystals form – and so promote precipitation, which might fall as snowflakes or rain.
Silver iodide is still commonly used in colder conditions, while in warmer temperatures, salt (sodium chloride) particles are often preferred.
Over the years there has been little change in the particles used and the efficiency of cloud seeding has not shown significant improvement.
While some researchers remain unsure whether cloud seeding works at all, in hazy conditions there is likely to be a 10 to 15 per cent increase in the rainfall generated by a cloud, according to NCM figures, while in clearer conditions the increase is about 35 per cent.
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Attempts have been made to mix salt with other substances, including other salts and polymers that also attract water, to increase effectiveness. However, improvements have been modest.
And there are many challenges linked to cloud seeding aside from what particles are used. Professor Ken Carslaw, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, said there is also the issue of when and where in a cloud the seeding is carried out.
“You have to seed in the right place and the right time. If not, you get even the opposite effect from what’s intended,” said Prof Carslaw, who researches how particles in the atmosphere behave and what effect they have on clouds.
“In some cloud systems, you can get fairly predictable results, but that’s not the case in all situations … Our ability to measure the cloud and understand how it will respond is incomplete; that makes cloud seeding unpredictable. We don’t even know how a cloud will evolve naturally.”
Although there is much about cloud seeding that remains to be learnt, recent work at Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute, part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, could lead to a step change in the efficiency of cloud seeding. This is especially in cases where salt particles are used.
Last year, as was reported, Professor Linda Zou, a professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the university, applied for a patent for the use of a titanium dioxide coating on salt particles.
Now, in a paper in the journal American Chemical Society (ACS) Nano, Prof Zou and her co-researchers have published full details of how they have used nanotechnology – science at the nano scale – to produce these particles, and how much more effective they appear to be at adsorbing water vapour than pure salt (adsorption – not to be confused with absorption – involves the adhesion of the water molecules to the particles).
High levels of water vapour adsorption are essential if particles are to successfully seed clouds, but on their own, without a coating, salt particles only work at very high humidity conditions and tend to be ineffective when relative humidity is less than 75 per cent.
The research involved tests in a cloud chamber, which is a three-dimensional environment in which condensation and water droplet formation caused by the seeding material can be assessed. While Prof Zou cautioned that this is very different from an actual cloud seeding operation, she nonetheless described the results as “very positive and promising”.
A key characteristic is the way in which the titanium dioxide coating or shell, and the salt particle that it surrounds, act in synergy with one another to adsorb more water vapour, which turns into larger droplets.
The titanium dioxide shell is a hydrophilic (water-loving) surface, and when it adsorbs water vapour it increases the relative humidity around the salt particle, and this can be turned into drops of liquid.
As a result of this synergistic effect, in the cloud chamber experiments, this structure absorbed many times as much water vapour as pure sodium chloride. Also, water turned to liquid at a much lower relative humidity than when normal salt particles were used. Thirdly, the new particles created much larger water droplets. Prof Zou is not surprised at the positive findings.
“I designed that [particle] because I expected the nanostructure would enhance the function, but I am glad to see such significant and very positive improvement,” she said.
“We found the total numbers of large water droplets that are likely to form rainfall have increased 290 per cent.”
The larger water droplets formed by the new nanostructured particles are, said Prof Zou, more likely to accelerate droplet growth and trigger rainfall.
Numerical modelling is being carried out to predict how effective the particles will be in atmospheric conditions, and it will also be crucial to see if the lab results can be replicated in actual cloud seeding operations. Field trials have yet to happen, but planning and preparation is being carried out by the National Centre of Meteorology.
“We cannot tell the time [when trials will happen] … but we’re in the process of planning for the field trials,” said Prof Zou, whose project is financially supported by the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science.
“We are now addressing the challeng of the scale-up, [to produce the particles in] larger quantity.”
So, after many years in which cloud seeding operations have not shown significant progress in efficiency, the new capabilities of scientists to operate at the nano-assisted level could provide a much sought after breakthrough.
– The study’s other authors are Dr Yanlong Tai, Haoran Liang (a PhD student), Dr Nabil El Hadri, Dr Steve Griffiths and Dr Mustapha Jouiad of Khalifa University, and Dr Ali Abshaev and Dr Buzgigit Huchinaev of the High-Mountain Geophysical Institute in Russia.
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England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaly%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mo%20Ibrahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.6%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%2C%20planning%20first%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GCC-based%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022