As part of the 3rd International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) taking place on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2019, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), today announced the results of the research projects of the awardees supported by the program’s first cycle grant.

At a press conference that drew the attendance of VIP dignitaries, diplomats, scientists and stakeholders, Dr. Linda Zou, Professor Volker Wulfmeyer, Professor Masataka Murakami presented the final results of their innovative research projects that have already done much to advance the capabilities of rain enhancement science and new technologies in the UAE and beyond.

Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), said: “Over the years, our Program has grown to the extent that it is now truly global in size, scale, and substance. We are proud of the results of the three research projects that will contribute significantly to supporting the scientific development in the field of rain enhancement, in addition to improving the effectiveness of the rain enhancement as an additional sustainable water source. These efforts strengthen the UAE’s position as a world-class center for generating knowledge and achieving excellence in rain enhancement science and techniques.”

The list of researchers who received the grant of the first cycle of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science for creative research projects carried out over the past three years are as follows:

– Professor Linda Zou, a Professor at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, has been able to produce, test and evaluate new cloud seeding materials based on nanotechnology that can increase the number of rain droplets by up to three times their original size, at 100% relative humidity, compared to conventional cloud seeding materials. Two patents have been filed for the nanotechnology seeding material, and an examination of potential methods for mass producing the material is currently ongoing.

– Professor Masataka Murakami, Designated Professor from the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University and a visiting scientist at the Japan Meteorological Research Institute (MRI), has developed new statistical evaluation methods to study the long-term effects of seeding and investigate methods to improve seeding effects, as well as a new database for the National Center for Meteorology on clouds and aerosols specifications in the UAE. This database can be used to validate readings, provide baseline data to aid research supported by the program grant that will also facilitate future research projects. Professor Murakami has also developed a numerical modeling system to simulate meteorological observations and identify rainfall clouds in order to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and increase the efficiency of the UAE’s mapping operations by increasing the accuracy of cloud targeting, thereby reducing the number of flight hours and the associated cost.

– Professor Volker Wulfmeyer, Managing Director and Chair of Physics and Meteorology at the Institute of Physics and Meteorology of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, has developed a high-resolution 3D numerical weather prediction model used for the identification of optimal locations of land cover and terrain modifications to increase rainfall. In addition to determining plantation specifications and net water gain, another outcome of the project is expected to be carbon mitigation, helping the UAE achieve the climate objectives and CO2 reduction requirements of the Paris Agreement

Hosted by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), which also manages the UAE Rain Enhancement Program, the annual forum brings together international researchers, scientists, and stakeholders to discuss the latest scientific and technological advances with a view to finding new water security solutions. Open to policymakers, scientists and stakeholders attending ADSW, the forum offers an excellent opportunity for participants to learn about a range of innovative research currently underway.

Day 2 of the forum also reviewed the results achieved by the first cycle of awardees and featured a presentation by Professor Wulfmeyer’s team of the potential for increasing rainfall with a cloud and precipitation reactor. In addition, a session on Applied Rain Enhancement Research discussed a recent landmark report on cloud seeding published by the WMO Expert Team on Weather Modification.

Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “The excellent results achieved by our first cycle of awardees reflects the efforts of our program to lead innovation in the rain enhancement field and to support the sustainability of water resources globally based on the latest scientific and technological methods. Through their work, we are confident that the recipients of our program grant will contribute to the development of new scientific foundations that will help areas suffering from water scarcity.”

In addition to offering updates on the second and third cycle of awardee projects, the forum agenda includes sessions discussing potential solutions to global water resource challenges, youth participation in water-related issues, the role of women in water sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sciences related to weather forecasting and rainfall management.