Why laser-based rain triggering is the next frontier for cloud seeding

In the face of global climate change and increasing water scarcity, innovative solutions geared towards addressing these issues are vital. At the Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute, we are currently working on a new project designed to address water security through rain enhancement. This is a groundbreaking advancement, which will contribute to the management of water resources and mitigation of droughts without the use of chemicals, reducing the potential impact on the environment.

Our innovative project, called “Laser-based rain triggering demonstrator with remote sensing technology,” offers a novel approach to enhancing rainfall. It received a substantial $1.5 million research grant in January from the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), which is part of the UAE National Center of Meteorology, recognizing the significant contributions of the project to the program’s ongoing commitment to advancing global water scarcity.

What is laser-induced rainfall?

The use of intense laser pulses can in theory influence atmospheric conditions and trigger rainfall, by emitting extremely short bursts of light. Laser pulses directed into the atmosphere can create plasma channels, which are conductive paths of ionized gas, similar to lightning. When these channels are aimed at clouds, they could induce localized changes that may promote precipitation. Traditional cloud seeding techniques, which involve dispersing substances such as silver iodide into clouds to encourage rain, have been used for decades. However, laser-based approaches aim to optimize these methods by providing a more controlled and precise way to induce rainfall.? Not only is this laser-based approach potentially more efficient, but it also offers chemical-free rain enhancement, thereby removing any risk of negative impact on the environment and on health.

The evolution of the project

The initial focus of the TII research project that received the grant is on the feasibility of using lasers for inducing controlled atmospheric modifications to influence and enhance precipitation processes. This is done through simulations and laboratory experiments. The next step involves conducting field experiments utilizing a Mobile High-Power Pulsed Laser Demonstrator (MHPPLD), which works with a mobile laser equipped with a remote sensing system, allowing for easy relocation for testing in various locations.

These experiments will enable the understanding of the production of the desired effects in the atmosphere than can be achieved using the MHPPLD in the clouds. The TII team will also experiment and analyze the influence of various laser parameters such as pulse duration, energy, repetition rate, and wavelength on the formation and behavior of laser filaments. It will then investigate the use of laser beam steering to induce turbulence in the cloud.

The role of TII

Our laser-based rain triggering research project is led by Dr. Guillaume Matras, senior director at TII’s Directed Energy Research Center, and is being fostered in the innovative ecosystem of TII, benefiting from its cutting-edge technology and expert collaboration.

The grant and research project will facilitate the establishment of atmospheric and laser science labs at TII and at local partner universities, allowing students in the UAE to perform experimental works for graduation projects and PhD theses.

TII also aims to promote continuous education through the promotion of periodic workshops and seminars in cloud microphysics, LIDAR technology, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, plasma diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.?

The laser-based rain triggering project is a great example of the technological innovation coming out of TII and more broadly of the UAE and it’s a testimony to the region’s commitment to address global warming and promote environmental sustainability.

Potential impact and future implications

The implications of this project are vast. By enhancing the ability to control precipitation, it becomes easier to manage water resources, mitigate droughts, and support agricultural productivity. This is a significant step forward in the field of weather modification and it offers a promising solution to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, especially in countries like the UAE.

Thanks to the UAEREP grant supporting such innovative research, there’s the potential to significantly impact water resource management and to enhance rainfall in a sustainable manner, particularly in arid regions facing severe water shortages.