The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science to increase rain enhancement research in the UAE and arid and semi-arid regions across the world is granting millions of dollars. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, its research team was the inaugural recipients of the $5 million grant from the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement last year. They have filed a provisional patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

The research team has developed an innovative cloud seeding material using nanotechnology. It is also a significant milestone towards achieving greater water security in the UAE, as rainfall enhancement via cloud seeding can potentially increase rainfall between 10% and 30%.

Scientists have explored ways to improve the process of condensation on a pure salt crystal by layering it with a thin coating of titanium dioxide. Around 50 nanometers thin coating which is more than one thousand times thinner than a human hair, its effect on the salt's condensation efficiency is significant. The titanium dioxide coating improved the salt's ability to adsorb and condense water vapour over 100 times compared to a pure salt crystal. Such an increase in condensation efficiency could improve a cloud's ability to produce more precipitation, making rain enhancement operations more efficient and effective.

Awardees of the Programme?s Second Cycle grant of US$5 million were announced this month during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017.

References-khaleejtimes.com

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