Deep Tech Briefing #8: Cloud Seeding; Green Concrete; SAR Technology for earth observation; Optical quantum computing; AI-enhanced monitoring systems unlocking longevity
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Today’s Insights
After the Dubai floods, the concept of "artificial rain" has entered public consciousness. Science and Strategy of Cloud Seeding.
Leveraging Synthetic Aperture Radar Technology for Sustainable Earth Observation
Advancing Optical Quantum Computing: The Breakthrough in Compact Quantum Light Processing
AI Shaping Tomorrow's Healthcare. How AI-enhanced monitoring systems unlock longevity
"Cementing a sustainable future": California startup took a step toward reducing emissions from a famously hard-to-decarbonize sector today
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After the Dubai floods, the concept of "artificial rain" has entered public consciousness. Science and Strategy of Cloud Seeding.
Cloud seeding is a sophisticated form of weather modification that aims to enhance precipitation by introducing particles into clouds to stimulate rain or snowfall.
Developed in the 1940s, cloud seeding technology has significantly advanced, informed by improvements in technology and a more nuanced understanding of meteorological systems.
However, this technique gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 60s, offering enhanced precipitation that benefited farmers, hydroelectric companies, and ski resorts. However, the approach saw a decline in the following decades due to a reduction in government funding, spurred by revelations of the U.S.'s covert military use of the technology during the Vietnam War. This led to the Environmental Modification Convention in 1977, signed by the U.S., Russia, India, and several European nations, which prohibits the military use of weather modification techniques.
The process involves dispersing substances like silver iodide or sodium chloride from aircraft or ground-based systems into the atmosphere. These particles act as nuclei around which moisture can condense, potentially boosting precipitation by up to 20% under optimal conditions. This method has proven especially effective in mountainous regions, enhancing rainfall and snowpack—essential for both human use and environmental stability.
In arid regions such as the United Arab Emirates, which receives less than 100 millimeters of rain annually, cloud seeding is of particular interest. Facing extreme temperatures that often exceed 50 degrees Celsius in summer, the UAE has heavily invested in cloud seeding since the early 2000s. The state-funded initiatives, in collaboration with international bodies like NASA, aim to alleviate the acute water shortages that are exacerbated by the harsh climate.
Despite its potential, the efficacy and environmental impact of cloud seeding are still debated. Detractors point to possible unintended consequences like abnormal precipitation patterns or the use of potentially harmful chemicals like silver iodide. However, supporters argue that the benefits, such as increased rainfall and snowfall that support water reserves and agriculture, justify its use.
The market for cloud seeding is experiencing renewed interest as global water shortages intensify due