UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science assesses progress

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science’s Strategic Direction Committee, SDC, has visited Masdar Institute to assess the positive outcomes recorded from the university’s first cycle-wining cloud seeding research project.

Masdar Institute is a part of the Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The novel cloud seeding research project led by Dr. Linda Zou, Professor of Environmental and Chemical Engineering at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, was awarded in January 2016. Her project explores the use of nanotechnology to engineer particles that can serve as nuclei for raindrop formation when used to seed clouds.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of the National Centre of Meteorology, NCM, said, "The SDC site visit not only highlighted the progress of Dr. Zou’s research project over the past 18 months but also the substantial impact her research project will have on this scientific field. All the ambitious and innovative projects we are currently supporting illustrate the UAE’s leading global role in catalysing new global scientific and technological networks through creativity and innovation."

The NCM manages the programme, which was launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of the UAE, as an internationally recognised initiative offering an annual grant of US$5 million to be shared by up to five winning research proposals. Providing continuous technical support, data, logistics, facilities and advice to all the awardees, the NCM oversees the programme’s role in global research and development.

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science’s Secretariat manages and administers the delivery of each awardee’s project according to an agreed timescale, provides strategic direction, and evaluates the progress of awards through regular reports and site visits.

In addition, following the instructions of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, a factory has been recently established in Abu Dhabi to produce rain enhancement burners. The production lines should be operational by 2018.

The project assessment took place over three days and sought to evaluate the progress of Dr. Zou’s research, since being awarded the first cycle funding in January 2016, and maximise the research’s potential by addressing challenges and opportunities faced.

Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, said, "Through this site visit, the SDC sought to assess how Dr. Zou’s project has advanced rain enhancement technology and ensure that the project’s objectives are successfully achieved within the initial timeframe. The excellent progress made by Dr. Zou confirms that the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is having a significant impact in terms of enabling advanced research in the field."

Dr. Zou commented, "This strategy was the first effort to design nano-structured materials for rain enhancement. These particles can be applied to broader cloud conditions with an increased chance of rainfall. I am very grateful for the exceptional support provided by the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science and the National Centre of Meteorology."