Connect with us

Emirates

Safe and effective: Enhancing rainfall with novel materials

In recent years, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has used core-shell NaCl-TiO2 (CNST) seeding material throughout its cloud seeding operations, or rather a specific type of hygroscopic material with two main ingredients. The UAE is currently the only country worldwide using CNST materials in its cloud seeding operations after the UAEREP successfully completed this research endeavor in 2017.
The concept of increasing rainfall to promote precipitation in arid regions, or even improve weather conditions due to climate change, is certainly not a new one. The idea began in the late 19th century, intriguing scientists and engineers as to how this process may work while remaining safe and effective. It then begged the question: To safely increase rainfall, what materials do we use in the clouds?
Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification that mimics what naturally occurs in clouds, but enhances the process by adding particles that can stimulate and accelerate the condensation and convection process. It is increasingly recognised as a critical tool within the broader strategy of achieving water security in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide, additionally acting as a means for climate change mitigation and protection from pollution.
Since the 1960s, researchers have studied the ways in which clouds may be affected by different kinds of seeding materials. That idea is now advancing rapidly as scientists apply novel material to improve rain enhancement effectiveness, namely hygroscopic seeding materials made possible through nanotechnology.
Hygroscopic seeding materials, such as potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl, otherwise known as table salt), are designed to enhance precipitation by attracting moisture in the atmosphere. They are composed of naturally occurring, non-toxic compounds with no foreseeable negative impacts on the environment or public health, making them a key tool in weather modification efforts.
The potential environmental or toxicological impact from cloud seeding materials, both hygroscopic and glaciogenic (which aids in the formation of ice crystals) has been studied for decades. An expert review by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reports no evidence of negative environmental impact. Over 31 papers were reviewed to draw this conclusion, while many other organisations came to the same conclusion.
The lack of environmental impacts was highlighted by many other reviews through statements on weather modification, including three previous WMO statements (1991, 2006, 2015), the Weather Modification Association (WMA, 2009), and a review by the National Academies in the United States (Garstang et al. 2003, 2005).
In recent years, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has used core-shell NaCl-TiO2 (CNST) seeding material throughout its cloud seeding operations, or rather a specific type of hygroscopic material with two main ingredients. The UAE is currently the only country worldwide using CNST materials in its cloud seeding operations after the UAEREP successfully completed this research endeavor in 2017.
In particular, the CNST seeding material used for rain enhancement is made from naturally occurring and safe ingredients that do not harm the environment or public health. This innovative material mainly consists of common salt, or sodium chloride (90 percent), and a small amount of titanium dioxide (less than 10 percent).
The presence of titanium dioxide acts as a thin outer film or coating. Changing the material’s surface causes the material to become more reactive in rainclouds, resulting in a substance that is more effective in lower and wider relative humidity ranges.
Notably, neither of these ingredients is classified as hazardous by safety regulations in the U.S. or internationally. For instance, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not set exposure limits for common salt, and the amount of titanium dioxide used is far below the safety threshold set by OSHA.
Prof. Linda Zou, a 2015 UAEREP grant awardee and a professor of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering from Khalifa University, led groundbreaking research using nanotechnology to develop cloud seeding materials. She posited that much of the cloud-seeding materials used today have been around for many decades, yet the techniques are outdated and potentially less effective.
Through significant advancements in nanotechnology and nanoscience, the scientific community is now able to design and engineer these hygroscopic cloud-seeding materials with optimal properties, ensuring water vapour condensation will maximize the rainfall achieved while functioning effectively.
When used in weather modification, the small amount of this CNST material dispersed into any raincloud becomes immensely diluted by the large volumes of rainwater produced. To put this in perspective, typical storms in the Arabian Peninsula produce an average of 1 million cubic meters of water.
The tiny quantity of seeding material used, often between 200 and 1000 grams, results in concentrations that are several hundreds of times lower from the safe exposure limits, making it completely harmless due to its low concentration. This ensures that the rainmaking process is both effective and environmentally friendly.
According to Prof. Zou’s research findings, her results demonstrated that in weather conditions with 100 percent humidity, these unique seeding materials formed a 300 percent increase in large water droplet concentration, which is a critical size for rainfall compared to conventional seeding materials. Prof. Zou’s project is now patented worldwide with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a novel application of cloud seeding hygroscopic materials using nanotechnology.
By leveraging the moisture-attracting properties of these compounds, hygroscopic seeding can effectively induce rain in areas experiencing drought or low rainfall, providing a vital resource for agriculture, water supply, and ecosystem health without posing risks to the environment or public health.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Emirates

World Free Zones Organization Launches its New Corporate Identity

The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) has launched its new corporate identity, which coincided
with its 10th anniversary. The launch came during the 10 th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress in Dubai held under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’, In conjunction with the launch of its new corporate identity, the World FZO announced its new vision, mission, and purpose. Its new vision focuses on driving global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth through empowered free zones, setting the benchmark for economic advancement. As part of its new mission, the World FZO aims to engage with free zones from around the world by supporting them through knowledge
sharing, networking, advocacy, and consulting, enhancing their positive impact and contributions to economic and social development in their respective countries.
The World FZO reaffirmed its commitment to its core values while enhancing its approach by adopting the
latest practices and keeping pace with rapid global changes. This forward-thinking approach enables the
organisation to reshape prevailing perceptions and highlight its distinctive and innovative methods.
With its new identity, the World FZO also emphasise its dedication to launching purposeful and transparent initiatives that solidify its role as a catalyst for positive change on the global stage.
The organisation’s new corporate identity represents its three strategic pillars: Impact, Influence, and Trust. Its focus on Impact will drive sustainable growth and effectiveness, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of socio-economic development and innovation. Under its second pillar, Influence, it seeks to shape the future of global trade and investment by advocating for policies that foster growth and opportunity for businesses and communities. Furthermore, by building Trust, the organizations will reinforce its role as a steadfast ally, providing the advocacy needed to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving global landscape. The organisation’s key objectives for its new phase include opening new investment horizons and reinforcing social contributions by supporting net-zero initiatives.
The World FZO remains focused on fostering trade relations and partnerships between economic zones in its member countries, while broadening its activities to encompass emerging economic sectors. These sectors align with the demands of the era, including artificial intelligence, digital trade, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advanced technologies.

Continue Reading

Emirates

Dubai Customs Launches Innovative Training Program to Enhance Emiratisation Efforts

– Specialized Vocational Program Under "Masar 33" Aims to Train and Employ 80
Citizens
– Sultan Bin Sulayem: Our Plans Align with National Vision and Goals
– Abdulla Mohammed Busenad: A Strong Commitment to Supporting
Nationalization Efforts in the UA

Dubai Customs is launching a significant initiative to train and employ 80 new high school graduates as “Customs Inspectors.”in line with the vision of the Dubai government and contributing to the goals of the Dubai Economic and Social Agenda, along with the leadership’s commitment to invest in citizens and increase Emiratisation rates.
This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to enhance the participation of citizens
in the economic development process and to support the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan goals
by investing in the youth and equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to
keep pace with global changes. The department has allocated a vocational program in
customs inspection for candidates selected from Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024, providing them
with professional training for seven months both domestically and internationally before they
take up available positions. This initiative is part of the pioneering “Masar 33” program
designed to meet Dubai’s agenda goals by mobilizing all resources and development plans
to ensure the highest quality of life for citizens in the emirate. “Masar 33″aims to enhance
the competitiveness of Emirati talent through various initiatives, professional programs, and
scholarships, establishing Dubai Customs as a cornerstone for advancing the national
human development system, boosting its efficiency and productivity, and increasing its
participation in economic sectors to meet Dubai’s leading aspirations for the future.

Program Objectives:
The vocational program aims to nurture and train new high school graduates by enhancing
their professional skills in line with the Dubai government’s vision. It seeks to integrate
citizens into the labor market from early stages, ensuring their future success and
competitiveness. Additionally, it focuses on building the capabilities of customs inspectors on
scientific and advanced training foundations to address security risks and protect the
community and economy from customs evasion and smuggling, achieving a 100%
nationalization rate in customs inspection at Dubai Customs.

Active Participation:

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation, stated that the organization is committed through its
various initiatives and programs aimed at training and qualifying citizens to actively
contribute to the success of the UAE’s national vision, which is fundamentally based on the
Emirati workforce. He praised Dubai Customs for diversifying its projects in line with the
Dubai government’s plan and its social and economic agenda, enhancing the
competitiveness of citizens in the labor market for both the public and private sectors under
an ambitious strategy to encourage and promote nationalization policies.

Attracting Citizens:
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that
the department provides a range of specialized programs at the highest levels to attract
young citizens and involve them in the development process. Through “Masar 33” which
aligns with the objectives of the Dubai agenda and the leadership’s vision for enhancing
nationalization in both the public and private sectors, the programs enable citizens to gain
knowledge, field experience, and technical skills necessary for joining the labor market
through the approved career path. He noted that the initiative to train recent high school
graduates in customs professions builds upon Dubai Customs’ previous achievements in
qualifying citizens and the positive results attained through a series of diverse programs
covering the most in-demand job sectors. The department remains committed to enhancing
the efficiency of citizens and providing them with the professional opportunities they seek,
reinforcing its commitment to supporting nationalization efforts in the UAE.

Four Pillars:
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director, Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs,
announced the opening of applications for the customs inspector training program during the
Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024 and provided the link to the official Dubai Government Jobs
website. The program is designed around four main pillars: digital skills programs, behavioral
programs, customs science programs, and security programs, alongside practical training in
the department’s customs centers and external training in collaboration with strategic
partners, which includes a comprehensive professional guidance program. He stated, “The
programs provided by Dubai Customs are increasingly popular among young citizens,
confirming the success of the department’ efforts in attracting national talent to shape future
leaders in customs work through various academic and specialized professional paths. This
offers new graduates the opportunity to qualify for roles in Dubai Customs, with 80 vacancies
allocated for graduates of the customs inspector training program.”

 

Continue Reading

Emirates

DCO Secretary-General commends Global Digital Compact at Summit of the Future

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), said that “the digital divide the world faces today is
multifaceted, encompassing gaps in digital intelligence, computing capabilities, gender, and
skills,” in a speech at the Summit of the Future held during UNGA79 in New York.
In her speech, delivered after the UN General Assembly adopted the & Pact for the Future’ and the
‘Global Digital Compact’, AlYahya warned that “The AI and computing divide represents a
significant barrier, as some nations advance rapidly in AI innovation and deployment, while
others struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the gender digital divide continues to limit women’s access to technology and
opportunities, and the skills divide leaves many without the digital competencies essential for
success in a fast-evolving economy. If we do not address these interconnected challenges, we
risk leaving entire communities behind.”
AlYahya praised the Global Digital Compact for “lays out an ambitious roadmap for an
inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all,” emphasizing that “It is a
bold vision, but the real challenge is translating these goals, principles, objectives, and
commitments into action, especially as we strive to achieve the SDGs.”
AlYahya highlighted that “at the Summit of the Future, the DCO proudly launched the Digital
Economy Navigator (DEN), an innovative tool that provides detailed insights on digital economy
performance across 50 countries. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are turning the
principles of the Global Digital Compact into action.”
She explained that “while DEN is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. In the spirit of
networked multilateralism, we must foster collective efforts to the GDC’s ambitious goals,
objectives, and commitments. I call upon every country, organization, and individual to join
forces in this critical endeavor.”
The Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) evaluates digital economy performance through three
intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within these
dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy, and
use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data
sources, in addition to proprietary survey data of more than 27,000 participants across the 50
countries.
In addition to the launch of the DEN, on the sidelines of UNGA, DCO signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance digital cooperation and accelerate
digital transformation across the world, to support efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Arab States (LAS) to
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable digital economy, enhance relations and exchange experiences and knowledge, and accelerate the process of digital transformation and economic development.

Continue Reading

Trending