7th IREF Highlights Innovations In Autonomous Aerial Systems And Cloud Seeding Technologies

The 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF)'s second day focused on cloud seeding and autonomous aerial systems. Experts discussed new technologies, innovations in rainfall enhancement, and ways to support future researchers in the field.

The event was organized by the National Center of Meteorology through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). Following the discussions from the first day, the second day began with a session on "Advances in Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Weather Modification Applications."

Experts explored how the latest UAS technologies are helping to improve cloud seeding and rainfall enhancement efforts. The session featured well-known experts, including Dr. Chaouki Kasmi from the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), who delivered the opening speech, WAM reported.

Other speakers included Jan Henneberger from ETH Zurich, Vasile Istrate from Active Interventions in Atmosphere SA, Roelof Burger from North-West University, and Deon Terblanche from UAEREP's Strategic Direction Committee (SDC), who moderated the discussion.

Panelists discussed key challenges in using UAS for weather modification, such as technological readiness, regulations, operational limitations, and the cost-effectiveness of real-time decision-making systems.

The session also included technical presentations on the latest advancements in cloud seeding. Henneberger shared insights from the CloudLab project, which focuses on glaciogenic cloud seeding using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Istrate presented his research on using fixed-wing UAVs for improved cloud seeding, while Roelof Burger discussed the role of unmanned aerial systems in weather modification.

The second session, titled "Opportunities and Challenges for the Design, Development, and Testing of Novel Cloud Seeding Materials," was led by Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud, CEO and Founder of the Climate and Water Initiative.

Experts discussed new materials for cloud seeding, their development, and testing. The session featured speakers such as James Sweeney, President of Weather Modification International (WMI), who gave the opening speech.

Other experts included Miloslav Belorid from the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Professor Linda Zou from Khalifa University, Ottmar Möhler from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Will Cantrell, a UAEREP 5th Cycle Awardee and Dean at Michigan Technological University.

The 7th IREF marks the 10th anniversary of UAEREP, highlighting a decade of efforts to advance rain enhancement technology. UAEREP aims to provide sustainable solutions for water scarcity and support water and food security worldwide.

So far, UAEREP has invested AED 82.6 million in 11 research projects, leading to eight patents, with three more pending approval. Furthermore, three new research projects are currently in progress.