Scientists discover way to create artificial rain using bacteria

[Serendipity 7,821]

Professor Tobias Weidner, a bioengineer at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, was head of the team of researchers who have studied the structure of the 'rain-making' bacteria called Pseudomonas syringae.

He told the MailOnline: "Bacteria can induce ice nucleation in high altitude clouds.

"The ice nuclei then cause rain fall within low altitude clouds below. So it seems ice bacteria such as P. syringae can induce rain fall."

 

 

The researchers looked at the microbes structure through a spectrometer, which allowed them to see how the bacteria's surface interacts with water molecules.

The announcement follows plans, revealed last week, to build a 1.2mile-high mountain in the United Arab Emirates as part of efforts to collect much-needed water in the scorching country.

 

Experts from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in Colorado are working on a "detailed modelling study" according to lead researcher Roelof Bruintjes, at a cost of $400,000 (£276,384).

He told Arabian Business: "What we are looking at is basically evaluating the effects on weather through the type of mountain, how high it should be and how the slopes should be.

"We will have a report of the first phase this summer as an initial step."

 

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[En_Sabah_Nur 9,366]

Uhhhhhhhhhh - how do you build a mountain?!?!?  

 

[PartySick 174,382]

6 minutes ago, En_Sabah_Nur said:

Uhhhhhhhhhh - how do you build a mountain?!?!?  

 

You can either use a massive force to push two tectonic plates together or just make a huge pile of dirt and rock

Spoiler

I have no idea what they're doing though since this is the first I've heard of it

 

[En_Sabah_Nur 9,366]

1 minute ago, PartySick said:

You can either use a massive force to push two tectonic plates together or just make a huge pile of dirt and rock

  Hide contents

I have no idea what they're doing though since this is the first I've heard of it

 

Oh if you gotta do all that, then just leave the land there scorched then..  

 

[Edonis 28,974]

I mean, it's interesting, but I'm not sure how effective it can be. Culturing the bacteria, sustaining it to produce ice nuclei, and then harvesting the product to produce the rain. It's a complicated process. 

[Killa 18,900]

This is so amazing, never thought that would be such a possibility.