Artificial rain made with bacteria

Artificial rain made with bacteria

scientists now claim they have worked out how the single celled microbes can be used to make artificial rain.
The discovery is currently being considered as part of a project in the United Arab Emirates.
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.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 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.
Bacteria may be often associated with diseases and digestion - but it can also play a huge role in the weather

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.