Plasma jets effectively promoting cloud condensation nuclei formation and aerosol activation in artificial weather modification

Abstract

Enhancing precipitation is of paramount importance in water-scarce regions. The availability of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is a critical prerequisite for precipitation formation. This study investigates a novel approach to promoting CCN formation by using plasma jets. The results indicate that after 30 min of plasma jet operating, the CCN concentration increases by a factor of 1.1–2.6, while the aerosol activation rate increases by approximately 2.5 times. The concentration of CCN remains high even after the plasma jet is turned off, which is attributed to the significant number of electrons and ions generated by the plasma jet, facilitating aerosol charging. The main mechanisms driving the formation of CCN are ion-ion recombination and reduced free energy barrier during water vapor condensation following aerosol charging. These experimental findings demonstrate the feasibility of using plasma jets to enhance the formation of CCN, with significant implications for artificial weather modification, particularly in the context of climate change.