Solar-powered clouds developed by Qatar’s scientists
In anticipation of extreme heat during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scientists and engineers at Qatar University have developed a solar-powered gas-filled cloud that will shade spectators and athletes from the roaring sun.The $500,000 artificial clouds can be positioned over any of the stadiums in Qatar and can be maneuvered with a remote control from the ground to keep the passing sun off the field. While we think it’s cool (literally) that they want to shade the arena (saving on energy used to cool it) we’re a bit baffled as to why they wouldn’t just build a simple solar shade over it instead.
The head of the mechanical and industrial engineering department, Saud Abdul Ghani, told Gulf News that the clouds would be made from a lightweight carbon structure that surrounds an enclosed blimp-like vehicle filled with helium gas. The clouds would fly at very high altitudes therefore blocking out direct and indirect rays from the sun — and by doing so, decreasing temperatures inside the stadium.
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]Solar-powered clouds developed by Qatar’s scientists,
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