Japanese researchers have led an unprecedented test phase using a drone to trigger and guide lightning. Ultimately, this method could protect cities and populations from damage linked to this phenomenon.
“We have managed for the first time in the world to trigger and guide lightning using a drone.” An unprecedented experience was carried out by NTT researchers, in a mountainous area of the city of Hamada, on the west coast of Japan.
NTT is the country’s largest telecommunications company. It is very active in research and innovation, especially in technological projects, such as that cited above and which could ultimately protect cities and populations from lightning damages.
For this, drones resistant to the direct impacts of lightning could predict the exposed areas precisely, actively trigger the lightning, then divert them safely.
During their test phase, scientists managed to trigger lightning by suddenly vary the electric field around the drone.
At the time of the impact, a strong noise of cracking was heard. A flash sparked at the cable and part of the protective cage of the drone melted. Despite this, the device continued to fly stable, reports NTT.
In testing
“We have developed a method of connecting the drone to the ground by a common thread, and in installing a high voltage switch on the floor side. By activating this switch at the optimal moment, we can quickly change the electric field around the drone. This sharp increase in the intensity of the local electric field promotes lightning discharge to the drone, “said the researchers.
To improve the success rate of this process, research is now focusing on a better prediction of the impact points of lightning and on the deepening of the understanding of the complex mechanisms of lightning.