Replicating stratospheric lightning phenomena (Jets) within the laboratory

Recent discoveries of rare lightning phenomena include Jets (Gigantic Jets, Blue Jets, Blue Starters) in the Stratosphere. They are attributed to the failure of a small number of NASA operated high-altitude unmanned vehicles and can interfere with long-range communications. Their intensity and frequency are thought to increase with Global Warming, and it is likely that they contribute towards greenhouse gas emissions, such as O3, COx and NOx.

Jets are inherently difficult to study in nature, and this project aims to overcome this by replicating them within a laboratory environment. A novel environment chamber will be designed and built to replicate the Earth's atmosphere (atmospheric composition, pressure, temperature) between 10 and 50 km. Methods of analysing electrical breakdown and arc properties within the chamber will also be developed, to include high speed photography, schlieren imaging, emission spectroscopy, and gas chromatography.

Following this project, further investment will be sought with a network of UK universities (possibly Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Reading) to carry out comprehensive research into Jet formation, risks to the natural and built environment, and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Cardiff University will contribute costs associated with the environment chamber, and all sensors and diagnostics are provided to the project at no charge. Funding is requested to support a nine-month Research Associate.