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H2020Doctoral network2017–2021

SAINT · Science and Innovation with thunderstorms

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2017-03-01 → 2021-08-31
EU contribution
€3,996,875
Participants
19
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Science and Innovation with thunderstorms

Lightning is an extremely energetic electric discharge process in our atmosphere. It significantly affects the concentration of greenhouse gases, and it threatens electrical and electronic devices, in particular, when placed on elevated structures like wind turbines or aircraft, and when these structures are built with modern composite materials with inherently low electric conductivity. In addition, even our fundamental understanding of atmospheric electricity is far from complete. New discharge processes in the atmosphere above thunderstorms have been discovered, the so-called Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) in the upper atmosphere, and Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) emitting particle beams of antimatter which are not properly investigated, neither in geophysics nor in the related fields of plasma and high-voltage technology. These challenges are approached within the SAINT project with a coordinated program of research that includes satellite and ground observations with state-of-the art sensors in France and Spain, and modelling and lab experiments with excellent discharge diagnostics, leading computational modelling platforms and three upcoming space missions. The overall objectives are divided into scientific research objectives and into technological research objectives: a) Scientific research objectives: - Identification of the generation mechanism(s) of TGFs and of their global occurrence rates - Understanding lightning propagation and the effect of high-energy processes on lightning propagation by developing new computational models - Characterization of the sub-processes of cloud discharges with unprecedented detail from measurements by a suite of novel sensors in space and on ground to develop b) Technological research objectives - Design of new tools for quantification of the chemistry of discharges: create instruments and models for the improved characterisation of the chemical reaction paths in atmospheric discharges for use in industrial applications (e.g. gas purification and ozone generation) and for quantification of the production of greenhouse gas constituents by lightning - Design of new lightning detection approaches, i.e. algorithms enhancing data products from lightning detection systems in space and on the ground - Design of new lightning protection/mitigation strategies by numerical models and instruments for wind turbines and aircraft Therefore, the project aims to understand fundamental properties of lightning and its implications for society including plasma chemistry related to greenhouse gases and lightning protection.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Lightning is an extremely energetic electric discharge process in our atmosphere. It significantly affects the concentration of greenhouse gases and it threatens electrical and electronic devices, in particular, when placed on elevated structures like wind turbines or aircraft, and when these structures are built with modern composite materials with inherently low electric conductivity. In addition, even our fundamental understanding of atmospheric electricity is far from complete. New discharge processes in the atmosphere above thunderstorms have been discovered, the so-called Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) in the stratosphere and mesosphere, and Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) that emit particle beams of antimatter. These phenomena demand thorough investigations, in geophysics and in the related fields of plasma and high-voltage technology where similar discharges appear.These challenges are approached within the SAINT project with a multidisciplinary and inter-sectorial training platform for 15 ESRs. The platform brings together satellite and ground observations with modelling and lab experiments. It couples scientific studies to applications relevant to industries developing satellite data products, plasma discharge technologies, lightning detection systems and lightning protection devices. With SAINT, we take advantage of the extraordinary opportunity presented by three simultaneous space missions with dedicated instruments to study lightning discharges, TLEs and TGFs, to integrate the unique space data with dedicated novel ground observations, model developments and lab experiments. SAINT will train the next generation of young, innovative scientists to shape the future of research and technology in Europe.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyCoordinatorDenmark
  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
  • AIRBUS · BlagnacFrance
  • BRISTOL INDUSTRIAL AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATES LIMITED · BristolUnited Kingdom
  • DENA DESARROLLOS SL · TerrassaSpain
  • GLOBAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION SERVICES AS · HERNINGDenmark
  • Météorage - Lightning Information and Solutions · PauFrance
  • NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION · WashingtonUnited States
  • PLASMA MATTERS B.V. · EindhovenNetherlands
  • STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN · UtrechtNetherlands
  • TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN · EindhovenNetherlands
  • THALES SERVICES NUMERIQUES SAS · VELIZY VILLACOUBLAYFrance
  • The University of AlabamaUnited States
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA · GranadaSpain
  • UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA · BARCELONASpain
  • UNIVERSITE PAUL SABATIER TOULOUSE III · Toulouse Cedex 9France
  • UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN · BergenNorway
  • UNIVERSITY OF BATH · BATHUnited Kingdom
  • nowcast GmbHGermany

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union