Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 21: To overcome the irregularities of rainfall, inventor Ratnakar Nayak, developed the cloud seeding method further, by using drone technology. He demonstrated a sample of this more efficient alternative, by using a small size drone at Mahatma Gandhi ground, Ajjarakad here on Sunday, March 19.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj formally launched the drone-based cloud seeding technology by clicking on the remote of the drone.
Addressing the gathering on occasion Minister Madhwaraj said, "I have never encountered such a severe drought in the district after becoming the MLA here. Thus, there is a need for the government to promote and adopt this technology which is cost effective. I would like to recommend the use of this technology to the government and I am convinced by Ratnakar's first attempt."
Minister Madhwaraj promised to extend all support to continue the project. "If Ratnakar wishes, I am willing to take his team to Bengaluru to meet the agricultural minister Krishna Byre Gowda and CM Siddaramaiah," he said.
The Innovator
Ratnakar, an emerging inventor, has been working for his institution 'Sky view' in Karkala since 2002. He has been involved in many projects over various subjects and helped students of aeronautical and mechanical Departments in their projects.
Ratnakar has 7 years of experience in the drone technology and its various applications and has conducted many air shows.
Ratnakar said that he is looking for government permission to continue the technology soon.
The Team
Prajwal Hegde S, who works as an assistant to Ratnakar, completed aeronautical engineering last year and has been working at 'Sky View' from 2014. He is involved in various projects like 'blended wing plane' and 'electromagnetic bearing'.
Retired scientist of ISRO, Janardhan Rao, is guiding and supporting the team.
The team works with the theme 'Go Green' and 'Change waste into energy'.
The Technology
For cloud seeding, Ratnakar uses silver iodide flares. Clouds are seeded with nuclei so that cloud droplets precipitate into bit sizes. These iodide flares are ignited and dispersed through the drone. After a short while, it rains. The drone reaches a height of 150 meters within 3 minutes to start its task.
This technology helps increase rainfall thereby reducing crop damages. The major advantage of drone technology in the field of cloud seeding is that it minimises the space occupied for the runway otherwise used by aircrafts for the same, as it is purely remote controlled. It also scraps the need for a pilot. Additionally, being a one-time investment, it is also cost effective.
The basic manufacturing cost of this technology is about Rs 1 crore, but the team has brought down the expenditure on it to Rs 12 lac, as per information provided by Ratnakar.
Locals watched Ratnakar's feat and collected details from him about his project. Children too were given a chance to understand this scientific marvel.