Replicating stratospheric lightning phenomena (Jets) within the laboratory

最近发现的罕见闪电现象包括平流层中的喷射（巨型喷射、蓝色喷射、蓝色启动器）。它们是由于少数美国宇航局操作的高空无人驾驶飞行器失败造成的，可能会干扰远程通信。它们的强度和频率被认为随着全球变暖而增加，而且它们很可能导致温室气体的排放，如O3、COx和NOx。射流本身就难以在自然界中进行研究，该项目旨在通过在实验室环境中复制射流来克服这一问题。将设计并建造一个新的环境室，以复制10至50公里之间的地球大气（大气成分、压力、温度）。还将开发分析腔内电击穿和电弧特性的方法，包括高速摄影、纹影成像、发射光谱和气相色谱。在此项目之后，将与英国大学网络（可能是布里斯托尔，巴斯，埃克塞特，雷丁）寻求进一步的投资，以开展对喷气形成，对自然和建筑环境的风险以及对温室气体排放的贡献的综合研究。卡迪夫大学将提供与环境室相关的费用，所有传感器和诊断都免费提供给该项目。申请资助一名为期9个月的研究助理。

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.