All Programs Program 02 — Sunlight Reflection Methods

Marine Cloud Brightening

Exploring a novel approach to SRM: increasing the natural reflectivity of marine clouds by influencing their microphysical properties through precision aerosol injection.


What is MCB?

MCB is a SRM approach that increases reflectivity of certain marine clouds by influencing their microphysical properties. This can be accomplished by spraying extremely small droplets of sea water into the air.

CCI's Engineering Focus

The principal challenge for MCB deployment is creating small enough particles, which need diameters similar to a virus particle. Creating these droplets efficiently is an engineering challenge. CCI will leverage cross-disciplinary expertise in fluid dynamics and thermal sciences to explore break-through possibilities.

Research Priorities
  • Aerosol generation mechanisms for ultra-fine seawater droplets
  • Fluid dynamics and thermal sciences applied to droplet physics
  • Cloud microphysics interaction characterization
  • Efficiency evaluation and engineering constraint mapping
  • Environmental risk and monitoring framework development
Program Status
✓ Milestone Reached

The MCB program has passed its Preliminary Feasibility Review. CCI is seeking expanded cross-disciplinary engineering capacity to advance particle generation research.

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Help advance responsible MCB science.