NTT, the Japanese technology giant based in Tokyo, announced an achievement in the field of lightning control and protection. According to El Periódico, NTT successfully demonstrated, for the first time worldwide, the use of a drone to direct lightning in a controlled manner. This achievement holds promise for protecting cities and critical infrastructure from damage caused by thunderstorms.
In experiments conducted in the Hamada mountain region, 63 miles north of Hiroshima, the drone was sent into stormy skies to summon lightning bolts. As a storm approached, the drone ascended to 300 meters. By activating a ground switch, an electric current flowed through a wire connected to the drone, increasing the electric field around it and creating an electrical ground. This process attracted a lightning strike directly to the drone.
Remarkably, the drone survived the lightning strike and continued to fly, despite some minor damage to its protective casing, which melted partially after the strike. Vice News reports that the drone's durability is attributed to a metallic Faraday cage. This cage is designed to guide electricity around whatever it surrounds, safely diverting electricity away from the drone and evenly distributing the charge over its entire surface, ensuring the protection of the drone's electronics from damage.
NTT's drone functions as a flying lightning rod, allowing it to actively and safely attract lightning. This mobility enables the drone to anticipate lightning strikes and conduct the discharge away from sensitive areas. The ability to redirect lightning could help protect wind turbines, large outdoor gatherings, and critical infrastructure from lightning damage. Existing methods for controlling lightning, such as static lightning rods, offer limited defense and do not allow active control over the trajectory of electrical discharges.
Worldwide, approximately 6,000 lightning strikes hit the ground every minute, causing disasters such as fires, damage to infrastructure, and catastrophic power outages. In Japan alone, lightning causes between 100 and 200 billion yen (approximately $1.4 billion) in damages annually. A single lightning strike can kill a person, ignite fires, cause power outages, and even ignite forests, leading to widespread blackouts. The destructive effects of lightning are undeniable, and existing methods are often imperfect in protecting critical infrastructure.
NTT's long-term goal extends beyond redirecting lightning. The company aims to harness energy from lightning, although capturing the energy of lightning strikes is extremely challenging with current battery technology. Researchers admit that, for the moment, there are no batteries capable of safely absorbing such power. "Some scientists have previously called the concept of collecting energy from lightning useless, and others have called this goal hopeless due to the enormous technical challenges," reports La Razón.
Despite these challenges, NTT is already working on new versions of the device and studying alternatives like supercapacitors or damping systems that transform the discharge into progressive and manageable current. The company announced its intention to enhance the prediction accuracy and efficiency of its lightning management system. GEO France reports that NTT describes this innovation as a development in efforts to protect against the dangers of thunderstorms.
This advancement has implications for safety at outdoor events and operations on oil platforms. The technology could reduce the risk of material and personal damage from lightning strikes. NTT's innovation introduces a dynamic approach, where drones can be deployed in real-time to intercept and redirect lightning during storms, offering a more flexible and effective solution for lightning protection.
NTT does not rule out that, in the future, the drone could operate autonomously in areas with a high incidence of storms. By detecting conditions prior to lightning formation, the drone could activate at key moments to prevent lightning from naturally striking vulnerable points. This could complete the cycle, leading to safer environments and reduced damage from severe weather.
While the idea of harnessing energy from lightning remains theoretical, NTT's progress in controlling and redirecting lightning strikes represents a step forward in mitigating the risks associated with thunderstorms. The initial success suggests a promising future in which thunderstorms can be managed more safely and efficiently. NTT's team of specialists acknowledges that more research and testing are needed to adapt the technology to different weather conditions and geographical environments.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.