Washington University in St. Louis receives NSF grant for AI climate research

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop artificial intelligence models designed to improve predictions of aerosol and cloud properties.

The project aims to isolate and quantify how aerosols, such as tiny particles from wildfire smoke, influence marine low clouds. These clouds cover vast ocean areas and play a critical role in the global climate by reflecting sunlight back into space to help cool the planet.

Jian Wang, a professor at the McKelvey School of Engineering and director of the Center for Aerosol Science and Engineering, noted that while scientists know aerosols affect cloud brightness and persistence, the exact strength of these effects is not fully understood. The research intends to enhance the ability to predict future warming, precipitation, and other climate changes.