Mary Yiyue Zhao
Grasping Water: A novel method to make rain using a Ice Nucleating Protien
Cloud seeding using silver iodide can induce precipitation in dry regions. Unfortunately, use of the iodide can lead to excessive silver in the soil which damages the health of micro-organisms. Yiyue Zhao explored an environmentally friendly and commercial viable alternative to silver iodide: the Ice Nucleating Protein (INP) of the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae. The results of her research could have major implications on the use of cloud seeding to alleviate drought and clear smog.
We are proud to announce that Mary Zhao received a Diploma of Excellence at the Contest in Stockholm.
The Stockholm Water Foundation and the Stockholm International Water Institute awarded 18-year-old Ceren Burçak Dag (Turkey) the 2009 Stockholm Junior Water Prize. The young woman won the coveted honour by developing an innovative method for generating energy through piezoelectric pulses from falling rain drops.
The jury also awarded two (2) Diplomas of Excellence to Emily Elhacham (Israel) for her project, Detecting water contamination chemical sensors using metal nanoparticle networks, and Mary Zhao (Canada) for her project, Grasping water: A novel method of inducing precipitation using the Ice Nucleating Protein.