Japan has been experiencing increasingly severe damage from torrential rainfall triggered by typhoons and stationary linear rain bands. In response, an ambitious and unconventional idea is taking shape: artificially inducing heavy rainfall over the ocean to reduce extreme downpours on land. This pioneering project was selected for the Cabinet Office’s Moonshot Research and Development Program and is led by Professor Shunji Kotsuki of the Institute for Advanced Academic Research/Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, who serves as project manager.

While Professor Kotsuki runs his laboratory and discussions with rigorous logic, he is guided by a clear belief: “When you aim to accomplish something meaningful, it ultimately comes down to passion and energy.” In this interview, we spoke with him about the current state of weather control and AI-based weather forecasting research, as well as the mindset that underpins his pursuit of challenging, future-oriented science.

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new algorithm for picking the right spot to build utility-scale power generation or storage in cities. While traditional approaches focus on technical suitability, this algorithm incorporates not only affordable access to grid infrastructure but also social, economic and policy factors.

Joining NUS CDE under the Returning Singaporean Scientists Scheme, Prof Yang Changhuei will build on a career spent expanding the limits of microscopy and biomedical imaging.