Qatar hopes 'artificial clouds' at World Cup can ease heat concerns

[MrCoffee]

Qatari scientists say they have developed "artificial clouds" to provide shade for stadiums and training grounds at the 2022 World Cup.

The extreme heat in summer months in the Middle Eastern country has led to concern about conditions at the tournament, with some suggesting it should be played in the winter.

Qatar officials say they will air condition the stadiums via solar power and now scientists at Qatar University have designed the "cloud", which can be produced at a cost of $500,000 (£309,000) each.

Saud Abdul Ghani, the head of the mechanical and industrial engineering department, told Gulf News the "clouds" are made from a lightweight carbon structure carrying a giant envelope of material containing helium gas. Four solar powered engines move the structure via remote control.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/24/qatar-world-cup-clouds

Mmm-kay.

[joeybee12]

1. I have this awful feeling some player is going to die of heat stroke or

sun exposure during this.

[MrCoffee]

2. I'm more worried about the fans dying

Players are in better shape and are far more accustomed to paying attention to things like hydration and heat.

It's the drunken schlubs in the stands/streets I'm worried about.

[joeybee12]

6. I think that's a given...and we'll probably never hear about those

since they'll figure it was someone who should have avoided the heat to begin with...but such physical exertion in such heat, even for someone in the best of shape, can have consequences.

[HuckleB]

3. Simply ridiculous.

The whole affair is simply ridiculous.

[MrCoffee]

4. You'll appreciate today's Fiver..."Cloud Cuckooland"

It falls, therefore, to the Fiver to poke fun at the news that Qatari officials plan to release artificial clouds to cool down their country during the 2022 World Cup in order to minimize the chances of Jack Wilshere melting into a puddle of sweat and tears just before the end of England's second-round elimination by Germany. According to Saud Abdul Ghani, who is the head of the mechanical and engineering department of Qatar University, the clouds will be a surefire success because they will consist of "a lightweight carbon structure carrying a giant envelope of material containing helium gas". According to the Fiver, which is a tea-timely football email, the clouds will be a whopping great menace. They will fall and hurt someone or they will drift over to Blighty and make the nation even colder or they will bother the birds or they will get in the way of a shot by Frank Lampard, who will still be playing because no England manager will have had the courage to drop him. :rofl:

Not so, counter the Qataris, explaining the clouds will be powered by solar engines and guided by remote control so they'll do exactly as they're told. And at just over £300,000 a pop, they're more or less the same price as a ticket to this year's Champions League final (not including the booking fee). Still, expect the clouds to be trotted out as an artificial excuse when England's stars again fail to shine.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/24/football-fiver-england-wales-world-cup

[HuckleB]

5. Awesome! The Bale-out bit was a great warm up, too. -eom-