Binks Institute for Sustainability: Optical Bistability and snowpack stability in a climate affected world

Many parts of the world rely on a predictable winter snowpack which then melts stably in the spring and summer to provide irrigation for agriculture. The stability of this irrigation source is being challenged by global warming, with local communities using novel solutions such as ice stupas in the Himalaya, but how robust are such techniques to further warming?

 Snow accumulation and snow melt are part of a dynamical nonlinear system, when taking into account heating from the sun, air/ground temperature, ground absorption of sunlight and snow reflectivity. This leads to feedback in the system, making it bistable: snow accumulation does not follow the same dynamics as snow melt. Over a longer timescale this also shows how the temperatures at which glaciers melt are higher than those needed to form them, creating an essentially irreversible melting in many situations.

 In the 1990s much research was done in optical bistability as a method for memory. It is yet to achieve its early promise in that respect, yet this unusual form of optical nonlinearity might be a powerful tool for computational and physical modelling of ice and snow melt in a climate affected world.

 Aims and methods:

1 – develop simple, cheap physical models in the lab which mimic snow and ice melt and accumulation (such as with paraffin wax or coconut oil)

2 – develop computational models dynamical nonlinear systems representing snow melt and accumulation

3 – apply methods to understanding data on snow accumulation, snowpack longevity and snowmelt in Scottish mountains using both natural and artificial snow for skiing.

4 – apply optical bistability model help understand publicly available data on snow and ice melt.

5 – apply model to predict the stability of Haar in the Tay Estuary.

6 – investigating predictive abilities of optical bistability as a model for snowpack stability when determining avalanche risk, ski resort snow longevity and ice stupa longevity.

Impact could take the form of improved decision making for:

1 – avalanche risks with snowpack becoming much more variable throughout the winter (in partnership with the Scottish Avalanche Information Service), 

2 – when and how to use artificial snow making for the formation of more a more stable snowpack at ski resorts, with Scotland being a model for previously more stable global winter sports locations,

3 – ice stupa placement, construction and future potential.

For informal enquiries about the project, contact Professor Mike MacDonald, School of Science and Engineering, [email protected]

For general enquiries about the University of Dundee, contact [email protected]

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a UK honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent for non-UK qualifications), and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline. For international qualifications, please see equivalent entry requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/study/international/country/.

English language requirement: IELTS (Academic) overall score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 5.5 in reading, listening, speaking and 6.0 in writing). The University of Dundee accepts a variety of equivalent qualifications and alternative ways to demonstrate language proficiency; please see full details of the University’s English language requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Email Professor Mike MacDonald, School of Science and Engineering, [email protected] to (1) send a copy of your CV and (2) discuss your potential application and any practicalities (e.g. suitable start date).

Step 2: After discussion with Professor Mike MacDonald, formal applications can be made via our direct application system. When applying, please follow the instructions below:

Candidates must apply for the Physics research degrees University of Dundee, UK using our direct application system:

Please select the study mode (full-time/part-time) and start date agreed with the lead supervisor.

In the Research Proposal section, please:

–         Enter the lead supervisor’s name in the ‘proposed supervisor’ box

–         Enter the project title listed at the top of this page in the ‘proposed project title’ box

In the ‘personal statement’ section, please outline your suitability for the project selected.