Qatar developing $500,000 artificial clouds for World Cup

Qatar 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 say they will air condition the stadia via solar power and now scientists at Qatar University have designed the ’cloud’ which can be produced at a cost of US$500,000 (€353,518) each.

Saud Abdul Ghani, 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.