Abstract

The properties of candidate particles for solar radiation management (SRM) through stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) should comply with safety, controllability, and functionality requirements. Following the proposal in [1] of safety and controllability requirements, we define here a set of functionality requirements on the particles’ properties - optical properties, stratospheric residence time, scalable manufacturing compatibility, and aerial dispersion compatibility- that, if met, ensure the feasibility of practical implementation, providing reflection of ∼ 1% of the solar flux. We then present design principles and fabrication methods for sub-micron solid particles that may enable satisfying the combined requirements.

These requirements do not identify a unique solution, but favor sub-micron particles with tightly controlled size distributions and stable properties over their stratospheric lifetime, and motivate a composite design where the bulk core composition is selected primarily for optimal radiative properties and the outer shell surface is engineered to control atmospheric chemistry and aging, and enhance aerial dispersion compatibility. We present two specific particle designs that are viable for meeting the coupled requirements: amorphous silica spheres and calcium-carbonate cores surrounded by spherical silica shells (both with appropriate surface treatment). The former is at an advanced stage of experimental verification (described in detail in a companion paper) of meeting all requirements, provides a practical platform for surface engineering, and will enable reaching a substantial fraction of ∼1% solar flux reflection. The latter is under development and will enable reaching > 1% reflection.