Its uncertain if we should deliberately geoengineer on the planetary scale, but if a desperate need arises, it will help to know how. As we have worked out AWE, we discovered a powerful "wind-dam" method capable of manipulating planetary-scale geo-flows in the sky and oceans. Lets call them (Geo)  Flow-Deflectors, since not just wind flow, but also water currents apply; and since they will mostly steer flows, rather than block them outright.

Megascale flow-deflector structures will be capable of vectoring bulk flow at will, to perhaps steer hurricanes, break droughts, and conserve polar conditions. They can handle oil spills, mix ocean layers to mitigate dead zones, dredge up deep calcareous sediments to buffer acidity, sieve plastic waste from gyres, and so on, in hybrid combinations. The techniques could buy time for nature to adapt to permanent climate change or a long slow recovery.

Wind dam tests work just as expected (Mothra1 tail-sits stably as a wind dam), offering high confidence that giant versions are workable. To handle incredible megascale loadings, just add rope. Therefore, we more or less already know how to make and fly vast flow-deflectors as high as 10km and even thousands of kilometers long. Because the structural basis is quasi one- and two-dimensional (rope and fabric), its the cheapest lowest-mass solution, enabling the largest scales.

The deflective barrier effect can be as porous and elastic as needed. If used on a crisis-by-crisis basis (like steering a super-storm from a collision course), the relatively short life cycle of the membranes (~5,000hrs) can accomplish many missions before recycling (the rope loadpaths might last decades). Temporary uses reduce risk of unforeseen ecological effects by permanent deployments. While use over land is possible, offshore deployment based on ocean shipping would enable flexible global response, with minimal interference effects.

Avoiding disturbing wildlife is a priority, or the geoflow-deflection can never be reckoned as fully successful. Whales, dolphins, and birds are of top concern. If the "dam solidity" and velocity (>4kt) is kept low enough, megafauna formations can pass right thru. Large membranes could have a regular pattern of vent holes for fauna to escape or draw breath. A spotter network of sensor and rescue workers can help ensure that wildlife presence is protected.

Support ships would control the flow-deflectors, but stay well clear of fouling with megascale forces, as they could be easily dragged under or pulled aloft. Instead, the applied control principles of a particular operational similarity case, Jujutsu, is proposed-

"Jū"  柔 can be translated to mean "gentle, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding." "Jutsu" can be translated to mean "art" or "technique", [Jujutsu] represents manipulating the opponent's force against himself rather than confronting it with one's own force." (Wikipedia)

This is a clear case of a folkloric chaos-control theory, where sensitivity to an initial condition is exploited to reduce actuation force demand. This seems to be the only way to actuate planetary-scale flow-deflectors, using techniques from fluidic computing and kiting (like push-turns). As a default, the deflector should self-kill in a fail-soft mode, if its actuation shipping loses control.

Winds and currents could be canceled or reinforced in complex maneuvers. Laminar currents would be steered by scooped dams. Vortical currents might best be steered by Bernoulli Lift, wrapping around the "back" of a deflector. Obviously, our meteorological computing will have to be as powerful as possible to soundly predict causal effects.

Mothra methods offer a "divide-and-conquer" capability to assemble or disassemble deflectors in place. Shipping deployment similarity models include rear-loading whaling and trawl-nets, as well as trans-ocean cable-laying. Vast flow-deflectors can be handily stored hanging in cold oxygen-poor deep-sea layers, immune to rapid bio-fouling and UV.

This overview is a small start in defining megascale geoflow-deflector tech. Numeric simulations and small scale experiments (using surface winds and small eco-systems like tidal-pools) are logical next steps.

• CoolIP* and CC BY NC SA        ~Dave Santos         2Feb2013              AirborneWindEnergy/message/8512

Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here.       
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• Terms and aspects:   
  • Geoengineering     wiki  
  • flow-deflector structures
  • flow deflectors
  • flow deflection
  • Calcareous
  • megascale geoflow-deflector technology
• Related links and concepts:
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• Commentary is welcome:
  • In Harper's Aircraft book in 1913: