December 20, 2020
Another remarkable Master’s thesis has emerged from the European H2020 MSCA ITN ETN COMPLETE project, supervised by Prof. Daniela Tordella at Politecnico di Torino, within the Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Aerospaziale (2020). The thesis focuses on the development of biodegradable mini-radiosondes designed to measure key atmospheric variables—pressure, temperature, humidity, and velocity—inside warm clouds.
Warm cloud microphysics remains one of the most uncertain areas in contemporary meteorology. Critical processes like droplet formation and rain development are strongly influenced by turbulence across multiple scales, yet the exact mechanisms—particularly involving Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN), condensation, and droplet collisions—are not fully understood.
A major reason for this knowledge gap is the scarcity of in-situ field data, especially from instruments that can follow cloud motions in a truly Lagrangian manner. Addressing this challenge, the COMPLETE project introduced a new class of radiosondes—eco-friendly, disposable, and capable of transmitting real-time data—that float within the cloud layer and record turbulence-induced fluctuations with high fidelity.
This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of:
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The scientific context and existing knowledge gaps;
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The design and core components of the biodegradable radiosonde;
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The physical principles behind its operation;
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Optimized assembly procedures developed at the IIT laboratories;
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Initial data collected from early test flights.
These contributions mark an important step forward in enabling better observational access to the inner dynamics of clouds, supporting improved climate and weather modeling.
📄 Read the full thesis here: https://webthesis.biblio.polito.it/secure/19707/1/tesi.pdf