TechKnow 119: Tornado safety tech & vertical farming

January 12, 2014 4:00PM ET

New technology to predict and prevent tornado damage, plus the future of vertical farming

Topics:
Science
Technology
Weather
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Join our expert "TechKnow" contributors Phil Torres, Shini Somara and Kosta Grammatis as they explore new technology and its impact on our lives. Shini goes to Oklahoma to visit infamous "Tornado Alley" to see new innovations being developed to better track tornadoes and lessen the damage they cause, and to meet one mom determined to turn her family's tragedy into safer schools across the state. Kosta discovers a secret garden inside Chicago's O'Hare Airport and explores other ways vertical farming impacts restaurants and even schools.

CASA

The Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere is a multi-sector partnership among universities, the government, and other industry leaders to improve the nation’s weather sensing network. The team has built a new high tech radar system that give meteorologists a clearer picture of what’s happening on the ground, ultimately leading to improved forecasts and better tornado warnings. 

The National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University

The National Wind Institute (NWI) at Texas Tech University is an interdisciplinary research and education facility in Lubbock, Texas. The NWI supports atmospheric and engineering projects that study wind speed and conduct debris impact testing for storm shelter construction. With over 40 years of experience and expertise, NWI is the place for innovative research on extreme weather and its impact. 

Tower Garden

Tower Gardens are vertical, aeroponic growing systems that allow fresh fruits and vegetables to grow in less time than traditional soil-based farming. Their utilization of vertical space makes them ideal for rooftops or balconies in urban areas or other locations where access to fresh produce may be limited. 

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