Ice crystal dynamics in snow and its impact on radiative properties at large scales

We strive to formulate a most complete snow metamorphism model based on the phase-field technique and couple it to a radiative transfer model. By combining modeling results with experimental data using advanced data science and artificial intelligence techniques, we will study the link between ice physics and the evolution of radiative properties of a snowpack.

We expect a considerably more versatile snow metamorphism model to emerge than available today. The coupling to radiative properties and the data analysis will improve our understanding of process coupling from small scale physics to large scales. The model development will be of interest to the wider phase-field community and materials science, while the modeling and data analysis approaches shall find their way to applications as e.g., for photovoltaic installations in complex terrain, remote sensing or improving climate models.