Iida said Fukushima Daiichi's reactors remain too hot to pour concrete, but he suggested pouring a slurry of minerals and sand over them to carry away heat before encasing them.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Then it's pumped back in to carry more heat away from the plant's fuel rods, which continue producing energy long after the chain reaction at the heart of the units has been stopped.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Such aerosol-induced clouds, however, would have silver linings if they formed near a hurricane because the rising air that created them would carry away heat that would otherwise be sucked in to fuel the storm.

ECONOMIST: Saturday-night showers