1. **Water Storage:** During dry or low-water seasons, an air-shield dam can increase the water storage capacity of a river channel, creating a series of segmented "reservoirs" that offer significant ecological benefits. It effectively balances the water-diversion capacity of spillways with reservoir storage levels, thereby increasing the overall storage volume of existing reservoirs. Furthermore, it mitigates policy-related and financial challenges—such as land inundation—typically associated with increasing water storage capacity. When the discharge capacity of existing spillways proves insufficient, this type of dam or gate structure can be deployed to maintain the weir crest elevation without compromising the reservoir's storage levels or hydropower generation efficiency.

2. **Landscaping:** Water overflowing the dam crest creates a waterfall effect; additionally, decorative lighting and audio systems can be installed on the PSRD structure to create a stunning nightscape and a pleasant ambient environment.

3. **Irrigation:** The system allows for precise control over water levels and diversion flow rates within irrigation canals. When canal flow rates fluctuate, the system automatically regulates the water level upstream of the diversion structures, thereby ensuring uniform and consistent water distribution.

4. **Water Diversion and Flood Discharge:** This technology can be applied to river flood diversion operations, enabling the automatic regulation of water flow rates. During flood seasons, it automatically maintains a low water level upstream, using floodwaters to flush accumulated silt and sediment. Alternatively, the entire dam structure can be fully lowered (collapsed) to ensure the maximum flood discharge capacity of the original river channel.

5. **Hydropower Generation:** By creating a higher upstream water level, the system enhances the power generation capacity of hydroelectric stations. Typically, the water depth flowing over the crest of a standard sluice gate is limited to 0.25–0.5 meters; the PSRD, however, can generate a significantly higher hydraulic head and precisely control upstream water levels. It facilitates the safe discharge of floodwaters during the flood season, and once the flood season has passed, the PSRD is raised to resume water impoundment. Furthermore, during the winter months, the system helps establish a stable ice cover upstream, thereby preventing ice floes from clogging the power station's water intake structures.

6. **Fish Passage and Environmental Protection:** A series of air-shield dams can be configured to create a stepped "fish ladder" system, regulating flow rates and velocities to facilitate the smooth passage of fish across the dam. By controlling upstream water levels, the system prevents the sudden inundation of waterbird nesting sites within the reservoir area; moreover, maintaining stable water levels enhances both the safety and the natural aesthetic of the reservoir environment.

7. **Protection for Roads and Garages:** PSRD units can be strategically positioned at the entrances of parking garages and subway stations to prevent floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall from entering these facilities. They can also be installed within gaps or breaches in flood control levees, enabling immediate closure and sealing of the breach in the event of an approaching flood. 8. Navigation: The PSRD represents an ideal gate configuration for both the upstream and downstream ends of a ship lock; it enables precise control over upstream and downstream water levels. In the event of a gate collapse, steel plates cover the rubber airbags, thereby ensuring the unimpeded passage of vessels. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for complex gate opening and closing mechanisms, offering flexible and simple operation, while simultaneously reducing the construction and maintenance costs of the ship lock.