Exploiting Topographical Texture To Impart Icephobicity
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Appropriately structured topographical features that are found in nature (e.g,, the lotus leaf) or that are produced synthetically (e.g., via lithography) can impart superhydrophobic properties to surfaces. Water beads up and readily rolls off of such surfaces, making them self-cleaning. Within the past few years, scientists and engineers have begun exploring the utility of these surfaces in mitigating the icing problem prevalent in the operation of critical infrastructure such as airplanes, ships, power lines, and telecommunications equipment. An article in this issue advances our fundamental knowledge in this area by examining the dynamic impact of water droplets on both smooth and topographically structured supercooled substrates. The results illustrate that, under at least some environmental conditions, superhydrophobic surfaces can minimize or even eliminate ice formation by repelling impinging water drops before they can freeze. Subsequent research will build on these results, possibly leading to the fabrication of commercially viable and durable icephobic surfaces that mitigate the icing problem under all environmental conditions.
Source: ACS Nano
DOI: 10.1021/nn103214q
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Xerox Foundation, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force
OpenAlex ID: W2328784199