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Anti-icing methods include heating and application of de-icing fluid, but they do not offer a permanent solution. They can also suffer from poor durability and reduced performance in extreme conditions, according to researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, in Sichuan province.
The team looked to an unlikely inspiration to tackle those challenges – the structure of human skin, with its soft dermis and subcutaneous tissues covered by a protective epidermis. The structure inspired development of a new de-icing surface, which could offer a durable alternative to conventional options.
The material combines a thin, rigid top film with a soft substrate. That combination induces surface instability, which generates what researchers called “extensive wrinkling”. The design mimics the natural response of skin to external forces – the firm outer layer forms wrinkles under stress, distributing the ice-substrate interface effectively.
The surface uses a combination of large and small wrinkles to boost de-icing performance. Large wrinkles initiate cracks at the edges of the ice, while smaller wrinkles accelerate crack propagation, ensuring complete ice detachment. The process occurs passively, allowing the ice to shed under its own weight without the need for external energy inputs.
“This durable anti-icing surface achieves exceptional de-icing performance, with ice adhesion strength below 10 kPa (kilopascals),” a research announcement said. “Environmental tests confirm its robustness and versatility, proving its effectiveness across a range of conditions.”
The design includes materials that maintain low ice adhesion even after extended exposure to wind, rain and UV radiation. The technology is designed to reduce energy consumption and operational costs, potentially making it suitable for long-term use in extreme weather.
The work was published in National Science Review.
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