Durable Superhydrophobic Anti-icing Nanocomposite Coatings

Agiltron will develop robust and affordable anti-icing and ice-phobic surfaces that are also transparent (>%80) in visible spectrum for superstructures of surface ships in Arctic and cold region operation. Leveraging Agiltron"s previous experiences in mechanically durable superhydrophibic nanocomposite coatings and optically transparent fluoropolymer resins, in collaboration with the Ice Research Laboratory at Dartmouth College, we will produce nanotextured superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings of hard nanoparticles embedded into a fluorinated polyurethane resin matrix, both are optically transparent in the visible spectrum. This nanocomposite coating is highly transparent, easy to apply via spray coating over large areas and containing no volatile organic compounds. In Phase I, we will develop, produce and characterize durable anti-icing and ice-phobic surfaces, including ice adhesion strength measurements at the US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab.