SBIR Phase I: Ice-release Coatings

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a low cost and durable ice-release coating to mitigate icing-related problems encountered by air transportation, power transmission, wind energy industries, and appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Current de-icing products include environmentally problematic de-icing fluids, energy inefficient electrical heating, and deicing coatings with high cost but poor mechanical toughness. The proposed coating is based on (1) a recent fundamental study that revealed a heretofore unrecognized combination of critical parameters controlling ice adhesion, (2) a novel hybrid coating model that includes nanoscale and mesoscale contributions to weakening ice adhesion, and (3) a ?soft surface / tough bulk? coating that utilizes strong mechanical properties of a conventional, low cost polymer and a low surface energy polymer modifier. The proposed coating product will reduce costs and mitigate damage to energy, communication and transportation industries as well as reducing maintenance on refrigeration appliances. ?Green chemical engineering? is targeted for minimum VOC and short chain fluorocarbon constituents that are environmentally benign. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project include (i) de-icing applications in ground and ocean transportation, such as easy ice release for automobiles and ships, and in housing to prevent ice accumulation, for example on roofs; (ii) easy release of hard fouling for ships and ocean platforms;. Potential customers include Department of Defense for US Air Force and Navy, transportation and energy industries, and the petroleum industry.