Novel Aircraft Anti-Ice Coating Material

Accumulation of ice on aircraft wings and structural elements is a significant safety concern during cold weather conditions. Monitoring of ice formation and current methods of subsequent removal also requires a large investment of resources, and has negative environmental effects. The development of novel coatings that minimize ice accretion and removal time from aircraft would greatly benefit both the civilian and military aviation industries. In the Phase 2 research program we propose to systematically evaluate the anti-ice performance of our nanocomposite coatings in a variety of atmospheric conditions that may be encountered in-flight and on the ground. Tests will include static ice adhesion assays and ice accretion studies on aerodynamic shaped substrates using an icing wind tunnel. These data, in combination with durability tests in real world environments, will demonstrate the efficacy of this strategy, and provide a foundation for implementation both in military and commercial applications.