Frost Icephobic Coating for Subfreezing Environmental Control Systems (ECS) Components

This proposal outlines the development of an icephobic coating to mitigate frost formation on heat exchangers within Environmental Control Systems (ECS) aboard aircraft. Previous work at the University of Illinois demonstrated the efficacy of a superhydrophobic coating, leading to a significant reduction in frost formation and subsequent energy savings. However, concerns about durability over extended use, particularly in the context of cyclic freeze-thaw exposure, necessitate further investigation. American Energy Technologies Company (AETC), in collaboration with University of Illinois Department of mechanical Engineering and Materials Research Laboratory, will formulate, apply, and evaluate a novel icephobic coating. Novel superhydrophobic raw materials contained in the dry film coating will be made impermeable to moisture seepage, mitigating frost formation and growth on aluminum heat exchanger surface.  The coating's adhesion to aluminum substrates, thermal conductivity, rate of water condensation are performance matrix parameters for long term durability and maintenance will be studied. The research aims to address challenges and advance the technology to meet the life-cycle requirements of heat exchangers in air cycle machines for Naval Military and Commercial aircraft.