Researchers report the development of an anti-icing material that can shed condensate through self-propelled droplet jumping. Challenges to developing anti-icing materials include low temperature and high humidity, both of which can lead to condensation, rapid re-freezing of melted water, and increased reflectivity, limiting the effectiveness of materials that absorb solar energy. Ximin He, Zhiyuan He, and colleagues developed a material that removes condensed water, allowing the photothermal material to elevate surface temperature. The design of the material is inspired by wheat leaves, which remove condensation and dust by causing condensed water droplets to self-propel off the surface. Fabricated using ultrafast pulsed laser deposition, the material is super-black and photothermal and contains iron oxide nanoparticles. Additionally, the material is superhydrophobic, such that melted water self-propels off the material before freezing. Experiments suggest that the surface of the material can remain ice-free in temperatures as low as -50 °C and under high humidity. According to the authors, the material's ability to maintain an ice-free surface under a wide range of environmental conditions may render it suitable for broad anti-icing applications.
Article #21-00978: "Solar anti-icing surface with enhanced condensate self-removing at extreme environmental conditions," by Hongqiang Zhang, Guanlei Zhao, et al.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Ximin He, University of California, Los Angeles, CA; tel: 617-990-7734; email: ximinhe@ucla.edu ; Zhiyuan He, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, CHINA; email: hezy@iccas.ac.cn
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences