Images of a droplet on a surface show the process of freezing (top row), during which condensation temporarily forms on the outside of the droplet as it freezes. The next two rows show the droplet thawing out on a surface coated with the new layered material. In the middle row, the droplet is heated by the coating immediately upon freezing, and the dashed lines show where the freezing at top is just catching up with the thawing from below. The bottom row shows a slower thawing process. Under identical conditions, the droplet stays frozen without the new coating. Credit: The Varanasi Research Group
Passive solar-powered system could prevent freezing on airplanes, wind turbines, powerlines, and other surfaces. From airplane wings to overhead powerlines to the giant blades of wind turbines, a buildup of ice can cause problems ranging from impaired performance all the way to catastrophic failure. But preventing that buildup usually requires energy-intensive heating systems or chemical sprays that are environmentally harmful. Now, MIT researchers have developed a completely passive, solar-powered way of combating ice buildup. The system is remarkably simple, based on a three-layered material that can be applied or even sprayed onto the surfaces to be treated. It collects solar radiation, converts it to heat, and spreads that heat around so that the melting is not just confined to the areas exposed directly to the sunlight. And, once applied, it requires no further action or power source.
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