Engineers at University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus have been collaborating with researchers from the University of Toronto to make a significant breakthrough in de-icing technology.
New research published in Nature Communications by UBCO and University of Toronto, examines a smart, hybrid (passive and also active) de-icing system that works by combining a low interfacial toughness coating, printed circuit board heaters, and an ice-detecting microwave sensor. The coating could find application on planes, wind turbines and on any other asset that has to face the problem of ice accumulation.
“This coating integrates the sensors into the material while enabling heat to dislodge ice without the need for a person or machine to physically melt it”, explains Dr. Mohammad Zarifi, Associate Professor at UBCO’s School of Engineering and report co-author. “Many of us have had the misfortune of sitting on a plane waiting for it to be de-iced while fretting about missing a connecting flight. Our new technology takes a hybrid approach by adding sensors within an ice repellent coating that can easily be added to aviation or wind turbine blades.”
Current ice mitigation strategies
Undesired ice accumulation is problematic with many renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and hydroelectric dams, aviation and power transmission. Ice mitigation strategies can be divided into either active or passive methods. Active de-icing involves an external energy input used to remove the ice, typically through thermal, chemical or mechanical methods. In contrast, passive de-icing either reduces the accretion rate of ice, lowers the adhesion strength between ice and the surface or both.
“Neither route towards an ice-free surface is seen as a cure-all today, as active de-icing methods utilize substantial energy but passive de-icing coatings cannot keep a surface ice-free indefinitely,” explains Dr. Zarifi. “A hybrid system that combines passive and active de-icing technologies may be an attractive solution to the ice-accretion problems.”
The new smart coating
The sensor—which lies beneath the coating that will be applied to a turbine or aircraft—could be a game-changer, according to researchers, as it acts as an ice detector and prompts the embedded heaters to melt the ice automatically.
“This creates a substantial improvement in energy efficiency and is what sets this latest innovation apart from existing approaches”, says Zahra Azimi Dijvejin, doctoral student and lead author of the study. “The hybrid approach allows the operator to quickly and accurately monitor the equipment sustainably. The equipment won’t need to be de-iced unnecessarily—avoiding wear-and-tear and wasteful energy usage—because the sensors can determine the need.”
“We are moving from our experimentation phase into real-life usage, and have seen the technology hold up to harsh conditions,” explains Dr. Zarifi. “We’re currently working with Canadian turbine manufacturers to incorporate the technology for the upcoming winter.”
The research, partially funded by the Department of National Defence Canada, Tekmar, Mitacs, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, was also selected as one of the Top 50 best recently published papers in this area by Nature communications.