Scientists from GE Global Research announced this morning yet another breakthrough in an ongoing project to develop new anti-icing applications from coatings created in the lab using nanotechnology, which involves the science of materials at a very tiny scale (a nanometer is one-billionth of one meter). At the nano-level, materials behave differently than they do at a normal scale, and GE material scientists have focused on creating superhydrophobic, or extremely water repellent, materials as coatings for surfaces that could prevent icing. The new research presented today shows that in addition to dramatically reducing ice adhesion on surfaces, the experimental “nanotextured” coatings also delay ice from forming under simulated atmospheric icing conditions in the lab. While a non-coated surface will experience ice formation almost immediately under those conditions, the GE researchers found that a surface with the nanotextured coating won’t for approximately 80 seconds.
Check out this video of water drops bouncing off superhydrophobic surfaces, captured using a high-speed camera at GE Global Research.
That delay could mean big efficiency gains and cost savings for operators of machines susceptible to ice buildup, such as jet engines and wind turbines. The EPA estimates that nearly 25 million gallons of deicing agents are used on aircraft departing from commercial airports in the U.S. every year. That’s in addition to the extensive, energy-intensive heating systems used on planes to prevent ice formation. GE’s scientists are also exploring applications of both low ice adhesion and anti-icing surfaces for the blades of wind turbines, battered as they often are by frozen wind, which can cause ice buildup and drag on their rotation.
And that’s not all. GE researchers are also developing superhydrophobic coatings to aid in moisture control in steam turbines, which can boost efficiency. Applied to other parts of a gas turbine, the nanocoatings can reduce “fouling,” enabling the turbine to run more efficiently and reduce maintenance shutdowns.
I wonder if such coatings would work on a heat pump evaporator coil, reducing the need for defrost cycles.
ReplyDeleteHow persistent are the coatings ?
COST! COST! COST!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the cost to put nano-layer on airplane wing or wind or gas turbine ?
Very exciting news especially for General Aviation aircraft that are not equipped with de-icing systems.
ReplyDeleteCan the coating be made transparent?
ReplyDeleteCould it be used on car windshields and windows. The same issue applies to icing and the regular de-icing that we all have to do on cold mornings. Even if it only made deicing easier (the ice having poor adhesion) this would be a major benefit.
Just wondering how application of this nanotech superhydrophobic coating would be applied to fiberglass. Could be a great product if the cost was acceptable. Many applications...boat hulls comes to mind. The savings in fuel, running a boat offshore could be significant as gas prices continue to rise.
ReplyDeleteThrottled or converging volumes also might benefit from this technology. For example when air is drawn from outside and crammed into the inlet ducting for gas turbine power plants the air temperature drops and ice can form on leading edges surfaces.
ReplyDeletehere's a very futuristic thought....what if this same concept could be used in human health...where the Nanotechnology coatings would prevent Amyloid Plaques from sticking to neurons and other brain matter, thus eliminating Alzheimer's and similar diseases.
ReplyDeleteawesome!
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