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Description
Ice formation and accretion present serious, sometimes catastrophic, safety issues for all kinds of industry where application of the composites components has already become common e.g. wind turbines blades, aircrafts, electric and telecommunication infrastructure as well as other composite and metal constructions exposed to supercooled water droplets both on the ground and in the air. In example, ice on wind turbine blades or aircrafts disrupts airflow by altering the shape of the wing surface, which leads to increased drag and decreased efficiency of the systems what cause necessity for more often servicing and utilization of energy consuming systems.
It is proposed to develop waterborne polyurethane coatings using different methods to fulfil requirements of icephobicity. By applying an innovative approach to simulation and modelling, it could be possible to the design and fabrication of icephobic surfaces with improved functionalities. This knowledge would give a better understanding of the ice accretion process on different coatings and modified surfaces. In the result it is expected to develop durable and effective surfaces with icephobic features that can sufficiently reduce water and ice adhesion as well as slow down ice nucleation, so that supercooled water droplets landing on the surface can be removed effectively before freezing.
Thus, proposed developments will constitute good alternative for presently used in practise electro thermal active systems to reduce or eliminate necessity for electric power consumtion in order to achieve de-icing effect. Taking into consideration future application in industrial environments all methods will meet demands regarding economy, environmentally friendly practices and be feasible to use on large industrial scale.