By Josh Perry, Editor
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Many in the Northeast and Midwest U.S., who are dealing with frigid temperatures and frozen windshields this time of the year, would be happy to hear that researchers at the University of Houston (Texas) made a breakthrough using stress localization to create a durable silicone polymer coating that will repel ice from any surface.

Researchers created a durable silicone polymer coating capable of repelling ice from any surface. (University of Houston)

Stress localization, according to a report from the university, is a new theory that the researchers have used to tune material properties. The report said, “The findings suggest a way to take trial and error out of the search for new materials, in keeping with the movement of materials science toward a physics-driven approach.”

Through elastic energy localization, the new coating creates fissures at the interface between the surface and the ice, which breaks the ice apart and causes it to slide off. Little force is required to cause the fissures to form. Researchers highlighted the flow of air over the surface of a plane’s wings as an example.

The coating can be applied as a spray and is both mechanically-durable and not affected by UV rays. Tests demonstrated that the coating would last for a decade without requiring it to be replied.

The research was recently published in Materials Horizon. The abstract read:

“Icephobic surfaces have a critical footprint on human daily lives in cold climates ranging from aviation systems and infrastructures to energy systems. However, creation of these surfaces for low-temperature applications remains elusive. Non-wetting, liquid-infused and hydrated surfaces have inspired routes for development of icephobic surfaces.

“However, high ice adhesion strength (~20-100 kPa) and subsequent ice accretion, low long-term mechanical and environmental durability, and high production cost have restricted their applications.

“Here, we cast fundamentals of a new physical concept called stress-localization to develop icephobic surfaces with ice adhesion in order of 1 kPa and exceptional mechanical, chemical and environmental durability.”

Learn more in the video below: