Radio-frequency-transmitting hexagonal boron nitride-based anti- and de-icing heating system

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional anti- and de-icing systems use heavy, bulky materials that impede radio-frequency (RF) signals.
• RF equipment like radar domes (radomes) and antennas require high RF transmittance for effective operation.
• Existing heating solutions often compromise signal integrity and add significant weight to aerospace structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a lightweight, RF-transparent anti- and de-icing heating system.
• To investigate the performance of a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) coated fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) wave pattern.
• To assess the system's efficacy in heat spreading and rapid ice removal for aerospace applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an h-BN/FTO wave pattern on a glass substrate.
• Characterization of RF transmittance in the X band (8.2-12.4 GHz).
• Thermal performance evaluation by measuring temperature differences and de-icing time at -20 °C.

Main Results:

• The h-BN/FTO system demonstrated approximately 90% RF transmittance.
• The h-BN layer enhanced heat-spreading performance by 6.2 °C compared to FTO alone.
• Ice removal was significantly faster on the patterned area (30 s) versus the non-patterned area (1 min) at -20 °C.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated h-BN/FTO wave pattern is a promising RF-transmitting heating solution for anti- and de-icing.
• This technology is suitable for radomes and antennas on drones, UAVs, aircraft, and spacecraft.
• The system effectively addresses the need for lightweight, high-performance de-icing in extreme cold environments.