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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
11:20
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Metal Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications
Published on: August 15, 2018
8.6K
Dynamic Mitigation Mechanisms of Rime Icing with Propagating Surface Acoustic Waves
Deyu Yang1, Luke Haworth2, Prashant Agrawal2
1Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 7, 2022
Summary
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology offers an energy-efficient method for de-icing. This study reveals how SAW devices mitigate ice accretion by inducing localized heating and fluid dynamics for effective ice removal.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Engineering
Background:
- Ice accretion on surfaces presents significant challenges for infrastructure and operations.
- Existing anti-/de-icing methods face limitations in efficiency, durability, and sustainability.
- Thin-film surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices emerge as a promising, energy-efficient de-icing strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the mechanisms of porous rime ice accretion and removal using SAW activation.
- To understand the dynamic interfacial phase and structure changes of ice under SAW influence.
- To explore the role of acousto-thermal effects and fluid dynamics in SAW-based de-icing.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of ice accretion and removal processes on surfaces activated by SAWs.
- Analysis of interfacial phase and structure evolution of rime ice under SAW agitation.
- Observation of localized heating and fluid streaming effects induced by SAWs.
Main Results:
- SAW activation influences both ice accretion and removal through dynamic interfacial changes.
- Acousto-thermally induced localized heating facilitates ice crystal melting.
- Interactions between SAWs and the ice-water interface generate streaming effects, enhancing ice removal via melting, pumping, jetting, or nebulization.
Conclusions:
- SAW-activated de-icing is strongly linked to dynamic interfacial phase transitions and localized heating.
- Fluid dynamics, including streaming effects, play a crucial role in efficient ice removal by SAWs.
- SAW technology demonstrates significant potential for advanced, energy-efficient anti-/de-icing solutions.
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