SBIR Phase II: Ice-release Coatings

这个小企业创新研究二期项目旨在开发一种低成本但耐用的释冰涂层，以缓解航空运输、电力传输、风能和商业制冷行业遇到的结冰相关问题。在第一阶段，使用商用仪器进行的第一次冰粘附力实验室测试导致了对候选释冰涂层的快速筛选。混杂弹性体剪切去除刚性附着物的新理论导致了对冰粘附性的研究，即冰作为刚性附着物。在新模型的指导下，结合实验室试验的实际经验，确定了一种新的结冰系统，该系统可以很容易地以较低的力去除冰。证明了使用商业上可获得的工程材料生产耐用、低成本的防冰涂层的可行性。这是一项重大的成功，实现了第一阶段研发的主要目标。在第二阶段，主要技术目标是减少峰值去除力，并保持低成本组件和易于加工。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括产生低成本、耐用的防冰涂料和相关产品。这些新材料将大大减少结冰问题，并提高航空航天、能源和制冷行业的操作安全。更具体地说，该项目开发的涂料将用于替代以下产品：对环境有问题的除冰液、能源效率低的电加热以及成本高但机械耐用性差的除冰涂料。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project aims to develop a low cost yet durable ice-release coating to mitigate icing-related problems encountered by air transportation, power transmission, wind energy and commercial refrigeration industries. In Phase I the first laboratory test for ice adhesion using a commercial instrument led to rapid screening of ice release coating candidates. A new theory for rigid adherent removal in shear from hybrid elastomers led to a study of ice adhesion, that is, ice as a rigid adherent. Guided by the new model and practical experience gained from laboratory tests, a new coating system was identified from which ice could be removed easily and with low force. Feasibility was demonstrated for being able to produce a durable, low cost, ice-release coating with commercially available engineering materials. This was a major success that achieved the main objective of Phase I R&D. In Phase II, the main technical objectives are to decrease peak removal force and retain low cost components and easy processing. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project include generation of low cost, durable ice-release coatings and related products. These new materials will greatly reduce icing problems and enhance the safety of operations in the aerospace, energy, and refrigeration industries. More specifically, coatings developed in this project will be used as an alternative to the following: environmentally problematic de-icing fluids, energy inefficient electrical heating, and high cost but poor mechanically durable deicing coatings.