Investigation of the parameters affecting the performance of icephobic coatings via the analysis of nucleation rates and adhesion forces

拟议的研究将建立在现有的疏冰涂层研究的基础上。在大多数情况下，包括利用超疏水涂层，模拟生物现象，以减少水表面粘附，尽管一些其他机制已被研究。疏冰涂层已经成功地由各种材料制成，包括聚合物、复合材料和金属。我们将研究各种涂层材料的疏冰性，同时也将进行涂层的实验室制造。本课题将要求了解润湿性、冰核和附着力，在此基础上将在项目过程中进行进一步的研究。

The proposed research will build upon the existing studies of icephobic coatings. For the most part that has consisted of utilising superhydrophobic coatings that mimic biological phenomena to reduce water-surface adhesion, though some other mechanisms have been investigated. Icephobic coatings have successfully been fabricated from a variety of materials, including polymers, composites and metals. A variety of these coating materials will be investigated for their icephobicity, with laboratory fabrication of coatings also to be carried out. The topic will require knowledge of wettability, ice nucleation and adhesion forces, on which further research will be carried out over the course of the project.