|
Durable Elastomeric Low Adhesion Icephobic Surfaces
Navy STTR FY2014.A
| Sol No.: |
Navy STTR FY2014.A |
| Topic No.: |
N14A-T013 |
| Topic Title: |
Durable Elastomeric Low Adhesion Icephobic Surfaces |
| Proposal No.: |
N14A-013-0257 |
| Firm: |
HygraTek LLC
1600 Huron Parkway
Suite: 520-2393
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5001 |
| Contact: |
Kausik Mukhopadhyay |
| Phone: |
(734) 764-2639 |
| Web Site: |
www.hygratek.com |
| Abstract: |
In this Phase I effort, HygraTek will explore a novel anti-ice coating formulation to develop icephobic surfaces for naval ship superstructures, decks, equipment and vehicles on board naval ships, e.g. fighter jets, helicopters etc. HygraTek has recently developed a series of different environmentally safe, non-fluorinated, transparent, icephobic coatings. These coatings display the lowest ice-adhesion strength values (force per unit area required to slide ice of a surface) that have ever been reported (< 20 kPa), and can be spray or dip-coated onto any substrate including aluminum, steel, alloys, glass, and wood. HygraTek has also partnered with CRREL (a DOD testing facility) to carry out rigorous tests to independently evaluate the performance of their icephobic coatings. These include zero degree cone, temperature stability and ice adhesion tests. The icephobic coatings will possess the following characteristics:
Thin film icephobic coating for 40C
Average ice adhesion strength < 20 kPa (237 kPa for Teflon)
Can be easily applied by contractors
Transparent coating (>99 % transmission) with excellent durability
Minimal maintenance, and inexpensive compared to other products currently in market
Water repellent; resistant to corrosion, mild acids, UV, solar exposure, organisms and organic phosphates
Not harmful for aquatic animals; negligible risk for water pollution |
| Benefits: |
HygraTek proposes a novel hydrophobic anti-ice coating that will tackle ice formation, accumulation and accretion on ship superstructures and other deck equipment, and even on aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft that are used by the US Navy (viz. warships). HygraTek's coating will find immense use in military avionic systems, commercial aircrafts, power transmission lines, traffic lights, wind turbine blades, solar panels, energy storage devices, electronics and sensors. Our ultimate goal is to formulate a passive anti-ice system that can be easily applied on fielded platforms. This technology will be installed and/or retrofitted on already fielded systems, within 2 or 3 years, and will be inexpensive and easy to apply and use. |
Return
|