News in Brief Materials Science

New process encourages ice to slip, slide away

Adjusting density of polymer coating, adding lubricants creates durable repellents

Ice blocks

FREEZE OUT  Propelled by its own weight, an ice block easily slips off a surface treated with a new ice-repellent coating.

Kevin Golovin

By Cassie Martin

- More than 2 years ago

Ice removal may soon become a lot easier. Researchers have developed a new method for making ice-phobic surfaces by altering the density and slipperiness of spray-on polymer coatings.