Patents Assigned to United States of America as represented by the Administer of NASA
  • Patent number: 10501840
    Abstract: A method of forming a smooth aerodynamic surface that permits laminar flow of air over the smooth aerodynamic surface. Selected portions of a surface of a substrate material are ablated utilizing a laser to form a treated substrate surface having a predefined roughness. The treated substrate surface is coated to form a solid layer of material having a smooth aerodynamic surface that promotes laminar flow. The solid layer of material has a lower modulus of elasticity than the substrate material to provide durotaxis when an insect impacts the solid layer of epoxy material to thereby reduce adhesion of insect residue or other matter to the smooth aerodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administer of NASA
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, Jr., Frank L. Palmieri