Abstract: An anti-icing coating is provided having low interfacial toughness (LIT) with ice. The anti-icing coating includes a polymer and a plasticizing agent. A thickness of the anti-icing coating may be less than or equal to about 100 micrometers (?m). Further, the anti-icing coating has an interfacial toughness (?ice) with ice of less than or equal to about 1 J/m2. Such an anti-icing coating may be applied to a substrate or surface of a device on which ice may form, such as aircraft, vehicles, marine vessels, outdoor equipment, snow or ice removal equipment, recreational equipment, wind turbines, telecommunications equipment, power lines, and the like. Methods of forming such anti-icing coatings are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is system and method for detecting formation of solid-state water on a surface of a body. The system comprises at least one microwave resonator sensor locatable on the body under the surface and an analyzer operably coupled to the at least one passive microwave resonator; the analyzer configured to measure at least one parameter of the response of the at least one microwave resonator sensor. The at least one parameter varies in relation to at least one of the permittivity and conductivity of the region above the surface calibrated to output a signal indicating and the analyzer is configured to output an indication when the at least one parameter indicates that solid-state water has formed on the surface. The method comprises measuring the at least one parameter at the analyzer and outputting a signal indicating the formation of solid-state water on the surface.

Abstract: Durable superhydrophobic components have a superhydrophobic material disposed (e.g., disposed) thereon that exhibits an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of about ?15° for water after at least 100 abrasion cycles. The superhydrophobic material may comprise a low surface energy material and a polymeric material. The superhydrophobic material may be self-healing and capable of recovering its wettability after damage. In yet other aspects, a component comprises a surface that is superhydrophobic and reduces drag in turbulent flow conditions. The surface has an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of ?about 15° for water, and a product of dimensionless roughness (k+) and a higher-pressure contact angle hysteresis of less than or equal to about 5.8. Methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition is provided. The antimicrobial composition includes a polymer matrix, an oil-derived component covalently bonded to the polymer matrix, and an oil-derived antimicrobial component non-covalently associated with at least one of the polymer matrix and the oil-derived component. Methods of making and using the antimicrobial composition are also provided.

Abstract: Icephobic coatings that reduce ice adhesion strength must often achieve extreme durability requirements, such as in aviation or wind turbine applications, to survive the impact of high-speed rain (i.e., rain erosion testing). A multi-layer coating having a thin metallic or metallic alloy film adhered to an underlying layer that is softer and thicker than the metallic layer achieves very low ice adhesion with adhered ice onto the icephobic coating.

Abstract: An anti-icing coating is provided having low interfacial toughness (LIT) with ice. The anti-icing coating includes a polymer and a plasticizing agent. A thickness of the anti-icing coating may be less than or equal to about 100 micrometers (?m). Further, the anti-icing coating has an interfacial toughness (?ice) with ice of less than or equal to about 1 J/m2. Such an anti-icing coating may be applied to a substrate or surface of a device on which ice may form, such as aircraft, vehicles, marine vessels, outdoor equipment, snow or ice removal equipment, recreational equipment, wind turbines, telecommunications equipment, power lines, and the like. Methods of forming such anti-icing coatings are also provided.

Abstract: Durable icephobic materials form anti-ice coatings on a variety of substrates, including for aircraft, powerlines, vehicles, marine structures, communications towers, outdoor equipment, and the like. The icephobic may comprise an elastomeric polymer with a low crosslink density (e.g., ?1,300 mol/m3) and low initial ice adhesion strength (e.g., ?ice?100 kPa prior to exposure to icing conditions). Further, the icephobic material maintains ?ice after 10 icing/deicing cycles that is ?50% of the initial ?ice Introducing optional miscible liquids enhances interfacial slippage of chains in the elastomeric polymer. The low ?ice levels minimize ice buildup and eliminate necessary work to remove any accumulated ice via passive removal during normal operation. Other icephobic materials include linear polymers with plasticizers distributed therein or PDMS-silane coatings, both of which are free of any layers of surface liquids. Methods of making such icephobic materials are also provided.

Abstract: Durable superhydrophobic components have a superhydrophobic material disposed (e.g., disposed) thereon that exhibits an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of about ?15° for water after at least 100 abrasion cycles. The superhydrophobic material may comprise a low surface energy material and a polymeric material. The superhydrophobic material may be self-healing and capable of recovering its wettability after damage. In yet other aspects, a component comprises a surface that is superhydrophobic and reduces drag in turbulent flow conditions. The surface has an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of ?about 15° for water, and a product of dimensionless roughness (k+) and a higher-pressure contact angle hysteresis of less than or equal to about 5.8. Methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: Durable icephobic materials form anti-ice coatings on a variety of substrates, including for aircraft, powerlines, vehicles, marine structures, communications towers, outdoor equipment, and the like. The icephobic may comprise an elastomeric polymer with a low crosslink density (e.g., ?1,300 mol/m3) and low initial ice adhesion strength (e.g., ?ice?100 kPa prior to exposure to icing conditions). Further, the icephobic material maintains ?ice after 10 icing/deicing cycles that is ?50% of the initial ?ice Introducing optional miscible liquids enhances interfacial slippage of chains in the elastomeric polymer. The low ?ice levels minimize ice buildup and eliminate necessary work to remove any accumulated ice via passive removal during normal operation. Other icephobic materials include linear polymers with plasticizers distributed therein or PDMS-silane coatings, both of which are free of any layers of surface liquids. Methods of making such icephobic materials are also provided.