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I just read an article in R&D (Research and Development) Magazine's newsletter, announcing new coatings which could make an enormous difference in aviation. The study looked into nano-particle sizes vs. icing when supercooled water hit a surface. Testing included an aluminum plate with the coating on one face (and hanging on a string to permit it to turn freely), and a TV satellite dish with half of its face coated, both left outdoors during a freezing rainstorm. The coated portions are ice-free, while the untreated ones are covered – a spectacular difference.
The article itself was published yesterday (Tuesday, November 3). It appears that leading edges could be painted with this coating, and a huge safety improvement would result. This is far from a commercial product, but the results are so spectacular that I expect to see intensive development.
Editor's Note: CR4 would like to thank Ron Darner for sharing this story. A longtime CR4er, Ron is also the newsletter editor for Chapter 320 (Watertown, Wisconsin) of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). If you'd like to subscribe to Ron's newsletter, click here to send him a private message on CR4.
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Re: Advances in Aviation Coatings
