GE Presents New Nano-Textured Anti-Icing Technology
NISKAYUNA, NY – GE Global Research presented new research findings on its nano-textured anti-icing surfaces. In addition to dramatically reducing ice adhesion, these surfaces now have been shown to significantly delay the onset of ice formation in simulated atmospheric icing conditions. The team’s findings were presented at the APS’ 2012 March Meeting.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated 25 million gallons of deicing agents are applied to aircraft taking off from U.S. commercial airports each year. In addition, airlines have robust energy intensive heating systems on board to prevent ice formation on airplanes. Compared to standard surfaces, where ice would form almost immediately without the use of these systems, GE’s nano-enabled anti-icing surfaces would delay ice formation for more than a minute on their own.