Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SOUNDofICE (Sustainable Smart De-Icing by Surface Engineering of Acoustic Waves)
Período documentado: 2023-05-01 hasta 2025-04-30
SOUNDofICE frames within the need of developing an effective technology for the removal of ice accumulated on surfaces or to prevent its accretion. To be effective in real-world scenarios, the features of this technology should include an automatic mode of operation, energy efficiency, and compatibility with a variety of materials and large surface areas. The societal relevance of such a methodology is justified by the large variety of scenarios where icing poses a serious problem due to the safety, environmental, and economic issues associated with the application of current technologies. Aeronautical, transport in general, energy production and electricity transportation, communications, and efficient detector systems are examples of sectors where icing is a serious concern, calling for new solutions. Addressing these issues, the overall objective of SOUNDofICe is "to develop a smart, energy-efficient, environmentally safe and autonomously operated de-icing procedure based on surface acoustic transducers integrated over large area substrates". To successfully address this goal, the project proposes the development of an original and comprehensive surface engineering approach compatible with any substrate, which permits the integration of effective AW de-icing, along with anticorrosion and passive anti-icing functions. The development of sensing and electronically automated principles of actuation based on new electronic and transducer devices is also a requisite of this new technology.
The work performed since the beginning of the project up to its final complexion has encompassed a large variety of activities covering aspects such as the fundamentals of the basic mechanisms of de-icing and melting by AW, the development of new AW device designs and manufacturing technologies for it, the investigation of more efficient and robust ice detection systems, the set up of advanced electronic detection and activation devices for automatic operation and the fabrication of a series of final proof of concept devices with different configurations (monolithic with piezoelectric films on non-piezoelectric substrates, monolithic on piezoelectric plates and superstrate configurations on non-piezoelectric substrates). All these activities have served as a first step to test the scalability of the technology. Moreover, other project outputs include the development of efficient anti-icing and superhydrophobic solutions, which are compatible with the transmission of AWs and therefore useful for protecting and providing multifunctionality to the various AW devices developed in the project.
This work has required the use and, in various cases, the development of new methodologies covering aspects such simulation and modeling by atomic Molecular dynamics and Finite Element methods, the advanced characterization of the icing processes in dedicated icing facilities, the development of new coating deposition methods and the use of laser technologies for surface engineering, an the advanced design and prototyping of microelectrodes and the analysis of AW and SAW propagation modes or the implementation of new electronic principles for a smart control of the devices.
All these results have been disseminated and, aiming to exploit their potential, are being subjected to patenting whenever this is deemed possible and convenient for the future. Regarding potential exploitation, SOUNDofICE has filed five patent applications (with two more expected by autumn 2025), one utility model, and one industrial secret. Additionally, the consortium of partners has implemented an active publication policy, resulting in 32 articles published in scientific journals and 57 presentations at conferences, including plenary sessions, invited talks, and keynote addresses. They have also organized two international conferences and symposia, as well as one industrial workshop. Furthermore, the consortium has participated in trade fairs and entrepreneur meetings and has conducted numerous outreach events, utilizing various platforms and social media for communication.
This work has required the use and, in various cases, the development of new methodologies covering aspects such simulation and modeling by atomic Molecular dynamics and Finite Element methods, the advanced characterization of the icing processes in dedicated icing facilities, the development of new coating deposition methods and the use of laser technologies for surface engineering, an the advanced design and prototyping of microelectrodes and the analysis of AW and SAW propagation modes or the implementation of new electronic principles for a smart control of the devices.
All these results have been disseminated and, aiming to exploit their potential, are being subjected to patenting whenever this is deemed possible and convenient for the future. Regarding potential exploitation, SOUNDofICE has filed five patent applications (with two more expected by autumn 2025), one utility model, and one industrial secret. Additionally, the consortium of partners has implemented an active publication policy, resulting in 32 articles published in scientific journals and 57 presentations at conferences, including plenary sessions, invited talks, and keynote addresses. They have also organized two international conferences and symposia, as well as one industrial workshop. Furthermore, the consortium has participated in trade fairs and entrepreneur meetings and has conducted numerous outreach events, utilizing various platforms and social media for communication.
The technical advancements, which extend beyond the current state of the art, can be categorized by specific topical and application areas related to icing:
Fundamentals about the use of AW for de-icing
1) Prove the suitability of AWs to induce the de-icing of ice accumulated onto the surface of materials or structures.
2) Demonstrate the propagation of AW excitation not only through the piezoelectric substrates/layers but also through other material layers with anti-icing and anti-corrosion properties, and therefore, usable for multifunctionality and protection.
3) Definition of model mechanisms for the interaction of AWs and ice aggregates, describing how de-icing can be promoted thanks to this interaction. Detailed description of de-icing processes depending on the type of AW and the effect of the thermal conductivity properties of substrates.
Surface engineering
4) Preparation of thin films and layers for their future integration into final multifunctional devices. Demonstration of their compatibility and capacity to propagate AWs while preserving enhanced anti-icing properties.
5) Development of outstandingly performing anti-icing coatings.
6) Fabrication on large area.
7) Development of a laser-based scalable procedure for the fabrication of electrodes required for the generation of AWs in piezoelectric materials, even if they are non-planar.
AW devices
8) Development of robust icing sensors with proven capacity to detect icing events both in static and dynamic ice accretion conditions. Ice sensors to distinguish Appendix C and Appendix O conditions.
9) Automation of the operating mechanism of the AW devices to apply them under the premises of a smart actuation of the devices.
10) Development of fully transparent de-icing systems.
11) Fabrication of large area (up to 13x13 cm2) prototypes for de-icing using (s)AWs.
12) Demonstration of the superstrate configuration to induce de-icing on any non-piezoelectric substrate capable of transmitting AWs.
13) Demonstration of de-icing, anti-icing, and sensing at sea level and altitude simulated conditions.
Testing methodologies
14) Establishment of a well-defined testing protocol for de-icing in laboratory facilities under static and dynamic (icing wind facilities) conditions. Advances in the development of standard tests to characterize de-icing and ice-adhesion performances and icing compatibility of surfaces.
In addition, SOUNDofICE has made other high gain/high risks contributions which still in an embryonal state of development at fundamental level have gone significantly beyond the state of the art in aspects such as the combination of AW and plasmas for the deposition of thin films and particles, the use of AW for the killing/removal of microorganisms from surfaces or the development of new multifunctional coating materials with high prospects for different applications.
These scientific and technical progresses are expected to have a significant socio-economic impact, provided that the TRL of the devices and technology can increase in the future. The patenting policy applied by the consortium and the new planned initiatives are expected to make possible a successful transfer of technology and therefore to grant a significant societal and, in its case, economic impact.
Fundamentals about the use of AW for de-icing
1) Prove the suitability of AWs to induce the de-icing of ice accumulated onto the surface of materials or structures.
2) Demonstrate the propagation of AW excitation not only through the piezoelectric substrates/layers but also through other material layers with anti-icing and anti-corrosion properties, and therefore, usable for multifunctionality and protection.
3) Definition of model mechanisms for the interaction of AWs and ice aggregates, describing how de-icing can be promoted thanks to this interaction. Detailed description of de-icing processes depending on the type of AW and the effect of the thermal conductivity properties of substrates.
Surface engineering
4) Preparation of thin films and layers for their future integration into final multifunctional devices. Demonstration of their compatibility and capacity to propagate AWs while preserving enhanced anti-icing properties.
5) Development of outstandingly performing anti-icing coatings.
6) Fabrication on large area.
7) Development of a laser-based scalable procedure for the fabrication of electrodes required for the generation of AWs in piezoelectric materials, even if they are non-planar.
AW devices
8) Development of robust icing sensors with proven capacity to detect icing events both in static and dynamic ice accretion conditions. Ice sensors to distinguish Appendix C and Appendix O conditions.
9) Automation of the operating mechanism of the AW devices to apply them under the premises of a smart actuation of the devices.
10) Development of fully transparent de-icing systems.
11) Fabrication of large area (up to 13x13 cm2) prototypes for de-icing using (s)AWs.
12) Demonstration of the superstrate configuration to induce de-icing on any non-piezoelectric substrate capable of transmitting AWs.
13) Demonstration of de-icing, anti-icing, and sensing at sea level and altitude simulated conditions.
Testing methodologies
14) Establishment of a well-defined testing protocol for de-icing in laboratory facilities under static and dynamic (icing wind facilities) conditions. Advances in the development of standard tests to characterize de-icing and ice-adhesion performances and icing compatibility of surfaces.
In addition, SOUNDofICE has made other high gain/high risks contributions which still in an embryonal state of development at fundamental level have gone significantly beyond the state of the art in aspects such as the combination of AW and plasmas for the deposition of thin films and particles, the use of AW for the killing/removal of microorganisms from surfaces or the development of new multifunctional coating materials with high prospects for different applications.
These scientific and technical progresses are expected to have a significant socio-economic impact, provided that the TRL of the devices and technology can increase in the future. The patenting policy applied by the consortium and the new planned initiatives are expected to make possible a successful transfer of technology and therefore to grant a significant societal and, in its case, economic impact.