Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SOUNDofICE (Sustainable Smart De-Icing by Surface Engineering of Acoustic Waves)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-11-01 do 2023-04-30
SOUNDofICE aims at the development of new technology based on propagating acoustic waves (AWs) generated by piezoelectric substrates or deposited layers to promote the automatic removal of ice accumulated onto the surface of a large variety of materials with an energy cost outperforming that of current technologies. To achieve this goal, the project proposes the development of an original and comprehensive surface engineering approach that, compatible with any kind of substrate, permits the integration of an effective AW de-icing function together with anticorrosion and passive anti-icing functions associated with new nanostructured surfaces. Icing problems may be the source of serious problems in aviation, hamper the proper use of renewable energy, or pose serious difficulties for the functioning of different industrial processes.
The overall objective of the project 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. This will be achieved through the surface microengineering of systems capable of exciting acoustic waves in a variety of materials and that may incorporate anti-icing layers and SAW sensors, allowing operation according to predefined feedback algorithms. During the first period, we have demonstrated the successful application of acoustic waves for de-icing and active anti-icing modes, ice-detection, and the compatibility of active piezoelectric layers with the integration of other multifunctional thin films in the devices. Thus, anti-icing and superhydrophobic solutions have been tested and demonstrated to be compatible with the actuation by acoustic waves, including bulk and surfaces acoustic waves and thin and thick coatings. We have delivered the layouts and designs for integrated sensors and actuators and advances have been made in the modelling and simulation by Molecular Dynamics and Finite Element methods. Two different approaches have been tested as the firsts step towards the smart realization of the devices.
During the second part of the project development progress beyond the state of the art have been made according to program in the various research lines that, running in part in parallel, must converge into an optimal alternative for de-icing. In this regard achievements have been made regarding the development of new methodologies for the manufacturing of thin films and layers, the fabrication of interdigitated electrodes, the setup and adaptation of icing facilities for the testing of AW devices or the development of new simulation tools to theoretically describe the AW interaction with ice aggregates, both at the atom and macro scales.
A summary of this progress encompasses the following realizations:
a) Prove the suitability of AWs to induce the de-icing of ice accumulated onto the surface
b) 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
c) Propose a model mechanism for the interaction of AWs and ice aggregates describing how de-icing can be promoted thanks to this interaction
d) Preparation of an ample set of thin films and layers for their future integration in final multifunctional devices. Demonstration of their compatibility and capacity to propagate AWs, as well as the preservation of their singular anti-icing properties.
e) Advance in the automation of the operating mechanism of the AW devices
f) Development of a scalable procedure for the fabrication of electrodes required for the generation of AWs in piezoelectric materials.
g) Increase size area for active and passive components
h) Development of fully transparent de-icing systems
From this standpoint of the research, it is possible to foresee the development by the end of the project of a series of devices, which would be effective both against icing and to promote de-icing.
Our plans for the next period encompass completing experiments in our ice facilities with smart devices and preparing multilayer stacks bestowed with multifunctionality against icing processes on industrially relevant surfaces. We also expect to achieve a fully, multi-scale comprehensive description of the AW-induced de-icing on material substrates.
A summary of this progress encompasses the following realizations:
a) Prove the suitability of AWs to induce the de-icing of ice accumulated onto the surface
b) 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
c) Propose a model mechanism for the interaction of AWs and ice aggregates describing how de-icing can be promoted thanks to this interaction
d) Preparation of an ample set of thin films and layers for their future integration in final multifunctional devices. Demonstration of their compatibility and capacity to propagate AWs, as well as the preservation of their singular anti-icing properties.
e) Advance in the automation of the operating mechanism of the AW devices
f) Development of a scalable procedure for the fabrication of electrodes required for the generation of AWs in piezoelectric materials.
g) Increase size area for active and passive components
h) Development of fully transparent de-icing systems
From this standpoint of the research, it is possible to foresee the development by the end of the project of a series of devices, which would be effective both against icing and to promote de-icing.
Our plans for the next period encompass completing experiments in our ice facilities with smart devices and preparing multilayer stacks bestowed with multifunctionality against icing processes on industrially relevant surfaces. We also expect to achieve a fully, multi-scale comprehensive description of the AW-induced de-icing on material substrates.