A team of researchers from Arizona State University coordinated by Konrad Rykaczewski, professor of Engineering at this institution, has developed a biomimetic layer that applies an antifreeze substance to the wings of airplanes, preventing them from becoming covered with ice . According to this expert, this advance is inspired by the way some frogs exude toxic substances through their skin.
In a study published in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces , Rykaczewski explains that this smart cover includes a superhydrophobic coating that prevents raindrops from sticking to the aircraft , and an internal film that kicks in when environmental conditions are so harsh that the former cannot prevent frost formation. The latter releases a compound that dissolves it.
In various laboratory tests, these scientists found that freezing rain took 60 times longer to accumulate in this bionic layer than in another exclusively superhydrophobic .
