Ice formation on aircraft is a major problem in the aviation industry. Icing is directly responsible for many aircraft incidents, which can compromise the safety of passengers and require expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes ineffective deicing methods. Traditional deicing either relies on hazardous chemicals or bulky pneumatic boot systems that use hot combustion gases from engines. These methods are not only energy-intensive and time-consuming, but also ineffective at removing snow and frost. Conventional steady-state heating systems, although simpler, consume large amounts of energy and are slow to respond. Also, with the rise of electrified aviation, minimizing electrical energy consumption is more critical than ever, as batteries provide limited on-board power.
There has long been a need for a deicing solution that is simple, energy-efficient, fast, and effective across all forms of ice, snow, and frost—and now researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed one. Their technology uses electrothermal pulses for the efficient and rapid removal of ice from aircraft wings.