A polymer coating has been created which prevents the ice from sticking

In the winter, ice is the biggest nightmare of airports, road builders, car drivers and passers-by. Soon, our life may change for the better, and this is due to the special polymer substance.

It was created by scientists from the University of Houston. It is applied to various surfaces by means of a spray and forms a layer with unique ice repellent properties. The creators of the substance ensure that it beats all currently available solutions on the market, and in addition it is fully environmentally friendly. With its help, law enforcement will be able to save a lot of money.

The polymeric coating based on the new generation of silicone, above all, will be an ideal solution for much more effective de-icing of aircraft, not only those remaining at airports, but also those already in flight. The coating has the ability to remove ice under the influence of even a small momentum of air.

The Houston invention will also be a salvation for energy companies. Covering the transmission lines with polymer will reduce their breakdowns and interruptions in supplies and ensure better quality of services. The owners of vehicles can also appreciate this blessing. Covering the glass with polymer will give them better visibility in extreme weather conditions and will raise the safety of travelers to a higher level.

Researchers boast that the coating can reduce the adhesion of ice to surfaces up to several dozen times. At the same time, it is very durable, resistant to chemicals and mechanical effects, to the extent that it can not be hardened with abrasive paper. After one application, the polymer should be used for 10 years.

Interestingly, a team of American scientists has also developed a method of quickly creating and selecting individual coatings for various surfaces, in order to protect them. Thanks to it, they can model the stresses occurring at the boundaries of the centers, which allows to predict and adjust them to the specific needs of the properties of new materials. The system can also be used to create new, more effective antibacterial or superhydrophobic coatings.