Inspired by penguin wing feathers, researchers have developed a chemical-free solution to the problem of icing on power lines, wind turbines and even airplane wings.
       Ice accumulation can cause massive damage to infrastructure and, in some cases, cause power outages.
       Whether it’s wind turbines, electric towers, drones or airplane wings, solutions to problems often depend on labor-intensive, costly and energy-intensive technologies, as well as various chemicals.
        A team of researchers from Canada’s McGill University believe they have found a promising new way to solve the problem after studying the wings of gentoo penguins, which swim in the frigid waters of Antarctica and whose fur doesn’t freeze even at surface temperatures. well below freezing point.
       “We first investigated the properties of lotus leaves, which are very good at dehydrating, but found to be less effective at dehydrating,” said Associate Professor Ann Kitzig, who has been looking for a solution for nearly a decade.
       ”It wasn’t until we started studying the mass of penguin feathers that we discovered a natural material that could remove both water and ice.”
       The microscopic structure of a penguin’s feather (pictured above) consists of barbs and twigs that branch off from a central feather shaft with “hooks” that connect individual feather hairs together to form a rug.
       The right side of the image shows a piece of stainless steel wire cloth that the researchers have embellished with nanogrooves that mimic the structural hierarchy of penguin feathers.
        “We found that the layered arrangement of the feathers themselves provides water permeability, and their serrated surfaces reduce ice adhesion,” said Michael Wood, one of the co-authors of the study. “We were able to replicate these combined effects with laser processing of woven wire mesh.”
        Kitzig explains: “It may seem counter-intuitive, but the key to anti-icing is all the pores in the mesh that absorb water under freezing conditions. The water in these pores eventually freezes, and as it expands, it creates cracks, just like you. We see it in ice cube trays in refrigerators. We need very little effort to de-ice our mesh because the cracks in each hole meander easily over the surface of these braided wires.”
        The researchers conducted wind tunnel tests on surfaces covered with steel mesh and found that the treatment was 95 percent more effective at preventing icing than untreated polished stainless steel panels. Because no chemical treatment is required, the new method offers a potentially maintenance-free solution to the problem of ice buildup on wind turbines, power poles and power lines, and drones.
Stainless steel wire mesh is a type of woven wire mesh made from stainless steel wire. It typically consists of thousands of interlocking wires that can be woven in a variety of patterns to create different mesh sizes and shapes. Stainless steel wire mesh is known for its durability, strength, and resistance to corrosion, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications, including industrial, commercial, and residential settings. It is commonly used for filtration, screening, and separation purposes, as well as for architectural and decorative applications, such as fencing, balustrades, and façade cladding. There are different grades of stainless steel wire available, each offering varying levels of resistance to corrosion and strength.