Materials that trap light to melt ice without using electricity

In particular, this light 'trap' can operate both in low climatic conditions, fog and snow cover, made both in the laboratory and in outdoor reality.

The image of winter snow ice in European and American countries often gives people a romantic beauty, but some people know that is also extremely inconvenient. Because it is a danger and is not safe for airplanes, wind engines, power lines .

Assoc.Kripa Varanasi of MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, who invented an anti-tape material.

At airports and airplanes, it is 'nailed' to the ground because it cannot take off, weak roofs may collapse due to heavy snow cover, and the power line is broken due to snow. Previously, the solution is still a traditional manual method of mechanics or chemistry, while consuming much energy and not being friendly.

So recently, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team developed a material that only uses sunlight to thaw the roof and power lines.

Research team led by Assoc. The leading Kripa Varanasi mechanic, calculated that turning sunlight into heat would suffice to melt the ice sheets so that the ice slid to the ground.

Experimental results of the project by Assoc.Kripa Varanasi.The top image is when the ice has melted, only a drop of water remains.

To accomplish this, the team has invented a material that includes up to three layers that can be glued or sprayed onto surfaces. The top layer is a ceramic material integrated with metal matrix that features 'trap' up to 95% of light and translates into heat melting a part of the ice forming as a thin lubricant for easy-to-float tapes slip off. The next layer of aluminum material will spread heat evenly over the surface of the tape. And the third layer with insulating foam material, is used to prevent horizontal heat spreading to reduce melting of the ice.

In particular, this light 'trap' can operate both in low climatic conditions, fog and snow cover. The team performed tests on materials in outdoor, real-world and detailed measurements within the laboratory to demonstrate the system's effectiveness.

According to research leader Kripa Varanasi, the first applications will be prioritized for roofs and power lines.