SBIR-STTR Award

Ice Shedding Coatings for Aircrafts
Award last edited on: 9/24/2021

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$122,126
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF19B-T001
Principal Investigator
Peyman Irajizad

Company Information

Elemental Coatings (AKA: EC~SurfEllent LLC)

5000 Gulf Freeway Bldg 4 Rm 118
Houston, TX 77023
   (832) 303-7034
   info@elementalcoatings.com
   www.elementalcoatings.com

Research Institution

University of Houston

Phase I

Contract Number: FA8649-19-P-A436
Start Date: 8/6/2019    Completed: 8/6/2020
Phase I year
2019
Phase I Amount
$25,000
Icing is an omnipresent phenomenon in nature and technology and impacts a broad spectrum of sectors including aircrafts, drones, military and civilian infrastructures, logistics and surveillance systems, and marine vessels. Icing in aircrafts engine results in detrimental effects on engine performance, operability, and aeromechanics, may lead to catastrophic events and is a challenge for both legacy and advanced propulsion systems. Although de-icing coatings play a vital role in these systems, development of durable and high-performance coatings for such demanding applications remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate a new de-icing material paradigm, stress-localized coatings, with minimal adhesion to ice and high mechanical, chemical and environmental durability. These coating show an order of magnitude higher performance than state-of-the-art coatings as shown in a comprehensive study. These coatings are commercialized through SurfEllent and have been used by a range of non-DoD customers. Furthermore, the coating is applied on an aircraft engine, is tested in ice wind tunnel, and is shown superior de-icing performance. Here, we plan to introduce these coatings to Air Force aircrafts to avoid any critical damage and high power consumption due to accumulated ice in the engine. The coating technology will be customized based on the specific requirements of Air Force.De-Icing,Aircraft,engine,Durability,high-speed,long-term

Phase II

Contract Number: FA8649-20-9-9043
Start Date: 1/17/2020    Completed: 1/17/2021
Phase II year
2020
Phase II Amount
$97,126
In collaboration with USAF Global Strike Command 5 MXG/CC, Boeing, and University of Houston, we plan to understand key coatings requirements for AF applications and test novel anti-icing coatings.