Phys.org August 30, 2019
Conventional defrosting melts all the ice or frost from the top layer. Researchers at the University of Illinois proposed delivering a pulse of very high current where the ice and the surface meet to create a layer of water. To ensure the pulse reaches the intended space rather than melting the exposed ice, they applied a thin coating of indium tin oxide to the surface of the material. They validated the concept in an experimental model which showed that <1% of the energy and <0.01% of the defrosting time was needed compared to conventional thermal-based defrosting methods…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
This image shows (a) thin layer of ITO coating applied to substrate to be de-iced; (b) ITO heats up as current applied, water melts at interface allowing ice to slide down under gravity; (c) time-lapse images during de-icing. Credit: Nenad Miljkovic