University of Houston engineers have developed a magnetic slippery surface (MAGSS) that they say outperforms all other icephobic materials in use.

The MAGSS—developed from a ferrofluid comprising a mixture of liquid and iron oxide nanoparticles, together with a magnetic field—can be applied to ceramics, polymers, or metals. When a droplet of water hits the surface of the fluid, it acts as a barrier to prevent the droplet from interacting with the solid.

A drop of water rolls off the icephobic surface. Image credit: University of Houston“We coat a magnetic material on one side of the surface, and the other side we deposit a thin layer of magnetic fluid called ferrofluid,” says Hadi Ghasemi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “There’s no adhesion of the ice to the solid surface, so it basically slides off the surface.”

The strength required to remove ice is measured in Pascals (Pa). Current systems use force measured at approximately 100,000 Pa to remove ice, while Ghasemi’s uses 2 Pa.

“This is so small that even by tilting the surface, ice is going to be removed,” Ghasemi says.

The material also lowers the freezing threshold. Using current icephobic technology, water will freeze at -13 degrees Fahrenheit. However, on a surface coated with Ghasemi’s material, water will not freeze until it reaches -29 degrees Fahrenheit.

The researchers aim to develop the coating as a spray that can be applied to any surface.