Prevention of ice formation by applying electric power to a liquid water layer
A first electrode is separated from a second electrode by an interelectrode space. The interelectrode space does not exceed 3 mm, and preferably does not exceed 100 μm. Liquid water fills the interelectrode space, thereby electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. A power supply, preferably low-frequency AC, is connected to the first and second electrodes, generating a current through the water in the interelectrode space. The applied electric power prevents freezing of a thin liquid water layer in the interelectrode space, thereby preventing ice formation.
1. A system for preventing ice formation on a surface of a solid object, comprising:
a first electrode disposed on the surface;
a second electrode proximate to the first electrode;
an interelectrode space separating the first and second electrodes, wherein the interelectrode space has a thickness not exceeding 3 mm; and
an AC power source connected to the first and second electrodes, the power source capable of providing an AC voltage with sufficient power to prevent freezing of a liquid water layer in the interelectrode space.
2. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the interelectrode space has a thickness not exceeding 500 μm.
3. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the interelectrode space has a thickness in a range of from 5 nm to 100 μm.
4. A system for preventing ice formation on a surface of a solid object, comprising:
a first electrode disposed on the surface;
a second electrode covering the first electrode, the second electrode being exposed to water and being porous to water;
an interelectrode space separating the first and second electrodes; and
an AC power source connected to the first and second electrodes, the power source capable of providing an AC voltage with sufficient power to prevent freezing of a liquid water layer in the interelectrode space.
5. A system as in claim 4 , wherein the second electrode is a mesh comprising metal mesh fibers.
6. A system as in claim 5 wherein the metal mesh fibers have a thickness in a range of from 1 to 100 μm.
7. A system as in claim 4 , further comprising a porous insulator layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the porous insulator layer forming the interelectrode space and being porous to water.
8. A system as in claim 7 , wherein the porous insulator layer has a total volume and a pore space, and the pore space occupies between 0 and 100 percent of the total volume.
9. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the pore space occupies in a range of from 50 to 70 percent of the total volume.
10. A system as in claim 7 , wherein the first electrode comprises aluminum and the porous insulator layer comprises aluminum oxide.
11. A system as in claim 10 , wherein the porous insulator layer comprises anodized aluminum.