(0.0K) | The
adhesion between the ice and the surface is due to the attraction
between the positive ice surface and the negative wing surface.
Breaking the adhesion might be as simple as adding positive
charge to the wing to neutralize the electrostatic attraction.
Victor Petrenko of Dartmouth experimented with a glob of mercury
on a sheet of ice. The mercury glob was somewhat flattened
due to the adhesion with ice. When Victor added a little charge
to the mercury, the mercury balled up showing less attraction
towards the ice. The effect could also be reversed, causing
a surface to stick more firmly to ice. Think about your auto.
You might find it useful to increase the friction of your
tires on an icy day. |