Saab AB, the Swedish aircraft manufacturer, has filed a patent to use graphene for de-icing airplanes. The graphene layer would be embedded in a heating jacket covering the aircraft.
US patent application number 20130043342 describes a solution for the problem of ice getting attached to airplane wings and other aircraft components. In the past, the problem was solved by applying chemical agents prior to take-off, by running heater wires underneath the surface of the wings, heating of the wings with excess engine heat, etc. Most of those solutions have the drawback of added weight, while the chemical treatment used today is not eco-friendly. The solution proposed by Saab would solve the icing problem without introducing the common drawbacks.
Graphene in this invention would most likely come in the form of nanoplatelets, mixed in with a polymer resin. The resin is then painted onto the aircraft, providing a tight jacket around all airplane components. When ice catches on a part of the airplane, that part (or the entire plane exterior) can be heated by running an electric current through the conductive jacket. The graphene composite would remain smooth and lightweight, preserving aerodynamics. Other solutions include carbon nanotube forests embedded in a resin.
This is an interesting solution by Saab, which should be taken seriously given the scope of the company. No graphene company is mentioned in the text as a possible provider, so it seems that this job is still up for grabs. Meanwhile, investors can reach out to Saab through its primary stakeholder Investor AB.
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