A research team at the NTI Center for Digital Materials Science, exploring new materials and substances at Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman, has announced a polyurethane spray coating named Silafob. This coating is designed to shield drones from icing, a problem that becomes especially acute in cold climates and high-altitude missions. The announcement came through the center’s press communications and was reported to socialbites.ca, underscoring the goal of minimizing ice buildup on key drone surfaces.
The formulation blends a polyurethane base with finely dispersed insoluble organosilicon particles. Reportedly, this combination enhances wear resistance and delivers hydrophobic properties that reduce how strongly frozen water crystals cling to surfaces. By lowering ice adhesion, the coating helps prevent ice accretion on drone wings, while the implications could extend to other equipment in harsh environments, such as ship decks, handrails, moorings, masts, and utility lines where ice formation can threaten safety and operation. These insights originate from the NTI Center on Digital Materials Science and Substances at MSTU named after N.E. Bauman, with attribution to project materials produced by Ivan Storozhuk and the center’s communications team.
The researchers indicate that Silafob performs best when applied to glass and carbon fabrics as well as epoxy resins, materials commonly used in the outer skins of aerial drones. The coating is described as a two-layer process suitable for both manual spray and automated spray systems. The estimated cost for a protective layer is around 1200 rubles per 100 grams, hinting at potential scalability and practical viability for production settings in research labs, manufacturing facilities, and regional hubs across Canada and the United States.
Tests reportedly show effective performance on aircraft engine wings, suggesting that Silafob could help maintain aerodynamic efficiency under icing conditions, a crucial factor for mission reliability and safety. This aligns with ongoing efforts to advance drone operation in challenging weather and maritime environments where ice can compromise control and endurance. The center notes that the work contributes to broader aims of improving performance in real-world, ice-prone scenarios for unmanned aerial systems and related platforms.
Earlier communications from socialbites.ca highlighted Russia’s development of protective technologies for drones, including portable radar systems designed to counter low-flying unmanned vehicles. This broader line of research emphasizes integrated approaches that address both detection and environmental protection for aerial platforms, aligning with international interest in safer, more capable autonomous systems in challenging conditions (source at NTI Center press service).