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<b><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red">Mechanics of Ice Adhesion on Extremely Durable Icephobic Surfaces</span></b><span style="color:#C8102E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Sina Nazifi Takan Tappeh</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">July 20, 2023; 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (Central Time)</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Hybrid</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222"><br>
</span><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Room: </span></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Agrawal Conference Room (AERB) # 222</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Zoom: </span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/uh-edu-cougarnet.zoom.us/j/97175689991__;!!LkSTlj0I!Hbbm9lv_aeJdADWA6jvKmSFKW1I9zClgGN_3_WMIOsuHSN0_H5AQ9MBPOmvInC4RHnYQgbY1FYsC6rOqyLCHOwsO$" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#1155CC">Click
here to join online</span></a></span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Committee Chair:</span></strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><br>
<span style="color:#222222">Hadi Ghasemi, Ph.D.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Committee Members:</span></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><br>
<span style="color:#222222">Di Yang, Ph.D. <b>| </b>Dong Liu, Ph.D. <b>|</b> Jae-Hyun Ryou, Ph.D. <b>| </b>Alamgir Karim, Ph.D.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#C8102E">Abstract</span></strong><span style="color:#C8102E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">Ice formation and the subsequent adhesion of ice to surfaces pose significant challenges in various industries and applications, including transportation, energy, and infrastructure.
This dissertation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ice formation, the mechanics of ice adhesion, and the development of fracture-controlled surfaces. Furthermore, we develop a predictive method for ice adhesion on different surfaces, offering
valuable insights into the design of anti-icing strategies and materials.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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The study begins by investigating ice formation, encompassing ice nucleation, ice growth, and freezing delay phenomena. Understanding the mechanisms behind ice formation is crucial for developing effective strategies to control ice adhesion. By examining the
factors influencing ice nucleation and growth, as well as strategies for delaying freezing, this research establishes a foundation for subsequent investigations.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Next, the mechanics of ice adhesion are explored, focusing on the work of adhesion and the macroscopic work of fracture. Various models are examined to describe ice adhesion on different surfaces, including plastics, elastomers, inhomogeneous surfaces, and
plasticized polymers. Additionally, a mechanical deformation approach is employed to characterize ice adhesion. These investigations aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ice adhesion and provide valuable insights into the development of novel anti-icing
materials and coatings.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Building upon the knowledge gained from ice adhesion mechanics, this dissertation proposes a comprehensive theory of ice adhesion. The objective is to develop a predictive method for ice adhesion on elastomers and non-elastomers, addressing the challenges faced
in existing models. By incorporating key parameters and material properties, this predictive method aims to enable accurate and efficient assessment of ice adhesion, facilitating the design of superior anti-icing strategies.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Finally, we delve into the development and performance testing of so-called, fracture-controlled surfaces. These surfaces are designed to exploit fracture mechanics principles to reduce ice adhesion strength. Theoretical modeling is employed to analyze the
behavior of these surfaces under different conditions and to optimize their performance. By examining their performance, this research aims to provide practical insights for the implementation of fracture-controlled surfaces in real-world applications.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Overall, this thesis contributes to the understanding of physics of ice formation and the mechanics of ice adhesion, and finally development of fracture-controlled surfaces. By integrating these findings, a comprehensive theory of ice adhesion is proposed,
offering a predictive method for ice adhesion on elastomers and non-elastomers. The outcomes of this research will facilitate the development of effective anti-icing strategies and materials, with potential applications in a wide range of industries.</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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