Preventing Ice Accretion: Design Strategies for Anti-Icing Surfaces

Snow and icing disasters cause significant natural hazards that arise under cold climatic conditions characterized by snowfall and ice formation. The increasing frequency and intensity of these events, exacerbated by climate change, necessitate urgent research into their causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies. This perspective underscores the importance of understanding low-temperature and snow disasters to enhance societal resilience and safeguard human well-being. We systematically introduce the mechanisms of ice accretion on surfaces, an understanding of which is essential for developing effective anti-icing (preventing ice formation) and deicing (removing existing ice) strategies. We discuss the drawbacks and advantages of various existing methods and highlight recent advancements in materials science that offer innovative solutions aimed at reducing ice adhesion and improving overall management practices. These emerging strategies not only seek to lessen environmental impacts but also aim to bolster the resilience of infrastructure against these increasingly common severe conditions. Additionally, we explore the potential of integrating smart response materials, advanced active deicing technologies, and artificial intelligence into ice management systems. Such integrations may substantially improve current practices by enabling more sustainable, efficient, and responsive anti-icing and deicing strategies. We underscore the necessity for ongoing innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop adaptive technologies capable of addressing the dynamic challenges posed by climate change and urban expansion. This review outlines the current landscape of ice management and discusses future directions that could significantly mitigate the risks associated with ice and snow in vulnerable regions globally.