Revolutionary Anti-Frosting Technology Developed by Northwestern Engineers

Engineers at Northwestern University have made a groundbreaking advancement in frost prevention technology, which could soon eliminate the need for defrosting freezers and scraping frost from surfaces. In a study published on October 30, 2024, in *Science Advances*, the researchers unveiled a novel approach that modifies surface textures and incorporates a thin layer of graphene oxide to completely prevent frost formation for a week or longer—an impressive improvement compared to current anti-frosting technologies that last only a fraction of that time.

This innovative surface design not only prevents frost but is also resistant to cracks, scratches, and contamination, offering a scalable solution that could save industries and government agencies billions in maintenance and energy costs. "Unwanted frost accumulation poses significant challenges across various sectors, including industrial, residential, and governmental," said Kyoo-Chul Kenneth Park, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and lead author of the study. "The 2021 power crisis in Texas, which resulted in $195 billion in damages, underscores the urgent need for robust anti-frosting techniques capable of withstanding extreme conditions for extended periods. Our technique can prevent frosting for potentially weeks at a time while being easy to fabricate and implement, thanks to 3D printing."