Water, ice, and surface contamination are significant problems in various industries including transportation, power, buildings, and consumer products. For example, ice accumulation can reduce the performance of aircraft and solar panels.
![Image Credit - boldmethod](https://patentyogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PatentYogi_Boeing-has-developed-actively-controlled-superhydrophobic-surfaces-1024x683.jpg)
Hydrophobic surfaces are sometimes used to reduce the water and ice accumulation. However, conventional superhydrophobic surface structures are passive structures and generally relatively delicate structures.
![Image Credit - AOPA](https://patentyogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PatentYogi_Boeing-has-developed-actively-controlled-superhydrophobic-surfaces2-1024x683.jpg)
Boeing’s superhydrophobic surface structures are actively-controlled surface structures exhibiting a superhydrophobic state and an ordinary state. They use MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) actuators to activate the superhydrophobic surface.
![Image Credit - Gizmag](https://patentyogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PatentYogi_Boeing-has-developed-actively-controlled-superhydrophobic-surfaces3.jpg)
This technology will increase the safety of aircraft and also add some years to the their life
![Image Credit - Hexapolis](https://patentyogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PatentYogi_Boeing-has-developed-actively-controlled-superhydrophobic-surfaces4.jpg)
Publication number: US 20160114883
Patent Title: Actively-controlled superhydrophobic surfaces
Publication date: 28 Apr 2016
Filing date: 23 Oct 2014
Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Guerry; Peter Aaron Koch; Li Chun Chang; Robert Hans Thim;
Applicant: The Boeing Company