Microstructured Surface Design for Ice Nucleation Control Assisted by a Hybrid Classical Nucleation Theory–Blackbox Approach

Key Points

• This research aims to optimize ice nucleation control through the design of micropillar surfaces.
• Utilized a hybrid approach combining classical nucleation theory and a blackbox model to evaluate micropillar designs.
• Tested various geometries to identify the most effective configurations for delaying ice formation.
• Validated findings with an independent data set.
• Achieved a significant improvement in freezing delay with optimal micropillar geometries, leading to a predictive ability (R² = 0.75).
• Confirmed the effectiveness of the combined modeling approach for designing icephobic surfaces.