Scientists Unlock Ice-Repelling Secrets of Polar Bear Fur For Sustainable Anti-Freezing Solutions

Polar bear fur's natural ability to resist ice formation could pave the way for safer, more sustainable solutions to prevent ice build-up across industries such as aviation and renewable energy, according to researchers at the University of Surrey.

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An international study published in Science Advances has explored the anti-icing properties of polar bear fur in extreme Arctic conditions, revealing a unique mix of lipids in the fur's sebum-an oily substance produced by the skin—that drastically reduces ice adhesion. In the face of climate change, this natural design could help prevent ice build-up on infrastructure such as frozen wind turbine blades or aeroplane wings.

Key to this discovery are the advanced quantum chemical simulations carried out by the University of Surrey's computational chemistry team, which investigated molecular interactions between the fur's sebum and ice. Dr Marco Sacchi, Associate Professor at Surrey's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, is co-author of the study who led the group: "We found that specific lipids in the sebum, such as cholesterol and diacylglycerols, exhibit very low adsorption energies on ice. This weak interaction is what prevents ice from adhering to the fur."