Thierry Dubois is a freelance writer specializing in helicopters, business aviation and aerospace technology. He earned a degree in fluid dynamics from an engineering school in Toulouse, France in the mid-1990s. At an unexpected crossroads, he found his first job in journalism. In 1997, he started working for French aerospace weekly Air &amp; Cosmos in Paris. This lasted until 2000, when he moved south to Lyons. He then became a freelancer, working for various aerospace publications and has been part of the AIN team since late 2000. In addition to writing about business aviation, Thierry shares responsibility for the rotorcraft section. He also is a regular on-site writer for AIN’s daily editions at international airshows such as the Paris, Farnborough, Dubai and Singapore shows, as well as at EBACE in Geneva.
In 2007, he won the Honeywell award for “Best systems or technology submission” at the Aerospace journalist of the year awards. In 2013, he won an Aerospace Media Award for the "Best Safety, Training &amp; Simulation Submission."
In other activities, Thierry moderates international conferences on aviation technology topics. Thierry is married and has three children, who seem to begin enjoying the mountains–as their parents do.

Writer

Thierry Dubois

GE Global Research presented new findings on nanotextured anti-icing surfaces and coatings last week at the American Physical Society Conference in Boston. While there are many applications for this technology, aircraft are at the top of the list.


According to GE, these nano surfaces “dramatically” reduce ice adhesion and have also been shown to delay the onset of ice formation. In simulated atmospheric icing conditions, the delay was measured to be more than one minute. Scientists were inspired by research on the lotus plant, which has on the surface of its leaves a nanotextured wax that can repel water.


GE made it clear these technologies will require further development before they are “durable enough and ready for commercial applications.” There is hope they could one day reduce and possibly even eliminate the need for existing aircraft anti-icing measures.


According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 25 million gallons of deicing agents are applied to aircraft at U.S. commercial airports each year. The aviation industry is also using energy-intensive pneumatic and electric anti-icing systems on aircraft to prevent ice formation on wings and other surfaces.

GE’s Anti-Icing Nano Surfaces Inspired by Lotus Leaves

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