Rime ice growth characterized by surface acoustic wave

We propose a new theoretical method and experimental investigation to characterize the growth process of rime ice through surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The Biot theory of dual-phase porous media was employed to construct a theoretical model to describe the acoustic wave propagation in porous rime ice; the transient changes in acoustic propagation attenuation and velocity were simulated; and the icing sensing mechanism of the acoustic wave propagation attenuation (∼18 dB) and the transient change in velocity (0.8 m/s) during the icing process was obtained. A 177.5 MHz waveguide type SAW micro–nano-device with an SU8/ST-90°X quartz multilayer composite film structure and a microfluidic cavity on the top of the acoustic device were designed and fabricated, and the transient attenuation in the growth of rime ice was evaluated experimentally. The experimental results indicated that the appearance of rime ice can be monitored accurately by utilizing the transient changes in acoustic wave velocity and attenuation. Therefore, the acoustic method can aid in the early warning of the development status of rime ice.