A method of making an adhesive for an ice protection assembly includes transferring Z-CNTs from a substrate carrier into the adhesive. De-bonding of the adhesive for ice protection assembly inspection or repair or repositioning at initial installation includes heating the Z-CNTs in the adhesive to soften the adhesive and allow for easy removal.

An aircraft headlight includes at least one visible light source for emitting a headlight light output; a light transmissive cover, at least partially covering the at least one visible light source; and at least one infrared emitter for emitting infrared radiation. At least 90% of radiation energy, comprised in the infrared radiation emitted by the at least infrared emitter, is emitted within a predefined wavelength range; and the light transmissive cover allows at least 25%, in particular at least 30%, more particularly at least 45%, of the radiation energy, which is emitted within the predefined wavelength range, to pass through the light transmissive cover.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining an effective size, quantity, shape, and type of water particles in a cloud atmosphere based on differences in amplitudes of optical signals backscattered at different backscattering angles. Off-axis backscattering—backscattering at angles other than 180 degrees—is affected by the effective size, quantity, shape, and type of water droplets. Detected amplitudes of optical signals that are backscattered at different angles are used to indicate the effective size, quantity, shape, and type of water particles in the cloud atmosphere. In some embodiments, optical emitters and detectors are configured to measure amplitudes of optical signals backscattered at backscattering angles of both on-axis—180 degrees—and off-axis varieties.

A heating element and conductive element system may include a heater conductive element and a heating element. The heater conductive element and the heating element may be integral components. The heater conductive element and the heating element may be discrete components. The heater conductive element may be configured for enhanced mechanical fatigue compared to typical conductive element.

A method of making an adhesive for an ice protection assembly includes mixing ferrous nanoparticles into the adhesive. Removal of the adhesive for ice protection assembly inspection or repair includes heating the ferrous nanoparticles in the adhesive to soften the adhesive and allow for easy removal or repositioning of the ice protection assembly.

A method of making an adhesive for an ice protection assembly includes mixing ferrous nanoparticles into the adhesive. Removal of the adhesive for ice protection assembly inspection or repair includes heating the ferrous nanoparticles in the adhesive to soften the adhesive and allow for easy removal or repositioning of the ice protection assembly.

A system includes a plurality of sensors along a surface of an airfoil operable to measure a first set of ice thickness values at a first time and a second set of ice thickness values at a second time. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a first plurality of lift calculation variables and a second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor also generates a threshold angle of attack value and updates the threshold angle of attack value at the second time, based on one or more differences between the first and second sets of ice thickness values and the first and second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor is further configured to send, to a display, based on the updated threshold angle of attack, one or more changes to flight data to adjust the actual angle of attack of the airfoil.

According to one embodiment, a method of dispersing nanoparticles into a destination material includes providing a plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, adding a solvent to the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, removing at least some of the carrier to yield the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent, mixing the nanoparticles suspended in the solvent with a destination material, and removing at least some of the solvent from the mixture of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent and the destination material.

According to one embodiment, a method of dispersing nanoparticles into a destination material includes providing a plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, adding a solvent to the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, removing at least some of the carrier to yield the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent, mixing the nanoparticles suspended in the solvent with a destination material, and removing at least some of the solvent from the mixture of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent and the destination material.

A method for testing water droplet shedding ability of a surface of an aircraft wing includes: blowing air toward a surface of a cylindrical member in an airflow direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member simulating the wing and having water-related surface characteristics that differ across a predetermined boundary position in a circumferential direction; supplying a water droplet to a portion of the surface of the cylindrical member on a leading edge side with respect to a flow of the air; and capturing an image of the water droplet that moves on the surface of the cylindrical member across the boundary position due to the flow of the air.