Ice Processes Research Articles

Environmental effects of river ice, The Saint John (Wolastoq) River, New Brunswick, Canada

ABSTRACT The Saint John (Wolastoq) River (SJR) is a major international river flowing through the State of Maine, USA, and the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. In terms of river length and basin area, it is one of the largest rivers on the eastern seaboard of North America south of the St. Lawrence River system. Subject to seasonal ice cover, ice conditions vary along the SJR due to natural differences in climate and terrain, and due to anthropogenetic changes, such as the construction of dams. Ice formation, growth, and breakup along the SJR affects its hydraulic and ecological regimes and leads to the potential for ice jamming that has caused severe flooding and ice runs. Ice affects river erosion, flooding, ecology, water quality, and recreational uses of the SJR. An overview of typical winter climate and ice season characteristics along the SJR from Dickey, Maine, USA to Saint John, New Brunswick, and some of its environmental consequences are summarized in this review paper. Ice processes and phenomena that occur along the SJR occur along other northern rivers, and can cause similar environmental concerns and consequences that should not be ignored in river engineering and basin management.

Investigation of partial charging of enhanced ice storage systems

AbstractPartial storage strategy can save energy and reduce emissions. In this study, analysis of the partial melting process of ice inserted with nanoparticles inside a square enclosure is investigated for thermal energy storage. The lattice Boltzmann method is for melting and heat transfer in the storage unit. The validation demonstrates strong concurrence between the current findings and the experimental data documented in the literature. The analysis is performed for various Rayleigh numbers, nanoparticle volume fractions, and their effect on melting time and energy storage. Two types of nanoparticles are tested that is, copper and alumina. The outcomes indicate that the Rayleigh number and volume fraction of nanoparticles have a significant impact on the phase change process. The nanoparticles addition leads to homogenous and hence expedited melting process including the final stage of the ice melting process which is very slow without nanoparticles. Furthermore, copper nanoparticles are slightly more effective than alumina. Moreover, using 6% copper nanoparticles can reduce the melting time by up to 12.4%.

Rough ice cover modified hyporheic exchange: A numerical study on the mechanical effect propagating from the ice-water interface to the sediment–water interface

Many rivers are subject to ice-covered flow conditions in cold climate regions or during the winter months. The presence of ice cover can change stream flow hydrodynamics and thus affect the hyporheic exchange involved in many biogeochemical processes in aquatic environments. Among the various features of ice cover, its underside roughness is a main factor modifying the surface–subsurface flow hydrodynamics. To date, there has been little research on how ice cover affects the hyporheic exchange, even less on the effect of the ice cover roughness. This leaves open questions on the mechanical changes initiated at the ice-water interface and transferred to the water–sediment interface. In this study, a coupled surface–subsurface computational approach was used to model conjunctively the channel flow over dune bed and the underlying porous flow under different ice cover conditions. The results show that ice cover can enhance the hyporheic flux and reduce the hyporheic zone depth when compared to open channel flow at equivalent discharge. As the river flow depth increases to 4 times the height of the dune, the effect of the ice cover on the hyporheic flow becomes negligible. Within this effective range, the hyporheic flux via the channel water depth follows a power-law function. Ice cover roughness greatly augments the exchange rate while compresses the exchange space, therefore reduces flow residence time in the hyporheic zone. Based on the modeling results, prediction models were proposed for evaluating the impacts of ice cover roughness on the hyporheic exchange flux and depth. Our study indicates that hyporheic flow exchange is significantly impacted by the roughness of the ice cover which in turn the hyporheic exchange is likely to affect the river ice processes as well as the water quality and ecological functions throughout the river corridors.

Research on formation mechanism and output effect of wind turbine ice-covered blades

Considering the physical characteristics of wind turbine wing icing, icing synthesis rate, and icing type, we selected the icing type and surface roughness of ice-coated blades as sensitive parameters. The focus of our research was on the equivalent particle roughness height correction model, and we numerically analyzed the two icing processes (frost ice and clear ice) on wind turbine blade surfaces by combining FENSAP-ICE and FLUENT analysis tools. We predicted the ice type on blade surfaces using a multi-time step method and analyzed how variations in icing shape and ice surface roughness affect the aerodynamic performance of blades during frost ice formation or clear ice formation. Our results indicate that differences in blade surface roughness and heat flux lead to disparities in both ice formation rate and shape between frost ice and clear ice. Clear ice has a greater impact on aerodynamics compared to frost ice, while frost ice is significantly influenced by the roughness of its icy surface. These findings can serve as valuable references for wind power operators and manufacturers seeking solutions to issues related to blade surface icing under extremely cold conditions.

Snow Penetration Depth Inversion in Tibetan Plateau Based on Coherence Scattering Model with X-band Data

Abstract. The snow penetration depth is a necessary input parameter to accurately evaluate the thickness and vertical structure of snow layer, which is conducive to understanding the freeze-thaw process of ice and snow and predicting the change of ice and snow mass balance. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) exhibits great potential in estimating snow penetration depth due to the emission of microwave band and the ability of operating under all-day and all-weather conditions. In previous studies, the penetration depth of snow was obtained based on InSAR coherence, but the external factors such as temperature, humidity, topography, dielectric constant and so on also affect the penetration dept. In order to extract the penetration depth in detail, this paper this paper adopts a uniform volume model as the basis, introduces two parameters describing the physical properties of snow: the volume ambiguity height and the volumetric decorrelation. Then, the magnitude of volumetric decorrelation is used to establish the internal relationship between the magnitude and the volume ambiguity height to estimate the snow penetration depth. In order to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this method, a TSX/TDX InSAR pair covering southeast Tibetan Plateau in 2012 is applied to estimate the snow penetration depth. And results indicate that X-band penetration depths range mainly between −2.753 meters and −4.589 meters with an average value of −3.671 meters m and standard deviation of 0.918 meters in snowy regions on the plateau.

Ice-Jam Investigations along the Oder River Based on Satellite and UAV Data

The Oder River, situated along the border between Poland and Germany, is regularly affected by ice-jam events and their associated hazards, such as a sudden rise in water level and the endangerment to flood-protection infrastructure. The existing databases on past ice-jam events lack substantial information considering ice formation, blockage origins or the spatiotemporal evolution of the ice cover needed for a comprehensive understanding of relevant ice processes. Within this study, the evaluation of satellite and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data was carried out in order to analyze the capabilities of enhancing river ice information in the study area. Satellite imagery was proven to be a valuable source of investigating ice-jam phenomena on all scales, leading to the identification of initial ice-jam locations, surveying spatiotemporal ice cover evolution or monitoring the maximum ice-cover extent. A simplified approach for river ice classification of satellite radar data using the K-Means Cluster Analysis is introduced, enabling the differentiation between river ice formations. Based on UAV data taken in this study, workflows were presented, allowing for measurements of ice floe velocities and the localization of flooded and ice-covered flow control structures.

Dynamical and Microphysical Aspects of Two Distinct Precipitation Systems in the Himalayas With 206.5 MHz Radar and WRF Model

AbstractThe dynamical and microphysical aspects of two different precipitating systems have been investigated using the ARIES Stratosphere‐Troposphere Radar (ASTRad) facility and further substantiated by Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model over Manora Peak. The first event (Case‐I) is associated with the southwest Indian summer monsoon that occurred on 4 August 2020, with a vertical extension of 10–12 km and leads to liquid phase precipitation. The second event (Case‐II) linked to the winter western disturbance occurred on 5 February 2021. This precipitating system was developed with a vertical extension of 6–7 km, resulting in both liquid and solid phase precipitation. Such distinct vertical extension of the systems is found to be associated with the thermodynamical conditions and prevailed large‐scale circulations. By analyzing the vertical structure of these systems using three Doppler moments estimated from the ASTRad (equivalent Reflectivity dBZe, Doppler velocity, and Spectral width), maximum dBZe (∼60 dB) is observed in Case‐II, while higher spectral width (>2 m s−1) is associated to Case‐I. The microphysical processes assessed by the WRF model pointed out that Case‐I involved snow accretion on supercooled droplets, leading to graupel and raindrop formation, while in Case–II, solid and liquid precipitation resulted from ice processes, including accretion or autoconversion. These findings highlight the significance of integrating radar and modeling data to understand the dynamical and microphysical evolution of precipitation under the influence of orography in the Himalayan region.

The effect of nonlocal disk processes on the volatile CHNOS budgets of planetesimal-forming material

Context. The bulk abundances of CHNOS-bearing species of a planet have a profound effect on its interior structure and evolution. Therefore, it is key to investigate the behavior of the local abundances of these elements in the solid phase in the earliest stages of planet formation, where micrometer-sized dust grows into larger and larger aggregates. However, the physical and chemical processes occurring in planet-forming disks that shape these abundances are highly coupled and nonlocal. Aims. We aim to quantify the effects of the interplay between dynamical processes (turbulent diffusion, dust settling and radial drift), collision processes (coagulation and fragmentation), and the adsorption and desorption of ices on the abundances of CHNOS in local disk solids as a function of position throughout the planet-forming region. Methods. We used SHAMPOO (Stochastic Monomer Processor), which tracks the ice budgets of CHNOS-bearing molecules of a dust monomer as it undergoes nonlocal disk processing in a Class I disk. We used a large set of individual monomer evolutionary trajectories to make inferences about the properties of the local dust populations via a stochastic analysis of 64 000 monomers on a preexisting spatial grid. Results. We find that spatially, monomers can travel larger distances farther out in the disk, leading to a larger spread in positions of origin for a dust population at, for example, r = 50 AU compared to r = 2 AU. However, chemically, the inner disk (r ≲ 10 AU) is more nonlocal due to the closer spacing of ice lines in this disk region. Although to zeroth order the bulk ice mantle composition of icy dust grains remains similar compared to a fully local dust population, the ice mass associated with individual chemical species can change significantly. The largest differences with local dust populations were found near ice lines where the collisional timescale is comparable to the adsorption and desorption timescales. Here, aggregates may become significantly depleted in ice as a consequence of microscopic collisional mixing, a previously unknown effect where monomers are stored away in aggregate interiors through rapid cycles of coagulation and fragmentation. Conclusions. Nonlocal ice processing in a diffusion-dominated, massive, smooth disk has the most significant impact on the inner disk (r ≲ 10 AU). Furthermore, microscopic collisional mixing can have a significant effect on the amounts of ice of individual species immediately behind their respective ice lines. This suggests that ice processing is highly coupled to collisional processing in this disk region, which implies that the interiors of dust aggregates must be considered and not just their surfaces.

In-situ observations of cloud microphysics over Arabian Sea during dust transport events

The unique in situ measurements of clouds and precipitation within the shallow and deep cumulus over the north-eastern Arabian Sea region during the Indian monsoon are illustrated in this study with a focus on droplet spectral parameters. The observational period showed a significant incursion of Arabian dust and the presence of giant cloud condensation nuclei (GCCN), modifying the cloud and precipitation spectral properties. Warm rain microphysics supported the mixed-phase development in these clouds and exhibited hydrometeors of snow, graupel and large aggregates as part of ice processes. Cloud base droplet number concentration is about 142 ± 79 cm−3 which is one third of the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration at 0.2% supersaturation. A rapid broadening of droplet size distribution (DSD) near to the cloud base was noted in contrast to polluted continental clouds. Relationship between the relative dispersion ( ε; the ratio of DSD spectral width ( σ ) to mean radius ( rm )) and liquid water adiabatic fraction (AF) indicates that the entrainment effect has increased relative dispersion significantly (2–3 times larger) in these clouds. Effective radius ( reff ) is found to be proportional to mean volume radius ( rv ) with a proportionality constant ( β ) that varies between 1.0–1.6, depending on the spectral dispersion parameter. Drop size distributions for the small cloud droplets with size range 2–50 μ m and the large drizzle drops (or ice hydrometeors) with size range 100–6400 μ m are parameterized using the gamma function distributions useful for large-scale cloud models.

Ice Process Simulation on Hydraulic Characteristics in the Yellow River

Ice Process Simulation on Hydraulic Characteristics in the Yellow River

A numerical study of heterogeneous nucleation of ice crystals and frost layer growth on horizontal cold surfaces

In engineering applications, the formation and growth of frost layers can significantly affect the normal operation of equipment, leading to undesirable influences. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the frost formation mechanisms as a basis for developing effective anti-frosting and defrosting methodologies. This study proposes a model for the growth of horizontal cold surface frost layers using the classical nucleation theory and the Eulerian multiphase flow model. Compared to numerous models that investigate the frost formation issues using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, our proposed model takes into account the crystal growth period (the heterogeneous nucleation process of ice). The predicted results of the proposed model were found to be in good agreement with the data collected from five related experimental studies. In this regard, the maximum frost layer thickness error was 23.9 % with a mean error of 5.1 %, and the maximum density error was 22.8 % with a mean error of 8.1 %. Compared to existing models in the literature, the proposed model can reduce the maximum thickness and density uncertainties by 17.4 % and 10.2 %, respectively. Additionally, the effects of the surface contact angle and environmental parameters on the nucleation process were analyzed using the established model. It was found that a larger contact angle, higher cold surface temperature, and lower air temperature, humidity, and velocity were unfavorable conditions for supporting the formation and growth of ice crystals. Moreover, the nucleation completion time was shortened with the increase in the moist air supersaturation degree, varying as an exponential function. The findings of this study provide an important theoretical basis for the development of optimizing strategies for anti-frosting and defrosting.

GEOCRYOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE FORMATION OF GIANT SPRING AUFEIS AT THE ANMANGYNDA RIVER (MAGADAN REGION) ACCORDING TO GEOPHYSICAL DATA

Giant aufeis fields, common in the Northeast of Russia, are the indicators of water exchange processes in cryosphere. The development of ideas about icing processes is relevant both from the fundamental point of view of studying the permafrost evolution, and from the practical point of view – for the development of aufeis hazard measures. The aufeis in the Anmangynda River basin (aufeis glade area 7 km2) is considered representative of the region, and its studies have been carried out since 1962. In 2022, during the period of maximum thawing of the active layer Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) soundings were carried out at the aufeis glade aiming to identify underchannel taliks and flooded fault zones in bedrock, including local areas of groundwater discharge. It was found that within the main river channels there are underchannel taliks up to 30 m deep. According to the results of 2D inversion, local anomalies of low electrical resistivity mark groundwater filtration channels. In 3D geoelectrical models, pipe-like anomalies of low resistivity are identified in the areas of groundwater discharge, interpreted as filtration channels in the alluvium and the zone of exogenous fracturing in bedrock formed by sandy-clay shales, as well as linear vertical anomalies of low resistivity, interpreted as faults. On vertical sections of 3D resistive models, a connection between faults and filtration channels in alluvium and a layer of exogenous fracturing is traced. In the right bank of the valley, geoelectric signs of taliks in the bedrock, presumably associated with fault tectonics, have been established. It is assumed that the identified faults are the additional transit routes for groundwater in the Anmangynda River valley, along with the alluvial aquifer and the zone of exogenous fracturing of bedrock.

Modeling and analysis for volatile characteristics of lunar water ice

Lunar water ice resources are important space assets for human survival and sustainable living on the Moon. Detection data indicates that the permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles contain water ice resources. The efficiency of in-situ extraction of lunar water ice resources depends on its volatile characteristics. In the context of extraction and utilization of water ice resources in the permanently shadowed regions, the sublimation and diffusion processes of lunar water ice are investigated by combining the theory of pure ice sublimation with the fractal theory of porous media. On this basis, a volatilization model for lunar water ice is established to examine the effect of temperature, relative density, and water content on the volatile behaviors of lunar water ice. The findings of this study can provide technical and theoretical support for the in-situ exploration, extraction, and utilization of lunar water ice resources and offer insights into the existence and distribution of lunar water ice resources.

The Impact of Temperature and Power Variation on the Optical, Wettability, and Anti-Icing Characteristics of AZO Coatings

The structural, wettability, and optical characteristics of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films were studied with the objective of understanding the impact of deposition power and deposition temperature. Thin films were deposited using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique. The power output of the RF was augmented from 200 to 260 W, and the temperature was increased from 50 to 200 °C, which led to the development of a (002) peak for zinc oxide. The study of film thickness was carried out using the Swanepoel envelope method from data obtained through the UV-Vis spectrum. An increase in surface roughness value was shown to be connected with fluctuations in temperature as well as increases in deposition power. The findings revealed that as deposition power and temperature increased, the value of optical transmittance decreased, ranging from 70% to 90% based on the deposition parameters within the range of wavelengths that extend from 300 to 800 nm. The wettability properties of the samples were studied, and the maximum contact angle achieved was 110°. A Peltier apparatus was utilised in order to investigate the anti-icing capabilities, which revealed that the icing process was slowed down 3.38-fold. This work extends the understanding of the hydrophobicity and anti-icing capabilities of AZO thin films, specifically increasing both attributes which provide feasible options for purposes requiring resistance to ice.

Systematic Differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres: Warm-Frontal Ice Water Path Linked to the Origin of Extratropical Cyclones

Abstract Extratropical cyclones (ETCs) produce most of the winter precipitation at midlatitudes and are often associated with the most extreme winter weather events. For climate models to accurately predict the occurrence and severity of these extreme events in a changing climate, they need to accurately represent moist processes in general and ice processes in particular. To provide an observational constraint for model evaluation, because cloud cover and precipitation are prevalent in warm-frontal regions, a compositing method is applied to ice retrievals from satellite observations to explore the ice distribution across warm fronts in both hemispheres. Ice water path (IWP) and its variability are compared between Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) warm fronts for different ETC-wide characteristics, as well as for different ETC origination regions. Results reveal that warm-frontal IWP and its variability tend to be higher in the NH than the SH, even when controlling for the ETC strength and environmental precipitable water (PW). IWP differences between NH and SH are found to be primarily related to where the cyclones originate. As the intertropical convergence zone is shifted north, ETCs that originate close to the northern tropics have more PW than those that originate close to the southern tropics. This, in turn, seems to lead to larger IWP in NH frontal clouds than in the SH frontal clouds at a later time. This highlights the importance, for ice amounts generated in warm-frontal regions, of the environmental conditions that an ETC encounters during its genesis phase. Significance Statement Extratropical cyclones (ETCs) are responsible for most of the winter precipitation in the midlatitudes and are often associated with severe winter weather events. In order for climate models to accurately predict these extreme events in a changing climate, they need to correctly represent moist processes, especially those involving ice. To evaluate and improve these models, we apply a compositing method to satellite observations of ice profiles in warm-frontal regions, which are known for having high cloud cover and precipitation. This helps us understand the distribution of ice across warm fronts in both the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and the Southern Hemisphere (SH). We compare the ice water path (IWP) and its variability between NH and SH warm fronts, considering different characteristics of ETCs and their formation regions. Our findings show that NH warm fronts generally contain more ice, and the amount varies a lot more across warm fronts than for SH warm fronts. This is true even when accounting for the strength of the cyclones and the moisture available to them. These differences in IWP between NH and SH are found to be primarily related to the locations where the cyclones originate. As the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is shifted northward, ETCs originating closer to the northern tropics tend to have more moisture available to them than those originating closer to the southern tropics. This leads to greater ice amounts in NH frontal clouds compared to SH frontal clouds at a later time. These results emphasize the importance of understanding the origin of ETCs in order to accurately characterize ice processes in warm-frontal regions.

Numerical investigation of dynamic icing of wind turbine blades under wind shear conditions

In the wind shear icing environment, the periodically varying inflow conditions experienced by wind turbine blades can significantly enhance the dynamic icing characteristics, which poses a great challenge to wind turbine icing research. To investigate this phenomenon, the Improved Multi-Shot Icing Computational Model (IMSICM) is utilized. In IMSICM, an efficient dynamic icing computational frame is designed by using the 3D Free Wake Lifting Line method coupled with the 2D Viscous and Inviscid Interaction method to calculate the flow field. Meanwhile, the Lagrangian method is applied to compute the water droplet impingement information and the Messinger Model is used to simulate the ice growth. After validation of IMSICM by the icing wind tunnel experimental results, the wind shear icing processes of the NREL 5 MW wind turbine under different wind shear conditions are analyzed. The results show that different from the linear growth behavior of Rime ice, the nonlinear features of Glaze ice development are significant. The wind shear effect has a greater impact on the Glaze ice shape, mainly manifested as the ice protrusions behind the main ice horn are suppressed. This phenomenon is mainly due to the combined effect of water impingement shadowing and heat transfer reduction.

Study of the active anti-icing properties of modified biological antifreeze protein micro-surfacing

The accumulation of snow and ice on the surface of roadways can threaten driving safety, which is a major pain point in winter. To address the issue of pavement icing, this paper researched the biological antifreeze protein (AFP) filler, which was then mixed with a portion of mineral powder to create a blend. This blend was further combined with emulsified asphalt modified by a combination of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and waterborne epoxy resin (WER) to produce a micro-surfacing mixture with active anti-icing capabilities. The road performance tests were conducted to assess whether the anti-icing micro-surfacing mixture’s road performance was affected. Subsequently, improved and innovative anti-icing tests were conducted to evaluate the anti-icing performance of the anti-icing micro-surfacing. The anti-icing tests encompassed freezing tests, ice-melting and snow-melting tests, active de-icing simulation tests, and ice adhesion force tests. The road performance tests indicate that the incorporation of antifreeze filler enhances the resistance of the micro-surfacing mixture against water erosion during freeze-thaw cycles, with a minimal impact on rutting resistance and abrasion resistance. The freezing test demonstrates the excellent active antifreeze function of the anti-icing micro-surfacing. Furthermore, the ice-melting and snow-melting test reveals that the anti-icing micro-surfacing effectively speeds up the melting process of snow and ice on the surface of roadways. The active de-icing simulation test and adhesion test confirm that the anti-icing micro-surfacing significantly accelerates the rate of active de-icing. Overall, the anti-icing micro-surfacing demonstrates a significant active anti-icing effect while maintaining its road performance capabilities.

Analysis of Solar Radiation Differences for High-Voltage Transmission Lines on Micro-Terrain Areas

The stable operation of high-voltage transmission lines is significantly affected by atmospheric icing. Research on the physical processes of icing and de-icing of transmission lines in micro-terrain, as well as the factors affecting them, is a crucial theoretical foundation for enhancing current icing prediction capabilities and guiding the planning of transmission lines in mountainous areas. The difficulty lies in the fact that, unlike the calculation of surface radiation, the amount of radiation received by the lines is affected by a combination of terrain, environmental shading, and the orientation of the lines. Therefore, this work initially establishes a method for calculating the total amount of radiant heat received per unit length of the line throughout the day at various heights from the ground, based on the angle of solar incidence and the three-dimensional spatial position of the lines. Furthermore, a method of mapping the regional heat radiation by gridding the direction of the lines was proposed, providing the daily heat radiation and equivalent Joule heat. The proposed mapping method supports anti-icing planning for high-voltage transmission lines in micro-terrain areas.

Synthetic aperture radar Sentinel-1 for icing mapping of the Chulman Plateau and icing pattern assessment

Modern research on icing is focused on regional patterns of its distribution and compilation of its catalogs from different regions. This study discusses new approaches to mapping icings using NDSI based on Sentinel-2 and SAR images of Sentinel-1. Using the polarimetric decomposition of a backscatter signal and unsupervised classification, we identified the contours of the icings in May 2018–2022, and calculated their areal extent. We compared the areas of icing using both methods, and correlated the data. Only 10 % of all icings showed a difference of less than 10 % in the area values. It is located in river valleys where the boundaries of the icing field coincide with a flood plain, and their width is at least 100 m. The reflected backscatter signal at such objects is characterized by moderate or high entropy volumetric scattering. On the basis of the NDSI index, 237 icings were identified within the Chulman Plateau, with a total area of 134.44 m2. We assessed the main natural controls in the development of the icing process. This is the initial stage of studying icings in the southern part of the permafrost region. Furthermore, we plan to classify icings according to their sources of nutrition and to detail the patterns of icing formation in this region. The research results will make it possible to predict the formation of icing during engineering construction and evaluate groundwater resources.

Multi-Scale Superhydrophobic Surface with Excellent Stability and Solar-Thermal Performance for Highly Efficient Anti-Icing and Deicing.

Ice accretion can significantly impact the efficiency and safety of outdoor equipment. Solar-thermal superhydrophobic surface is an effective strategy for anti-icing and deicing. However, droplets easily turn to the Wenzel state during the icing and melting cycle processes, significantly increasing the adhesion and making the droplets difficult to remove from the surface. In this work, a triple-scale solar-thermal superhydrophobic surface is prepared on stainless steel 304 by etching, in situ oxidation, and spin-coating TiN nanoparticles for highly efficient deicing and anti-icing. The multi-scale structure enabled the droplets to recover the Cassie state completely after melting. The contact angle decreased from 162.5° to 136.7° during the icing process and gradually increased to 162.1° during the melting process. In addition, metal oxides and TiN nanoparticles enabled the superhydrophobic surface to exhibit a high solar absorptivity ( = 0.925). The synergistic effect of the superhydrophobicity and the solar-thermal performance endowed the designed multi-scale surface with excellent anti-icing and deicing performance. This work contributed to the practical development of anti-icing and deicing applications based on solar-thermal superhydrophobic surfaces.