This aerospace technology may assist vehicles in identifying ice and freezing rain before it presents an issue.

      Nilton Renno/University of Michigan

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      Ice racing is entertaining, yet there are times when you prefer to commute without the increased risk of an accident. To enhance warnings for drivers about icy conditions, researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M) have developed two new sensors, inspired by a location that experiences much colder temperatures than Earth.

      In a press release, Nilton Renno, a U-M professor specializing in climate and space sciences and engineering who spearheaded the project, was exploring methods to measure moisture levels in Martian soil while also distinguishing between water and ice for future missions to Mars. Being a pilot himself, Renno understands the hazards that ice poses to aircraft by obstructing their control surfaces. After discovering his parked plane encased in ice one day, he opted to utilize his atmospheric science expertise to address icy conditions on Earth.

      Brenda Ahearn/Michigan Engineering

      Renno and his team devised a microwave sensor that attaches to a vehicle’s exterior. The microwave signal it sends out alters when the sensor is coated with water or ice. A second sensor employs three infrared lasers of varying wavelengths. The first two beams are differently absorbed by water and ice, enabling the sensor to assess the combination of both in the air. The third laser measures the size of water droplets.

      The sensors were tested on a single-engine airplane and a light business jet, but U-M believes they could also be utilized in cars. Specifically, the laser sensor could scan ahead of a vehicle for black ice and alert the driver to reduce speed, according to researchers. Ice on roads is responsible for nearly 20% of weather-related car accidents annually, as stated by U-M, but decreasing speed by 4-9 mph can halve the likelihood of serious injury in an accident.

      Nilton Renno/University of Michigan

      “You can save many lives by simply reducing speed when you notice a slippery road ahead,” Renno mentioned in a statement. While it is possible to drift on ice skillfully without losing control, risking safety for yourself and others by driving into a situation that demands a certain level of expertise is not recommended.

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