Quote on icing/superhydrophobic surfaces

[thephysicsman]

Hi,

I'm writing a Master's thesis on superhydrophobic surfaces aimed at preventing ice accumulation, and I'm looking for an appropriate quote to include in my introduction. Any suggestions?

[Jimmy Snyder]

He that stands upon a slippery place, makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up.

From King John.

[thephysicsman]

I'm not sure if I understand the quote :P English is not my native language, and Google translate wasn't really helpful in this case...

[Jimmy Snyder]

A person who stands on a slippery place, will not be too fussy about using a vile thing to hold themselves up. If you get a copy of King John by William Shakespeare, transtlated into your language, you will find this quote in act iii scene 4.

[thephysicsman]

OK, thanks. Do you think it's a relevant quote?

[Jimmy Snyder]

OK, thanks. Do you think it's a relevant quote?
I'm pretty sure that you're the only one who can answer that question.

[thephysicsman]

Hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces that repel water and and reduce the accretion and adhesion of ice.

[Astronuc]

Alternatively, one could state that "Ice accumulation is a serious safety hazard for aircraft. The presence of ice on airplane surfaces prevents the even flow of air, which increases drag and reduces lift. Ice on wings is especially dangerous during takeoff, when a sheet of ice the thickness of a compact disc can reduce lift by 25 percent or more.", which is found in an article in Spinoff 2007, Tranportation.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20080003912_2008001485.pdf

or find something in the FAA Safety Advisory on Aircraft Icing - www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa11.pdf

Blade icing would also reduce the performance of wind turbines.

[thephysicsman]

So, the relevance of Shakespeare's quote here is that a body (water droplet) on a slippery (superhydrophobic) surface will "give up" trying to adhere to it?

[Jimmy Snyder]

So, the relevance of Shakespeare's quote here is that a body (water droplet) on a slippery (superhydrophobic) surface will "give up" trying to adhere to it?
If I were you, I would resist the temptation to use this quote without first looking it up in a copy of Shakespeare's King John translated into your own language.