Methods for reducing laminar flow disturbances on aerodynamic surfaces and articles having self-cleaning aerodynamic surfaces

摘要

Aircraft aerodynamic surfaces (32) coated with photocatalytic self-cleaning coating reduces the need for washing off insects and other organic contaminants. Disturbances in laminar flow profiles due to organic contaminants are reduced, thereby improving performance by reducing drag. The photocatalytic self-cleaning coating includes nano-particles of titanium oxide and may be applied using a sol-gel process.