De-Ice

About De-Ice

De-Ice is an MIT spin-out established in 2015 by co-founders Alexander Bratianu-Badea and Ruben Toubiana. The inspiration for the company came from Bratianu-Badea's personal experience with flight delays caused by traditional chemical-based aircraft de-icing. The company is addressing the aerospace and defense market by developing a novel electric de-icing technology aimed at replacing conventional chemical spraying methods. This positions De-Ice to mitigate operational disruptions for airlines, which currently face average departure delays of 30 to 45 minutes due to chemical ice removal.

The core of De-Ice's offering is a proprietary system that uses tape-like strips attached to the aircraft's exterior. When activated by the pilot, these strips generate a high-frequency electric current, leveraging a semiconductor called gallium nitride (GaN), which causes electrons on the plane's surface to jiggle and produce heat. This process, similar to how an induction stove operates, melts snow and ice without the need for chemical-based fluids like propylene or ethylene glycol. The system is designed to be integrated during routine maintenance and can operate concurrently with other ground operations, such as boarding and luggage loading. The key benefits for its clients, primarily commercial and military aircraft operators, include improved on-time performance, elimination of glycol spraying costs, and a reduction in CO2 emissions associated with chemical production, transport, heating, and engine idling during delays.

De-Ice operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, selling its patented de-icing system directly to airlines. The company has secured Air Canada as its launch customer, with initial installations planned for an Airbus A320-series aircraft. This partnership marks a significant milestone, representing the first major advancement in de-icing technology in decades. Headquartered in Somerville, MA, the privately held company has raised $18M in funding from investors including Playground Global, 9 Capital Management, and Hemisphere Ventures. Recognition for its approach includes being named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2024.