The accumulation of ice on critical infrastructure, which includes elements such as airplanes, automobiles, buildings, power grids, wind turbines, airplanes and offshore platforms, poses considerable safety risks as well as significant economic challenges. This problem can lead to network failures, road and air accidents, and interruptions in energy production, thus affecting not only the operation of these infrastructures, but also the economy as a whole. The costs associated with these risks include unforeseen maintenance expenses, material damage and a decrease in the reliability of services, which underlines the need to develop adapted solutions to manage and prevent these ice accumulations. This review analyzes the hazards associated with surface icing, emphasizing the risks it poses and its impact on various materials. It also evaluates current de-icing methods, while exploring the mechanisms of icing and the interactions between ice and materials. Among the main points discussed, we find the coating strategies developed to repel the ice. This includes an examination of superhydrophobic coatings that prevent ice adhesion through highly hydrophobic surfaces. In addition, the review discusses liquid-infused slippery surfaces (SLIPS), which utilize layers of liquid to reduce ice buildup. The effectiveness of these different solutions is highlighted, as well as their mechanisms of action, thus providing a detailed perspective on advances in the field of combating surface icing.
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