Scientists just figured out how polar bear fur repels ice no matter how cold it is
Discover the amazing properties of polar bear fur that repel ice and prevent ice buildup. Learn how their specialized hair grease keeps them warm in freezing Arctic waters.
How polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur
Indigenous peoples of the Arctic traditionally use polar bear fur for its ice-resistant properties, but the science behind the bears’ natural antifreeze hasn't been studied until now
How Do Polar Bears Keep Ice Off Their Fur? New Study Reveals the Secret—and It Could Improve Technology
The de-icing properties of polar bear sebum could fuel new innovations, scientists say, potentially unlocking alternatives to harmful “forever chemicals” used in ice-resistant coatings today
Ice doesn't stick to polar bear fur - but why?
Polar bear fur resists ice because of a natural greasy coating called sebum. This helps them move quietly while hunting.
Polar bear furs are natural ice-repellents, study finds
Unique lipids in polar bear sebum prevent ice accumulation, paving the way for eco-friendly anti-icing materials.
Calorie counting for polar bears: New study shows link between sea ice loss and polar bear decline
When scientists discovered polar bear populations were dropping rapidly, they created a framework to understand what is standing in the way of the species’ survival.
How do polar bears keep ice off their fur? Grease.
“Unwashed, greasy hair made it much harder for ice to stick. In contrast, when the polar bear hair was washed and the grease largely removed it performed similarly to human hair, to which ice sticks easily whether it is washed or greasy.”
Research reveals how polar bears stop ice from sticking to their fur
The results were striking. When unwashed, polar bear fur resisted ice adhesion significantly better than human hair and synthetic ski skins. But when the fur was washed and stripped of its natural grease, it lost this anti-icing ability and behaved just like human hair—meaning ice stuck easily.
Polar bear fur could hold the secret to replacing ‘forever chemicals’
Now, researchers have discovered the bears have another unexpected Arctic adaptation: greasy fur. It’s a trait that, surprisingly, might help us find alternatives to “forever chemicals,” a class of widely used compounds that are linked to a range of health problems in people.
Scientists Know How Polar Bears' Fur Repels Snow and Ice
There's something about polar bears that's always puzzled the people who study them. How do they seem to repel snow? The animals spend their lives in cold climates, sometimes rolling around in snow, but walking away without any of it clinging to their fur.
This is how much climate change has impacted polar bear populations
Scientists have quantified how much climate change has driven the population decline of polar bears living in Canada's Hudson ...
Why doesn't polar bear fur stick to ice?
Scientist recently discovered that natural grease on polar bear fur allows them to glide across the ice, rather than getting ...