Electro Aerodynamic Propulsion

Electro aerodynamics uses a concept called ion drive in which we could produce thrust without the use of any mechanically moving parts (making it sometimes called the solid state engine). The concept uses air as a dielectric for a specially designed capacitor could produce a good amount of pressure winds. The ability of high voltage to produce ions, the property of ions in presence of electric field come handy in achieving a phenomenon called the ion drive. With consuming no fuel since it works on electricity and really silent, experts say if this technology developed economically could be the revolution in the field of aeronautics and aerospace. With a first partial success in the flight test of a vehicle by MIT, people are hopeful this could be improved. Their design wasn't capable of take off hence it was slingshot to air to achive speed but the aircraft was successful in gliding a favourable distance before landing down. The glide of the aircraft was improved because of the aerofoil design and the thrust produced from ionic wind. It was an achievement worth satisfying to work more on this technology

by Sumit Mohapatra