Electric Ionic Thruster
Overview
After learning about MIT’s plane that used high-voltage electricity to fly without any moving parts, I wanted to learn more about the mechanism and do a little exploring myself.
My initial prototype uses a high-voltage generator module to create an ion flow between a cathode and anode made of wire and metal tubing. This ionized air imparts momentum to the surrounding air, producing thrust.
Unfortunately, while my first and second prototypes moved air, they didn’t generate much thrust, leading me to iterate on a third prototype.
Left: Second iteration uses clamped aluminum tubes and foil “gasket” instead of direct soldering to simplify assembly and significantly decrease weight.
Trying Again
My planned third iteration uses a copper-electroplated 3D-printed cathode to maximize surface area and channel air into a concentrated central flow for greater thrust.
It’s also more compact, lighter, and eliminates the need for multiple stages to achieve higher airflow, making it possible to mount several units across different locations on a model aircraft.