Ionic wind, also known as electronic-aerodynamic thrust, corona wind or electric wind, is a fascinating physical phenomenon with specific generation mechanisms and wide-ranging applications. The following is a detailed introduction:
Definition
Ionic wind refers to the flow of charged particles in space, as opposed to the molecular flow of ordinary wind. It is an airflow composed of ionized molecules, including positively charged ions and negatively charged ions.
Generation Mechanism
Charge Concentration on Electrodes: Net electric charges on conductors tend to concentrate around sharp points and edges. The electric field generated by charges on a sharp conductive point is much stronger than that on a flat surface.
Air Ionization: When the electric field strength at the tip of a conductor exceeds the corona discharge inception voltage gradient, it ionizes the surrounding air. This results in the generation of ionized air molecules having the same polarity as that of the charged tip.
Ion Repulsion and Flow: The charged tip repels the like-charged ion cloud, and the ions themselves repel each other, causing the ion cloud to expand and creating an electric “wind” that emanates from the tip.
Applications
Aerospace Field 1 Ionic Aircraft Propulsion: MIT researchers have developed an aircraft propelled by ionic wind. It has no turbine engine or propellers. Thin electrodes on the aircraft’s wings are charged to high voltages to ionize the air and generate thrust, enabling the aircraft to fly. This technology is expected to lead to quieter, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly aircraft in the future.
Spacecraft Ion Engines: Some spacecraft use ion engines that rely on the ionization of fuel such as xenon gas to produce thrust for space travel.
Cooling Field Data Center Cooling: Ionic Wind Technologies has developed an ionic wind airflow amplifier. It can be used to replace traditional fans in data centers for cooling, potentially saving up to 60% of cooling energy.
Chip Cooling: Engineers at Purdue University