FYI...

Subject: [EE]: Propellantless thrust using leaky dielectric assymetric
capacitors.


> Electrodynamic thrusters using asymmetric leaky dielectric capacitors.
> Stunning.

Checkout: http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/physics/0211001 "

Force on an Asymmetric Capacitor
Authors: Thomas B. Bahder, Chris Fazi
Comments: 25 pages
Subj-class: History of Physics; General Physics

When a high voltage (~30 kV) is applied to a capacitor whose electrodes have
different physical dimensions, the capacitor experiences a net force toward
the smaller electrode (Biefeld-Brown effect). We have verified this effect
by building four capacitors of different shapes. The effect may have
applications to vehicle propulsion and dielectric pumps. We review the
history of this effect briefly through the history of patents by Thomas
Townsend Brown. At present, the physical basis for the Biefeld-Brown effect
is not understood. The order of magnitude of the net force on the asymmetric
capacitor is estimated assuming two different mechanisms of charge
conduction between its electrodes: ballistic ionic wind and ionic drift. The
calculations indicate that ionic wind is at least three orders of magnitude
too small to explain the magnitude of the observed force on the capacitor.
The ionic drift transport assumption leads to the correct order of magnitude
for the force, however, it is difficult to see how ionic drift enters into
the theory. Finally, we present a detailed thermodynamic treatment of the
net force on an asymmetric capacitor. In the future, to understand this
effect, a detailed theoretical model must be constructed that takes into
account plasma effects: ionization of gas (or air) in the high electric
field region, charge transport, and resulting dynamic forces on the
electrodes. The next series of experiments should determine whether the
effect occurs in vacuum, and a careful study should be carried out to
determine the dependence of the observed force on gas pressure, gas species
and applied voltage. "

Scott

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