Ionic Wind Propulsion System for Aircrafts
The goals and innovations of the IonAs project lie in several thematic fields. The innovative ion wind propulsion is to be analysed and experimentally investigated as an application for aircraft. For this purpose, the fundamental theoretical aspects of thrust generation by corona discharges and the challenges of practical implementation will be identified by means of experimental investigations. With regard to the production of the collector electrode as the mechanical supporting element of the airframe, the aim is to develop a structure that combines sufficient strength with minimum weight. The high complexity of such a structure is to be countered advantageously by the methodology of additive manufacturing. Based on the results of the project, the sense of purpose of developing an aircraft with ion wind propulsion will be explored using the example of a VTOL UAV.
