This video shows Neil’s science project (an ion thruster) operating, and producing thrust. In this video, you can see the device produce .34 grams of thrust. In the second half of the video, the corona can be seen very well. The scale is a very sensitive JS-50XV reloading scale (designed to measure grains of accelerant). Many thanks to channel teslacult for both the inspiration, and help with creation of this experiment. Also thanks to Janelle Roers of the E. Arthur Brown Company for getting the scale shipped quickly!
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Star Trek was definitely ahead of its’ time, and Neil is a young man of many talents! Well done! - Corky
Great. This type of technology has many applications. Right now I am using it to kill black mold in my house.
@teslacult
It is currently using 30 watts, but the design is no where near as efficient as it could, or should be. There are the losses in the transformer, and for some reason I couldn’t get the dual transistor design working (each half would work independently but not together). We did have to play around with various layouts, but the main constraint was that the thrust be measurable, and we didn’t have a lot of time. We are hooked though, and will be doing further experimentation :-)
Very cool. Great idea with the scale. How many watts are you using? Did you experiment with different designs? Also, insulate the outside of the thruster so that only the reactive surfaces are exposed. Liquid tape works well.