A fascinating new discovery has been made recently in the world of technology. Scientists are using barbeque lighters and ionic winds as a way to power small drones, breaking new ground in how we understand flight.
Flying drones with no moving parts – that sounds like straight out of a sci-fi movie! But that’s exactly what a group of MIT engineers have accomplished.
Normal drones use blades or propellers to push air down and lift off the ground. But this new drone uses a different method known as “ionic wind”. Simply put, ionic wind is a strong flow of ions, or electrically charged particles, which is produced in the air between two electrodes if enough voltage is applied.
To understand how it works, think of a barbeque lighter. When you press the button, it creates a spark of electricity that jumps from one end of lighter to the other, making a clicking noise. Imagine if, instead of making a spark, the electricity could push the drone up into the air. This creates a silent, smooth and efficient flight that could potentially use less energy than a drone with traditional moving parts.
In the aviation industry, they refer to aircraft without moving parts as “solid-state”. The ionic wind drone’s design is the first demonstration of sustained solid-state flight and its ability to lift ten times its own weight is really a breakthrough in this field.
However, that’s not the only interesting part. When scientists stimulate the electrodes on the drone with enough energy, the air between the electrodes produces enough ionic wind to propel the drone forward. This is a completely different way to think about flight and it can contribute to creating drones that are lighter, quieter, and more energy-efficient.
To put it in perspective, imagine if in the future, instead of loud, buzzing drones with blades, we have silent, smooth, efficient drones powered by electricity and ionic winds. It’s an exciting advancement!
However, the scientists also pointed out that this technology has its limitations and challenges. Right now, the drone’s ability to carry payloads and its speed is not quite where we would like them to be. But with further research and development, improving its performance is definitely possible.
In conclusion, this innovative approach to flight could pave the way for more energy-efficient and quieter drones. While there are still a few kinks to work out, the possibilities for the future are limitless. The world of drones is evolving, and it is thrilling to see what the future holds for us.
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