Abstract-
Ionic winds refer to the incidental flow produced in a bulk neutral gas when
ions are dragged through the gas by an external electric field. The ions,
accelerated by the electric field between collisions with surrounding
molecules, transfer their acquired momentum to the bulk gas and thereby
achieve a steady drift velocity. While applying what is essentially a drag
force on the ions, the bulk gas is dragged along as a wind - the ionic wind.
Ionic winds have a long history, from their first rigorous description by
Chattock in 1899 through their study in the context of combustion generated
ions in the nineteen sixties and seventies, principally by Weinberg and
co-workers at Imperial College, London. We have been reexamining ionic winds
as a novel mechanism for driving flows without moving parts and as actuators
for flame control. Our studies have identified the effective fan performance
curves for ionic wind generators, explored designs for optimizing ionic wind
power, counterbalanced the effects of buoyancy on flames, and used electric
fields to actively control flame shape and luminosity. Shown below is an
ionic wind issuing from the exit of a 1 cm diameter tube.
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