Drastic improvement of efficiency for micro space propulsion using 3D-MEMS fabrication technique

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14247
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Yokohama National University
• Principal Investigator: Takao Yoshinori 横浜国立大学, 大学院工学研究院, 准教授 (80552661)
• Research Collaborator: NAKAGAWA Kaito ; EMOTO Kazuma ; INOUE Naoki
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: エレクトロスプレー / イオン液体 / イオンビーム / 超小型衛星 / 電気推進 / 粒子計算 / 微細加工

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have fabricated an emitter array by a microfabrication process, measured the voltage-current characteristics of ion beams, and conducted a numerical analysis of the ion beam trajectory using a particle model for an electrospray thruster, which is one of the candidate microthrusters that can be mounded on micro satellites. As a result, we have found that there is a stable region of applied voltages for ion beam extraction and this region is suitable for efficient thruster operation.

Free Research Field

工学