UC Case No. 2019-862
SUMMARY
UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a novel electrospray emitter with improved emitter geometry, extended operational stability, and improved thrust efficiencies.
BACKGROUND
Electrospray devices use electricity to disperse charged molecules for a variety of applications including mass spectrometry, ion and particle deposition, electrospinning, and spacecraft propulsion. Many investigations has been conducted on electrospray systems to improve performance and behavior. However, efforts to improve design of the electrospray emitter (the location at which fluid is extracted) have yet to yield predictable and reliable performance for many applications. New and improved designs are needed to overcome the poor repeatability and low lifetimes of current electrospray emitters.
INNOVATION
Professor Wirz and his research team have developed an improved electrospray emitter design with extended operational stability and highly variable specific impulse capability. This system offers an alternative to emission surface geometries, such as with porous emitters, which offer low emission repeatability. This new prototype emitter is designed to streamline fabrication, increase emission precision, reduce dead volume, and operate with a wide range of source liquids for improved emission behavior. The unique design also provides extended stability and high-performance needle emission for thruster applications.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
• Electrospray emitters
• Ion and particle deposition
• Mass spectroscopy
• Electrospinning
• Spacecraft propulsion systems
ADVANTAGES
• Streamlined fabrication
• Increased needle sharpness
• Reduced dead volume
• Extended stability
• High-performance needle emission
• A single-device alternative to a multimode propulsion system
RELATED MATERIALS
• Wirz, R.E., 2019. Electrospray Thruster Performance and Lifetime Investigation for the LISA Mission. In AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2019 Forum (p. 3816).
• Wright P.L., Huh H., Uchizono N.M., Thuppul A., Wirz R.E., “A Novel Variable-Mode Emitter for Electrospray Thrusters,” IEPC-2019-650, 36th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Vienna, Austria, Sept. 2019