Polymer Electrospray Emitter for Stable Ion Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrospray emitters face issues with unstable emission processes, contamination, and reduced operational lifetimes due to material and geometry variability, leading to off-axis emissions and material degradation, particularly in dense emitter arrays.
Innovation Solution
The use of a substantially non-porous ionic electroactive polymer (IEP) as the material for electrospray emitters, which allows ions and liquid ion sources to diffuse through its solid bulk, enabling precise shaping of emitter tips and stable ion emission with improved thrust efficiency and extended operational stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ceramic or metallic porous emitters are used, then ion emission can be achieved, but the emission process becomes unstable and operational lifetime is reduced due to material variability and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional porous ceramic or metallic materials to ionic electroactive polymer (IEP) materials. This parameter change fundamentally alters the emission mechanism from porous capillary flow to bulk diffusion, eliminating the harmful effects of material variability and contamination associated with conventional porous emitters while maintaining stable ion emission and extending operational lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ionic electroactive polymer (IEP) materials that combine ionic conductivity with electroactive properties. This composite material approach enables the emitter to simultaneously achieve stable ion emission, resistance to contamination, and extended operational stability by utilizing the unique properties of IEPs that differ from conventional homogeneous ceramic or metallic materials.
2Productivity
If porous materials are used for emitter construction, then liquid ion source can be fed through capillary pressure, but geometry variability leads to off-axis emissions and reduced thrust efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transport mechanism parameter from capillary pressure-driven flow in porous materials to bulk diffusion in solid IEP materials. This parameter change eliminates the geometry variability issues inherent in porous structures, enabling precise shaping of emitter tips and ensuring consistent on-axis emissions that maximize thrust efficiency.
3Productivity
If dense emitter arrays are deployed, then ion emission rate increases, but material degradation and electrical shorts occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from conventional porous materials to ionic electroactive polymers (IEPs). This parameter change enables dense emitter array deployment by providing a material that resists degradation and electrical shorts, allowing high ion emission rates to be maintained while extending operational lifetime through the inherent stability of IEP materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The IEP emitters exhibit enhanced efficiency with approximately 10 times greater thrust compared to conventional ceramic or metallic emitters, maintaining stability for multiple hours and enabling operation at ambient temperatures, while reducing contamination and electrical shorts.
Implementation Method 1
allows ions and liquid ion sources to diffuse through its solid bulk
Implementation Method 2
applying a voltage differential to one or more emitters, and diffusing a liquid ion source through a material of the one or more emitters, and emitting ions from a tip of each of the one or more emitters
Data Source
AI summary
Polymeric electro spray emitters and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, an emitter may be made from an ionic electro active polymer. The composition of the electro spray emitters described herein may enable the transport of ions and/or liquid ion sources, such as an ionic liquid or room temperature molten salt, through the bulk of the polymeric emitter. In some embodiments, the described emitters may be fabricated using a mixture of an ionic electroactive polymer, a solvent, and a liquid ion source to at least partially mitigate swelling effects of the polymer emitter that may otherwise occur when the one or more emitters are exposed to the liquid ion source during operation.