Ryan Doel, Brigham Young University
The general purpose of this research is to investigate the force produced in a negative corona discharge between two parallel wires at atmospheric pressure. This phenomenon has been applied to air purification, cooling of electronics, and optimistically theorized as means for the primary mode of propulsion for small aerial drones. Previous work has elucidated a relationship between force and current, spacing of electrodes, and applied potential. This research specifically deals with quantifying the strength of the relationship between force and asymmetry due to differing electrode radii. The force measurement is obtained via a difference in weight of the hanging parallel wire assembly and many different radii of anode and cathode will be studied. Current results will be discussed.