Publication

Wafer-level integrated electrospray emitters for a pumpless microthruster system operating in high efficiency ion-mode

2012
Conference Papers

Abstract

Microfabrication, wafer-level integration, and characterization of internally fed arrays of electrospray thrusters for spacecraft propulsion are discussed. 5 μm inner diameter, 100 μm long capillaries and 150-to-300 μm diameter annular extractor electrodes are integrated vertically via a polymer based wafer bonding process, allowing high yield and post testing disassembly of the bonded stack. The small inner diameter of the capillaries allows passive, capillary force driven delivery of the propellant to the emission site, and therefore potentially eliminating the need for an active pump system. The fabricated thruster chips were successfully tested in pumpless liquid delivery configuration under unipolar and bipolar excitation.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4b6fb641-5529-40f8-9d6d-3a0f42a184aa

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2012
Conference Papers

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4b6fb641-5529-40f8-9d6d-3a0f42a184aa

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Three-dimensional integrated circuit

A three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) is a MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) integrated circuit (IC) manufactured by stacking as many as 16 or more ICs and interconnecting them vertically using, for instance, through-silicon vias (TSVs) or Cu-Cu connections, so that they behave as a single device to achieve performance improvements at reduced power and smaller footprint than conventional two dimensional processes. The 3D IC is one of several 3D integration schemes that exploit the z-direction to achieve electrical performance benefits in microelectronics and nanoelectronics.

Integrated circuit

An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or "chip") of semiconductor material, usually silicon. Large numbers of miniaturized transistors and other electronic components are integrated together on the chip. This results in circuits that are orders of magnitude smaller, faster, and less expensive than those constructed of discrete components, allowing a large transistor count.

Spacecraft propulsion

Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric entry. Several methods of pragmatic spacecraft propulsion have been developed, each having its own drawbacks and advantages. Most satellites have simple reliable chemical thrusters (often monopropellant rockets) or resistojet rockets for orbital station-keeping and some use momentum wheels for attitude control.

Related publications (5)

Wafer-level integrated electrospray emitters for a pumpless microthruster system operating in high efficiency ion-mode

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Microfabrication and packaging of a Rubidium vapor cell as a plasma light source for MEMS atomic clocks

Development of MEMS based Electric Propulsion

Realization of a solid-propellant based microthruster using low temperature co-fired ceramics