Fabrication and characterization of a micro-fabricated linear array of electrospray emitters intended for space thruster applications

Abstract

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a microfabricated, internally-fed linear array of electrospray emitters intended for space propulsion applications. The engine uses highly doped formamide as propellant, with electrical conductivity in the 0.3 - 3.0 S/m range. The electrospray array operates in the single Taylor cone droplet emission regime, and it requires about 2000 V to become activated. The reported device demonstrates the feasibility of high clustering of the electrospray emitters.