Analysis of geometric scaling of miniature, multi-electrode assisted corona discharges for ionic wind generation

• Multi-electrode corona discharges lower ionic wind operating voltages.
• An assisted corona discharge forms between a source, gate and collector electrodes.
• Optimal geometry balances collector electrode current and ionic wind generation.
• Ion current to gate and collector due to electric fields imposed by each electrode.

The assisted corona discharge is a unique discharge configuration that utilizes multiple collecting electrodes to minimize the voltage required to initiate a corona discharge and to generate an ionic wind. In this work, the geometric parameters that govern the formation of the assisted corona discharge and subsequent ionic wind are evaluated. Flow velocity measurements suggest that the geometry of the electrode spacings is optimized for ionic wind generation when the current flowing to the collector electrode is maximized, and that as the electrode gap is decreased to microscale dimensions, ionic wind production is inhibited.

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