A infografia mostra como voa o protótipo de avião iónico.
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CIÊNCIA

Avião iónico voa sem peças móveis

November 23, 2018 - Uma equipa do Instituto de Tecnologia do Massachusetts (MIT) conseguiu fazer voar o primeiro avião sem peças móveis. O modelo utiliza a propulsão por “vento iónico” que não tem emissões poluentes.

The flow of ions is produced aboard the plane and generates enough thrust to propel the plane over a sustained, steady flight, according to engineers.

Unlike turbine-powered planes, the aircraft does not depend on fossil fuels to fly. And unlike propeller-driven drones, the new design is completely silent.

The MIT airplane has a series of thin wires at the front that generate a powerful electric field. The field strips electrons from air molecules, turning the molecules into positively charged particles called ions. Those ions flow toward negatively charged parts of the plane, colliding with ordinary air molecules and transferring energy to them. That produces a wind that provides thrust for the plane.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 25/11/2018; STORY: Graphic News
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