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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R21936/01
Title: Development of Colloid Micro-Thrusters: Electrospray Flow Stability Investigation From Nano-Emitters
Principal Investigator: Stark, Professor JPW
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
Department: School of Engineering & Materials Scienc
Organisation: Queen Mary University of London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2001 Ends: 30 September 2003 Value (£): 201,394
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Microsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
GR/R21943/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This is a joint proposal between OMW and RAL. The project will characterise the flow stability from nano-emitter electrospray sources. These sources will be fabricated using MEMS technology, and will have characteristic dimensions lying in the range 1 to 50 microns. Flow evaluation will be made using a novel instrument configuration which will permit the stability of these devices to be determined. This instrumented facility will permit future investigations of charged flows from colloid thrusters. The pitch and distribution of the nozzle arrays will be varied so that empirical measurements can be taken of the level of thrust noise from both individual sources and arrays of sources. The feasibility of producing active flow control in the nanothruster device, together with overall colloid system configuration will be investigated, and hence the utility of the nano-emitters as a core component within a colloid thruster, suitable for using on-board a spacecraft having highly demanding orbit position accuracy requirements, will be determined.
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