Fabrication and experimental characterization of a planar array of micro-fabricated electrospray emitters for space propulsion applications

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a surface tension-fed, planar array of micro-fabricated electrospray emitters intended for space propulsion applications in micro-satellites. The planar array uses the ionic liquid EMI-BF4 as propellant. The surface of the engine (tank and emitters) is covered with "black silicon" that acts as wicking material. The hydraulics are micro-fabricated, with two possible emitter geometries. The electrodes are macro-fabricated, and externally provided to the micro-fabricated structure.