Gel-coated electrodes for an ion drag pump

A pair of electrodes for an ion drag pump were coated with a gel. The gel was silicone swollen by xylene. The working fluid was also xylene. Voltage applications to the gel-coated electrodes caused the fluid to flow. The flow velocity was comparable to that obtained using untreated electrodes. Thus, we found that the gel coat did not prevent the electrohydrodynamic flow by the ion-dragging effect. The waterproof ability of the coating was also examined. The gel successfully repelled water and showed no significant increase in the current during the voltage application.