Electrohydrodynamic 'Skin' On Aerodynamic Bodies

[EthanNino]

Hey ya'll!

I've come to the Physics Forum when I needed help with homework, but only to observe. This is my first time posting, and I'm glad to be here!

I've got a question about, electrohydrodynamics. Recently, Elon Musk put forth his idea for the Hyperloop. For those who don't know, Hyperloop is like a pneumatic tube transport system for people, vehicles, and cargo:

http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_images/hyperloop-alpha.pdf

Elon said he doesn't want to start work on it now with SpaceX and Tesla to worry about, but that he would be interested in anyone's opinions or suggestions on how to improve it. An 'open source' project for the internet.

I got an idea while reading an article about lifters, maybe it would be possible to keep air flowing around an object if you cover it in these EH panels, that alternate like the legs of a millipede, rapidly, to match the wind speed?

Here's a diagram of what I mean:

I was wondering, can lifters arrayed in this fashion and still work?

I'm not saying it needs to be powerful enough to shoot the capsule down the tube at record speeds, but enough so that air may flow around the capsule, mitigating drag. I guess this would apply to rockets, boats, cars, propellers, anything really.

 

[eljose79]

Hi there!

First of all, welcome to the Physics Forum! It's great to have new members and I'm glad you decided to join in on the discussions.

Regarding your question about using EH panels to keep air flowing around an object, it's definitely an interesting idea. EH panels, also known as ionocraft or lifter, use high voltage to create an ionic wind that can lift the device off the ground. In theory, it could be possible to use these panels to create a continuous flow of air around an object, reducing drag and improving efficiency. However, there are a few challenges that would need to be addressed.

One issue is the power source. EH panels require high voltage to function, and in order to cover a large object like a capsule, a significant amount of power would be needed. This could be a problem for a transportation system like the Hyperloop, where efficiency is key.

Another issue is the stability and control of the object. EH panels are known to be unstable and difficult to control, which could pose a problem for a high-speed transportation system. Additionally, the panels would need to be constantly adjusted to match the wind speed, which could be challenging in a fast-moving environment.

Overall, while it's an interesting concept, I think there are still some technical challenges that would need to be addressed before using EH panels in this way. However, I encourage you to continue exploring and discussing ideas like this – that's what science is all about! Who knows, maybe one day we'll see EH panels being used in a transportation system like the Hyperloop. Keep on thinking and questioning, and don't be afraid to share your ideas with the scientific community. Thanks for joining us!