Plausability of a Plasma Jet Electric Thruster

[AnTiFreeze3]

I frequent this website occasionally, but most of the projects on it aren't nearly as outreaching as this one appears to be.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ctric-thrusters-for- spacecraft ?ref=category

It's basically a group of 3 scientists trying to raise upwards of $70,000 to fund a plasma jet electric thruster, which they hope will be a far more efficient process for space travel. This is all way over my head, so I was wondering if anyone with the proper credentials could clarify whether or not this is feasible.

 

[CWatters]

Wikipedia says they have already been deployed or at least tested in space...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsed_plasma_thruster

Suggests this type currently aren't very efficient.

 

[mfb]

1kW input power, 20km/s exhaust velocity correspond to a maximal thrust of 0.1N - with the 10% efficiency number, this is reduced to 0.01N. Ion thrusters have similar values, but this table indicates a better efficiency. Maybe they can decrease the size, but in terms of efficiency they won't get much. More maximal thrust would be interesting, too.