The SPL was well-represented in Toulouse, France this week at the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC). Our director, postdoc, and 5 PhD students were in attendance, and 6 SPL papers were presented. Presentation topics ranged from physics-based simulations of electrospray dynamics to characterizations of novel thruster designs utilizing unique materials, propellants, and manufacturing processes. The 2024 IEPC was a great success not only for SPL but also for the electric propulsion community as a whole. The individual papers can be found below:
- Numerical Simulation of Ionic Liquid Ion Sources in Tip Geometries
- Performance Characterization of High-Density Electrospray Thrusters
- Temperature-Dependent Performance of Electrospray Thrusters with ASCENT Monopropellant
- Preliminary Testing of Flat-panel Pixel Electrospray Thrusters for Increased Reliability and Efficiency
- Investigation of Electrochemical Gas Generation in Ion Electrospray Thrusters
- Propellant Transport in Electroactive Polymer-Electrospray Thrusters