Nanosatellite thruster emits pure ions
Caption: Nanosatellite thrusters that emit a stream of pure ions are the first of their kind to be entirely additively manufactured, using a combination of 3D printing and hydrothermal growth of zinc oxide nanowires. A stainless steel version (top) works better overall but is much more expensive to produce. MIT researchers found that a polymer version (bottom) yields comparable performance at a lower cost. Credits: Image: Velásquez-García Group Next image A 3D-printed thruster that emits a stream of pure ions could be a low...
Source: mit.edu