MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION OF NON-IONIZED WATER MOLECULES
Open Access
Author:
Sodawala, Shivani H
Graduate Program:
Aerospace Engineering
Degree:
Master of Science
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
October 12, 2017
Committee Members:
Michael M Micci, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
Electromagnetic Propulsion Non-ionized Propellant Water Propellant Molecular dynamics simulations Electric Propulsion
Abstract:
Use of the Abraham force as a means of electromagnetic propulsion is investigated. Abraham force is exerted by a varying electric field in one direction and a magnetic field in the perpendicular direction, causing an acceleration of a dipole in the third orthogonal direction. Because of their high naturally occurring dipole moment, water molecules are used as propellant. This technique eliminates the need to ionize the propellant, which means this electric propulsion technique is highly energy efficient. Successful molecular dynamics simulations are carried out for single and multiple molecules with random initial orientations and velocities. The molecular dynamics simulations are extended to multiple electric pulses and varying electric field strengths and frequencies to study its effect on acceleration. A z acceleration of 1.979×10^(10) m/s^2 is achieved for 120 water molecules in a 25 T magnetic field in the y-direction and 40 sinusoidal electric pulses of 100,000 V/m at a frequency of 75 GHz in the x-direction. This makes the use of the Abraham force a viable electromagnetic propulsion concept with comparable acceleration to current electric propulsion techniques using ionized propellants.
