Electrospray Testing and Manufacturing

As a research assistant for ASTRAlab, I tested and analyzed novel nanoparticle fluids in electrospray experiments to determine whether the propellants could indeed last 10 times as long as current technology. The tests were completed by creating electric fields at very high voltages that pulled apart the nanoparticles into their cations and anions, and shot the attractive particles through an aperture in stainless steel plates. By measuring the current that the particles hit a conductive plate through a high voltage sensing circuit, we measured the thrust and Isp of these nanoparticles. The testing was completed in a vacuum chamber, and so precision was key. That is why I implemented a double goniometer set up, which allowed for rotation of the emitter of the nanoparticles.