.
Food for thought...
Freebeard mentioned
plasma actuators in another thread. I recalled reading about the effect some time ago. Searching on the web for more info, I came across this.
Technology | Plasma Stream
Quote:
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Our patented technology (s) uses an active flow control system utilizing plasma actuators has been developed at the University of Notre Dame. This system is capable of generating a body force which controls flow separation from a vehicle. By controlling flow separation, the drag force on a vehicle is minimized. In essence, a vehicle can be streamlined independent of its actual shape. Physical devices such as spoilers, bobtails, flow plates, and diverter tabs have been used to move the airflow in a desired direction. Plasma actuators ionize the local airflow to induce a similar affect without the added structural components or weight. Even the best designed physical devices attempt to divert flow, unlike plasmas which modify the existing flow field.
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There are good videos in the link showing the effect.
Using plasma actuators to reduce drag in the future looks to be not only possible.
But, a
glowing reality...
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