Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - II01:03

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - II

2.8K
A rocket's velocity in the presence of a gravitational field is decreased by the amount of force exerted by Earth's gravitational field, which opposes the motion of the rocket. If we consider thrust, that is, the force exerted on a rocket by the exhaust gases, then a rocket's thrust is greater in outer space than in the atmosphere or on a launch pad. In fact, gases are easier to expel in a vacuum.
A rocket's acceleration depends on three major factors, consistent with the...
2.8K
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

20.6K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.6K
Structures of Solids02:22

Structures of Solids

17.7K
Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.7K
Network Covalent Solids02:18

Network Covalent Solids

16.2K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.2K
Rocket Propulsion in Empty Space - I01:13

Rocket Propulsion in Empty Space - I

3.8K
The driving force for the motion of any vehicle is friction, but in the case of rocket propulsion in space, the friction force is not present. The motion of a rocket changes its velocity (and hence its momentum) by ejecting burned fuel gases, thus causing it to accelerate in the direction opposite to the velocity of the ejected fuel. In this situation, the mass and velocity of the rocket constantly change along with the total mass of ejected gases. Due to conservation of momentum, the...
3.8K
Rocket Propulsion In Empty Space - II01:12

Rocket Propulsion In Empty Space - II

3.5K
The motion of a rocket is governed by the conservation of momentum principle. A rocket's momentum changes by the same amount (with the opposite sign) as the ejected gases. As time goes by, the rocket's mass (which includes the mass of the remaining fuel) continuously decreases, and its velocity increases. Therefore, the principle of conservation of momentum is used to explain the dynamics of a rocket's motion. The ideal rocket equation gives the change in velocity that a rocket...
3.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Examining the signal-detection account of visual working memory.

Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition·2026
Same author

Time-series analysis of antimicrobial use and resistance trends in a tertiary hospital in China from 2017 to 2022: Implications for national stewardship efforts.

Journal of global antimicrobial resistance·2026
Same author

Plant-derived food bioactives in bone health: from multi-targeted roles to molecular mechanisms in osteoporosis.

Frontiers in nutrition·2026
Same author

The climate opportunities and risks of contrail avoidance.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

GLS4 Induces the Interferon Signaling Pathway During Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection.

Journal of medical virology·2026
Same author

Multi-omics-driven biomarker discovery in autoimmune diseases: a comprehensive review.

Frontiers in immunology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 2, 2026

A Simple Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Flight in Insects
07:42

A Simple Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Flight in Insects

Published on: December 10, 2015

17.8K

Flight of an aeroplane with solid-state propulsion.

Haofeng Xu1, Yiou He2, Kieran L Strobel1

  • 1Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Nature
|November 23, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Researchers demonstrated the first flight of an electroaerodynamic aeroplane, a novel solid-state propulsion system. This breakthrough offers a quieter, emission-free alternative to traditional combustion engines for future aircraft.

More Related Videos

Building an Enhanced Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Insect Flight
12:09

Building an Enhanced Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Insect Flight

Published on: March 10, 2021

3.5K
Using Flight Mills to Measure Flight Propensity and Performance of Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte
07:38

Using Flight Mills to Measure Flight Propensity and Performance of Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

Published on: October 29, 2019

6.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 2, 2026

A Simple Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Flight in Insects
07:42

A Simple Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Flight in Insects

Published on: December 10, 2015

17.8K
Building an Enhanced Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Insect Flight
12:09

Building an Enhanced Flight Mill for the Study of Tethered Insect Flight

Published on: March 10, 2021

3.5K
Using Flight Mills to Measure Flight Propensity and Performance of Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte
07:38

Using Flight Mills to Measure Flight Propensity and Performance of Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

Published on: October 29, 2019

6.5K

Area of Science:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Physics
  • Electrical Engineering

Background:

  • Traditional aeroplanes rely on fossil-fuel combustion and moving parts like propellers or turbines.
  • Electroaerodynamics (EAD) offers a potential alternative for silent, emission-free propulsion without moving parts.
  • Previous attempts at EAD-propelled flight were unsuccessful due to perceived limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate the feasibility of sustained powered flight using an electroaerodynamic propulsion system.
  • To design and fly a heavier-than-air aircraft with a solid-state propulsion system.
  • To overcome established limitations in thrust-to-power ratio and thrust density for EAD.

Main Methods:

  • Designed and constructed a fixed-wing aeroplane with a five-meter wingspan.
  • Integrated an ultralight, high-voltage (40-kilovolt) power converter and batteries onboard.
  • Conducted multiple flight tests to assess performance and stability.

Main Results:

  • Successfully achieved steady-level flight with the EAD-propelled aeroplane.
  • Demonstrated that limitations in thrust-to-power ratio and thrust density are surmountable.
  • Provided a proof of concept for solid-state electroaerodynamic propulsion in aviation.

Conclusions:

  • Electroaerodynamics is a viable method for aeroplane propulsion.
  • This technology opens possibilities for quieter, mechanically simpler aircraft with zero combustion emissions.
  • The study overcomes previous barriers, paving the way for EAD-powered flight.