L. Brad King's prototype of a ferrofluid ion thruster. When subjected to voltage, the points of the crown arise from a ring-shaped trench circling a 2.54 cm block of aluminum (Credits: Sarah Bird).

L. Brad King’s prototype of a ferrofluid ion thruster. When subjected to voltage, the points of the crown arise from a ring-shaped trench circling a 2.54 cm block of aluminum (Credits: Sarah Bird).

At a fraction of the volume and mass of traditional satellites, nanosatellites hold distinct advantages over their larger cousins, such as low launch cost and mass producibility. Most space agencies around the world have recognized that nanosats have excellent scope in future.

Due to their small size, nanosats can be built with cameras and GPS systems of existing devices such as cell phones.  Such devices have advanced components, which have been perfected for use on Earth, and can also be utilized in space. The biggest challenges for nanosats lie in the area of propulsion and attitude control.

However, according to Michigan Technological University’s L. Brad King, this is one technology need that is unique to space: “Even the best smartphones don’t have miniaturized rocket engines, so we need to develop them from scratch.”

Sophisticated Attitude Control Systems (ACS) require complex mechanisms which can’t be scaled to fit on nanosats, hence existing ACS for large satellites can’t be utilized in nanosats. One approach  under extensive research is the area of building microscopic needles to spray thin jets of fluid, which push a satellite in the opposite direction. The needles spray a propellant known as ionic liquid; this needle is finer than a human hair. To maneuver a nanosat, a few hundred of such needles are required, all of which may fit in a postage stamp sized package. Due to their very small size, producing the needles is a huge design challenge.

Ferrofluid in action: A puddle of ferrofluid sitting on a small, permanent magnet. Ferrofluids are made with tiny magnetic particles that form uncanny shapes that seem to defy gravity when interacting with a magnet (Credits: Sarah Bird).

Ferrofluid in action: A puddle of ferrofluid sitting on a small, permanent magnet. Ferrofluids are made with tiny magnetic particles that form uncanny shapes that seem to defy gravity when interacting with a magnet (Credits: Sarah Bird).

“Because they are so small and intricate, they are expensive to make, and the needles are fragile,” said King.

To solve this challenge King and his team are working on a unique type of liquid called a ferrofluid. “Ferrofluid naturally forms a stationary pattern of sharp tips in the liquid surface,” said King. “Each tip in this self-assembling structure can spray a jet of fluid just like a micro-needle, so we don’t actually have to make any needles.”

Ferrofluid lies flat until under the effect of a magnetic force. In the presence of a magnetic field, the fluid suddenly forms a regular series of peaks, which retain their shape even when disturbed. “It’s fascinating to watch,” said King. “The peaks get taller and skinnier, and taller and skinnier, and at some point the rounded tips instantly pop into nano-sharp points and start emitting ions.”

The fascinating self-forming ferrofluid thrusters are still under development, and not yet ready to be fitted on nanosats. “First we have to really understand what is happening on a microscopic level, and then develop a larger prototype based on what we learn,” said King.

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About the author

Siddharth Raval

Siddharth Raval is a masters student in Mechanical Engineering at University of New Brunswick. His research is focused towards the study of "Rotor Dynamics of Industrial Polymer Mixers (Flow Induced Vibrations)", which is a multi-disciplinary research combining Structures, Vibrations, and Fluid Dynamics disciplines. He is passionate about machines, especially the flying machines. His interest lies in the area of Fluid Dynamics, and Flow-Induced Vibrations. He is currently associated with Space Safety and Sustainability Working Group at Space Generation Advisory Council, where he and his team is working on Space Debris Removal mission design. Connect with him on LinkedIn @ http://ca.linkedin.com/in/siddharthraval/

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