According to the MIT Technology Review, dated 21 November 2018, MIT researchers reported in Nature yesterday to have created and flown the first plane that doesn’t require any moving parts. This 2.45-kilogram experimental aircraft did not spin turbine blades to propel itself 60 meters but using electricity directly. A process known as electroaerodynamic propulsion is the idea, which has been already known since 1960s, is applied to the experimental flight. The concept takes advantage of what’s known as ionic wind. Using 40,000 volts, the ions generated in the air around two electrodes are thrown from a smaller one over to a larger one. These ions collide with normal air molecules while traveling, creating the ionic wind and pushing the plane forward. Since the ions are moving between two stationary electrodes, no moving parts are required to power the plane.
As the above MIT review teaches, Professor Steven Barrett, MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the leader of the MIT Electric Aircraft Initiative, was inspired by the science fiction ideas of planes and spacecraft and was not still deterred by the conclusion of 1960s researchers on the ionic wind. Aren't there any cool ideas of technology similarly for chemical process plants, once concluded impossible to create the necessary level at that time, but unfortunately buried somewhere today ?