> On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:36:57 +0200, "Michel Jullian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > >About the low current phenomenon, it occurs to me that a sufficiently > >low current ion stream, where the ions would form a clearly discrete > >dotted line rather than a continuous-looking stream, would not expand > >sideways by self repulsion as we have been assuming all along. Each ion > >would just follow the previous one at comfortable distance, only > >sigzaging slightly along the line of maximum field while it collides > >with neutrals every micron or so. Could this reconcile the ion wind > >theory with your observations?
Yes. I later found that the emission of a linear chain of charged particles is called "electrospray." If a charged droplet is upon the surface of a metal electrode, then at sufficient high fields the droplet is distorted into a cone, a "Taylor cone." And when the tip of the cone becomes sharp, then it emits a charged droplet. The droplet shields the portion of the cone below it, so the sharp tip recoils, but only until the droplet is pushed away. Then the field grows strong again and the sharp tip spits out another charged droplet in an evenly-spaced sequence. Damp hair fibers definitely create better "threads" than very dry hair fibers. I originally assumed that this was due to conductivity of wet hair. But now I suspect that microscopic water droplets are being emitted. On the other hand, when a sharp liquid cone starts emitting a charged fiber, that's called "electrospinning." Viscous liquids applied to charged metal electrodes apparently will send out "spider webs" spontaneously. (((((((((((((((((( ( ( ( ( (O) ) ) ) ) ))))))))))))))))))) William J. Beaty SCIENCE HOBBYIST website billb at amasci com http://amasci.com EE/programmer/sci-exhibits amateur science, hobby projects, sci fair Seattle, WA 425-222-5066 unusual phenomena, tesla coils, weird sci
