Novel electrostatic micromotors

Electrostatic micromotors thus far reported are based on the principle of capacitive induction whereby a voltage on the stator induces a potential on a conducting rotor which then moves to minimise its potential energy. This paper describes two novel alternative designs electrostatic micromotor. The first motor currently being worked on uses a permanently charged electret material on the rotor which interacts with the stator voltages to give rotation. The second design is a miniature electric ionisation machine which develops a thrust by corona discharge of ions