Review: Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators for In-Flight Applications

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a phenomenon observed when high voltage is passed through a dielectric barrier at high frequencies. Current DBD plasma actuators (PAs) excel at laminar fluid boundary layer control but suffer from limited momentum flux and fluid mechanic inefficiencies. In this article, Mohammed analyzes previous discourse on DBD PAs and offers directions for future research and potential DBD PA applications. Previous work on DBD PAs documented thrust generation at high voltages and frequencies, thrust in varying fluid compositions, and vortex generation. However, certain arrangements hinder flow magnitudes, limiting the use of multiple DBD PAs in close proximity. DBD PAs also suffer from fluid mechanic inefficiency, limited momentum flux, and low durability. Mohammed concludes by recommending that future research on DBD PAs address the limited momentum flux and fluid mechanic inefficiency by altering DBD PA configurations and designing for application with these limitations in mind. More work needs to be done on DBD PAs before they can sufficiently be applied into aerospace applications.