Would electrically charging the leading edge of a passenger jets wings, result in a drag coefficient reduction

Question

Of up to 60%, thus resulting in better fuel milage and cheaper costs?

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/acodotcom/electriccharge.jpg

Answer 1

No not that I am aware of, why is a B2 in the background of the picture? If it was possible every major Airline and Aircraft manufacturer would be all over it, just to save a few bucks.

Answer 2

The theory says that it would, at high speed.

Coincidentally, a small aerospace company will fly the first test article of that experiment this year.

Stay tuned...

Answer 3

I don't think so, the leading edge is already staticly charged due to the air flow on it.  The aircraft is grounded and bounded to static wicks to bleed this charge off, so as to not interfere with radio and navigation signals.  The massive flow of air over the aircraft surfaces causes static similar to you brushing your hair.  A cockpit windsheild, not properly bounded, will cause a nice shock when touched for cleaning.

Answer 4

Huh?

Answer 5

I'm guessing your line of reasoning is that if a wing were the opposite charge to air molecules they would be repelled and there would be less friction. The answer is no, for several reasons I can think of, and possibly others. First, air molecules and all the ions constantly created in the atmosphere do not all carry one electrical charge. About half are normally positive, and half are negative. However, some bias does in and around weather systems; hence you get lightning. Anyway, on average half the molecules would be attracted and half repelled by a purposely electrified the wing, about the same as an un-electrified wing, so no gains. Second, as an airplane moves through the air the airframe builds up a fairly substantial static electrical charge anyway, so in a sense it is already passively electrified. You'll note that most aircraft have small wire wicks along the trailing edge which serve to dissipate this static charge, which otherwise interferes with navigation and communication signals. Fourth, the airframe is actually the natural ground for the aircraft electrical generating system, so separating that charge from a separately introduced charge would present an interesting technical challenge. Fourth, "boundary layer" control of the several molecules-thick air layer next to a wing has been studied closely for the last 75 years so I imagine that your suggestion has already been looked at by many brilliant minds. If it could be done in a useful; way it most likely would already be in use. By the way, the B-2 and F-117 stealth aircraft use paint with anti-static properties that reduce the normal build-up of static electricity, thereby reducing the radar signature of the airplane.