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Abstract

The Capacitive Engine (Patent US 11,101,744 B2) is an innovative asymmetrical capacitor designed for efficient electrostatic force generation. It operates when a voltage differential is applied across its two metal-semiconductor p-n junctions, creating a thrusting force parallel to its asymmetrical plane. The device features a partially spherical extrinsic semiconductor shell with at least one Schottky barrier, consistently under reverse bias. This strategic reverse bias transforms the Schottky barrier into an electronic capacitor, mimicking the partially spherical shell's shape. The resulting electrostatic force arises from the non-zero difference in surface areas between the electronic capacitor's inner and outer radial regions. This disparity is amplified by the relative electrical permittivity of the partially spherical shell, leading to the generation of a net non-zero electrostatic force. The Capacitive Engine holds promise for load-bearing applications.

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