Interestingengineering.com reported that in April, Florida-based Undefined Technologies unveiled its silent (or at least relatively quiet) eVTOL drone, Silent Ventus. The drone is powered by ion propulsion. “Silent Ventus is a vivid example of our intent of creating a sustainable, progressive, and less-noisy urban environment,” said Tomas Pribanic, Founder and CEO of Undefined Technologies, in the statement. “The design brings us closer to our final product and enables us to showcase the dual-use of our technology.” According to Undefined Technologies’ website, the drone today “uses innovative physics principles to generate noise levels below 70 dB.” This would make it ideal for use throughout the U.S., where acceptable noise levels for residential, industrial, and commercial zones range from 50 to 70 dB.
“Ionic wind,” also known as electroaerodynamic thrust, is a physical principle that was first identified in the 1920s and describes a wind, or thrust, that can be produced when a current is passed between a thin and a thick electrode. If enough voltage is applied, the air inbetween the electrodes produces sufficient thrust to propel a small aircraft. Watch a background video on ION propulsion here. For more information, see an Undefined Technologies press release on Silent Ventus, here.
