Electric Propulsion

Saha
Research

Advancing ion and plasma propulsion systems for atmospheric, aerospace, and UAV applications — from first principles to working hardware.

View Research About
Saha Ionization Equation
NiNe / Na =
(2πmekBT / h²)3/2 · 2Zi/Za · e−εi/kBT
Ni — ion number density
T  — electron temperature
εi — ionization energy
kB — Boltzmann constant
Trusted by & connections from
nasa tulane aerodynamic merxcell uio nasa tulane aerodynamic merxcell uio
Research Focus
01
Ionic Thruster Design

Empirical and analytical study of electrode geometry, collector radius, and spacing on thrust-to-power ratio in ionic wind generators — building on experimental prototypes toward optimised configurations.

02
Plasma Dynamics

Characterising ionisation, charge transport, and plasma sheath formation in low-temperature discharge environments relevant to electric propulsion and atmospheric flight.

03
Atmospheric Propulsion

Propulsion systems operating within planetary atmospheres — electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters and hybrid plasma-aerodynamic mechanisms for silent, fuelless flight.

04
Defense & UAV Applications

Translation of electric propulsion research into low-observable, acoustically silent UAV platforms — where propulsion silence is a strategic capability, not just an engineering preference.

Mission
To develop the next generation of electric and plasma propulsion systems — grounded in rigorous physics, built in working hardware, and oriented toward applications that matter.
Work

Projects &
Publications

Ongoing and completed research spanning ionic thruster hardware, propulsion analysis, and electric propulsion theory. All experiments are self-designed and physically built.

Active Projects
Mar 2026–
ongoing
Ongoing · Furim Institutt
OES Diagnostics in Plasma Propulsor Efficiency

Developing a novel triad-method for assessing plasma propulsion efficiency using Optical Emission Spectroscopy. The approach aims to bring plasma propulsors one step closer to viable launch assistance by providing a richer diagnostic picture than single-instrument methods. Conducted under the Furim Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellowship.

Affiliation Furim Institutt
Methods OES · Python · Spectral Analysis
Jan 2026–
ongoing
Ongoing · Independent
Quantum Wave Dynamics Analysis on a Representative EHD Thruster, Integrated PINN

An exploratory study applying quantum wave dynamics analysis to a representative electrohydrodynamic thruster model, integrated with a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN). The work sits at the intersection of quantum mechanics, plasma physics, and machine learning — pushing toward a more complete theoretical description of EHD propulsion phenomena.

Methods PINN · Quantum Mechanics · Neural Networks
Status In development
Completed Research
Feb 2025–
Jan 2026
Completed · Nesbru VGS · IB Extended Essay
Geometrical Optimisation of a Model EHD Ion Thruster and Resulting Efficiency in Terms of Thrust-to-Power

Extended essay and substantial improvement on prior work. Systematically investigated how electrode spacing and collector radius affect thrust-to-power ratio in a self-built EHD ion thruster — treating geometry as the primary design variable. Presented at KUF 2026 national finals.

Venue KUF 2026 · National Finals
Result 2nd Place — Naturvitenskap og Teknologi
Qualifies European Space Camp
2024
Completed · Research Proposal
Nanomaterial-Based Electrodes for Improved Plasma Propulsion Efficiency, in Aim of Achieving Space Launch

A research proposal investigating the use of nanomaterial-based electrodes as a route to substantially improved plasma propulsion efficiency. The proposal examines how engineered nanoscale electrode surfaces could reduce energy losses, enhance ionisation rates, and push the thrust-to-power ratio toward ranges relevant for space launch applications.

Type Research Proposal
Focus Nanomaterials · Electrode Design · Plasma Efficiency
Jan–Dec
2025
Power-to-Thrust Analysis: Investigating Feasibility of Ionic Thruster Performance for Space Launch

Investigated the power-to-thrust ratio of a self-designed and self-built small-scale ionic thruster. Explored scalability to traditional thruster sizes, validated experimental data against theoretical predictions, and examined potential optimisations for maximum thrust — ultimately assessing whether electric propulsion can serve as an alternative to chemical propulsion for space launch. Published as a preprint on engrXiv.

Venue KUF 2025 · National Finals
Result 3rd Place — Naturvitenskap og Teknologi
DOI 10.31224/5626
Publications
engrXiv · Engineering Archive · 2025
Power-to-Thrust Analysis: Investigating Feasibility of Ionic Thruster Performance for Space Launch

Investigates the power-to-thrust ratio of a self-designed and self-built small-scale ionic thruster. The study explores scalability to traditional thruster sizes, validates experimental data against theoretical predictions, and examines potential optimisations for maximum thrust. Estimates performance in vacuum environments and critically evaluates whether electrohydrodynamic propulsion can serve as a viable alternative to chemical propulsion for space launch — challenging the prevailing view that electric propulsion is unsuitable for launch-phase missions.

Ionic Thrusters Electric Propulsion Electrohydrodynamics Advanced Propulsion Air Propulsion
Read on engrXiv
DOI 10.31224/5626
Author Said Zeki Gökmen
Published Dec 2025
License CC BY 4.0
Founder
Said
Zeki
Gökmen
Researcher · Fellow · Builder

A high school researcher at Nesbru Videregående Skole (3IB, Oslo) with a focused experimental program in ionic and plasma propulsion. Two consecutive years of nationally competitive research, a published preprint, a working thruster prototype, and a long-term trajectory oriented around deep physics and propulsion engineering — at MIT, Caltech, or Princeton, and beyond.


Furim Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellow. Driven by the same conviction that shaped the engineers behind the first ion drives: electric propulsion is where aerospace is heading.

Achievements
2026
KUF 2026 — 2nd Place, Naturvitenskap og Teknologi

National science competition. Project: electrode spacing and collector radius effects on thrust-to-power ratio in an ionic thruster. Qualifies for European Space Camp.

2026
European Space Camp — Qualified

Selected to attend European Space Camp following KUF 2026 placement. Annual programme hosted at Andøya Space Center, Norway.

2025
Furim Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellowship

Competitive fellowship recognising exceptional early-career researchers with forward-looking impact potential in science and technology.

2025
KUF 2025 — 3rd Place, Naturvitenskap og Teknologi

National science competition. Project: power-to-thrust analysis of a self-built ionic wind generator.

2025
Published Preprint — engrXiv Engineering Archive

"Power-to-Thrust Analysis: Investigating Feasibility of Ionic Thruster Performance for Space Launch." DOI: 10.31224/5626. ORCID authenticated. CC BY 4.0.

Technical Areas
Propulsion
Ionic / EHD thrusters
Electric propulsion
Thrust measurement
Scalability analysis
Plasma Physics
Ionisation kinetics
Plasma sheath theory
Charge transport
Low-temp discharge
Hardware
Thruster prototyping
HV electrode systems
Indirect force measurement
Experimental design
Analysis
Thrust-to-power ratio
Experimental validation
Theoretical modelling
Uncertainty analysis
Academic
IB Diploma (3IB)
Scientific writing
Preprint publication
Competition research
Long-term Focus
Space plasma systems
UAV propulsion
Fusion energy
Fundamental physics
Get in touch.
saidzekigokmen34@gmail.com Read Publication
Join the work

Collaborate &
Connect

Saha Research is building a small, output-driven network of researchers working on plasma and electric propulsion. If your work touches any of the areas below, reach out.

What we are looking for
Area 01
Plasma Propulsion Research

Researchers working on EHD thrusters, ion drives, Hall thrusters, or plasma sheath physics at any level — student, postdoc, or faculty. Output-oriented collaboration only.

Area 02
Computational & ML Methods

Physicists or engineers applying PINNs, CFD, or quantum simulation methods to propulsion or plasma problems. Active intersection with the quantum-EHD study underway.

Area 03
Diagnostics & Instrumentation

Experimentalists with OES, Langmuir probe, or thrust-stand experience. The OES triad-method project has immediate opportunities for co-authorship.

Area 04
UAV & Defense Applications

Engineers or analysts with interest in electric propulsion for low-acoustic UAV platforms. Translation of lab results into applied systems is a core long-term direction.

Get in touch

Send a brief note about your work and what kind of collaboration you have in mind. No formal pitch needed — a paragraph is enough.

Send via email instead