solid state plane

The lead author of the study said the inspiration came straight from the science fiction of his childhood. Photograph: MIT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This (no moving parts?) sounds important, but I lack the brains to know how or why:

The first ever “solid state” plane, with no moving parts in its propulsion system, has successfully flown for a distance of 60 metres, proving that heavier-than-air flight is possible without jets or propellers.
The flight represents a breakthrough in “ionic wind” technology, which uses a powerful electric field to generate charged nitrogen ions, which are then expelled from the back of the aircraft, generating thrust.