The study of the motion of electrically conducting liquids and gases in the presence of a magnetic field is known by the term Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). This study goes back to a failed experiment by Michael Faraday in 1831 of the flow of mercury through a magnetic field. It continued in the early 1930's with work by Sydney Chapman and V. C. A. Ferraro on the magnetic storms that occur in the Earth's atmosphere as a result of changes in solar activity. In 1940, Swedish astrophysicist Hannes Alfven further elaborated the behavior of moving ions in a magnetic field.

During the "Star Wars" phase of the 1980's the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan all had MHD propulsion projects under way. But of course the funding stopped with the breakup of the Soviet Union and apparently scientists and researchers who lack commitment to their work stop work immediately when the money goes away.

Japan launched a small prototype MHD-powered ship in the 1990s. The ship passed seawater, which conducts electricity well, through a pair of large electrodes. At right angles to the current, a large magnetic field generated by a superconducting magnet produced the thrust.

Every propulsion method mentioned in this area except for laser propusion and fan blades belongs to this field of MHD.

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