Gokmen Research
Independent, founder-led research initiative
Electric Propulsion

Electric propulsion.Built fromfirst principles.

Exploring ion and plasma propulsion, electrohydrodynamic systems and computational field physics, from first-principles modelling to experimental hardware.

View Research About
Research modelModel · Build · Test
Core domainsEHD · Plasma
Programme typeIndependent research
Program Evidence
2× National Finalist
KUF 2025 & 2026 · 3rd and 2nd place
FURIM Fellowship
Forward Looking Minds · laboratory access and research support
1 Preprint
engrXiv · DOI 10.31224/5626 · not peer reviewed
Space Camp 2026
Andøya Space · BIFRÖST sensor-systems team
Selected Research

Research focus.

Four connected lines of work spanning atmospheric EHD hardware, plasma diagnostics, computational physics, and flight instrumentation.

01
Electrohydrodynamic Propulsion

Experimental study of electrode geometry, collector radius and spacing on thrust-to-power in self-built ionic wind devices. These atmospheric systems accelerate surrounding air and are distinct from vacuum ion thrusters.

02
Ion Propulsion & Plasma Diagnostics

A FURIM-based programme toward a small gridded-ion microthruster, argon plasma discharges, optical emission spectroscopy and complementary electrical, beam and thrust measurements.

03
Computational & Quantum Physics

Exploratory work on electrostatic fields, quantum wave-packet dynamics and inverse design of field configurations. Early-stage, with no validated results yet.

04
Aerospace Instrumentation

Onboard IMU and sensor work on the BIFRÖST sounding rocket at European Space Camp 2026, and a planned trajectory reconstruction from inertial data.

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, plasma diagnostics, flight instrumentation, and computational physics. Each project carries an honest status: completed, experimental development, exploratory, or in preparation. Open a project for methods, limits and attribution.

Active Projects
Mar 2026–
ongoing
Experimental Development · FURIM Institutt
Experimental Ion Propulsion and Plasma Diagnostics

An ongoing experimental programme at FURIM Institutt to establish a working platform for ion and plasma propulsion experiments, and to characterise performance by combining several independent measurements rather than relying on any single diagnostic. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a technical subproject, studied alongside electrical, ion-beam and thrust measurements, not as a stand-alone efficiency method. Conducted under the Forward Looking Minds Fellowship; the laboratory facilities belong to FURIM.

Affiliation Furim Institutt
Scope Argon plasma · Vacuum · OES · Faraday cup · Torsion pendulum
Technical detail

Research questions

  • Can a small gridded-ion microthruster be operated and characterised reliably in a vacuum setup?
  • What do optical emission spectra add when read together with electrical, beam and thrust measurements?

Background

Plasma emission carries information about species and excitation, but it does not by itself fix thruster efficiency. Credible characterisation pairs spectroscopy with electrical diagnostics, ion-current collection and a calibrated thrust measurement.

Methods

  • Programme scope: argon plasma discharges, vacuum experimentation, electrostatic acceleration, electrical current and voltage measurement.
  • Diagnostics: optical emission spectroscopy (OES), Faraday-cup ion-current collection, torsion-pendulum thrust measurement (under development).
  • Analysis: spectral analysis, thrust-stand calibration, numerical modelling and uncertainty analysis.

Results and progress

The programme is in the development phase. Results will be published here as each measurement is validated.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • No performance figures are claimed. The OES subproject is an investigation, not an established efficiency method.

Founder contribution

  • Designs and runs the experiments as a fellowship holder.
  • Develops diagnostics, analysis code and measurement procedures.
2026
In Preparation · European Space Camp · Andøya Space
BIFRÖST: Sensor Systems and Flight Data Analysis

BIFRÖST was a sounding rocket built by participants of European Space Camp 2026 and launched from Andøya Space. Said was part of the student team responsible for onboard sensor systems. A follow-up analysis of the flight data is in preparation with a team member.

Role Onboard sensor-systems team
Methods IMU · Sensor integration · Trajectory reconstruction
Case study

Research questions

  • Can the flight trajectory and thrust profile be reconstructed from inertial measurements after the loss of GPS data?

Methods

  • Planned workflow: acceleration and rate data from the onboard IMU, correction for sensor and reference-frame effects, numerical integration, regression and modelling, comparison with simulation, uncertainty evaluation.

Results and progress

The reconstruction is in progress and has not been validated or published. Flight figures will be added after confirmation against programme documentation.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • Loss of GPS data makes the reconstruction dependent on IMU quality, calibration and integration drift.

Founder contribution

  • IMU and sensor hardware preparation, soldering and placement.
  • Testing and sensor integration.
  • Assistance with payload and telemetry tasks.
  • Technical analysis associated with the flight.

Photographs

Launch at Andøya Space
Launch, Andøya Space
Wiring harness on the payload plate
Payload plate, sensor wiring
Soldering sensor hardware at European Space Camp
Sensor hardware preparation

Attribution: BIFRÖST was a collaborative project of European Space Camp participants at Andøya Space. Photograph credits to be confirmed.

Jan 2026–
ongoing
Exploratory · Independent
Quantum Wave Dynamics and Inverse Design of Electrostatic Fields

An exploratory computational study of how electrostatic potentials influence the evolution of quantum wave packets, and of whether inverse-design methods could optimise field configurations or lenses.

Methods Electrostatics · Wave packets · Inverse design
Status Exploratory, no validated results
Technical detail

Research questions

  • How does electrode geometry shape wave-packet evolution in a given potential?
  • Can numerical optimisation, possibly with neural-network methods, recover useful field configurations?

Methods

  • Electrostatic boundary-value problems, wave-packet time evolution, numerical simulation, inverse problems and geometric optimisation.

Results and progress

This is an early-stage investigation. There are no validated results yet, and neural-network methods are a proposed direction, not completed work. No claim is made that quantum effects improve macroscopic atmospheric EHD thrusters.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • Methods are proposed or in development and have not been validated.

Founder contribution

  • Defines the problem and develops the numerical approach.
Apr 2026–
ongoing
In Preparation · Independent Research
Electrode Geometry and Efficiency in an Educational Model EHD Thruster

A manuscript in development that addresses how fundamental EHD propulsion is taught, using a model thruster to illustrate electrode geometry, basic thrust and power relationships, and experimental uncertainty. It has not been submitted or peer reviewed.

Focus Electrode Geometry · EHD Education
Status Manuscript in preparation
Technical detail

Research questions

  • Which demonstrations make EHD principles reproducible for students?

Methods

  • Literature review, experimental design with a model pin-to-ring thruster, accessible modelling and academic writing.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • Status is manuscript in preparation. No acceptance, review or publication has occurred.

Founder contribution

  • Sole author of the manuscript 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 collector radius and electrode spacing affect thrust-to-power in a self-built atmospheric EHD ion thruster, treating geometry as the primary design variable. Recognised at the KUF 2026 national finals.

Venue KUF 2026 · National Finals
Result 2nd Place — Naturvitenskap og Teknologi
Led to European Space Camp 2026
Technical detail

Research questions

  • How does collector-electrode radius influence measured thrust and thrust-to-power?
  • How does electrode separation influence electrical and mechanical performance?
  • How closely do measurements match theoretical expectations?

Background

An ionic-wind device ionises air near a thin emitter and accelerates the ions toward a collector, dragging neutral air along. It needs ambient air and is not equivalent to a vacuum ion thruster on a spacecraft. The 2025 work asked, as a scaling hypothesis, whether such devices could be relevant to launch. It did not demonstrate a launch-capable architecture, and the title keeps that early framing for the historical record.

Methods

  • 2026: collector radius and emitter-collector spacing varied systematically; thrust-to-power evaluated per configuration.

Results and progress

Photographs, schematics and measurements from this study remain unpublished until the work is cleared for release. This section will be expanded on publication.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • Electrical inputs were not independently measured in 2025, so power-based metrics carry large uncertainty.
  • Anemometer readings are an indirect proxy for thrust and disturb the flow they measure.
  • Results apply to atmospheric operation only.

Founder contribution

  • Designed and built the devices and test setups.
  • Planned the measurements, ran the experiments and analysed the data.
  • Wrote the poster, preprint and extended essay.
Jan–Dec
2025
Completed · Preprint
Power-to-Thrust Analysis: Investigating Feasibility of Ionic Thruster Performance for Space Launch

A feasibility study of a self-designed, self-built small-scale ionic thruster operating in air. It explored scaling hypotheses and compared measurements with a simple model. It did not demonstrate a launch-capable architecture, and the title keeps the early framing for the historical record. Posted as a preprint on engrXiv.

Venue KUF 2025 · National Finals
Result 3rd Place — Naturvitenskap og Teknologi
DOI 10.31224/5626
Technical detail

Background

An ionic-wind device ionises air near a thin emitter and accelerates the ions toward a collector, dragging neutral air along. It needs ambient air and is not equivalent to a vacuum ion thruster on a spacecraft. The 2025 work asked, as a scaling hypothesis, whether such devices could be relevant to launch. It did not demonstrate a launch-capable architecture, and the title keeps that early framing for the historical record.

Methods

  • 2025: high-voltage step-up module, wire emitter, copper ring collector (single and quadruple strand), airflow read with an anemometer.

Results and progress

2025 anemometer readings at the collector (poster values, instrument uncertainty ±0.05 km/h):

Collector wireTrial 1Trial 2Trial 3Mean (km/h)
Single-stranded0.70.60.80.7
Quadruple-stranded1.71.81.81.8

Derived quantities in the poster use the module's rated electrical inputs, not measured ones, and the poster itself flags voltage and current as uncertain. They should be read as an order-of-magnitude exercise, not as a performance claim. The 2026 geometry measurements will be added on publication.

Limitations and uncertainty

  • Electrical inputs were not independently measured in 2025, so power-based metrics carry large uncertainty.
  • Anemometer readings are an indirect proxy for thrust and disturb the flow they measure.
  • Results apply to atmospheric operation only.
Poster of the 2025 power-to-thrust study
Project poster, 2025 · Download PDF
Research History
2024
Research Proposal · Archived Concept
Nanomaterial-Based Electrodes for Improved Plasma Propulsion Efficiency, in Aim of Achieving Space Launch

An early proposal on engineered electrode surfaces. It is not a demonstrated result and no nanomaterial thruster was built. It is kept as part of the history of the research questions.

Type Research Proposal
Status Archived, not a demonstrated result
Publications
engrXiv · Preprint · Not peer reviewed · 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, compares measurements with a simple theoretical model, and discusses the limits of extrapolating atmospheric EHD devices toward launch applications. Not peer reviewed.

Ionic ThrustersElectrohydrodynamicsElectric PropulsionAir Propulsion
Read on engrXiv  Poster
DOI 10.31224/5626
Author Said Zeki Gökmen
Published Dec 2025
License CC BY 4.0
Cite · BibTeX
@misc{gokmen2025powertothrust,
  author    = {G{\"o}kmen, Said Zeki},
  title     = {Power-to-Thrust Analysis: Investigating Feasibility of Ionic Thruster Performance for Space Launch},
  year      = {2025},
  month     = dec,
  publisher = {engrXiv},
  doi       = {10.31224/5626},
  note      = {Preprint}
}
2026
Report · IB Physics Extended Essay

Geometrical Optimisation of a Model EHD Ion Thruster and Resulting Efficiency in Terms of Thrust-to-Power. Public release pending.

24 Sep 2026
Presentation · Young Researchers Night

Centre for Advanced Study, Oslo. Independent ionic-thruster research and the European Space Camp experience.

In preparation
Manuscript

Electrode Geometry and Efficiency in an Educational Model EHD Thruster. Not yet submitted.

Founder
Said
Zeki
Gökmen
Founder & Independent Researcher · FURIM Fellow
Said Zeki Gökmen
Photo: Kjell Erik Egeland / Von kommunikasjon

Founder and principal researcher of Gokmen Research, an independent, founder-led initiative in experimental and theoretical physics with engineering applications. Said works on electric and plasma propulsion: building and testing physical apparatus, modelling electrostatic and computational problems, and connecting theory to measurement.


His independent work includes self-built electrohydrodynamic thrusters, a preprint on engrXiv and two national placements at KUF. In 2026 he became a Forward Looking Minds Fellow at FURIM Institutt, working on experimental ion propulsion and plasma diagnostics and teaching STEM topics, and took part in European Space Camp at Andøya Space as a member of the BIFRÖST sensor-systems team.


Earlier engineering work at Merxcell Aerospace was a technical internship on aviation and MRO information systems. Said completed the IB Diploma at Nesbru videregående skole.

Identity
Gökmen /ˈɡøk.mɛn/
From Old Turkic gök — sky or celestial — and men — one who embodies: he who reaches for the sky.
Research Interests
Current
Electric and plasma propulsion
Experimental plasma physics
Electrostatic fields
Computational physics
Applied nonlinear dynamics
Longer term
Fusion plasma physics and magnetic confinement
Mathematical physics
Quantum field theory
Nonlinear field systems

The second list describes intellectual direction, not established research output.

Experience
2026
FURIM Institutt — Forward Looking Minds Fellow

Experimental propulsion research, laboratory instrumentation, STEM teaching and demonstrations. The fellowship is personal and separate from any budget of Gokmen Research.

2026
European Space Camp, Andøya Space

Member of the student team on onboard sensor systems for the BIFRÖST sounding rocket: IMU and sensor hardware preparation, soldering and placement, testing and integration, payload and telemetry assistance, and flight-related analysis. A collaborative project.

2025
Merxcell Aerospace — Technical internship

Merxcell is a Norwegian boutique consultancy founded by Jonas Murby, focused on industrial marketing, business development, and market analysis, particularly within the global aerospace and aviation sectors, and affiliated with AeroDynamic Advisory. Work: collecting and processing airline and MRO information and building AI-assisted workflows. Systems experience, not propulsion laboratory work.

2024–
Independent research

Self-directed experimental propulsion projects, technical research and writing.

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

National science competition. Project: collector radius and electrode spacing effects on thrust-to-power in an ionic thruster.

2026
European Space Camp — Participant

Attended the programme at Andøya Space after the KUF 2026 placement and worked on the BIFRÖST onboard sensor systems.

2026
Furim Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellowship

50,000 NOK fellowship with laboratory access and research support for experimental propulsion research and STEM teaching.

2025
KUF 2025 — 3rd Place, Naturvitenskap og Teknologi

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

2025
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. Not peer reviewed.

Education & Outreach
2026
STEMGarden / TeknoGarden

A science and technology education initiative supported through the FURIM environment, introducing younger students to technical subjects through practical work. Said contributes to its development; FURIM and its partners run it.

2026
STEM teaching at FURIM

Teaching and presenting science and technology topics, with a focus on clear explanation and hands-on work for younger students.

24 Sep 2026
Young Researchers Night

Centre for Advanced Study, Oslo. Presentation on independent ionic-thruster research and the European Space Camp experience.

Completed events are listed with dates. Operational details of the initiative will be added as they are confirmed.

Technical Areas
Propulsion
Ionic / EHD thrusters
Electric propulsion fundamentals
Thrust and airflow measurement
Scaling analysis
Plasma Physics
Plasma diagnostics (OES, developing)
Electrostatics
Ionisation and charge transport
Low-temperature discharges
Hardware
Thruster prototyping
HV electrode systems
Soldering and sensor integration
Experimental design
Analysis
Thrust-to-power analysis
Uncertainty analysis
Numerical modelling
Regression and data analysis
Academic & Teaching
IB Diploma, Nesbru VGS
STEM teaching
Scientific writing
Preprint publication
Systems & Software
Python
AI-assisted workflows
Aviation databases
Technical intelligence
Get in touch.
saidzekigokmen34@gmail.com Academic CV (on request) Read Publication Google Scholar LinkedIn
Join the work

Collaborate &
Connect

Gokmen Research is a small, founder-led initiative open to academic collaboration, technical discussion, partnerships and research opportunities. 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. Relevant to the exploratory electrostatic quantum-physics study.

Area 03
Diagnostics & Instrumentation

Experimentalists with OES, Langmuir probe, or thrust-stand experience. Relevant to the FURIM ion-propulsion diagnostics programme. Authorship follows actual contribution and the standards of the venue.

Area 04
Education & Outreach

Schools, institutions and educators interested in practical STEM learning, demonstrations and student projects in physics and engineering.

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.

Direct Email