The air this thruster gathers isn't used as fuel, only as propellant. The energy needed to accelerate the propellant and generate thrust still has to come from somewhere.
Aircraft don't need propellant; they can simply "push off" of the air (via propellers, turbofan engines, etc); so this mechanism is useless for them. They still need fuel to run their engines, which this device doesn't provide.
Ion engines have very low thrust, so they're not suitable for in-atmosphere work. In space they can apply a gentle thrust for a long time, which is useful.
Ion engines also only typically ignite in a near vacuum as well. You would need HUGE voltages to do the same thing in the (main part of the) atmosphere.
The air this thruster gathers isn't used as fuel, only as propellant. The energy needed to accelerate the propellant and generate thrust still has to come from somewhere.
Aircraft don't need propellant; they can simply "push off" of the air (via propellers, turbofan engines, etc); so this mechanism is useless for them. They still need fuel to run their engines, which this device doesn't provide.
Ion engines have very low thrust, so they're not suitable for in-atmosphere work. In space they can apply a gentle thrust for a long time, which is useful.
Ion engines also only typically ignite in a near vacuum as well. You would need HUGE voltages to do the same thing in the (main part of the) atmosphere.