Multi-staged Ducted Electroaerodynamic System

Electroaerodynamic devices and their methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, ions are formed by dielectric barrier discharge using a time-varying voltage differential applied between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ions are then accelerated in a downstream direction using a second voltage differential applied between a third electrode and the first and/or second electrodes, where the third electrode is located downstream from the first and second electrodes. The ions may then collide with naturally charged molecules and/or atoms within a fluid to accelerate the fluid in the downstream to create an ionic wind and an associated thrust.