  Advancements in combustion technologies are often impeded by complex
combustion dynamics. Active control has proven effective at mitigating these
dynamics in the lab, but mass adoption requires more affordable, lightweight,
and reliable actuators. Here, a new actuator concept is presented which
utilizes sub-breakdown electric fields, the inherent plasma nature of flames,
and the electrohydrodynamic effect to create flame stabilization points. These
electrically controlled stabilization points allow variable distortion of a
laminar flame and bidirectional forcing of the flame heat release. The electric
field-based actuator is combined with a simple feedback controller to
demonstrate suppression of a thermoacoustic instability. The instability sound
pressure level was reduced by 27 dB and in less than 60 ms upon enabling the
controller. The use of a sub breakdown electric field requires a mere 40 mW to
stabilize a 3.4 kW thermal power flame. The absence of any moving parts and low
electrical power required make this a promising actuator concept for many
combustion applications.
