Electrostatic motor

An electrostatic machine, comprising:

• a plurality of plates including a plurality of rotor plates and a plurality of stator plates;
• a rotor stack comprising the plurality of rotor plates, each comprising:
• a plurality of rotor electrodes positioned on each side of the rotor plate;
• and
• at least one rotor via comprising an electrical connection between the plurality of rotor electrodes on a first side of the rotor plate and the plurality of rotor electrodes on a second side of the rotor plate;
• and
• a stator stack comprising the plurality of stator plates, each comprising:
• a plurality of stator electrodes positioned on each side of the stator plate;
• and
• at least one stator via comprising an electrical connection between the plurality of stator electrodes on a first side of the stator plate and the plurality of stator electrodes on a second side of the stator plate;
• wherein the plurality of rotor plates of the rotor stack are positioned to alternate with the plurality of stator plates of the stator stack;
• and
• a separation assembly between at least one of the plurality of rotor plates and at least one of the plurality of stator plates, the separation assembly including a rolling element structured to maintain a gap between the at least one of the plurality of rotor plates and the at least one of the plurality of stator plates.