A dielectric element barrier discharge pump for accelerating a fluid flow. In one embodiment the pump has a first dielectric layer having a first electrode embedded therein and a second dielectric layer having a second electrode embedded therein. The first and second dielectric layers are further supported apart from one another to form an air gap therebetween. A third electrode is disposed at least partially in the air gap upstream of the first and second electrodes, relative to a direction of flow of the fluid flow. A high voltage supplies a high voltage signal to the third electrode. The electrodes cooperate to generate opposing asymmetric plasma fields in the gap that create an induced air flow within the gap. The induced air flow operates to accelerate the fluid flow as the fluid flow moves through the gap.