Ionic Cooling For Your Computer

master0ne writes, "We (the folks over at InventGeek) have produced the first ionic cooling system for your high-end gaming system. This system produces absolutely no noise and in fact has no moving parts at all. While this is a proof of concept, it demonstrates that you can get the CFM you need to cool a system efficiently with no moving parts and no increase in power consumption."

laptop use

[glassjaw rocks]

This could be great for laptop uses. Desktop replacements could probably run a heck of a lot cooler now.

I don't get it

[vlad_petric]

Would someone enlighten me? What is the principle behind ionic cooling? The article shows how to build it, but not why it works :).

Re:laptop use

[glassjaw rocks]

Well, seeing as it's just a proof-of-concept, I'm sure much smaller systems will be developed.

Re:Ionic Breeze

[MBCook]

I can't comment on the Ionic Breeze, but I can tell you the principal is perfectly sound. At my house we had an Electrostatic Air Filtration System installed, which is basically the same thing but attached to the duct work. The thing does make a noticeable difference with allergens and such (which is why we bought it).

What they show on the commercial (about wiping one off and it being filthy) is absolutely true. About once a month (for our system) you are supposed to pull out the two filters (each about the size of the average desktop PC) and the two screens (just simple mechanical filtration for the large stuff). You stick 'em in a utility sink with some dishwashing powder shake 'em around, and then let 'em soak.

You put in perfectly clear water, and when you lift the two filters out the stuff is a very solid grey color. It also leaves a hideous ring in the sink.

Electrostatic air filtration really does work. I have no doubt that the Ionic Breeze systems do work (to some degree). But the principal is absolutely sound.

Ozone anybody?

[Ucklak]

Isn't this a generator of ozone?

Doesn't this seem dangerous or is the output the same as one of those stand alone units?
What about cleaning it?

DAW computers

[Datamonstar]

This would be GREAT in a audio production PC. Fans are noisy and so are liquid cooling solutions to a degree. If this could be affordable and effecient, then I could see this becoming the standard for the studio PC.

liquid nitrogen?

[Desolator144]

You know, liquid nitrogren doesn't exactly have moving parts either and it uses no electricity unless you want to run it through a radiatior and I believe if it's under pressure, it will go back down to a cold temp quickly by itself.

Will do more harm

[Venik]

In the project they use elements of a consumer air ionizer. These devices create negatively-charged ions. These are attracted by dust and smoke particles, causing the latter to fall to the ground or be attracted to positively-charged surfaces.

"All the affected airborne particles ultimately wind up on surfaces close to the ioniser, making the area immediately surrounding the ioniser dirty..." (Wikipedia [wikipedia.org]). The more dirt sticks to the ionizer, the less air it is able to move. anufacturers of Ionic Breeze and other such devices recommend cleaning the metal plates every couple of days. This is probably not a very practical solution for a PC. However, it's an interesting experiment.

Re:DAW computers

[Cprossu]

No it would totally suck for audio production- could you imagine the transients caused by the high frequency HV system in that ionic air cleaner? It should play hell with the circuit and make groundings unclean- plus with a audio production pc, the pc and other equipment that makes noise (not including the one's and their equipment which is actually making noise to be recorded) is isolated from the actual interior of the recording studio in the first place... but I can just see high freq wines and switching being forced back through amplifiers and pickup equipment- correct me if I am wrong here