A new type of energy-efficient cooling technology could revolutionize data centers and other industries by significantly reducing electricity consumption.
Developed by Ionic Wind Technologies, a spin-off from Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), this innovative system uses ionic wind to cool electronics without traditional fans or motors.
With data centers consuming about 40% of their energy just for cooling, this new Ionic Wind Amplifier could cut cooling costs by up to 60%, making it a game-changer for high-performance computing and other industries that rely on air movement.
Unlike conventional cooling systems that use fans, rotors, or motors, ionic wind technology creates airflow directly from electricity.
The system works by charging air molecules using specially designed needle electrodes, which then move through an optimized housing structure.
This method eliminates energy losses caused by mechanical parts and reduces noise levels, making it a quieter, more efficient alternative to traditional cooling systems.
“We accelerate air directly by charging it electrically,” explains Donato Rubinetti, founder of Ionic Wind Technologies. “Because electricity is converted straight into airflow, we remove the need for energy-wasting fan blades or motors.”
One of the key challenges with ionic wind technology has been its low airflow speed, which limited its practical use.
However, the Ionic Wind Technologies team has dramatically increased airflow by combining two innovations:
✅ Custom-made needle electrodes – Unlike traditional wire-based electrodes, these specialized tips generate stronger air currents with less energy.
✅ The Coandă effect – The system’s housing is designed to redirect airflow efficiently, similar to how airplane wings control air movement.
Together, these improvements triple airflow speed and make ionic wind cooling highly efficient, opening new possibilities for its application.
While cooling computers and data centers is the primary focus, this technology has many potential uses. It could be applied in:
🌍 Industrial drying – Removing moisture from food and other products without the need for heating elements.
🌬️ Air purification – Moving air efficiently in ventilation and filtration systems.
💻 Electronics cooling – Keeping high-performance computing systems cool while using significantly less power.
One of the biggest challenges for Ionic Wind Technologies was finding a way to produce their needle electrodes at scale and at a low cost. With the help of Empa’s workshop experts, they developed affordable tungsten tips that can be mass-produced without sacrificing quality.
“For us as a startup, it’s crucial to be able to make these components in large quantities while keeping costs down,” says Rubinetti.
Ionic Wind Technologies plans to manufacture and sell these airflow amplifiers directly, but they are also considering licensing the technology to larger companies.
“We are solving an important problem,” Rubinetti explains. “Cooling is a major energy drain, especially in data centers. If we can cut energy use by more than half, the impact will be massive.”
With growing demand for energy-efficient solutions, this patented Ionic Wind Amplifier could soon become a standard in cooling systems, helping companies save money and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time.
