A new breakthrough in cooling technology could help cut energy use in data centers, high-performance electronics, and even food drying.
A start-up called Ionic Wind Technologies has developed an advanced Ionic Wind Amplifier, which makes airflow more powerful and efficient.
This technology could replace traditional cooling fans, significantly reducing energy consumption.
Data centers use an enormous amount of electricity, with nearly 40% of their energy spent on cooling.
This is because microprocessors and other electronics generate a lot of heat while running.
Conventional fans and cooling systems consume a lot of energy, but a new method based on ionic wind could change that.
Ionic wind uses electrostatic fields to move air, converting electrical energy directly into airflow without the need for a motor or fan blades. However, previous versions of this technology produced airflow that was too weak for widespread use.
The team at Ionic Wind Technologies has made a big improvement by developing a special airflow booster. Their new design combines:
✅ Needle electrodes that charge and accelerate air more efficiently than traditional wires
✅ A flow-optimized housing that uses the Coandă effect—a principle also used in airplane wings and Dyson fans—to increase airflow volume
By refining these components, the researchers have tripled the power of the airflow, making it strong enough for real-world applications. If this technology replaces traditional cooling fans in data centers, it could cut cooling energy use by up to 60%—a major step toward energy efficiency.
Unlike normal fans that use motors and blades to push air, this technology electrically charges air molecules and moves them through electrostatic forces. The needle electrodes at the heart of the system create a highly efficient ionic wind that is both powerful and quiet.
At first, the team experimented with standard construction nails as electrodes, but they found that specially designed needle tips worked much better. These custom-made needles:
✔️ Double the speed of the airflow compared to regular electrodes
✔️ Use less energy
✔️ Fit more efficiently into compact designs
This makes the Ionic Wind Amplifier a perfect solution for cooling in data centers, electronics, and other industries that need efficient air movement.
Future Applications and Impact
This technology has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries, including:
🔹 Data centers & computers – Keeping servers cool while using less energy
🔹 Industrial cooling – More efficient air circulation in manufacturing plants
🔹 Food drying – Reducing the need for heating elements, saving even more energy
🔹 Air purification – Moving air more efficiently for better filtration systems
Ionic Wind Technologies is already producing these airflow amplifiers and plans to sell components or license their patented technology to other companies.
“We know it won’t be easy, but we are solving an important problem,” says founder Donato Rubinetti. “This technology could transform how industries manage cooling and airflow, and that motivates us to keep going.”
With the potential to save energy, lower costs, and reduce environmental impact, this new ionic wind technology could be the future of cooling systems worldwide.
