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Silent Microchip 'Fan' Has No Moving Parts
Stony Stevenson writes "Researchers in the US have developed a microchip fan with no moving parts that operates silently and generates enough wind to cool a laptop computer. The solid-state fan, developed with support from the US National Science Foundation (NSF), is touted as the most powerful and energy efficient fan of its size. The device produces three times the flow rate of a typical small mechanical fan and is one-fourth the size. The technology has the power to cool a 25W chip with a device smaller than one cubic-cm and can someday be integrated into silicon to make self-cooling chips, according to the researchers."
That was my first thought as well. I have an Ionic Breeze, and when I don't clean it regularly (once a week) it makes loud crackling noises and begins producing small electric arcs. Who is going to clean their CPU fan weekly?
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There is an alloy that catalyzes 2O3 into 3O2. It has been proposed (by the company that makes it and has the patent) to mandate it for radiator grills in cars to remove ground-level smog. An excellent idea, but also a really tight-fist business move; then again, a 14 year patent on this is just what patents are for; it'll take 5-10 years to really get the ball rolling on sales with this to make some money, then the last few to recover cost, then they can stop squeezing the industry's balls and everyone makes their own.
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Actually, this is a very good point that the parent brings up. The way corona discharge is possible is to push a very high voltage with very low amperage through a very small electrode. The high voltage creates the ion flow, but the low amperage prevents arcing from occuring. However, if a pool of dust collects between the electrodes, you'll have an easy path for the electricity to arc across.
Not to mention that you better not drop a screw in the case while it's in operation! Or a screwdriver, or a paper clip, or other random metalic objects.
Brilliant idea, neat application, but there's always a risk involved when you're playing with high voltage, even micro-amps worth.