Ventiva has unveiled its innovative ICE9 thermal management system, a completely silent, fan-less cooling solution that uses ionic movement to generate airflow. The company will showcase devices with up to 25W processors at CES in a few days. However, the technology is expected to cool partner laptop designs up to 40W TDP by 2027.
How ICE9 Works
Ventiva's Ionic Cooling Engine (ICE) technology allows cooling without any moving parts. While not as efficient as a traditional fan, ICE9 is claimed to be significantly more efficient than the Frore AirJet solid-state active cooling system. However, the main benefits of the ICE9 are its silent operation and ultra-compact 12mm profile, making it perfect for thin-and-light laptops.
According to Ventiva, the ICE9 can help laptop makers not only build sleek devices but also add additional components (such as Framework's dual M.2 module), as it doesn't require space for fan units.
Future Potential
Ventiva currently offers ICE9 solutions for up to 25W TDP, suitable for newer low-power processors. They are also collaborating with OEMs to develop 40W TDP solutions to accommodate more demanding AI processors. Moreover, Ventiva is open to hybrid designs that incorporate the ICE9 with fans for even quieter performance.
While currently focused on laptops, ICE9 can be applied to other devices like smartphones and tablets, owing to its small form factor. However, its low static pressure requires OEMs to specifically design cases for optimal heat transfer. With a targeted design, we could see significant progress in silent computing performance.
We are still waiting for CES to find out which companies will be the partners for this technology.
