3 Minutes
At CES 2026, YPlasma plans to reveal what it calls the world's first laptop cooled by plasma instead of a traditional fan. The company says the fanless design uses dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators to generate a silent ionic wind, enabling thinner chassis and quieter operation—an appealing pitch as AI workloads push devices to their thermal limits.
A bold move away from spinning fans
YPlasma argues that conventional cooling is bumping up against physical limits. As laptops become slimmer and processors demand more power for on-device AI, fans and heat pipes struggle to keep temperatures in check without adding bulk or noise. The firm’s answer: replace moving parts with a thin, solid-state plasma layer that nudges air across heat sinks.
How the DBD plasma system actually works
Instead of a mechanical fan blade, YPlasma's system uses tiny DBD plasma actuators—essentially ultra-thin film strips roughly 200 microns thick. When energized, these actuators create cold plasma that produces an ionic wind, pushing air across hot components and carrying heat away. The result is active cooling with no moving parts and virtually no sound.
Key features YPlasma highlights
- Ultra-thin actuators (about 200 microns) that can sit directly on heat sinks or internal surfaces.
- Silent operation because there are no rotating components.
- Bidirectional thermal control—these actuators can be used for both cooling and localized heating.
- Proven aerospace pedigree: similar plasma techniques have been used to influence airflow over wings.
Why this matters for AI and thin laptops
Imagine running large language models or other AI workloads on a slim laptop without hearing fans spin up. For professionals and creators who rely on sustained performance, silent thermal management is a meaningful win. YPlasma’s approach could enable denser thermal designs and potentially lower acoustic interference in shared workspaces.
David Garcia Perez, CEO and co‑founder of YPlasma, described the CES launch as a milestone for both his company and the broader electronics sector. He emphasized collaboration with global partners to demonstrate what plasma cooling can unlock for next‑generation devices.
Open questions and the road to market
There are still questions to answer: How does long‑term durability compare with conventional fans? What are efficiency and power costs at sustained high loads? And can this approach scale reliably across different laptop form factors and price tiers? YPlasma’s aerospace background is promising, but commercial adoption will depend on performance, cost, and manufacturability.
CES 2026 will be the first public look at a working laptop prototype. Whether plasma cooling can displace legacy fans in mainstream laptops remains to be seen, but the demo could accelerate interest in non‑mechanical thermal solutions as AI and miniaturization continue to shape device design.
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