The world’s first laptop utilizing cool plasma for cooling will be unveiled at the CES 2026 exhibition in Las Vegas. The prototype was developed by the startup YPlasma, and the claimed technology operates silently and generates no harmful ozone, according to Interesting Engineering.
The system is based on a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). It creates a stream of ions that drag air molecules along, forming a cooling “breeze” at speeds up to 10 m/s. The plasma elements are manufactured as a film about 200 microns thick, allowing them to be integrated directly into the laptop’s thermal pathways.
“YPlasma stresses that the DBD method it employs can be beneficial not just in portable computers but also in other sectors. For instance, active management of air currents could boost cooling performance in vehicles and aviation, and also find use in next-generation systems, including drones and spacecraft,” the source reports.
The developer cites near-silent operation—noise levels are around 17 dBA—and the absence of moving parts as key benefits of the novel system. The dielectric barrier design prevents the formation of ozone, which can be detrimental in confined areas.
The YPlasma startup originated from research at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology of Spain. The firm was incorporated in Madrid and later established an office in the USA, in New Jersey.
About the Author
