News Snot-filtering tech could be the answer to a dust-free PC — Korean scientists turn to nature to improve air filtration

[Admin]

A recent research paper, 'inspired by the natural filtration abilities of mucus-coated nasal hairs,' might have some answers for improved PC air filtration.

Snot-filtering tech could be the answer to a dust-free PC — Korean scientists turn to nature to improve air filtration : Read more

 

[chaz_music]

Achoo! I'm glad they did not clean it out with a Neti Pot.

Interesting story. I know the UPS industry spends an ton on filtration, especially on the large systems (200-1000KVA and larger). The market for machine filtration probably has a larger money demand than building air (as the researchers were considering), but you never know.

 

[tiredcrow]

So they re-invented the oiled air filter that's been in my car for 20 years

 

[Loadedaxe]

Interesting. This would be nice if it is cost effective.

No matter what type of filtration you have, the user also has to play a roll in keeping it and the system clean.

K&N has been doing similar filtration for years with automobiles.

 

[M0rtis]

So they re-invented the oiled air filter that's been in my car for 20 years

I came here to say that they just re-invented the K&N filter

 

[Grobe]

After the covid, the marked was flooded by facial masks, so at least I had large amount of cheap material to make into air filter. Three computers after, not having any dust related issues 😅

 

[Sippincider]

One of the first applications needs to be Apple's Mac Studio.

The industrial design geniuses located the air intakes in about the worst possible place for pulling in dirt. Filter-stands or even placing the Studios on round automotive air filters are current workarounds.

 

[Notton]

If you don't mind an ugly contraption, HVAC filters held together with duct tape (Corsi-Rosenthal box) is a quick and easy way to remove dust before it gets to your PC.

 

[ezst036]

My solution to a dust free computer was to go fanless.

Get a Seasonic fanless Titanium PSU. Put a massive 150w(+) or more CPU cooler on a 35w APU. Problem solved. Some minor decisions need to be made regarding case choice. Simple.

 

[Steve Nord_]

I for one welcome the Uncle Fester Steel Lung case (and Cousin It SFF PC case.) Hyperbaric oxygen redshirts therapy tube loop n lock models slated for 2028.

 

[Amdlova]

Last time I got some fancy case with dust filtration... When I had to open the case has some of my ex-wife hair...
before that never got expensive cases anymore.

 

[bit_user]

the simple meshes used aren’t that effective at keeping particulate matter (PM) at bay.

They work pretty well, for me. The trick is that you have to combine intake filters and positive pressure, so that dust doesn't sneak in through various cracks.

I just upgraded a 10-year-old PC that was setup this way, and it had very little dust inside. For sure, less dust than any open surface would accumulate in that same room, after just 6 months.

In the wake of field tests, the scientists claimed that the new filters capture significantly more PM than traditional alternatives.

Did they try electrostatic filters? Those are what I use in my HVAC system. The concept is similar of having particles "stick" to fibers in the filter material.

 

[bit_user]

Gah, this article is going to make me think twice about how to trim my nose hairs. Given that nanoparticle pollution is something I think & worry about.

 

[bit_user]

Last time I got some fancy case with dust filtration... When I had to open the case has some of my ex-wife hair...
before that never got expensive cases anymore.

You mean "after that"? So, you'd rather be cleaning her hair out of your fans or heatsinks? Because, if the hair got sucked into the machine, it was going to get trapped in there somewhere!

 

[bit_user]

My solution to a dust free computer was to go fanless.

I've given up on this ideal. Even my little "12 W" Alder Lake-N build ended up needing a fan.

However, I did buy an enormous copper heatsink for my Raspberry Pi 5 and a case that I plan to convert into a tower for it. So, we'll see, but I think it'll be able to do fanless.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806191835751.html
​

Even though that one shows a fan, the one I actually bought has no fan.

 

[bit_user]

If you don't mind an ugly contraption, HVAC filters held together with duct tape (Corsi-Rosenthal box) is a quick and easy way to remove dust before it gets to your PC.

I tried this, like 20 years ago. I simply cut a rectangle of HVAC filter material and taped it in front of the front intake fan of my case. It seemed to work alright, but looked rather hideous. I wouldn't do that today. Now, I just buy cases with integrated, removable dust filters. They don't work quite as well, but are much less aesthetically objectionable.

 

[bit_user]

One of the first applications needs to be Apple's Mac Studio.

The industrial design geniuses located the air intakes in about the worst possible place for pulling in dirt.

Really? It seems to me that top-mounted intake fans would definitely be worse. I think the real problem is that its diminutive size requires it to maintain fairly high airflow.

 

[ezst036]

I've given up on this ideal. Even my little "12 W" Alder Lake-N build ended up needing a fan.

You're gonna need a bigger boat heatsink.

What did you use that couldn't keep a 12w chip cool?

 

[bit_user]

You're gonna need a bigger boat heatsink.

Yeah, if you don't care about size or cost, then you can definitely dissipate a lot of heat via passive cooling. For me, I wanted it to be small. Like small mini-ITX, and there's just no way you can fit a big enough tower heatsink in such a case.

I've also seen plenty of sealed industrial cases that are like a giant heatsink. Neat, but no thanks. Furthermore, would've been more expensive than everything else, combined. So, I made it as efficient and quiet as possible and most of the time I can't hear it. If I have to wash dust filters a couple times per year, so be it.

P.S. that's a timely reference.

JAWS 50th Anniversary Event

Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic film JAWS Coming in 2025.

www.jaws50th.com

 

[King_V]

I have the same question about these as I do about the K&N air filters.

When you wash them, where does the old oil go? Is it something that's problematic for the water supply? Do I do this in the kitchen sink or something?

Is it safer, or is it just as bad as the old days when used oil was poured into storm drains or into the ground?

 

[bit_user]

I have the same question about these as I do about the K&N air filters.

When you wash them, where does the old oil go? Is it something that's problematic for the water supply?

I don't know about K&N, but the article says the researchers used "bio-compatible silicone oil". Not sure exactly what that means, but people wash all sorts of food grease down their sinks and wash oil-stained clothes in their washing machines. By comparison, the amount of oil on these is insignificant.