[wkat4242]

Interesting. So it's not actually solid state. It uses piezo vibration to create airflow. It's still got moving parts. But it's much thinner than a traditional fan.

Really solid state active cooling would be something like a peltier element which are really inefficient and could cause condensation. I don't think they have been used in off the shelf PCs for those reasons though hobbyists have certainly made builds with them.

[syntaxing]

Piezo actuators are solid state devices, though the definition can get hazy. The biggest issue with heat pumps like TECs is that you’re always paying the entropy price so you need more energy to move energy. But you also need a thermal sink somewhere to remove the generated heat. Ends up being a vicious loop for electronics.

[wkat4242]

The actuator perhaps but the wiggling thing attached to it that moves the air? I don't think that's solid state? If it were you could even call a fan solid state.

[wkipling]

On a macro scale it is solid state. Ultimately everything is vibrating when you look close enough.

[postalrat]

The piezo is a single piece while a fan has at least two.

[randyrand]

Even SSD's have electrons in them that really do move.

Gotta draw the line somewhere.