The U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and manufacturer General Electric, has developed a heat-free clothes dryer prototype.

The technology will help reduce energy use: typical clothes dryers account for approximately 1% of all energy consumption in the United States and 4% of total household consumption.

Instead of heat, the new Clothes Dryer utilizes ultrasonic technology-piezoelectric transducers driven by a custom amplifier create ultrasonic waves. These high-frequency vibrations expel moisture from clothing, leaving no byproduct other than a fine, cool mist.

The ultrasonic dryer may reduce average-load drying times to 20 minutes, compared to 60-90 minutes for conventional machines, so the energy savings potential is significant. Researchers anticipate that a commercial prototype will be available this fall. And they continue to explore additional applications for the technology, including press drying and a mechanism to harness and use the mist byproduct.

For further information on ultrasonic drying technology, see energy.gov.