Cleanroom ionization is a technique that uses electrically charged particles, called ions, to neutralize the static electricity and reduce the electrostatic attraction of dust and particles in a cleanroom. Cleanroom ionization is especially useful for cleanrooms that handle sensitive electronic components, such as semiconductors, microchips, or circuit boards, that can be damaged or destroyed by static discharge.
Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charge on the surface of an object, caused by friction, contact, or separation of materials. Static electricity can create an electric field that attracts and holds dust and particles to the object, or to other nearby objects. Static electricity can also cause sparks or shocks that can damage or destroy the object, or create fire or explosion hazards.
Cleanroom ionization works by generating a balanced stream of positive and negative ions, using devices called ionizers, that are distributed throughout the cleanroom. The ions attach to the charged dust and particles, and neutralize their charge, making them easier to remove by the airflow or the cleaning process. The ions also attach to the charged objects, and neutralize their charge, making them less prone to attract dust and particles, or to cause sparks or shocks.

Cleanroom ionization can be classified into two types: passive and active. Passive ionization is a type of ionization that uses natural sources of ions, such as radioactive materials, corona discharge, or flames, to generate ions. Passive ionization does not require any external power source, but it has some disadvantages, such as:
• It produces a low and uneven amount of ions, which may not be sufficient or effective for the cleanroom
• It emits harmful radiation, ozone, or heat, which may pose health and safety risks for the cleanroom
• It has a limited lifespan and requires frequent replacement or maintenance